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 299 The Two Shall Become One Flesh

30 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 299 The Two Shall Become One Flesh

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, “Let us pray to the Lord.”

“Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “Blessed are you, Lord our God, sacred Celebrant of the mystical and most pure marriage, Lawgiver of bodily marriage, Guardian of incorruption, loving Steward of our livelihood. In the beginning, Master, you fashioned man and established him as king of creation, and said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone on the earth. Let us make him a helper like himself.’ And taking one of his ribs you fashioned a woman. When Adam saw her he said, ‘Now this is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called ‘woman’ because she was taken from her man. For this reason a man will leave behind his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. And ‘Those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. Now, Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace also on these servants of yours, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and grant that this handmaid of yours may be subject in all things to her husband and that this servant of yours may be the head of his wife, so that they may live in accordance with your will. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Isaac and Rebecca.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Patriarchs.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joseph and Aseneth. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Moses and Sepphora. Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Anna.  Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elisabeth.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Noë in the Ark. Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Jonas in the belly of the whale.  Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved the three holy Youths from the fire, by sending down on them dew from heaven.  And let the joy come upon them that the blessed Helen had when she found the precious Cross.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered Enoch, Sem and Elias.  Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered the holy Forty Martyrs, sending down on them crowns from heaven.  Remember also, Lord our God, the parents who have brought them up, for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of households.  Remember, Lord our God, your servants, who have come together to share this joy.  Remember, Lord our God, your servant Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and your servant Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, and bless them.  Give them the fruit of the womb, fair offspring, concord of soul and body.  Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon, like a well-cultured vine.  Grant then rich harvest, so that, having all sufficiency for themselves, they may overflow into every good work that is also well-pleasing to you, and that they may see their children’s children like newly planted olive trees all around their table. And, having been well pleasing to you, may they shine like beacons in heaven, in you our Lord, to whom belong all glory might, honor and worship, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

“Amen.”

I know these are long prayers and the ceremony is long, but I already made the point that this applies to the entire scope of the novel.  Just as the book of Tobit is very important to the plot and theme, likewise, the concept of marriage as a covenant and contract is critical to the theme.  You will soon see how it fits into the plot as well.

This prayer is another great blessing and prayer of preservation.  It is important to note, this ceremony is the one that united Tzars and Tzarinas and common men and women alike.  It is the foundation of an orthodox wedding.  Tomorrow, the yoking.

A New Novel, Part 298 Preserve Their Marriage Bed Unassailed

29 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 298 Preserve Their Marriage Bed Unassailed

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...

Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”

Father Makar, “For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”

They replied, “Amen.”

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

Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”

Father Makar prayed, “God most pure, Author of all creation, through your love for mankind you transformed the rib of our forefather Adam into a woman and blessed them saying, ‘Increase and multiply and have dominion over the earth’, and declared them both to be one through wedlock, ‘for because of this a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his own wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ and ‘those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’.  You blessed your servant Abraham and opened Sara’s womb, making him the father of many nations.  You gave Isaac to Rebecca and blessed her offspring.  You joined Jacob with Rachel and from him revealed the Twelve Patriarchs.  You yoked together Joseph and Aseneth and gave them as the fruit of their union Ephraim and Manassee.  You accepted Zachary and Elisabeth and declared their offspring to be the Forerunner.  You made the Ever-Virgin spring from the root of Jesse according to the flesh, and from her you became incarnate and were born for the salvation of the human race.  Through your ineffable gift and great goodness you were present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, to show that lawful wedlock and the begetting of children that comes from it is your will.  All-holy Master, accept the entreaty of us, your suppliants, and, as you were present there, be present here also with your invisible protection.  Bless this marriage and grant to these servants of yours, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for each other in the bond of peace, long-lived offspring, grace in their children and an unfading crown of glory.  Grant that they may see their children’s children.  Preserve their marriage bed unassailed.  Give them of the dew of heaven from on high and of the richness of the earth.  Fill their houses with wheat, wine and oil and every good thing, so that they may also share them with those in need.  Grant also to those here with them all their requests that are for salvation. Because you are a God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, 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.”

The picture of marriage is portrayed in this prayer.  This is a foreshadowing to the consummation of marriage.  We know that this must occur.  We also know the demon will try to kill Dobrushin if he can.  The prayer reminds us of the purpose of marriage and the orthodox understanding of marriage.

This is a straight petition for the protection of the marriage and these two people.  The ideas fit perfectly in the fabric of this novel.

A New Novel, Part 293 Do You Have the Rings?

24 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 293 Do You Have the Rings?

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.  This is the beginning of the Orthodox marriage ceremony...

Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.

The scent of the incense came first to Aksinya.  She breathed it in.  Her heart was full.  She felt nothing but joy.  Perhaps it was impossible for her to feel apprehension anymore.  Still, the crucifix between her breasts did not burn, and she felt no pain in her body.  She was excited and filled with desire, but that didn’t seem to bother her at all.

Finally, Matushka Ekaterina entered the narthex.  She placed Aksinya on the left and Dobrushin on the right.  Then she asked, “Dobrushin, do you have the rings?”

Dobrushin searched in the pockets of his vest and brought out a box.  He placed this in Ekaterina’s outstretched hands.  Aksinya watched wide-eyed.  Ekaterina noticed.  She opened the box for her, and Aksinya saw two simple bands, one silver and one gold.  Aksinya sighed, she clasped more tightly to Dobrushin’s arm.  Ekaterina took the box with the rings into the sanctuary and stepped to the altar, the Holy Table.  Through the Holy Doors of the sanctuary, Aksinya saw Father Makar take the rings from the box and place them on the altar.  He picked up the censer.  From the Christ candle, Ekaterina lit two small candles then she led Father Makar back to the Holy Doors where Aksinya and Dobrushin waited.

Father Makar entered the narthex and came first to Dobrushin.  He made the sign of the cross once on Dobrushin’s forehead, then on Aksinya’s forehead.  He repeated the sign a second and then a third time on their foreheads.  Ekaterina handed the lighted candles to Father Makar and he gave one to Dobrushin and one to Aksinya.

Father Makar turned and censed the sanctuary in the sign of the cross.  He stepped through the doors and continued to cense in the shape of a cross at each step.  Dobrushin stepped behind Father Makar and Aksinya still on his arm came with him.  Behind them followed Ekaterina.

I debated whether to give you the whole of the chapter and the whole of the marriage ceremony.  I decided that the imagery was too important to leave out.  This is a piece of history that may never be found in this kind of source again.  I do this in many of my novels.  I will admit that I did condense the Orthodox Mass in Hestia, but that was at the advice of one of my prepub readers.  I like to include the entirety of documents and historical information.  That is part of my style and part of the way I ensure historical accuracy.

Father Makar is ready to begin the ceremony.  He prepares the altar.  Then I give you Aksinya's impression of the scene.  This is an important part of the scene setting for the marriage.  Through Aksinya, I show you many important points.  First, the smells of the place.  Second, her joy.  Third, her lack of pain (her reconciliation with God).  Fourth, her excitement and desire.  It is a proper desire now--she feels no guilt.

Ekaterina places Aksinya and Dobrushin then asks for the rings.  Do you notice, Aksinya didn't expect for there to be rings.  She likely knew there should be rings, but Dobrushin has prepared.  He has a ring for her and a ring for him.  Ekaterina shows the rings to Aksinya.  Aksinya's response is to cling more tightly to Dobrushin--this has become a metaphor for her love and acceptance of him. 

The next step is the blessing of the rings.  Ekaterina gets the candles, and she and Father Makar come to the Narthex.  We see the events in the marriage ceremony.  We begin outside the Nave with the blessing of the bride and groom.  Then they are given candles to enter.  They enter the nave with the censer blessing each step.  Aksinya still clings to Dobrushin.  Tomorrow, at the altar.

A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

23 July 2011, A New Novel, Part 292 Aksinya and Dobrushin Waited in the Narthex

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.  Father Makar agreed.  This is the beginning of chapter 21 and the marriage ceremony...

Inside the Ecclesia, Matushka Ekaterina lit the gas lamps and then the candles.  In the sacristy, the Archpriest, Father Makar donned his robes. He put on each piece with a prayer.  Over his white robe, the sticharion, he put his head through the epitrachelion, his stole, and carefully straightened it.  He placed laced cuffs, the epimanikia, over the sleeves of his sticharion and loosely tied them.  They represented manacles, the chains that bound him into the service of God.  He tied a cloth belt, the zone over the epitrachelion and sticharion.  On his right side he suspended his nabedrennik with a strap that he drew over his left shoulder.  A further diamond-shaped epigonation partially covered the nabedrennik and was also held in place by another strap over his left shoulder.  He intentionally left off the omophorion, but still mouthed its prayer and kissed it.  He bowed his head and placed over his neck the chain of his pectoral cross which was quite fine and his engolpion, a medallion with the icon of Christ in its center.  Over everything, he donned a beautiful silver phelonion that was covered with gold stitching and decorations.  It was large, conical, and sleeveless, with an open front so his hands were free.  At the collar, he buttoned the high varkas that matched his phelonion and at the back rose as high as the top of his head.  Father Makar completed everything with a crossless mitre on his head and a final prayer. 

Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.

You already know the place.  I don't give another description of the Ecclesia, instead, all I need to do is tell you it is the Ecclesia.  It is dark--I don't describe this either.  I show you Ekaterina lighting the candles and lamps.  Then, the rest is about Father Makar preparing for the sacrament.

This is an important metaphor and point.  The first, is that Father Makar is going to all this trouble for his friend.  There may be bad feelings and tension, but Makar still wishes to honor his God and his friend.  The second is all the importance around each piece of the accouterments worn by an Orthodox priest.  I don't tell you all their meanings.  I simply tell you the pieces, their order, and that prayer accompanies each as it goes on.  The importance in this description is that you see how important this is to Makar and incidentally to Ekaterina, Aksinya, and Dobrushin.  This is the element of their belief and their faith.  It is the power of the elements--their symbols and not themselves.

The final sentence simply puts it all together:  Properly accoutered for his role to administer a sacrament, he lit the incense and prepared the altar.  All the while, Aksinya and Dobrushin waited in the Narthex.  Tomorrow, we begin.

A New Novel, Part 185 You Must Know What I Am

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.



After disgracing her fiance, beating her friend bloody, and cursing her servants, Aksinya ran to the Ecclesia in Wien the priests and the Matushka (wife of one of the priests) welcome her and try to help her.  Aksinya has reached the end of all hope--she just wants to be confessed...


Aksinya’s eyes flashed open. The light was too bright and she closed them again. She panted still in a hoarse whisper, “I am a murderer. I must confess.” She held out her hands.

“They are covered with blood…”

The Father Makar’s voice spoke too gently, “Just a few scrapes—a little blood.” The tone of the voice lowered and changed slightly, “Father Dobrushin? Will you confess her?”

Aksinya cried out, “You must all listen. You must know what I am.”

“That isn’t the way it is usually done, child.”

“For me, you must listen to my confession. Then you must give me over to them. My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”

The woman’s voice, “She sounds serious.”

Father Makar replied, “Ekaterina, she’s delirious, unbalanced. Such a confession is irregular, and a confession from an unbalanced mind…”

Father Dobrushin clasped Aksinya a little more tightly, “I will hear your confession, Countess.”

“Don’t call me that. I am nothing now. I am nothing.”

“Take her into the Ecclesia.”

Ekaterina spoke, “I’ll light the candles.”

Father Makar’s voice was tired, “I’ll get the sacrament.”

Father Dobrushin carried Aksinya little farther. Aksinya felt the crucifix between her breasts begin to heat. They passed through a doorway, and the heat increased suddenly and nausea overwhelmed her. She gagged and bile filled her mouth. She breathed in and vomit burned her nose and throat. Father Dobrushin made a sound, “Are you all right?” He placed Aksinya on the floor and lifted her head.

Aksinya couldn’t stop retching. Her body writhed. The priest held her until she couldn’t retch anymore. The crucifix still burned against her skin.

Father Dobrushin gave a great sigh, “She is ill.”

Aksinya croaked out, “Not ill. It is the evil in me.” She opened her eyes and tugged at his cassock, “You must confess me.”

Aksinya is at the end of everything.  She knows the demon betrayed her (what else could she expect).  Natalya betrayed her.  Ernst betrayed her.  She believes that everyone and everything in the world has and will betray her.  Whatever the truth, she testifies that she is a murderer and that she wishes to confess.  She offers her hands as proof.  Ekaterina sees blood.  Father Makar sees "just a few scrapes".  This is intentional.  In the real world, we generally don't see direct contradictions or opposite conclusions like this.  In a novel, I can show you this great contrast in the way Ekaterina sees Aksinya and the way Father Makar sees her.  Father Makar has worked with the insane.  We will find this out later, but it is worthwhile to note here (an early revelation).  He is used to this kind of wild behaviour.  He thinks Aksinya is insane.  We, on the other hand, know much about Aksinya.  She is not insane at all, but how do you imagine her story will sound to others. 
 
You have all been living a dream with me about the unlovely Countess Aksinya.  The dream about her seems so real, but now, now the sudden daylight will flood over her dream and your dream.  How will that dream appear to the world, to the church, to the powerful people in Wien?
 
Watch Father Makar, his voice always gives him away.  He thinks he can hide it from others--that is he believes he can hide his thoughts, but he is too transparent and too truthful.  He has worked with the insane for a long time.  He will not confess Aksinya.  Aksinya's confession is not private.  She knows it can't be private.  Is this another trick of the demon or just self destructive behaviour from Aksinya?
 
Father Makar warns her.  Even the confessions of the insane are keep confidential.  Listen to Aksinya's words.  They are filled with truth:  "My life is forfeit and my soul is forfeit, but I will die knowing I am confessed.”
 
Ekaterina is the voice of empathy.  That is the point of her character, as you will discover.  She is listening to Aksinya.  She feels for Aksinya.  Perhaps the same kind of hopelessness overflowed her heart at some time.  We don't know, but we feel the empathy in her words.  Father Makar applies a pure rational understanding.  He knows about unbalanced minds.  We will find that Father Makar is not a voice for empathy at all.
 
The too serrious Father Dobrushin, clasps Aksinya more tightly.  He will hear her confession.  He does know her great need, at least on some level.  Aksinya denys her heratige and her name.  She is nothing--she has reached the lowest point in her life. 
 
We aren't certain who orders them into the Ecclesia--it seems like Father Makar.  Perhaps he is relenting.  He is not totally spiritually unaware.  Ekaterina will light the candles.  Father Makar will get the sacrament.  Father Dobrushin will confess Aksinya.
 
As they approach and enter the Ecclesia, the cross around Aksinya's neck reacts.  It is reacting to Aksinya, not to the Ecclesia.  Likewise, the evidence of Aksinya's spritual fall, she becomes nauseous.  She vomits and Father Dobrushin has to put her down.  We can see the father as a compassionate character.  You can imagine the mess he is having to put up with.  I don't mention it because it can be implied from the descriptions and the dialog.  This has happened to Aksinya in varying degrees since the beginning of her time in Wien.  It is just a simple extension of that.  Where this would be a cliche, if it just suddenly happened, can't be a cliche, it has occured every time Aksinya entered a church.  It represent's Aksinya's spiritual turmoil, therefore, it is worse now than at any time.
 
Father Dobrushin is afraid Aksinya is ill, both body and mind.  This would make a confession impossible.  Still, Aksinya insists.  Tomorrow, the confession.