Spring In The Underground

Right, it's been a little while since I've had a normal post on The Underground.
I have not much time and not much bandwith for that matter, but I figured I'd drop in and let everyone know that I have not died.
It has gotten unseasonably HOT outside, a bit too hot for this early in SPRING, and allergies are running rampant.
Oh well...what is one to do?
Moving on...

Last night I had attended a TNA Live wrestling event (any nerd or geek comments will be eschewed with a firm hand!) and it was mega! Quite out the blue really, and in a hole-in-the-wall venue called the Phantasy, I was treated to seeing some of the biggest legends in wrestling history, and of course, some of my new favourites.
When I am not sat at a computer that takes eons to load things, I shall do a pic posting of who was there and I plan also to do a blog of love to TNA Wrestling down the line (I might have mentioned it back in the previous TNA post, but clearly I have yet to do it...)

Anyway, tonight I am also excited, for I am hitting a Cage The Elephant gig in a rather intimate setting.
Should be a bit messy...if I can help it!

Cheers all,
Sphinx
x

Great And Holy Pascha Sunday

"Having fallen asleep in the flesh, as a mortal, O King and Lord, on the third day Thou didst rise again, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption, Salvation of the world!" - Exapostilarion from the Paschal Matins


THE PASCHAL HOMILY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM*


If any be a devout lover of God,
let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting,
let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third,
let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any have come after the sixth,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh,
let him not be afraid because he comes so late.

For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same was as him who has laboured from the first.
He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.

Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.

Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Saviour has set us free.

He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And life is liberated!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen.

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Христос воскрес! Воїстину воскрес!
Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

*(On Pascha Sunday, in Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox parishes, this homily by St John Chrysostom is read. St. John, one of the Eastern Fathers of the Church, was given the name "Chrysostom," which means "golden-mouthed," due to the beauty of his oratory. Some of this beauty on display here, as St John explains to us how even those who waited until the very last hour to prepare for the Christ's Resurrection on Pascha Sunday should share in the feast.)

Good Friday

Let my prayer rise like incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands like an evening sacrifice.
O Lord, I have cried out to you, O Lord hear me. Give heed to the voice of my supplication when I cry out to you.
O Lord, set a guard over my lips, and set a seal upon the door of my lips.
Incline my heart away from evil dealings, and from finding excuses for the sins I commit." - Excerpt from the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts

PSALM 103/104

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! Clothed in pomp and brilliance, arrayed with light as with a cloak, stretching out the sky as a tent-cloth, establishing your lofty halls on water. You make the clouds your conveyance, you surge on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fires your attendants.

You settled the earth on its foundation: it shall stand unmoved from age to age. The abyss covered it like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke, they take to flight, at the peal of your thunder, they flee. They hurdle the hills and run down the dales to the place you have chosen for them. You have set up a boundary not to be passed: they shall never return to cover the earth.

Down in the gullies, you make springs to rise; waters shall flow between the mountains. They shall give drink to the beasts of the field; wild asses will seek them to quench their thirst. The birds of the sky shall abide by them; from among the rocks, they will raise their song. From your lofty halls you refresh the hills; the earth shall be fed with the fruit of your works.

You make green pastures for the cattle and food-plants for the service of man, so that bread may be drawn from the earth, and wine that gladdens the heart of man; so that oil may put a gleam on his face, and that bread may strengthen the heart of man. The trees of the plain shall be satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. Sparrows shall build their nests in them, herons shall call them their home. To the deer belong the high mountains; to rodents, the shelter of the rock.

You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness, and it is night, wherein the forest creatures prowl. Young lions roar for their prey, and call out to God for their meat. As the sun rises, they will come together, and lay themselves down in their dens. Man will go out to his labor, and work until eventide.

How great are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all. The earth is filled with your creatures, even the wide and open sea. Within it are countless creeping things, living beings small and large. Upon it there are ships a-sailing, and the great beast you made to have fan. All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. You provide and they gather up; you open your hands, and they are full. You hide your face, and they cringe; you suspend their breath, and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your breath, and they live; you renew the face of the earth.

May the Lord's glory endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in his works. He looks upon the earth, and makes it quake; he touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, I will praise my God as long as I last. Would that my thoughts be pleasing to him, and I will rejoice in the Lord. May the sinners vanish from the earth, and the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The sun knows the time of its setting. You establish darkness and it is night.

How great are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Holy and Great Thursday

"Let me this day, O Son of God, be a partaker in your Mystical Supper, for i will not reveal your Mysteries to your enemies, nor will I betray you with a kiss as did Judas, but like the repentant thief I openly profess You: 'Remember me, O Lord, in Your Kingdom'"- Vigil Divine Liturgy on Great Thursday: Cherubic Hymn

Catch-Upings

This is a quick update to let everyone know that I have not perished.
I have simply been spitting nickels.
I had no posts in the month of March, because I hate that month and was essentially dead that entire time.
It was dark, gloomy, sad, the one-year anniversary of my dad's death, stupid and a waste of time.
But thank goodness that April is here, as it really is a lovely time.
Though last week I was sequestered in funeral-land, as my uncle had passed away.
When will it end?
Soon, I hope.
Though that's no problem, as the brightest and most joyous time of the entire year is fast-approaching, Easter Sunday!
The official best day. Ever.
Today is Great and Holy Thursday, and I really wasn't interested in going online today, but stupid things beckoned.
I then figured that I should post some malarky.
So there it is.
Enjoy.

Poll Results 3

The poll has closed some time ago, but only now have I been able to sit down and put the results up...for those of you who haven't seen it?
Whatever.

Anyway, results are as follows:
What is your favourite genre of music?
1. Rock - 2 votes
2. Indie - 1 vote
3. Alternative - 1 vote
4. Electronic - 1 vote
5. Pop - 1 vote
6. Classical - 1 vote
7. Other - 1 vote

Overall, there were inconclusive results, but a record for the most votes...
:S
I will put a new one up in the same location, and hopefully there will be more activity.
Vote, tell your friends...