Age of Triumph. Level C ~ Dictation Exercises. Page 1

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3 Term 1 {Week 1} To better understand the process and purpose of dictation exercises, please read Language for Older Ones on Ages of Grace. The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit. St. Basil the Great Term 1 {Week 2} The knowledge of God is a mountain steep indeed and difficult to climb - the majority of people scarcely reach its base. If one were a Moses, he would ascend higher and hear the sound of trumpets which, as the text of the history says, becomes louder as one advances. For the preaching of the divine Nature is truly a trumpet blast, which strikes the hearing, being already loud at the beginning but becoming yet louder at the end. St. Gregory of Nyssa Term 1 {Week 3} He who receives Communion is made holy and Divinized in soul and body in the same way that water, set over a fire, becomes boiling. Communion works like yeast that has been mixed into dough so that it leavens the whole mass. Just as by melting two candles together you get one piece of wax, so, I think, one who receives the Flesh and Blood of Jesus is fused together with Him by this Communion, and the soul finds that he is in Christ and Christ is in him. St. Cyril of Alexandria Page 3

4 Term 1 {Week 4} Short and fleeting are the joys of this world's pleasures which endeavor to turn aside from the path of life those who are called to eternity. The faithful and spiritual, therefore, must desire the things which are heavenly, and being eager for the Divine promises, lift itself to the love of the incorruptible Good and the hope of the true Light. St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome Term 1 {Week 5} We venerate Thy most pure Image, O Good One, And ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ God. Of Thine own will Thou wast pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh To deliver Thy creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to Thee: "Thou hast filled all with joy, O our Savior, By coming to save the world. Icon of Christ Not-Made-by-Hands, Troparion, Tone 2 Term 1 {Week 6} Only Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God, Who for our salvation didst will to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, Who without change didst become man and wast crucified, O Christ our God, Trampling down death by death, Who art one of the Holy Trinity, Glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us. Hymn of the Incarnation Page 4

5 Term 1 {Week 7} We, who mystically represent the Cherubim, And chant the thrice-holy hymn to the Life-giving Trinity, Let us set aside the cares of life That we may receive the King of all, Who comes invisibly escorted by the Divine Hosts. Cherubic Hymn Term 1 {Week 8} Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. From the Lorica of St. Patrick Term 1 {Week 9} Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: "I was a stranger and you took Me in" (Mt 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those "of the household of the faith" (Gal 6:10) and to wayfarers. From The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter LIII Page 5

6 Term 1 {Week 10} Let my prayer arise, in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Lord, I call upon Thee, hear me. Receive the voice of my prayer, when I call upon Thee. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep a gate of enclosure about my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, nor to contrive excuses for sins. Let my prayer arise, in Thy sight as incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. From the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gi&s Term 1 {Week 11} Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels with shepherds glorify Him! The wise men journey with a star! Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child! Kontakion of the Nativity of Our Lord Page 6

7 Term 1 {Week 12} O Lord, save Thy people, And bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians Over the enemy And by Thy Cross Preserve Thine estate. Elevation of the Cross, Troparion, Tone 1 Term 1 {Week 13} As Thou wast voluntarily raised upon the cross for our sake, Grant mercy to those who are called by Thy Name, O Christ God; Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Thy power, Granting them victories over their adversaries, By bestowing on them the Invincible trophy, Thy weapon of Peace. Elevation of the Cross, Kontakion, Tone 4 Term 1 {Week 14} Nothing in theosis is the product of human nature for nature cannot comprehend God. It is only the mercy of God that has the capacity to endow theosis unto the existing... In theosis man (the image of God) becomes likened to God, he rejoices in all the plenitude that does not belong to him by nature, because the grace of the Spirit triumphs within him, and because God acts in him. St. Maximus the Confessor Page 7

8 Term 1 {Week 15} My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things. Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, Kontakion, Tone 6 Term 1 {Week 16} As the Prophets beheld, as the Apostles taught, as the Church received, as the Teachers dogmatized, as the Universe agreed, as Grace illumined, as the Truth revealed, as falsehood passed away, as Wisdom presented, as Christ awarded, thus we declare, thus we assert, thus we proclaim Christ our true God and honor His saints, in words, in writings, in thoughts, in sacrifices, in churches, in holy icons. On the one hand, worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord. And on the other hand, honoring and venerating His Saints as true servants of the same Lord. This is the Faith of the Apostles. This is the Faith of the Fathers. This is the Faith of the Orthodox. This is the Faith which has established the Universe. From the Synodikon of the Seventh Ecumenical Council Page 8

9 Term 1 {Week 17} I do not worship matter, but the Creator of matter, who for my sake became material and deigned to dwell in matter, who through matter effected my salvation. St. John of Damascus Term 1 {Week 18} Meet it is in truth to bless thee, O Theotokos, Ever-blessed and all-blameless and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, And more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, Who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, Verily Theotokos: we magnify thee. Axion Estin Term 1 {Week 19} Today the faithful celebrate the feast with joy Illumined by thy coming, O Mother of God. Beholding thine pure image we fervently cry to thee: "Encompass us beneath thy precious veil of thy protection; Deliver us from every form of evil by entreating Christ, Thy Son and our God that He may save our souls. Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Troparion, Tone 4 Page 9

10 Term 1 {Week 20} Finally they journeyed to Constantinople, and here at last, as they attended the Divine Liturgy in the great Church of the Holy Wisdom, they discovered what they desired. We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth, for surely there is no such splendor or beauty anywhere upon earth. We cannot describe it to you: only this we know, that God dwells there among men, and that their service surpasses the worship of all other places. For we cannot forget that beauty. Story 'om the Russian Primary Chronicle regarding the life of St. Vladimir, Prince of Kiev Term 1 {Week 21} Would you forsake the monastery which was intended for glory from generation unto generation, just for a morsel of dry bread? Where is your faith? Turn around, and I shall help you." "Who are you?" asked Athanasius. "I am the Mother of the Lord," she answered, and bid Athanasius to strike his staff upon a stone. From the fissure there gushed forth a spring of water, which exists even now, in remembrance of this miraculous visitation. From the life of St. Athanasius the Athonite Page 10

11 Term 1 {Week 22} I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, Part 1 Term 1 {Week 23} And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen. Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, Part 2 Page 11

12 Term 1 {Week 24} The widow spent the whole night in vigil, praying before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. In the morning, according to God s will, she took the icon to the sea and cast it upon the water. The holy icon stood upright on the waves and began to sail westward. Time passed, and one evening the monks of the Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos beheld a pillar of light, shining upon the sea like the sun (ca. 1004). The miraculous image lasted several days, while the fathers of the Holy Mountain gathered together, marveling. Finally they descended to the edge of the sea, where they beheld the pillar of light standing above the icon of the Theotokos. But when they approached it, the icon moved farther out to sea. From the story of the Iveron Icon of the Theotokos Term 1 {Week 25} In truth thou wast revealed to thy flock as a rule of faith, An image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; Thy humility exalted you; Thy poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, Entreat Christ our God That our souls may be saved. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Troparion, Tone 4 Page 12

13 Term 1 {Week 26} When they carried the icon, the enemy fired a volley of arrows at the procession, and one of them pierced the iconographic face of the Mother of God. Tears trickled from Her eyes, and the icon turned its face towards the city. After this divine Sign an inexpressible terror suddenly fell upon the enemy. They began to strike one another, and taking encouragement from the Lord, the people of Novgorod fearlessly gave battle and won the victory. From the story of the Weeping Icon of the Theotokos of the Sign of Novgorod Term 1 {Week 27} Having departed from worldly tumults, In leaving the world you followed Christ according to the Gospel. You reached the quiet refuge of the Holy Mount Athos, Living there a life equal to the angels. Therefore, with the blessing of the Fathers, You came to the Kievan hills. There having fulfilled a life loving of labors, You illumined your homeland. And having shown a multitude of monastics The pathway leading to the heavenly kingdom, You led them to Christ. Beseech him, O Venerable Anthony, That he may save our souls! St. Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Troparion, Tone 4 Page 13

14 Term 1 {Week 28} Knowing the great benefit of good books upon the soul, Theodosius instituted the reading of spiritually profitable texts during meals, and sought to augment the number of such books in the monastery. Books were still a rarity at that time, and one of the valued occupations of the monastery was the copying and binding of manuscripts. Theodosius himself helped in this work. From the life of St. Theodosius of the Kiev Caves Term 1 {Week 29} Christ revealed you, O Blessed Alexander As a new and glorious worker of wonders; A man and a prince well pleasing to God And a divine treasure of the Russian Land. Today we assemble in faith and love To glorify the Lord by joyously remembering you. He granted you the grace of healing, Therefore entreat Him to strengthen your suffering spiritual children, And to save all Orthodox Christians. St. Alexander Nevsky, Troparion, Tone 4 Page 14

15 Term 1 {Week 30} Of old, the people of Russia heard report of the appearance of thy holy image amid the groves of Kursk and, making haste unto it with zeal, they cried out in compunction: Why is this granted to us, that the Mother of our Lord hath come to us? And beholding thine icon lying at the root of the tree, O Mistress, they took it up as a great treasure, and cried out to thee, its prototype: Rejoice, most radiant [garden of] paradise, which gavest rise to the Tree of life! Rejoice, divine garden that didst produce the tree of the Church! Rejoice, fragrant blossom who perfumest the whole world! Rejoice, undefiled lily who adornest the universe! Rejoice, fruitful vine that dost quench the thirst of all with the wine of compunction! Rejoice, sanctified branch that dost nourish the human race with sweet fruit! Rejoice, root of the dispensation of God! Rejoice, summit and peak of our salvation! Rejoice, thou who cuttest down our evil passions at the root! Rejoice, thou who plantest a garden of virtues! Rejoice, thou who rootest good habits within us! Rejoice, thou who dost grant us to share in the life of paradise! Rejoice, O Mistress, who ever revealest signs of thy mercy unto the world! Akathist to the Theotokos, Kursk Root, Ikos IV Term 1 {Week 31} St Peter fell asleep in the Lord on December 21, The holy relics of the saint were buried in the Dormition cathedral in a stone crypt, which he himself had prepared. Many miracles were accomplished through the saint's prayers. Many healings were even done secretly, which testifies to his profound humility even after death. From the life of St. Peter of Moscow Page 15

16 Term 1 {Week 32} At midnight, when everyone was asleep, the saint awoke and saw a bright light illuminating the area. The light proceeded from a fiery column on the other bank of the river, to which there stretched a bridge. Taking up his staff, the saint went across to the other bank, and having approached the fiery column, he beheld on it the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, suspended in the air. Astonished at the miracle, the saint prayed for a long time, and when he went back, he forgot to take his staff. From the story of the Icon of the Theotokos of Tolga Term 1 {Week 33} One of the monks went to the top of the hill after he had prayed, and suddenly he saw the Theotokos standing on a stone and encircled by flame. He summoned the other monk to behold the marvel. A third witness of the vision was the herdsman Ioann Bosoi. He ran to the hill, and the three of them glorified God. The Most Holy Theotokos left the imprint of Her right foot on the stone where She had stood. From the story of the Icon of the Theotokos of Pochaev Page 16

17 Term 1 {Week 34} Because the Deity is goodness itself, true mercy and an abyss of loving bounty - or, rather, He is that which embraces and contains this abyss, since He transcends every name that is named and everything we can conceive - we can receive mercy only by union with Him. We unite ourselves to Him, in so far as this is possible, by participating in the godlike virtues and by entering into communion with Him through prayer and praise. Because the virtues are similitudes of God, the participate in them puts us in a fit state to receive the Deity, yet it does not actually unite us to Him. St. Gregory Palamas Term 1 {Week 35} Late at night, St. Sergius was reading an Akathist to the Mother of God. Having finished his habitual rule, he sat down to rest a bit, but suddenly he said to his disciple, St. Micah, "Be alert, my child, for we shall have a wondrous visitation." Scarcely had he uttered these words than a voice was heard: "The All-Pure One approaches!" St. Sergius rushed from the cell to the entrance, and suddenly it was illumined by a bright light, brighter than the sun. He beheld nearby in imperishable glory the Mother of God, accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John. Unable to bear such a vision, St. Sergius reverently prostrated himself before the Mother of God. From the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh Page 17

18 Term 1 {Week 36} All of us of the holy Eastern Church of Christ acknowledge the holy Mark Evgenikos of Ephesus. We honor and receive this saintly, God-bearing and righteous man as a zealot of ardent piety, who was a champion of all our sacred dogmas and correct piety. He is an emulator and equal to the holy theologians, and those that adorned the Church of ancient times. From the glorification of St. Mark of Ephesus Page 18