My Kingdom is Not of This World (John 18:36) | Bold Red, Yellow & Black Textured Design with Icon Motifs | Orthodox Christian Blue Denim JacketAnd now behold the king whom ye have chosen; and behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If ye should fear the Lord, and serve him, and hearken to his voice, and not resist the mouth of the Lord, and ye and your king that reigns over you should follow the Lord, [it is] well. But if ye should not hearken to the voice of the Lord, and ye should resist the mouth of the Lord, then [with wrath] shall the hand of the Lord be upon you and upon your king. 1

Saint Marina continued to pray

the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep

How beautifully the psalmist expresses what peace a prepared soul has: “I prepared myself and was not troubled

The time of death is terrifying

but grace-giving and eternal

chosen city

the whole earth is full of Thy Glory

Christ below me

to the Cross

wondrous defender of them that wage warfare against the spirits of evil under the heavens

and at the time of death it reveals the truth to us

Why do we honor the Cross with such reverence that we make mention of its power in our prayers after asking for the intercession of the Mother of God and the Heavenly Powers