2014 - Year of the Horse

horse drawings

horse drawings

drawing by Daliana Pacuraru

2014 Chinese Lunar New Year of Horse

'And he looks at me, with eyes wiser than his years. He cannot tell me what his mind is saying, so instead he uses his powerful body to communicate. Sometimes his eyes alone can show the meaning behind his actions and other times just they way he carries himself tells me how he feels. There is no truer friend then him, for he knows me inside and out. When I sit astride him he listens to what my body tells him; not because he has to, but because he WANTS to. You cannot trap his spirit or be his master, for his soul alone is purer, his body, rippled with muscle, more powerful, his heart more forgiving than your own. He is an Angel without wings, his forelock and mane, his halo. He is more courageous, more loving, more trusting, more powerful, than any other being in this world - and yet so gentle as to let me join him on his Journey. He is my best friend, who tells no one of my secrets, who rejoices in my joys, shares in my sorrows, and his neck is always there to wrap around me in a caress. A caress that gives me everything I've ever needed: Warmth, security, hope, strength, and reassurance. I cannot break his spirit, nor would I ever want to. I cannot be his Master; only his Partner. When I do wrong, he does not judge me. When I cry, he comforts me. When I laugh, he prances around with his head held high and his tail streaming behind like silk. It is not I who teach him, it is he who teaches me. He does not need to talk for me to listen, I understand him in a way I'll never understand even myself. And he knows me, more than anyone that walks this earth. And he accepts me, for everything I am.. and everything I am not....' 

ChelsaeJo 

horse drawings

Thoughts for the Valentine’s Day

Every February 14th  - the day of St. Valentine in the West – is celebrated with great fast, and this “holiday” had penetrated so deeply into the mind of modern man, for if you ask what greater holiday is to be celebrate in February, you are been answered without hesitation: Valentine’s Day! This day becoming a clear marking on the twisted map of consumerism.

Everything that you may want…ceramic vases, underwear, monkeys, jewelry, books, and why not, slippers and bath towels so naturally, as long as there is a demand, these toys will continue to sell.
All like in the real story of the Tower of Babel …

The day of Saint Valentine, the “patron of lovers”, had lost its meaning in legends and the history of the Roman Empire. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints all martyred, called Valentine or Valentinus, but not on this day.

In the Orthodox calendar, the Holy Martyr and Bishop Valentine, is commemorated on July 30. In the Orthodox Church. there are many martyrs who bared his name: Holy Martyrs Mark Sotirih and Valentine – October 24, Holy Martyr Valentina – February 10, St. Valentine the Martyr – April 24, St. Valentine the priest – July 06, and Holy Martyr Valentina – July 18.

 More informations here:

orthodoxword 

churchhistory

Pe 30 iulie, Biserica Ortodoxa face pomenirea Sfantului Mucenic Valentin, episcopul Umbriei.
An de an, ziua de 14 februarie ne pune pe fiecare dintre noi, in calitate de crestini ortodocsi, in fata unui dublu paradox. In primul rand, de Valentine’s Day a auzit toata lumea, astfel incat, la o adica, oricine poate defini succint "sarbatoarea", in timp ce despre viata Sfantului Valentin nu cunoaste nimeni mai nimic.
In al doilea rand, multi sunt contrariati de faptul ca in aceasta zi nu intalnesc in Calendarul Ortodox niciun sfant care sa poarte acest nume. Intamplarea face ca nici Calendarul Romano-Catolic sa nu-l mai pomeneasca in aceasta zi, Sfantul Valentin fiind scos din calendar in 1969 din cauza ambiguitatii datelor referitoare atat la persoana sa, cat si la faptele care au condus la consacrarea lui ca sfant. In prezent, la 14 februarie, catolicii ii amintesc pe Sfintii Chiril si Metodie.
Asadar, nu gresim atunci cand spunem ca Valentine’s Day, cu tot "marketing-ul" aferent, este in Romania - si nu numai - o "sarbatoare" fara sarbatorit.
Despre Valentine’s Day s-a scris si s-a comentat suficient, pro si contra. S-a scris si s-a spus, din pacate, destul de putin despre Sfantul Valentin al Ortodoxiei, praznuit de Biserica in ziua de 30 iulie.

Mai multe informatii aici:

crestinortodox.ro