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This post comes from an email in the "Walk Through the Church Year" series which goes out to folks who sign up to receive two emails per month about major feasts and selected commemorations in the liturgical calendar. To receive these emails in your inbox, sign up here.  The original email was sent out in September of 2024. by Reader John Elevation of the Cross by the hand of Georgi Chimev At my home parish of Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church, September 14 is always extra …

The Creation account is read four times each year in the Orthodox Church: on the eves of the greatest feasts of the Lord Jesus—the Nativity, Theophany, and Pascha—and during the first week of Great Lent. It seems like a fitting visual meditation for the start of the new liturgical year, as well. Read more about this icon by Georgi Chimev. Dear Reader, Do the feasts and commemorations of the church sometimes sneak up on you? The Church in her wisdom gives us cycles of repe …

Saint Gregory Palamas lived in the 14th century. Born in Asia Minor, he was raised in the imperial court of Constantinople and later left to enter the monastic life on Mount Athos. He subjected himself to extreme asceticism so severe that he was forced to travel to Thessalonica for medical treatment.In 1341, Saint Gregory was present at a council that was convened against Barlaam of Calabria. Saint Gregory had previously held discussions with Barlaam about the Orthodox theology of …

Sometimes we receive the question: What are the Feasts, anyway? Those coming from a tradition that does not celebrate Church Feasts may even think we go to church and eat a big meal together. Do be sure—sometimes we do! But that's not what it means. Oxford Dictionary's first definition of feast is "a large meal." But the second definition is "an annual religious celebration." This comes from the Latin festus, "joyous." It is a joyous day of celebration for the Church. In the Orth …

In browsing our new site, we hope that you will find it better organized, better designed, with improved features.New & Updated FeaturesVisual Improvements The site will be reorganized, with updated images and graphics throughout the site. It will be easier to navigate and find the products you are looking for. And with over half our customers using mobile devices, we have worked to significantly improve the mobile user experience.Filter and Search A prominent search bar will be on …

The burning of incense is a divine command. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship (Exodus 30). When the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple, incense was offered there (1/3 Kings 9:25).When the people fell away into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13), for it was merely an act, and not a true exp …

The Didache, orThe Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is an early Christian text that most scholars date to the first or early second century. The Didache was highly regarded by many early Christian authors and theologians. Athanasius of Alexandria (†373) recommended it to converts, and it had a great influence on theApostolic Constitutions(375). Before the New Testament canon was formally settled in 692, a number of Biblical canons included theDidache; John of Damascus (†749) was also a …

According to Orthodox tradition, the Lord's Cross was made from three kinds of wood: Cypress, Pine and Cedar. This is believed to be a fulfillment of Isaiah 60:13: The glory of Lebanon will come to you, with cypress and pine and cedar together, to glorify my holy place; and I will make my footstool glorious. Legacy Icons is pleased to offer a new Wall Cross hand-crafted in our own woodshop from these three kinds of wood. Place this unique symbol at the heart of your home praye …

The real reason for the season… For the last few years, we have seen for sale figurines and artwork depicting Santa Claus kneeling to the Christ Child. Evidently, these are a popular item. But it strikes us as odd. Recently, Legacy Icons sent a newsletter with a photo of one such figurine, contrasted with an icon of St. Nicholas of Myra, with the headline: “Ho Ho Ho, or Holy Holy Holy?” We believe the creators of these figures and artwork have good intentions. If we are unde …

July 2 Update We have successfully completed our move, and we are working hard on your orders! We have a backlog of a few hundred orders, so we appreciate your patience as we work through them.Legacy Icons will be closed on Monday, July 5, for Independence Day, and we'll be back at full-speed on Tuesday, July 6. Legacy Icons is excited to announce that we are moving to a much larger facility! We are grateful to our spectacular customers who have helped our mission grow. As we …