Theotokion

Coincidentally cool moment from liturgy today:

Just as we were finishing up singing the Theotokion before communion at liturgy this morning, the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and a ray of sunlight streamed into the window in the altar, reflected off the chalice which was on the altar, and made a very cool spotlight right on the face of the Theotokos in our beautiful platytera (pictured here without the reflection, as I had no camera with me at church today).

I happened to be standing near the back of the church at that moment and thought that perhaps I was the only one who noticed it - but I learned after church that at least a couple of others had, too.

Sort of a nice little blessing ...

Insightful Thoughts on Sadness

Even though I'm generally a glass-half-full type, I thought this reflection on sadness were quite thought-provoking.

(I'm not so sure, however, that I'd be so quick to make examples only out of those in the Protestant west. Seems I know at least a couple in the non-Protestant east who fit the stereotype he suggests, too.)