Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers

November 7, 2026church, feastsangels, Archangel Michael, archangels, Synaxis of the Bodiless PowersGretchenJoanna

“The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.” oca

In icons, the ribbons extending from the ears of angels
symbolize that they are always attending to God
and ready to obey.

Were I a molecule.

November 2, 2026humanity, poetryHearth and Field, Paul J. Pastor, Rembrandt, St. JeromeGretchenJoanna

YES

Were I a molecule, I’d make my home
Within the vast halls of a solid stone,
Pass through magnetic fields, ascend my throne
And rule the echoes, permanent, alone,

And if I were a particle of light,
I’d sear my burrow through the velvet night,
With perfect elegance, prismatic might,
And skewer darkness. Such would be my right,

But I am merely human. Sinew. Skin.
Too large to hide—instead I’m hid within.
A little righteousness. A little sin.
One little word that flutters out and in.

-Paul J. Pastor

(Thanks to Hearth and Field)

Rembrandt, St. Jerome Kneeling in Prayer

Daily bread in autumn.

October 30, 2026art, beauty, nature, quotesautumn, Laszlo Mednyanszky, Ralph Waldo Emerson, skyGretchenJoanna

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bringing in the fuel.

October 30, 2026artautumn, Theodore Robinson, wood firesGretchenJoanna

I can relate to the woman in the painting, though I’m thankful that in my case I don’t have to combine my walking outings with the search for sticks. The fall season has arrived for real, and I had to shut all the windows against the air turned chill. I’ve started to assemble the makings for my own wood-burning in the stove, and by the time you read this, the fire may be blazing.