Marina Robb
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Marina Robb
@marinarobb.bsky.social
520 followers 390 following 330 posts
Orthodox Christian ☦, theologian, philosopher, art historian, teacher 🎓, UK
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Interesting to see Byzantine wedding crowns and the Chora icon framed as ‘fascinating’ in contrast to Western traditions by Dr Richard Kueh. So familiar from my Orthodox perspective, but great to see them used here. I’ll dig out my resources to share with colleagues.
#StrictlyRE #Byzantine #Orthodox
January 25, 2025 at 11:23 AM
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St. Maria of Paris (1891–1945) 🍞⛓️ was a nun in Nazi-occupied France who sheltered Jews and resisted Nazi rule, dying in Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Ultimately, we are called to love one another.
A stylized digital illustration in red, black, and white features Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris, a Russian Orthodox nun known for her charitable work. The artwork depicts her in a black monastic habit with glasses, a halo, and a gentle expression. She holds a loaf of bread in both hands, symbolizing her dedication to helping the poor and needy. The background is deep red with a cream-colored border. The text in a serif font reads: "However hard I try, I find it impossible to construct anything greater than these three words: 'Love one another.' Only, to the end, and without exceptions." Below the quote, the name Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris is displayed in an elegant italic script. The poster is made by Bright Tuesday Design (see Instagram and Etsy) and uses a vintage-inspired, minimalistic aesthetic with bold lines and a limited colour palette, evoking early 20th-century religious iconography.
January 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
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To call the powerful to mercy is not to endorse sin but to imitate the prophets who spoke with 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢. Boldness in faith means standing before God and the world with an open heart, speaking truth in love, and refusing to be silent when the weak are suffering.
This icon depicts the Prophet Micah. Micah is shown with a halo, indicating his sanctity. He is dressed in traditional robes, with a red inner garment and a green outer cloak. In his left hand, he holds a scroll with a passage from scripture: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" The background is simple, focusing attention on Micah and his message.
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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St. Catherine of Alexandria, with 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢 - boldness stood before the emperor and confounded his philosophers. She did not bend to power, nor did she condemn, but she spoke truth with wisdom. Bold Christian witness does not fear the world, nor seek its approval.
Iconographic fresco depicting St. Katherine of Alexandria before Emperor Maxentius and a group of pagan philosophers. St. Katherine, wearing a richly decorated robe and a crown, stands on the left, holding a scroll inscribed with Greek text, symbolizing her wisdom and defense of Christianity. She is accompanied by two noblewomen in elegant garments. The emperor, seated on an ornate throne on the right, is dressed in imperial robes and a crown, listening with a gesture of debate. Around him, several philosophers and advisors in traditional Byzantine attire appear engaged in discussion. The background features a classical architectural setting with arches and columns. The fresco, painted in the traditional Orthodox iconographic style, uses elongated figures, vivid colours, and stylized expressions to convey spiritual depth and theological significance
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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Mercy is not compromise; it is the heart of the Gospel. Christ showed mercy to sinners without sinning, ate with tax collectors without extortion, and healed the unclean without becoming unclean. To withhold mercy out of fear is to reject the way of Christ.
The sinner woman washes the feet of Jesus. This fresco, painted by Grigore Popescu-Muscel, is located in the Romanian Metropolitan Cathedral in Nürnberg. The image depicts a woman clothed in a flowing yellow robe with a head covering, kneeling as she wipes Jesus' feet with her long hair. A small ornate vessel, likely containing perfumed oil, sits in the foreground. Jesus' feet, bound in sandal straps, rest on a white surface, while the background consists of red and gold architectural elements. The painting is in the traditional Orthodox iconographic style, emphasizing elongated figures, expressive eyes, and a rich colour palette.
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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St. John Chrysostom, exiled for speaking against the sins of the powerful, never ceased to preach mercy. He reminded rulers that their authority was given by God for the care of the weak, not their own gain. Calling for mercy is not rebellion—it is fidelity to Christ.
A historical painting depicting St. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, delivering a sermon from an elevated wooden pulpit. He is dressed in a white robe with black crosses, raising his right hand as he preaches passionately. Below him, a crowd of clergy and laypeople, dressed in red and brown garments, react with a mix of astonishment and concern. In the background, Empress Eudoxia, adorned in regal attire with a jeweled headdress, sits in a balcony with her attendants, appearing displeased or skeptical. The setting is a grand church with towering columns and intricate decorations, evoking the grandeur of the Byzantine era. The painting captures the tension between Chrysostom and the imperial court. Oil on canvas by Joseph Wencker c 1880
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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At every Divine Liturgy, we pray to stand "with boldness and without condemnation" before the dread judgment seat of Christ. This 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢 is not defiance but the confidence of a child before the Father, rooted in His mercy, not our own righteousness.
The image is a religious icon depicting a scene from Christian tradition, specifically the Eucharist. Jesus, identifiable by his halo and central position, holds a chalice, symbolizing the Last Supper. Two other figures, also with halos, are present, indicating they are likely angels or saints. The background features classical architecture with columns and drapery, setting a sacred, historical scene. The figures are dressed in traditional robes, emphasizing the solemnity of the moment.
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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Christians are called to 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢—boldness in faith. The prophets, apostles, and martyrs spoke truth to power, not to condemn, but to bear witness to God’s justice and mercy. When a bishop calls upon a ruler to show mercy to the vulnerable, they stand in this same tradition.
John the Baptist reproving Herod, 1848 (oil on canvas Artist: Herbert, John Rogers (1810-90) / English Location: Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd, UK Medium: oil on canvas Date: 1848 AD (C19th AD) Image description John the Baptist, to the left, admonishes an enthroned Herod. Herodias 'to his left' looks on,
January 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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What if you work in a school that demands targets on books?
For example, this for KS3.
I'm from a culture where this was ditched years ago. Wondering how prevalent this is?
January 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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Waiting for the magnificent Arab Christmas to begin.
Always a wonderful yearly event.
Lovely memories of attending the first ones with the late great "Archimandrite of the Oecumenical Throne", Ephrem Lash, who knew most of the different languages in addition to Arabic ...Syriac, Aramaic and Coptic.
January 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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Had a lovely dept trip with colleagues and their kids this Friday to see good old Paddington!
Choice of movie dictated by my niece having a part as a dancing nun!
Good family fun all round!
November 24, 2024 at 6:06 AM
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Today's poem by Emily Dickinson
#poemoftheday #poetry
Text A word is dead When it is said, Some say. I say it just Begins to live That day. Emily Dickinson
November 23, 2024 at 10:31 PM
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World Children's Day - but would also have been my late Mother's birthday, so pause for thought about parents and children.

Today's poem is an extract from Khalil Gibran

#poemoftheday #poetry
Text of poem Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
November 20, 2024 at 8:40 PM
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I meant to post this yesterday after our first taste of snow but got distracted, as usual.

Tuesday's poem Blizzard
By William Carlos Williams
Text Snow: years of anger following hours that float idly down — the blizzard drifts its weight deeper and deeper for three days or sixty years, eh? Then the sun! a clutter of yellow and blue flakes — Hairy looking trees stand out in long alleys over a wild solitude. The man turns and there — his solitary track stretched out upon the world.
November 20, 2024 at 6:02 AM
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#poemoftheday

‘Now that all your worry’ by Hafiz

translated by Daniel Ladinsky

Now that all your worry has proved such an unlucrative business,
Why not find a better job?
Text of poem from book pages ‘Now that all your worry’ by Hafiz Italics translated by Daniel Ladinsky Now that all your worry has proved such an unlucrative business, Why not find a better job?
November 18, 2024 at 4:39 PM
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Today's poem, the Boy and the Door by Yiannis Ritsos
Diomidis Komninos, a 17 year old school boy, was the first fatality. Context in next post.

#poemoftheday #poetry
Text of poem The Boy and the Door  Where he fell There is a red lake a red tree, a red bird. It stood up the demolished door- thousands of horses. The people rode. Komninos! – we screamed. He turned back and looked at us. He was wearing neither a bandage nor a wreath. White horses, red horses and black, blacker- gallop, – history To be on time. Plus photo of a red carnation and a black and white image from 1973 of 17 year old student Diomidis Komninos, in spectacles and with a fullhead of hair. 1973 Athens Polytechnic. Gates barricaded. Studenrs atop gates and walls. Greek flags. Placards and slogans in Greek. Protesters outside the Athens Polytechnic on Patission Street Greek text of poem ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ ΡΙΤΣΟΣ Το αγόρι και η πόρτα
November 17, 2024 at 9:04 AM
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Today's poem:
The Greek Language by Nikiforos Vrettakos.🇬🇷

Nikiforos Vrettakos (1912–1991) was a Greek poet known for his lyrical, humanistic style, deeply inspired by his love for nature, peace, and humanity.
#poemoftheday #poem
Text only Τhe Greek language Nikiforos Vrettakos Τhe Greek language (translated by Marjorie Chambers) When Ι sometime leave this light Ι shall meander upwards like a murmuring stream. And if by chance somewhere among the azure corridors Ι meet with angels, Ι shall speak to them in Greek, since they do not know languages. They speak among themselves with music. Greek text Ἡ Ἑλληνικὴ γλῶσσα Ὅταν κάποτε φύγω ἀπὸ τοῦτο τὸ φῶς θὰ ἑλιχθῶ πρὸς τὰ πάνω ὅπως ἕνα ρυακάκι ποὺ μουρμουρίζει. Κι ἂν τυχὸν κάπου ἀνάμεσα στοὺς γαλάζιους διαδρόμους συναντήσω ἀγγέλους, θὰ τοὺς μιλήσω ἑλληνικά, ἐπειδὴ δὲν ξέρουνε γλῶσσες. Μιλᾶνε μεταξύ τους μὲ μουσική.
November 14, 2024 at 6:12 AM
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Today's poem "The Impossibility of Femininity" by Honor Logan
#poemoftheday #poetry #poem
Text: The Impossibility of Femininity by Honor Logan Femininity is not a birthright but something given and taken away on man’s whim. How could a woman ever define her own femininity, when it is the currency of men for status, for dominance, for silence. So throw it away, let them bicker the definition, and heed what Korzybski said: ‘The word is not the thing.’ Femininity is merely a word but you, you are a Woman.
November 13, 2024 at 7:37 AM
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Charles Hamilton Sorley, son of philosopher William Ritchie Sorley, was born in Aberdeen and educated at Marlborough College, where he developed a love for cross-country running—a theme in his early poetry. 2/3
A black and white image of Charles Hamilton Storley. Portrait photo in his officer uniform. Young, moustached, wavy short hair partes in the style of the time. 1914
November 11, 2024 at 5:06 AM
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Today's poem, The Army of Death, also titled "When You See Millions of the Mouthless Dead" by Scottish poet, Charles Hamilton Sorley
#remembranceday #poetry #poemoftheday
When You See Millions of the Mouthless Dead' By Charles Hamilton Sorley
November 11, 2024 at 4:54 AM
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Today's poem by Aram Saroyan

lighght

#poemoftheday
______________

Complaint - "We can’t afford to lower taxes but we can pay some beatnik weirdo $500 to write one word…and not even spell it right?!"
Yellow on off white background Single word lighght (as spelt)
November 10, 2024 at 1:42 PM
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Yes, Orthodox do that. Mainly kiss the cross, or air kiss the casket (if closed).
Greek Archdiocese America. The Kiss of Peace and Anointing Following the dismissal prayer comes the moment of our final farewell greeting to the deceased. As the people come forward to look upon the deceased, the choir or chanters sing hymns that invite them to offer a kiss to the one who has reposed in the faith while they pray for the Lord to give the person rest. The kiss given to the deceased is an expression of love for the departed, but it is also an affirmation that the one who has fallen asleep is worthy of the fulfillment of God’s promises having lived a life of faith and known the grace of God.
November 9, 2024 at 9:51 PM
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Today's poem
Chinese Journey 18 by Olga Sedakova
#poemoftheday
Russian text Chinese Journey 18 Let us praise our earth, let us praise the moon on the water, that which is with no one and with all, which is nowhere and everywhere – the size of a swallow’s eye, of a crumb of dry bread, of a ladder on a butterfly’s wings, of a ladder cast from the sky. Not only trouble and pity are the yoke to my heart, but also the smiling of miraculous water. Let us praise the bathing of priceless dark branches in living glass and all the spirits, vigilant above each grain in the soil. And that there is a recompense, that there is a barrier against harm, that, as the garden has a gardener, the earth has praise. Translated by Jena Woodhouse Today's poem by Olga Sedakova Chinese Journey 18 Let us praise our earth, let us praise the moon on the water, that which is with no one and with all, which is nowhere and everywhere – the size of a swallow’s eye, of a crumb of dry bread, of a ladder on a butterfly’s wings, of a ladder cast from the sky. Not only trouble and pity are the yoke to my heart, but also the smiling of miraculous water. Let us praise the bathing of priceless dark branches in living glass and all the spirits, vigilant above each grain in the soil. And that there is a recompense, that there is a barrier against harm, that, as the garden has a gardener, the earth has praise. Translated by Jena Woodhouse
November 9, 2024 at 1:16 PM
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Today's poem by Mary Oliver

Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

#poemoftheday
Text Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about
November 8, 2024 at 5:06 AM
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#poemoftheday

America by Allen Ginsberg
America BY ALLEN GINSBERG America l've given you all and now Im nothing- America two dollars and twentyseven cents January 17, 1956. I can't stand my own mind. America when will we end the human war? Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb. I don't feel good don't hother me. I won't write my poem till I'm in my right mind. America when will you be angelic? When will you take off your clothes? When will you look at yourself through the grave? When will you he worthy of your million Trotskyites? America why are your libraries full of tears? America when will you send your eggs to India? I'm sick of your insane demands. When can I go into the supermarket and buy what I need with my good looks? America after all it is you and I who are perfect not the next world. Your machinery is too much for me. You made me want to be a saint. There must be some other way to settle this argument. Burrough is in Tangiers I don't think he'll come back it's sinister. Are you being sinister or is this some form of practical joke? I'm trying to come to the point. I refuse to give up my obsession. America stop pushing I know what Im doing. America the plum blossoms are falling. I haven't read the newspapers for months, everyday somebody goes on trial for murder. America I feel sentimental about the Wobblies. America I used to be a communist when I was a kid I'm not sorry. I smoke marijuana every chance I get. I sit in my house for days on end and stare at the roses in the closet. When I go to Chinatown I get drunk and never get laid. My mind is made up there's going to be trouble. You should have seen me reading Marx. America I still haven't told you what you did to Uncle Max after he came over from Russia. I'm addressing you. Are you going to let your emotional life be run by Time Magazine? I'm obsessed by Time Magazine. I read it every week. Its coner stares at me every time I slink past the corner candystore. I read it in the basement of the Berkeley Public Library. It's always telling me a… Are you going to let your emotional life be run by Time Magazine? I'm obsessed by Time Magazine. I read it every week. Its coner stares at me every time I slink past the corner candystore. I read it in the basement of the Berkeley Public Library. It's always telling me about responsibility. Businessmen are serious. Movie producers are serious. Everybody's serious but me. It occurs to me that I am America. I am talking to myself again. Asiz is rising against me. I haven't got a chinaman's chance. I'd better consider my national resources. My national resources consist of two joints of marijuana millions of genitals an unpublishable private literature that jetplanes 1400 miles an hour and twentyfive-thousand mental institutions. I say nothing about my prisons nor the millions of underprivileged who live in my flowerpots under the light of five hundred suns. I have abolished the whorehouses of France, Tangiers is the next to go. My ambition is to be President despite the fuct that I'm a Catholic. America how can I write a holy litany in your silly mond? I will continue like Henry Ford my strophes are as individual as his automobiles more so they're all different sexes. America I will sell you strophes $2500 apiece $500 down on your old strophe America free Tom Mooncy America save the Spanish Loyalists America Sacco \& Vanzetti must not die America I am the Seottsboro bays. America when I was seven momma took me to Communist Cell meetings they sold us garbanzos a handful per ticket a ticket costs a nicked and the speeches were free everybody was angelic and sentimental about the workers it was all so sincere you have no idea what a good thing the party have been a spy. America you don't really want to go to war. America its them bad Russians. Them Russians them Russians and them Chinamen. And them Russians. The Russia wants to eat us alive. The Russias power mad. She wants to take our cars from out our garages. Her wants to grab Chicago. Her needs a Red Reader's Digest.… That no good. Ugh. Him make Indians learn read. Him need big black niggers. Hah. Her make us all work sixteen hours a day. Help. America this is quite serious. America this is the impression I get from looking in the television set. America is this correct? I'd better get right down to the job. It's true I don't want to join the Army or turn lathes in precision parts factories, I'm nearsighted and psychopathic anyway. America I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel.
November 7, 2024 at 8:54 PM