Journey Back to Eden.pdf - St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Chicago

JANUARYA TIME OF CELEBRATIONJANUARY 1, THURSDAYO Lord of Glory,Blessed are you in the making of every season and in thedispensation of a new year of grace! I thank you that I maypass this threshold of time in the stillness of a desert night, farfrom all revelry and every human diversion. So silent anddeep, this darkness of a new year in the wilderness! I turn myear a moment toward the city of man, and it is so quiet herethat I can somehow imagine that I hear the parties and themusic of their celebrations. May they have joy in their festivities,O Lord of Joy. But have mercy on their souls, for tonightI can also hear the tones of desperation in their shrill outcries.I hear the wailing in their laughter. I even hear the shrieks ofdemons in the tumult and the din of drunkenness. Mercy,mercy, O Lord on us; mercy on me, who passes into this newyear with the burden of all my own weaknesses, faults, andneeds! Slip into our groans by the intercession of your goodSpirit, the secret prayer of our yearning for you. For this Ipray in Christ Jesus’ name. Amen.Christmas in the Coptic Orthodox ChurchJANUARY 6 AND 7, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAYTuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Throughout theday, yesterday and today, the monks were quieter than usual, if that86