Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

Psalm 44 (Hebrew text 45), Song of Solomon, and other OT passages The dismissal Theotokion in the second tone, sung during the liturgy for the Forerunner John the Baptist this week, is both exalted and intimate.  It is sung both as a paean of praise to our Lady, and a song of great love toContinue reading “All Beyond Thought! The Dismissal-Resurrectional Theotokion in Tone 2”

(With help from Jeremiah 31, Genesis 3, Isaiah 6) The dismissal hymn for the Theotokos this week (in tone three), though quite brief, prompts many questions for those who are not Orthodox.  It also suggests some points for deep meditation even for those who have been following in the Orthodox way since birth, or forContinue reading “Mediatrix of our Salvation: The Dismissal Theotokion in the Third Tone”

Ezekiel 7,  Jeremiah 7, Psalm 125 (MT 126) A demolition is not usually an occasion for joy.  The summer before I turned eleven, I stared forlornly out the kitchen window with my mom onto what had been my haven since moving into our new house: an abandoned and perfectly wonderful apple orchard.  That past yearContinue reading “The Demolition of Death: the Resurrectional Hymns in the Seventh Tone”

Taken as a pair, the resurrectional hymns in tone five demonstrate both the corporate and the personal nature of our faith. The troparion enjoins “us, the faithful” to praise Christ; the kontakion speaks to the Savior with an intimacy and a grateful devotion that recognizes His personal connection with each of us, as well asContinue reading “Ascending the Cross! The Resurrectional Hymns in Tone Five”

Both the troparion and kontakion for the resurrection in tone three are brimming full of joy. Indeed, I remember being so taken by the troparion that, long before I was chrismated, I sang it for those who were listening to me give a talk on Anglican hymnody.  I think it was the end of theContinue reading “Dancing with the Prophets: The Resurrectional Hymns in Tone Three”

What better way to a make fresh start with my blog and podcast in this first week of summer, than to tackle a commentary on the hymns for the Resurrection in tone one? (I want to offer my apologies for unceremoniously ghosting on you all for almost 11 months: I have had health concerns sinceContinue reading “LORD and Lover of the Household—The Resurrectional Hymns in the First Tone”

Job 26:7-14; Isaiah 51:9-11, Mark 9:3, Matthew 17:2, Luke 9:29. The hymns in tone two for the resurrection (both the troparion and kontakion) are, like the others in the eight-tone sequence, dramatic. Taking their cue from the story of the resurrection itself, these songs highlight the glory of the One who is the Resurrection andContinue reading ““The Lightning of his Godhead:” the Resurrectional Hymns in the Second Tone”

Psalm 67/68:17-19; Ephesians 4:7-11; John 20:19-31; 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 This week our Orthodox cycle of hymns for Sunday, the day of resurrection, brings us to the verge of mystery. We are led to contemplate both the heights which Christ has scaled, and the depths which He has plumbed for us. We are also led toContinue reading “From the Heights to the Depths: The Resurrectional Hymns in Tone 8, and the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost”

1 Peter 3:18-20; 1 Peter 4:6; Ephesians 4:9-10; Matthew 27:50-54; Philippians 2:5-11; Isaiah 61:10-62:5 The Scriptures are fairly quiet about what happened between the crucifixion and the resurrection appearances of Jesus to St. Mary Magdalene and the twelve early on Pascha morning. There are only three Biblical passages, (or possibly four) that intimate what theContinue reading “Not Tempted by Hades? The Sunday of the Ecumenical Fathers and the Resurrectional Hymns in the Sixth Tone”

1 Cor 1:26-31; Hosea 6:6-7; Genesis 3:1-5; Wisdom 2:23-24. “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mat 9:13) This week, as we come to the end of the apostles’ fast, we celebrate the two most famous apostles, Peter and Paul,Continue reading “Calling All Sinners: The Apostles, the Women Disciples, and the Resurrection Hymns in the Fourth Tone”