Scenes - Scene Setting, Marriage

8 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Marriage

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

There is a continuing misunderstanding about Aksinya--I intentionally build these.  The readers know Aksinya's mind.  They know why she clings to Dobrushin.  Father Makar does not know why--he imagines it is part of her problem.  It is part of her problem, but it has a reason other than insanity.  It is not necessarily insanity for a person to cling to another, but I put in place a pathetic action by Aksinya.  She clings like a child to Dobrushin--this is what Father Makar observes.  Father Makar has decided Aksinya's problem is mental.  He can, in his worldview, imagine anything else.  The reader knows Aksinya's actions are completely reasonable.

Aksinya would not let Dobrushin go.  She held to him even as she sat and would not release his arm.  He moved his chair closer to her so he could sit.  Ekaterina placed a mug of hot dark tea before each of them.  She sat down.

Father Makar squinted, “Look how she clings to you.  Didn’t I tell you before, Dobrushin, she displays every indication of insanity?  You traded your future for this,” he pointed at Aksinya.

“I know what I have done.”

“You spent all your remaining funds on her too.”

“I have bought a pearl of great price.”

“You are insane, Dobrushin.  Why did you come back here?  What do you want from me?”

Aksinya stuck her head forward, a little around Dobrushin, “We came to ask you to marry us.”

“To marry you?  Are you both idiots?  Dobrushin, what have you traded your future for?”

Dobrushin set his features, “Father Makar, we will be married whether you do it or not.  We need to be married immediately.  Either you do it or the Rathaus.”

“The Rathaus is closed for the day.”

Dobrushin grimaced, “This may be a matter of life and death.  We had to make our plans.  I had to propose.  It was too late after that.”

Father Makar snorted, “You know what I think about all of this.  Why don’t you go find a priest who will marry you tomorrow?”

“You know the problem.  The Catholics have excommunicated Princess Aksinya.  The Rathaus will do it, but this is a sacrament.”

“Others might do it for you.”

Ekaterina put her hand on Father Makar’s, “Makaruska, do you really wish them to be wed anywhere but here?  They intend to do this.  You know Dobrushin’s purpose.  Grant them this small gift.  I shall witness and you shall witness.  Anything else would be wrong.  You know that.”

Father Makar sighed, “I do understand.  I just do not want to encourage this foolishness.”

Ekaterina stared at him, “This is not a sin.  There is nothing wrong with marriage or marrying them.  She is a Princess.  He is the son of a Count.  Their ranks are unmatched but acceptable.  They would not come here together like this if they did not both agree.  Do this for them and that will be the end of it all.”

“The end of it all?” asked Aksinya around Dobrushin.

“The end of these matters that have plagued Father Makar since you came to the Ecclesia last year.”

Aksinya turned them a curious look.

Dobrushin quickly continued, “Please, Father Makar, marry us and that will be the last favor I ask of you.  We will go, and you will likely not see us again.”

“I will marry you, but you will not stay under this roof any more.  I told you that when you left before.  That means I will not untie your crowns either.”

“I understand.  That was the agreement we made.”

“Come then.  Quickly.”

They stood.  Dobrushin helped Aksinya take off her new coat.  Ekaterina kissed Aksinya’s cheeks.  She brushed Aksinya’s lengthening hair.  Then they entered the Ecclesia together.

We learned that Dobrushin has literally given everything for Aksinya.  He gave up his money, his livelihood, his place, basically everything except his life.  He is willing to risk his life and to marry her.  Father Makar's reaction to everything seems overwrought--it is.  He should be encouraging Dobrushin, at least for his his help for Aksinya.  He might disagree with what Dobrushin is doing, but Dobrushin seems to have thought it through.  In the end, Father Makar agrees to marry them.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

For more information, you can visit my author sitewww.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Kitchen

7 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Kitchen

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided they must marry to get rid of the demon.  The logical--and perhaps only logical choice, as we shall see, is Father Makar.  There is much more to this scene.  Never miss the opportunity to use a scene to your best advantage.  I have been hinting and giving information about Dobrushin's current state for a while.  Now I can get everything out in the open.  I will use this scene as an opportunity to give Aksinya the information about Dobrushin--at the same time, I will also show the reader.  Notice, the way I will show the reader and Aksinya is through conversation.
 

Aksinya and Father Dobrushin followed Father Makar into the kitchen.  Ekaterina was standing.  She embraced Aksinya and kissed her cheeks, “We heard you had been freed, and it was all because of Dobrushin.”

“Yes,” Aksinya still held to Father Dobrushin with one hand.  She put her other arm around Ekaterina, “Father Dobrushin defended me.  I am not going to prison.”

Father Makar sat at the table.  He scowled at them, “You should call him Dobrushin or Herr Lopuhin.”

Aksinya asked, “Why?”   

“Didn’t you note his beard, his clothing?  He is no longer a priest because of you.”

“Because of me?”

“Dobrushin, didn’t you tell her.  I can’t believe she is so slow.  I would not permit Dobrushin to defend you in court.  Because he opposed me, I took away his right to ordination in this Ecclesia.  When I send my report to the Patriarch of the Church, he will likely not be ordained anywhere else.”

“You can do that?”

“Yes.  I am his superior and an archpriest.  I can make any decision I desire concerning his future in the Church.”

“He will never be a priest again?”

“Not likely unless the White Russians prevail.  The Reds want to destroy the Church there.”

Dobrushin led Aksinya to her usual chair, “Sit, Princess.”

Aksinya would not let Dobrushin go.  She held to him even as she sat and would not release his arm.  He moved his chair closer to her so he could sit.  Ekaterina placed a mug of hot dark tea before each of them.  She sat down.

The scene is set with the kitchen.  The time is known and the place has been described before.  Note the use of things previously described to bring the kitchen back to the mind of the reader and alive in the context of the storyline.  We learn that Father Makar has taken Dobrushin's place in the Ecclesia away from him.  We also learn something about the politics of the times.  We know the communists did indeed try to destroy the church in Russia.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

For more information, you can visit my author sitewww.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.

Scenes - Scene Setting, Ecclesia

6 May 2013, Scenes - Scene Setting, Ecclesia

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here are my rules of writing:

1. Entertain your readers.
2. Don't confuse your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.

A scene outline is a means of writing a novel where each scene follows the other with a scene input from the previous scene and a scene output that leads to the next scene. The scenes don't necessarily have to follow directly in time and place, however they generally follow the storyline of the protagonist.

A storyline outline is a means of writing a novel where the author develops a scene outline for more than one character and bases the plot on one or more of these storyline scenes. This allows the scenes to focus on more than the protagonist. This is a very difficult means of writing. There is a strong chance of confusing your readers.

Whether you write with a scene outline or a storyline outline, you must properly develop your scenes. All novels are developed from scenes and each scene has a design similar to a novel. Every successful novel has the following basic parts:

1. The beginning
2. The rising action
3. The Climax
4. The falling action
5. The dénouement

Every scene has these parts:

1. The setting (where, what, who, when, how)
2. The connection (input)
3. The tension development
4. The release
5. The output

There are many approaches to scene setting. That means there are about a million plus ways you can set a scene. The main point is you have to clearly get across the where, when, who, what, and how.

Here is another example of scene setting from the novel, Aksinya. I'm giving you examples from the book so you can see different ways of introducing and writing a scene. In each snippet, you get the scene setting, the tension and release, and the input and output. This isn't true of every example, but the pieces should be there, and I've been trying to identify for you when all the pieces aren't evident. You can use these ideas to guide your own writing. Make sure you set the scene properly, then make everything come to life through the narration and conversation.

Here is the scene setting and the input into the next scene.  We start with the basics of place--the church.  I don't use Ecclesia because I want the reader to focus on the fact it is a church.  The time is late--the lights are off except in the rectory.  This means it is night and past the time of the services for the evening.  Aksinya has already taken possession of Dobrushin.  Her actions are not meant to show any subservience, but rather her decision to possess him.

When they arrived at the church, the lights were off except in the rectory.  Father Dobrushin helped Aksinya down from the carriage and they walked together to the door.  Aksinya held onto his arm.  She kept very close to him.

At Father Dobrushin’s knock, Father Makar answered the door to the rectory.  It was the same door Aksinya had fallen before when she came there to confess and be absolved.  The moment he saw them, Father Makar pressed his lips together and tried to shut the door.  Father Dobrushin held it open with his hand, “Please Father Makar.  We need you to do something for us.”

“Dobrushin, I told you before, I don’t want to have anything to do with… her.”

“This last thing we need from you.  Only you can do it for us.”

“If it has to do with the imaginary demon, you are both insane.”

They heard the voice of Ekaterina from the kitchen, “Makaruska, let them in.  There is no reason our friends should stand out in the cold night.  We have tea and a warm kitchen.”

Father Makar snarled, but he stepped out of the door way, “You are welcome only because of her.”

What has Dobrushin not told Aksinya?  We shall discover.  Father Makar has become completely antagonistic to Aksinya and Dobrushin--only Ekaterina is the reason Aksinya and Dobrushin are allowed in.

The following is a question asked by one of my readers. I'm going to address this over time: I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences...ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences...like CS Lewis did. JustTake care, and keep up the writing; I am enjoying it, and learning a lot.

For more information, you can visit my author sitewww.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.

A New Novel, Part 318 I am Mrs. Aksinya Andreiovna Lopuhin

18 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 318 I am Mrs. Aksinya Andreiovna Lopuhin

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married.  The last we knew, they were contemplating travelling to Boston in the United States... 

Aksinya swung off the streetcar and skipped down the Union Park in Boston.  She wore a tweed dress and a jaunty tweed cap.  She carried a leather briefcase her Dobrushushka had given her at her graduation only a month before.  It reminded her of the briefcase she owned when she attended Sacré Coeur, but she never remembered carrying that one herself.  She was very proud of this briefcase—it held her diploma in linguistics and teaching from Radcliffe College.  Radcliffe was one of the few woman’s college she could attend since all the Catholic ones excluded her.  She had mostly escaped notoriety, but still she and Dobrushushka attended a very small Russian Orthodox Church near his office. 

Aksinya spotted Saint John the Baptizer Greek Orthodox Church across the street and started counting the buildings down from it.

She and Dobrushin had been in Boston for a little over four years.  They were delightful years.  She already wondered what she would do to seduce him tonight—it had been two days already since the last time.  He was already a partner at the law firm.  Everyone in the firm knew he was married, but Aksinya rarely showed her face there.  Dobrushushka begged off officially because of her schooling.  That was a good thing, she didn’t need notoriety.  She didn’t want her Dobrushushka to lose this job.

Aksinya halted when her counting reached the correct house number and glanced at the building.  She stopped skipping and walked carefully up the stairs in front.  The sign was right beside the door: Sacred Heart of Christ, Russian Orthodox Seminary for Young Women and Girls.”

Aksinya smiled.  That sounded like just the place for her.  All the other schools where she applied to teach mistook her for a student.  None of them had called her back.  She luckily heard about this place from a friend at their Ecclesia.

Aksinya pulled the bell.  After a couple of minutes a matronly woman dressed as a chamber maid answered the door.  She was pleasant looking.  Aksinya smiled and announced in English, “I am Mrs. Aksinya Andreiovna Lopuhin.”

This is an entirely new scene and location.  First, I set the scene.  I do this by showing you Aksinya's actions.  She swings off a streetcar and skips down Union Park (that's a street).  I give you a description of her clothing.  Do you remember the type of clothing she wore once before--it was silk and satin.  In the beginning of the novel, she was dressed in a dress fit for a princess--that didn't fit her well.  Now, she is dressed like a Kelly Girl.  She has on wool--it is nice clothing, but not very fine.

I give you another past reminder and some information.  She carries a briefcase that was a gift from Dobrushin at her graduation only a month before.  This tells you that she went to school.  I also tie the briefcase to Sacré Coeur and to Natalya (Aksinya never carried her old briefcase).  I use the briefcase as a tool to tell you her degree and her college.  Then I remind you that she couldn't attend any Catholic colleges. 

I give you more information: they attend a small Ecclesia and near Dobrushin's office.  Do you see how I am bringing you up to date about Aksinya and Dobrushin just using description.  I really haven't told you anything.

Then more of the setting.  The church on Union Park and Aksinya counts the buildings to find the proper address.  More information--they have been in Boston more than four years.  This is mixed with a little of Aksinya's thoughts--to tell you how precious Dobrushin is to her, and how they keep her nobility a secret.  Again, mixed with this is information that Dobrushin is a partner in the firm.  The reminder here is that Aksinya's notoriety could lose Dobrushin his job.

So, Aksinya arrives at her destination.  She stops skipping.  Did you get that before?  Aksinya is so happy, she skips.  She stops intentionally to not give the wring impression.  The name of the school is another connection with the past.  Sacré Coeur means Sacred Heart in French.  The sign is in English (I don't have to tell you).  The name is why it is just the right place for her.  

Then I give you some information--Aksinya's appearance is young and small.  The schools where she applied mistook her for a student, and they didn't call her back.  We also find that Aksinya heard about this school from a friend in the Russian Ecclesia.  This is an important connection. 

At the end of this piece, Aksinya announces herself to the maid.  A maid answering the door indicates the wealth and status of the school.  Tomorrow, the school.

A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

6 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 306 Amen

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We come to the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “God, our God, who were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, bless these servants of yours also, who by your providence have been joined in the communion of marriage.  Bless their goings out and their comings in.  Fill their life with good things. Take up their crowns…” he took the crowns from their heads and placed them on the altar, “…in your Kingdom, unspotted and unblemished, and keep them without offence to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Bow your heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar prayed, “May Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial Trinity, origin of life, the one Godhead and Kingship, bless you and grant you long life, fair offspring, progress in life and faith, and fill you with every good thing on earth, and count you worthy of the promised good things of the enjoyment of heaven, at the prayers of the Mother of God and of all the Saints.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar stated a loud voice, “Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

“Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy Father, give the blessing.  May he who by his presence at Cana declared marriage honorable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy Sovereigns crowned by God and Equals of the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr Prokopios and all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.  Through the prayers of our holy fathers Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us.

“Amen.”

We have reached the end of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  There is the final blessing and the final prayer.  Father Makar pronounces them married then the final Amen.

Here is the secret in this.  They are not really married in terms of either the church, the ancient world, the Jews, or almost any other religious agency or group.  Marriage is only official at consummation.  This is one of the points of the Book of Tobit and in the ancient world.  The ceremony of the sacrament is a pleasant and important step, but until they become "one flesh," they are not married.  Tomorrow, an important conversation.

A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

5 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 305 Lifting the Crowns

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Dobrushin, “Let us bow our heads to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar lifted the cup from the altar.  He held it high.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar blessed the cup, “O God, who made all things by your strength, who made the inhabited world firm and adorned the crown of all that had been made by you, bless too with your spiritual blessing this common Cup, which you grant to those who have been joined in the communion of marriage.  For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar held the cup for Dobrushin to drink then Aksinya.  He offered them the cup three times while stating, “I will take the cup of salvation and I will call on the name of the Lord.”

Then he grasped Dobrushin and Aksinya by the hands and led them around the altar three times.

Ekaterina followed behind and chanted, “The Virgin has conceived and given birth to a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man. Orient is his name, whom we magnify as we call the Virgin blessed.  Holy Martyrs, who fought the good fight and were crowned, intercede with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.  Glory to you, Christ God, boast of Apostles, joy of Martyrs whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

When they stood at the front of the altar again, Father Makar raised Dobrushin’s crown, “Bridegroom, be magnified like Abraham, blessed like Isaac and multiplied like Jacob, as you go your way in peace and carry out in righteousness the commandments of God.”  He set the crown back on Dobrushin’s head.

Father Makar moved to Aksinya.  He raised her crown, “And you, Bride, be magnified like Sara, and rejoice like Rebecca and be multiplied like Rachel, rejoicing in your own husband, keeping the limits of the law, for so God has been well-pleased.”  He lowered the crown back onto her head.

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

The bride and groom are offered the cup of peace.  They share in it three times.  Then Father Makar led them around the altar three times.  Finally, we have the lifting of the crowns.  Father Makar blesses them at each point. 

There is much powerful symbology in every step of the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  I won't try to describe every point, much is obvious--some is lost in time.  In general, most of you can see how these pieces fit into the work as a whole.  Specifically, the marriage, as I mentioned before, is a primary metaphor in this novel for the theme of the novel.  Since this novel is a semi-allegory of the Book of Tobit, you might want to check out that work to see exactly where this might fit.

A New Novel, Part 304 The Lord's Prayer

4 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 304 The Lord's Prayer

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina replied after each petition, “Grant this, O Lord.”

Father Makar, “That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.  An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.  Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.  Things good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.  That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.  A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.  Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.”

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar, “And count us worthy, Master, with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call upon you, the God of heaven, as Father, and to say:”

They all replied, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Father Makar continued, “For yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Now we have arrived at the point of the Lord's prayer.  The next step in the sacrament of marriage is the Eucharist.  We shall see that tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 303 You Declared Marriage Honorable

3 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 303 You Declared Marriage Honorable

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  The prayers continue...

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Lord almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray you, hear and have mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar, “Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Dobrushin, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Lord, our God, who in your saving dispensation were pleased in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable by your presence, now too preserve in peace and concord your servants, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, whom you have been well-pleased to be joined to each another. Declare their marriage honorable; keep their marriage bed undefiled; be well pleased for their life together to be without spot; and grant that they may reach a ripe old age, carrying out your commandments with a pure heart.  For you are our God, a God who has and who saves, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.” 

“Amen.”

Father Makar prayed, “Help us, save us, have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by your grace.”

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Ekaterina replied after each petition, “Grant this, O Lord.”

There isn't much to be said about today's portion.  This is the continuing of the prayers in the Orthodox wedding service.  These remind us that in the Orthodox view, Christ Himself ordained marriage to be undefiled and pure by His presence at the wedding at Cana.  These prayers are for the purity of the marriage.  Tomorrow, the Lord's Prayer.

A New Novel, Part 302 The Gospel

2 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 302 The Gospel

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the Gospel reading appointed for marriage...

Dobrushin, “Peace to you.”

Father Makar, “And to your spirit. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.  In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?  The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.  The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.  Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.  For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.  Guard us and keep us, O Lord, from this generation and for ever.”

Dobrushin, “Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the holy Gospel.”

Father Makar, “Peace to all.”

Matushka Ekaterina, “And to your spirit.”

Father Makar, “The Reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.”

Ekaterina, “Glory to you, Lord, glory to you.”

Dobrushin, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read, “At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the marriage. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus said to her. ‘Woman, why do you trouble me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever he tells you, do it.’ Now there were six stone water jars standing there for the Jewish ritual of purification, holding twenty or thirty gallons each. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward of the feast. They took it. When the chief steward tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it had come from — but the servants who had drawn the water knew — he summoned the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone puts out the good wine first, and when people are drunk, then he puts out the worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ This was the beginning of the signs that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and he manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him.”

Matushka Ekaterina, “Glory to you, Lord, glory to you.”

Father Makar, “Let us all say, with all our soul and with all our mind, let us say.”

The appointed Gospel is the wedding at Cana from John.  This is the first miracle of Christ when he turned water into wine.  You have to love a person who makes over 600 bottles worth of good wine for a wedding feast.  

You might ask what kind of wedding feast will Aksinya and Dobrushin receive?  You might ask what kind of miracle could attend them? Listen to the preamble to the Gospel:  In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?  The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.  The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.  Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.  For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face."

This is a foreshadowing in the words of the marriage ceremony.  I have used much of this ceremony to give you hints.  This is a broad one, but I mentioned that the ceremony itself reflects and presents one theme in this novel.  As the Gospel reading concludes: "This was the beginning of the signs that Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and he manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him.”  Tomorrow, more of the wedding sacrament.

A New Novel, Part 301 The Readings

1 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 301 The Readings

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the readings appointed for marriage...

Dobrushin spoke, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read from the Psalms, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!  May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!  May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!  May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!  Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  O Lord, save the king!  May he answer us when we call.  You have placed upon their head crowns of precious stones.  They have asked you for life, and you have given them length of days.”

Dobrushin, “Wisdom.”

Father Makar stated, “The Reading is from the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.”

Dobrushin, “Let us attend.”

Father Makar read, “Brethren, give thanks at all times for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, making yourselves subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives be subject to your own husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is head of the wife, as Christ too is head of the Church, and he is the Savior of the body. But as the Church is subject to Christ, so wives must be also to their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your own wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her, that he might sanctify her, having purified her with the washing of water with a word, that he might present the Church to himself glorious, without spot or wrinkle or anything similar, but that she might be holy and unblemished. Thus husbands must love their own wives like their own bodies. One who loves his own wife loves himself, for no one hates their own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as the Lord does the Church, because we are members of his body, from his flesh and from his bones. ‘For this reason a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, I mean concerning Christ and the Church. However let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife respect her husband.”

Dobrushin, “Peace to you.”

We are still slogging through the wedding ceremony.  I do hope this is entertaining to you.  I realize it isn't as exciting as the main plot.  I could have cut it to a single sentence or a paragraph--I've done that in some of my novels, but in the case of this novel, this detail is necessary.  Unless you are Orthodox, you might never have attended or participated in a wedding like this.  The details are important and especially how they fit into the theme of the overall novel.

These are the readings from the Psalms and from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.  Do you remember, Aksinya was memorizing Paul's letters?  Listen carefully to them and see if they don't fit the concepts of this novel.  See if they don't have very important meaning to Aksinya.  Even if you don't agree with the points of the readings, you shouldn't miss this point: "...One who loves his own wife loves himself, for no one hates their own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as the Lord does the Church, because we are members of his body, from his flesh and from his bones. ‘For this reason a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, I mean concerning Christ and the Church...”

This is the ultimate point after all--the mystery of Christ, the church, and marriage.  The semi-allegory of the Book of Tobit rests on Tobias, Sara, marriage, and the demon.  The demon sought to interfere with the marriage of Tobias and Sara.  Marriage is an example of the mystery of Christ and the Church.  Do you remember the demon's work in splitting harming elements of the Catholic Church in Wien.  Likewise, we know the demon has caused a great rift in the Orthodox Church there too.  The problems between Father Makar and Dobrushin represent this split.  They are split because Makar can't see a spiritual battle--a battle Dobrushin has enlisted in.  Tomorrow, the Gospel.

A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

31 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 300 The Crowning

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon.  We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony.  Father Makar continues with the marriage prayers...

Dobrushin called, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

Ekaterina replied, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed again, “Holy God, who fashioned man from dust, and from his rib built up a woman and yoked her to him as a helper like himself, for it was not pleasing to your greatness for man to be alone on earth, do you, Master, now send forth your hand from your holy dwelling, and link…”  He put Dobrushin’s right hand in Aksinya’s.  She held it tightly while Father Makar continued to pray, “…your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, because it is by you that a wife is linked to her husband. Yoke them together in likeness of mind. Crown them into one flesh. Grant them fruit of the womb, enjoyment of fair offspring. For yours is the might, and yours the kingdom, the power and the glory, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

Father Makar took the two crowns from the altar.  He lifted the silver one over Dobrushin’s head, “The servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, takes as his crown the servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He lowered the crown on Dobrushin’s head while stating this three times.  Then he made the sign of the cross three times on each of them.

Father Makar took the gold crown and held it over Aksinya’s head, “The servant of God, Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, takes as her crown the servant of God, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”  He said this three times as he slowly lowered the crown to her head.  He made the sign of the cross three times on each of them again.

He chanted three times, “Lord our God, crown them with honor and glory.”

Now we get to the crowning.  The crowning is the high point in an Orthodox wedding.  The significance of the crowns is they represent the marriage of Christ with the church.  The woman represents the church, her crown is silver, and the man represents Christ, his crown is gold.  The man's crown is placed on the woman and the woman's crown on the man.  The rings of betrothal then during their lives represent the crowns.

The point in this scene and in this novel is that marriage represents an important element in Christian thought.  Aksinya was crowned before this through her reliance (you could say faith) in Christ.  Do you remember whom she told the demon now owns her soul.  The marriage directly represents this point of salvation.  Further, now the crown of Christ is a crown that represents Dobrushin.  The image isn't that Dobrushin is Christ or that Aksinya is the church, but rather that Christian faith and the imagery of the novel is being played out in this ceremony.  That is the point.  It will have more meaning in the context of what happens in the next chapter.  Tomorrow, prayers following the crowning.