One of the many reasons I haven’t updated this thing in so long is because I’m working on several new projects at the same time. One of them is the new “Learn Chaldean” book series I’m writing for grades 1-8, or for whoever wants to learn the Chaldean dialect of Neo-Aramaic. Anyway, here’s the link […]
Here’s a draft translation of the various Introductions to both major editions of the Hudhra (the liturgy of the hours of the Church of the East). There’s a lot to say about each of them, but for now I’ll post them as they are. If anyone sees mistakes in my translation (or transliteration of the […]
Here’s my homily during the ordination of Fr. Christopher Somo:
Response: Thanksgiving to the Conqueror who conquered and made all conquer, and ascended in glory to heaven. – One High Priest was taken from among mortals to the high place of peace, and he entered to serve in the divine dwelling on behalf of his flock. He was made worthy to enter the holy of […]
This is a selection and translation from the “Teaching of the Resurrection,” or Easter Homily, by Mar Jacob of Sarug: A blessed joyfulness moves me today, in which I repeat the words of the prophet: “this is the day the Lord has made! Come, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” This is the […]
This day, liturgically, is one more for silence than for words, but it does seem fitting to pray these petitions. This is a video of the first two verses, sung by my bishop, Mar Emanuel Shaleta, and myself: Let us all stand composed, in contrition and diligence, let us implore and say: Lord, have mercy […]
The three Madrashe for Passion Friday are independent pieces of hymnody, but follow a general thread. The first picks up on Christ’s command to Peter, James, and John to stay awake with him in the garden. Recounting the dramatic events of Christ’s passion, each verse ends with the question, “who can go to sleep?” The […]
The aspect of the Passover Lamb image discussed in this Madrasha is the contrast between rational and irrational. The sacrifice of animals was irrational in two ways: the animal itself was unable to speak, but the sacrifice was irrational in that it could not accomplish the forgiveness or salvation it attempted. This failure of the […]
