Volume V, Number 8 A friendly Orthodox Christian ‘Zine AUGUST 2010 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Celebrated August 6 The Grand Mosaic of the Transfiguration Monastery of St. Catherine located at the foot of Mt. Sinai One work within the Monastery’s main church (Katholikon), deco- rating the sanctuary apse, is particularly notable. The subject of the Transfiguration is very appropriate to this holy site, which is associ- ated with the two instances when God was “seen” by the Prophet Moses and by the Prophet Elijah, the latter of whom had felt God as a light breeze on Mount Horeb, below the Peak of the Decalogue. (continued on page 5) THE FRUIT BASKET Edited and published monthly by An Orthodox Christian The goal of this publication is to provide a friendly, light, Orthodox Christian ’Zine (a mini-magazine) that contains a blend of “something to exercise our minds, something to make us laugh, and something to make us meditate on spiritual matters.” It is also a venue for sharing our insights and interests. Articles or comments from our readers are welcome. We reserve the right to edit for suitability, clarity and space. Printing of items does not imply endorsement by the church or the priest or even the editor of this publication. Please call if you need more info. Send comments or articles by phone to Margaret Rusynyk 440-238-7867 after 6 pm. Email to [email protected] or by snail mail to The FRUIT BASKET, 18893 Howe Road Strongsville, OH 44136 © 2010 The FRUIT BASKET www.sttheodosius.org Click Parish Publications for back issues. We Got Mail... Dear Margaret, As a member of the Lay Visitors Ministry Team at St. Matthew’s Orthodox Church, I look forward to visiting members of our parish... We take along on our visits copies of the church bulletin, reprints of recent homilies, and of course, copies of The Fruit Basket. With respect to the latter, I cannot begin to tell you how much our members enjoy reading your publication—they find the articles and special features to be inspirational as well as educational and very entertaining. Keep on bringing us the “good news.” Sincerely, Ralph P. Thank you, Ralph, for your kindness and for letting me know that the goal of The Fruit Basket is being achieved. That is encour- agement indeed! The Editor 2 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 MEDITATION FOR AUGUST Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. —A.S. Roche Lord, help me to release my worry and fretting to You—knowing that You hold the future and You want what is best for me. Amen the Bless Your Heart Each New Day Cal- endar donated by Kathy Z, of Parma Mount Sinai—Mount Moses John Lloyd Stephens said that “Among all the stupendous works of Nature, not a place can be selected more fitting for the exhibition of Almighty power. Mount Sinai is both the name of a collection of peaks, sometimes referred to as the Holy Mountains, and the biblical name of the peak on which Moses received the Ten Commandments. Mount Mousa (or Musa), also referred to as Mount Moses or the Mountain of Moses is considered to be that biblical peak. The 7,497 foot mountain has 3,750 steps hewn out of stone by monks of St. Catherine’s Mon- astery, which is located just to the North. The peak is accessible by the steps, or by a gentler path east of the monastery. Both lead to an amphitheater known as the “Seven Elders of Israel”. From there, one must ascend the remaining 750 steps to reach the summit where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1934 (on the location of the original chapel built in 363 and rebuilt by Justinian in 530) and affords a truly breathtaking view. It is recommended that you take the steps down, as they will lead you past the fountain of Moses, a small chapel of the Virgin, and two arches, the Gate of St. Stephen and the Gate of the Law. (continued ) 3 ST. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine’s Monastery, was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses’ Burning Bush, which has a chapel built atop it. It is a spectacular natural setting for price- less works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, reliquaries, including one donated by Czar Alexander II in the 19th century, and another by Empress Catherine of Russia in the 17th century. But of perhaps even greater significance is that it is one of the largest and most important collec- tion of illuminated manuscripts in the world (The Vatican has the largest). The collection consists of some 4,500 volumes in Greek, Coptic, Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Slavic, Syriac, Georgian and other languages. St. Catherine’s has a rich history indeed. So rich that it is a sparkling example of an undiscovered jewel of travel. It has been called the oldest working Christian monastery and the smallest diocese in the world. The Chapel of the Burning Bush was originally ordered built by Empress Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, but the monastery itself was actually built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region and to honor the site of the Burning Bush. St. Catherine, whose body was reportedly carried away by angels, was discovered five hundred years later at the top of the peak that now bears her name. Her relics are stored in a marble reliquary in the Basilica. We have additional 4 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 pictures of this church, and of its interior. St. Catherine’s is also a formidable fortification, with granite walls measuring 8 to 35 meters tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. Prior to probably the twentieth century, the only entrance to St. Catherine’s was a small door 30 feet high, where provisions and people were lifted with a system of pulleys, and where food was often lowered to nomads. It has withstood numerous attacks over its 14 hundred year existence, thus protecting a rich store of art. Today, while it is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, its original, preserved state is un- matched. Though patronized during much of its history by the Russian Orthodox Church, it is now under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Church. Most of its monks are also of Greek origin, though their ranks include an international flavor. The Grand Mosaic of the Transfiguration (continued from front cover) Moreover, this has been par excellence the favorite subject of the monks who aspire to holiness, to become worthy of contemplating and viewing God’s ineffable glory, the increate Taborian Light. Christ is portrayed with black hair and beard in an oval “glory” between Moses and Elijah who represent the Law and the prophets. Below, the three awed disciples are pictured in different poses. This superb mosaic must have been made by master mosaicists who had come from Constantinople. Cleaning and conservation operations, undertaken in 1958 by American experts, revealed the brightness and delicacy of the colors, the lively treatment of the subject and the excel- lent quality of this unique work of art. Because of the sanctity and spirituality of the site and the famous mosaic of the Transfiguration, the Monastery’s church (Katholikon) became known with the passing of centuries as “Church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior”. To this day it is known under this name, in addition to the original name in honor of the Virgin of the Burning Bush and the later one in honor of St. Catherine. á Condensed Articles and photos were obtained from the following website: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/catherines2-49.htm 5 Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (First of the three “Feasts of the Savior” in August) Commemorated on August 1 Kontakion - Tone 4 As You were voluntarily crucified for our sake, Grant mercy to those who are called by Your name; Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, Granting them victories over their adversaries, By bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Your weapon of peace! á Troparion - Tone 1 O Lord, save Your people, And bless Your inheritance! Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians Over their adversaries. And by virtue of the Cross, Preserve Your habitation! 6 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ (Second “Feast of the Savior” in August) Commemorated on August 6 Kontakion - Tone 7 On the Mountain You were Transfigured, O Christ God, And Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it; So that when they would behold You crucified, They would understand that Your suffering was voluntary, And would proclaim to the world, That You are truly the Radiance of the Father! Troparion - Tone 7 You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of Light, glory to You! 7 THE DORMITION OF THETHEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY Commemorated on August 15 Kontakion - Tone 2 Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions.