When those we love are in grief

(Picture from recent panakhyda)

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Second week of lent has seen much sorrow.

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Grief on behalf of someone I love greatly

who lost his spiritual father.

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One of my dearest friends and sisters in Ottawa -

it was just confirmed that her father has

wide spread cancer

and the prospects of recovery are very dim.

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On Wednesday she found out about

the possibility;

Thursday we prayed together for;

Friday the news of cancer was finalized.

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Whenever these times of sorrow come

and they come to us all

it makes me want to run to everyone

and proclaim

love your family! talk to them, call them, forgive them

love them

for someday the sorrow will come

and the time of reconciliation and love

on this side

will come to an end.

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Thank God for the Orthodox Church.

Thank God that we grieve but not without hope.

Thank God we can pray for the departed.

Thank God that in the Holy Spirit we can ask God

to tell them of our love for them;

Thank God that the liturgy here on earth joins heaven

and that in the church we are never apart...

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Lord help us in our times of sorrow,

so that we are not utterly crushed to the ground.

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Two Akathists for sorrow:

Akathist to Jesus Light to Those in Darkness

Akathist to the Theotokos, Joy of All Who Sorrow

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I was given one that is for sorrow and depression;

I don't have a link for it but email me

if you need it

( roosjeblog @ yahoo . ca )

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We must continually look the the Lord Christ and

His Holy Mother;

we are never without help.