EmperorConstantine
25th March 2007, 11:24 PM
For those who don't know, I became Orthodox in August this past summer. I was Roman Catholic before then.
Since then, a few good things have happened.
1) My dad was transferred back home from Miami and was tonsured a reader before coming home.
2) Because of 1, I've been able to get to church a bit more frequently.
3) Since August (and partly because of 2) I've been a bit more positive and have cut down on my semi-foul language considerably.
And last but not least, a few weeks ago I was first in the alter area and have been an acolyte since.
This is where the thoughts come in. As we know, today is the feast of the Annunciation. As an acolyte whose at the church during Matins, that means you help out as usual. Fortunately, our Sub-deacon Gideon and a few other "regulars" were there to help during Matins when we had to hold the candles and fans before venerating the icon and receiving the blessing.
Well, it was during this time that I was holding one of the candles and listening to the Gospel when out of nowhere, I was hit with a state of mind that has been foreign to me for almost four years: peace and joy. This moment was one that is indescribable, but if you could describe it, it would be one of pure bliss and semi-illumination.
For a long time, I have not been happy with my life whether it be because of no driver's license, no car, no job, no girlfriend, no plan for the future and no money. But today when Fr. John was reading the Gospel during Matins, none of that seemed to matter. None of it entered my thought as "problems" but instead there seemed to be solutions to these "problems"! I was ecstatic! However, I was holding a candle and did not want to burn the church down :blush:
I told my step mom about this and she said that I was having a moment with God. I think I'll talk to Fr. John and see what his opinion is.
I can not describe this moment (which lasted at least thirty minutes) any better. I just hope it may happen again.
Just thought I'd like to share that with everybody.
Since then, a few good things have happened.
1) My dad was transferred back home from Miami and was tonsured a reader before coming home.
2) Because of 1, I've been able to get to church a bit more frequently.
3) Since August (and partly because of 2) I've been a bit more positive and have cut down on my semi-foul language considerably.
And last but not least, a few weeks ago I was first in the alter area and have been an acolyte since.
This is where the thoughts come in. As we know, today is the feast of the Annunciation. As an acolyte whose at the church during Matins, that means you help out as usual. Fortunately, our Sub-deacon Gideon and a few other "regulars" were there to help during Matins when we had to hold the candles and fans before venerating the icon and receiving the blessing.
Well, it was during this time that I was holding one of the candles and listening to the Gospel when out of nowhere, I was hit with a state of mind that has been foreign to me for almost four years: peace and joy. This moment was one that is indescribable, but if you could describe it, it would be one of pure bliss and semi-illumination.
For a long time, I have not been happy with my life whether it be because of no driver's license, no car, no job, no girlfriend, no plan for the future and no money. But today when Fr. John was reading the Gospel during Matins, none of that seemed to matter. None of it entered my thought as "problems" but instead there seemed to be solutions to these "problems"! I was ecstatic! However, I was holding a candle and did not want to burn the church down :blush:
I told my step mom about this and she said that I was having a moment with God. I think I'll talk to Fr. John and see what his opinion is.
I can not describe this moment (which lasted at least thirty minutes) any better. I just hope it may happen again.
Just thought I'd like to share that with everybody.