The Vladimirskaya icon, as Russians call it.
Last week, I received a big parcel from my dear Russian friend. The parcel included many kinds of items: a great religious book called Everyday Saints and Other Stories written by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), four CD's full of Russian Orthodox music sung by the Sretensky monastery choir, three T-shirts (very beautiful), sacred images (out of which one was a refrigerator magnet), an Orthodox bookmark, the Vladimirskaya icon, and a wonderful handmade Easter egg. Wow!
This was the best birthday gift I have ever gotten in my life and it made me really happy. I feel that the whole content of this parcel is caused by the guidance of God. I mean, I can recognize "the God's hand" or Divine providence in these gifts and it strengthens my weak faith. Thank you very much, my dear friend. Большое спасибо, мой ангел! You really are an angel sent to me by God. （＾—＾）
Blessings to all of my friends!
Teisuka
A handmade Russian Easter egg.
One of three Russia T-shirts (all different).
Four CD's, full of Russian Orthodox music sung by
the Sretensky monastery choir.
A religious book (Everyday Saints and Other Stories),
sacred images, a refrigerator magnet, and a bookmark.
sacred images, a refrigerator magnet, and a bookmark.
Hi, Teisuka! You are very lucky to get such wonderful gifts from an angel! ^^o^^
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you! When is your Birthday? I wish you to be as happy, eternally young and wise as angels :)
Victor.
Hi Victor,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words and good wishes. Yes, I am lucky and blessed to have such an angel. Besides, she is a wise. So I don't need to become wise as an angel by myself. :D My birthday was one week ago (February 11). How about yours? Blessings and all the best to you and your loved ones, my friend! :)
Teisuka
April 2 is my birthday and the name day (день ангела) too.
DeleteVic.
Okay. Thanks for the information, Victor. Wow, I didn't know that name day is «день ангела» ("angel day") in Russian language, if I understand correctly. Beautiful language, indeed. Blessings! :) Teisuka
DeleteYes, correctly. "Angel day" is the day of your guardian angel, given to everyone in saint baptism. It is also the day of your saint patron when the Church revere his memory. Vic.
DeleteThanks for your explanation, Victor. It's a beautiful tradition. I just realized that when I will be an Orthodox Christian, I will have a different name day. The western (etymological) origin of my name is Tychicus and I was born on February 11. So when is actually my name day? I don't even know! Haha. I must confess that Orthodox name day system is very complicated... Haha. :D Blessings! ~Teisuka
DeleteWell, Tychicus is a christian name. It is mentioned in New Testament for several times. There was an apostle of 70s with this name who accompanied the Apostle Paul in his journeys. This name in russian is Тихик, the name day is 8 december. Very rare name, I don't know anyone with this name in Russia :) It sounds close to popular name Tihon (Тихон), but it ia a different name. Very simmple system.. He-he))
DeleteVic.
Hi again, Victor. Many thanks for your effort and giving me the example. Perhaps system feels simple when I'll learn it. ;) And maybe my new name day will be December 8... Or 17 February, according to Theodore of Amasea. Because my name also etymologically reminds a Christian name Theodore. Besides, his feast day is close to my birthday. You can see, I also carried out some investigation... Haha. :) Teisuka
DeleteHi Teisuka,
ReplyDeleteWow...these gifts are really wonderful! I'm very happy for you. I agree with you that this is a sign of "God's hand." As a christian myself, I believe that there is God's guidance in every aspect of our life, but most of the time we just don't recognize it. It's great that you recognized it. -:) Ha ha....I think you're truly blessed. And I'm sure you'll receive my blessings from God this year.
Thank you for sharing part of your life, especially your happiness with us. May you enjoy life even better with all the blessings that come in many different ways.
Have a nice weekend, my friend! -:)
Bao
Hi Bao,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words and blessings. Glad to see you here, my friend and spiritual brother. :) We share the same faith: "There is God's guidance in every aspect of our life." Amen. Yes, I also feel I am blessed and privileged to have such an angel in my life. As you know, she have led me back to faith, and it has been a loooong road! Almost three years already, and these days I feel "I am coming home"...
For my part, I wish you and your family all the blessings from God. Be blessed and well, and thank you for being my friend. Have a nice weekend! :)
Teisuka
Dear Tembo-san
ReplyDeleteAah, so sorry I missed your birthday this year! Belated Birthday Greetings and hope that it is not too late. I wish you a grand year and may you find happiness around every corner you turn!
Incidentally, I lost the notebook with all the dates and passwords that I should remember, I may have thrown it out accidentally! Now I don't know what, how and when everything is! Major bummer!
Thankyou for sharing the pictures of your birthday gifts with us! The Easter egg is gorgeous!
- Michiko
Dear Michiko-chan,
DeleteGlad to see you here after a long time. ^^ Thank you for your belated birthday greetings. Yes, it was almost two weeks ago. Actually, most of my friends forgot it, but never mind, because I do not usually celebrate my birthday. ^^ Thanks also for your good wishes and kind words. I'm glad you like that handmade Easter egg. It's my favorite too.
You lost your notebook? Oh no, too bad. Hope you will find it... Be well and take good care of yourself, my friend. Again, many thanks for visiting. I wish you all the best! ^^
Blessings,
Tembo