On Lazarus Saturday, April 4, we were privileged to receive 23 new saints into the Orthodox Church. Many years to the newly-illumined Damien, Nectarios, Juan, Augustine, Aidan, Mariam, Lucius, Rafael, Andrew, Catherine, Andrew, Jacob, Agape, Luke, Chloe, Pelagia, John, Angelina, Julian, Basilissa, Brigid, Herman, and Paisios! 
A word on the Feast of the Protection
How can we reconcile the solemn assertion of the hymns that the Queen of Heaven “saves everyone from misfortune and sorrow” with the harsh reality of a mourning world?
