Cold Sunday

Blossoming almonds

It's International Women's Day today .... and ironically it falls on the anniversary of the murder of Hypartia the Alexadrine philosopher and mathematician ... one of the last Neo-Platonist non-christians ... the emblem of the ancient pre-christian world in 415 AD. And a woman. Christian mobs murdered her simply because she was not a christian. Such enlightenment. Though it cannot be proven, scholarly circles still think Cyril of Alexandria, saint and patriarch, had something to do with it.

Yesterday thousands of tourists trapped inside Palestine were allowed to leave the enclave but Israel won't accept them so they were immediately driven by coaches directly to the airport.  Mind you Israel did more than required, booking flights, switching flight arrangements etc... to make sure everyone was safely aboard. Now it's a waiting game .... 14 days to see if anyone else is infected by the virus.  https://www.ynetnews.com/article/036Q4U076?fbclid=IwAR3iw7odcnndQX4_OTlJm8pahi-Wz4Ahje0A_9g1j_V5ZL_-NonaHbEbxS4#autoplay

Deacon and Acolyte

I've been avoiding crowds at all cost as I was having the chills and sniffles yesterday. It was very cold and wet. This morning I had the armenian Mass but I was coughing because of a dry throat. I think some people were worried. Anyway Mass went ahead. My deacon and acolyte were great helps. They've learned some armenian prayers and hymns so they could respond to my prayers. And the usual congregants were there. It's always so good to meet them. I've to start learning the special Easter prayers. It takes some time because its not only the right pronunciation but the right tune. Everything is chanted in the armenian tonal system ... which is not always easy.

I guess what I need most is sleep. 3 hours sleep a night is killing me ... but I wake up worried about work, or am too cold ... Maybe an early summer vacation is what I need. I'm considering retiring. That's even a better prospect.