Here’s a progress report on the upgrading of the New Testament: Gospels series. There are 45 episodes consisting of almost 1600 slides that must be rebuilt one-at-a-time. It’s very slow work, with six slides per page, each of which is separately trimmed to size. The primary objective is to integrate the videos series and the new The Gospel of ... series of AIC Bookstore Publications, so that visitors interested in either will be exposed to the same material in another setting or media. Every episode is getting a facelift, with some new illustrations and some changes in text and picture layouts. In the Fourth Edition, the Other AIC Resources section of each episode is being standardized across the series.

As of 12/11/20 I have remade all the slides in Episode One (the Introduction to the series); Episodes Two through Six (focused on the Gospel of Matthew); Episodes Seven through Eleven (focused on the Gospel of Mark); and Episodes Twelve through Sixteen (up to start of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee in the Gospel of Luke).

I am very pleased to let you know that the Universitats- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt, custodians of the Hitda Codex (circa 1020 A.D.), have generously granted written permission to use the high-resolution images of Christ in Majesty; Healing the Man with a Withered Hand; Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law; and Healing the Demon-possessed Man (or Gadarene Man) that we purchased for Gospel book series. All are used in Episode Eight (Gospel of Mark).

I have not yet overcome several issues involved in moving our videos from the current vendor to Vimeo.com. I hope these issues can be resolved in the next few days.

The next step in the process is recording the soundtrack for these 16 episodes. My plan is to start on that task tomorrow.

Looking at the propect of updating a series with 45 episode and over 1500 slides was daunting. As always, getting started is the hardest part. Here in the second week of Advent Season in Church year 2020-2021 A.D., I’ve made surprisingly good progress in the conversion of the New Testament: Gospels Bible Study Video series into its Fourth Edition. The series has a modified logo which will be used in the Other AIC Resources section of each episode where appropriate. Over the next few weeks, I will be moving all the video series to the Vimeo.com platform. I am still encountering unexpected difficulties in processing and moving the episodes. The resolution of the first effort was not satisfactory and the episode will be deleted and reposted. Please accept my apology for any inconvenience regarding unavailable episodes.

The Fourth Edition, in addition to the revised graphic, includes many revisions to the appearance of slides. To date, I have remade over 200 slides for Episode One through Episode Six. The new version of Episode One, which is the series introduction, is now available on our Vimeo channel. Episodes Two through Episode Six, all focused on the Gospel of Matthew, include new slides which integrate material from the four newest AiC Bookstore Publications focused on the Gospels. The Gospel of John: Annotated & Illustrated is already available for purchase in paperback and Kindle editions through my Amazon Author Central page, which is linked from the bottom of the Home Page. The Kindle edition is an electronic facsimile of the print version. The Luke edition is currently in the final stages of proofing and will be available later this year or very early in 2021 A.D. The next two books, the Mark edition and the Matthew edition, are ready for proofreading.

Episode One in the Fourth Edition of the AIC Bible Study Video series, New Testament: Gospels, is now available on our new Vimeo channel. The production of the Fourth Edition is part of our continuing celebration of the start of the AIC’s second decade on the Internet. All forty-five episodes will be reissued in revised form during the Church Year 2020-2021 A.D. The image is linked here and from the New Testament page.

The newest episode features revised and expanded content and a new musical theme, All Glory, Laud and Honor, attributed to St. Theodulph (8th C.). The music is played on the church organ by Richard M. S. Irwin and is used with permission. Richard’s wonderful, inspired playing can be heard at https://play.hymnswithoutwords.com. He has made his music accessible to local congregations. I thank Richard for his generosity in permitting its use for this series.

Each new episode will feature material from the new illustrated Gospel books which we are adding to the catalogue of AIC Bookstore Publications. The release of The Gospel of Matthew: Illustrated & Annotated is planned for the first half of A.D. 2021, pending proofreading of the completed text. The book will have 262 pages and 114 illustrations, including 14 images of Matthew, the oldest made in the early 8th C. at Lindisfarne, England.

The old Church Year is nearly over and the new Church Year to be born on Sunday, Nov. 29, the closest Sunday to the Feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30). At the AIC we are marking the new season with a few new development.

Over this weekend, I will move all AIC Videos from the current host site to Vimeo.com. The previous vendor has announced a change in the terms of our contract, giving them the right to “monetize” anything we place on their site. This means, potentially, ads inserted at the start of, in the content of and at the end of videos. I will not allow them to commercialize our education materials. Effective today, I am removing all our content from their site. This may mean that some videos are temporarily unavailable during this transition.

Second, as part of the change nonted above, I will be modifying all existing videos into a new format. The old versions will remain available, to be replaced as each revised version is completed during the Winter A.D. 2020-2021

Third, it appears possible that the Luke volume can be produced sooner than expected. The final version is undergoing design and final proofing. With His grace, we may be able to have the Gospel of Luke: Annotated & Illustrated ready before Christmas Day.

Fourth, the Podcast Homilies for all four Sundays in Advent will be linked from the Home page. Also, beginning around, Dec. 15th. the Podcasts and videos for The Great “O” Antiphons series for the final seven days before Christmas, will be linked from the Home Page.

Finally, in the days just before Christmas, I will link the videos and podcasts for Lessons and Carols from Christmas Eve from the Home page. All the above may prove timely given the restrictiosn related to COVID-19.

As always, thank you for your interest, support and prayers.

Glory be to God for all things! Amen!

I am pleased to share good news. Progress is being made on the final three books in our illustrated Gospels series. The volume focused on the Gospel of Luke still needs proofreading of the final four chapters. There will be 272 pages with 111 illustrations. I remain hopeful that it can be ready before the end of Epiphany season in 2021.

The volume focused on the Gospel of Matthew is complete but proof-reading cannot begin until the Luke volume has been sent to our printer. There will be 268 pages with 115 illustrations. My target date for publication is before Easter 2021.

The volume focused on the Gospel of Mark is also complete. There will be 186 pages with 86 illustrations. The target date for publication is Whitsunday 2021.

Now that the research and writing stage of the books is complete, I plan to turn to producing more Podcasts on topical issues. Some new equipment will be needed to ensure good sound quality, but all the new microphone/headset combinations created for the COVID shutdown era seem to offer real promise. I will be testing some of them soon.

In this era of rampant anti-Christian activity, the AIC will continue to offer reliable study materials either free or at reasonable prices. Our books offer anyone access to high-quality images and content at afforable rates.

As always, thank you for your interest and support.

The newest AIC Bookstore Publication, The Gospel of John: Annotated & Illustrated, is now available in paperback and Kindle versions.    The book breaks new ground in the display and editing of historic Christian art, with 95 illustrations set in context with the text of John’s unique Gospel using the NKJV translation.   This will be first time modern readers have seen high-resolutions images from some of the best illuminated Bibles ever produced.  The list of Sources at the back of the book offer a short summary of each work with manuscript and image file numbers where available.

I was assisted in this effort by my friend Claudia Yelton, whose input into design, word choice and other creative aspects of the work was invaluable during the last eight months.  Below is her summary on the final version.  I hope you’ll agree that it will be a valuable resource in the library of any tradition-minded Christian.  Books can be purchase through my Amazon Author Central page using the link at the bottom of the home page.

“I “visually proofed” John this morning and I must say, I think it is stunning. I like the visual variety of the different sizes and shapes of the illuminations…. small, medium and large rectangles (horizontally and vertically placed) along with varying sizes of square illustrations. Their placement on the page, being varied, adds to the interest of the manuscript. Additionally, the different sized type also makes the reading more enjoyable. A complete page of the same size type is predictable and boring to the reader, and sometimes daunting.   I’m so proud to have been a small part in the production of this book.  Congratulations on this beautiful work.

I hope to have Volume II in the series, The Gospel of Luke: Annotated & Illustration, ready before the start of Advent season on Nov 29th, A.D. 2020.   The companion volume, The Gospel of Matthew: Annotated & Illustrated,  is in production and should be available before Easter.   The final book in the series, The Gospel of Mark: Annotated & Illustrated is planned for mid-2021.

Today I offer another resource for traditional prayer during these stressful times. The Ninth Hour office is customarily read around 3 PM, the hour of death upon the Cross on Good Friday. Each of these offices can be said by anyone, anywhere, and does not require the presence of clergy. When being used with a group, the words in bold types are those said in unison with the leader or in response. The origin of each prayer is noted in the text.

Ninth Hour

The Invocation

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one true God, to whom be glory and upon us mercy and compassion for ever and ever.  Amen.

The First Prayer [Syrian Antiochian 9th Hour Prayer]

O thou who, at the Ninth Hour, for our sake didst taste of death in the flesh: Mortify thou the presumption of our flesh, and save us, O Christ our God.  Amen.

A General Confession

Let us pray

I confess to God the Father Almighty, to His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and to God the Holy Ghost, and before the whole company of heaven, that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my own fault, through my ownmost grievous fault. Wherefore I beseech God the Father Almighty, His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and God the Holy Ghost, to pity me, and to have mercy upon me. The Almighty and merciful God grant to us pardon, absolution, and remission of all our sins. Amen.

The Lord’ s Prayer [Luke 11:2-4]

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.  Amen. 

The First Chapter [1 Thessalonians 4:14]

If we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also that sleep in Jesus shall God bring with Him.

The First Antiphon [Psalm 86:7-10]

In the time of my trouble I will call upon thee; 

For thou hearest me.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; 

There is not one that can do as thou doest.

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship thee, O Lord; 

And shall glorify thy Name.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: 

Thou art God alone.

The Second Prayer [Adapted from Liturgy of St. James, 1st C.]

O SOVEREIGN Almighty God, King of Glory, who knowest all things before their creation, redeem us from the shame of our transgressions; cleanse our minds and thoughts from impure desires, from worldly deceit, from all influence of the devil; guard us from everything evil and preserve us for continually pleasing, worshipping, and glorifying Thee, the Father, and Thy only-begotten Son, and thy all-holy Spirit, now and always, unto ages of ages.  Amen.

The Second Antiphon [Psalm 86:1-6]

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me; 

For I am poor, and in misery.

Preserve thou my soul, for I am holy: * 

My God, save thy servant that putteth his trust in thee.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord; * 

For I will call daily upon thee.

Comfort the soul of thy servant; * 

For unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For thou, Lord, art good and gracious; * 

And of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer, * 

And ponder the voice of my humble desires.

The Third Prayer [Sarum Missal, 16th-17th C., England]

O GOD, who hast made the most glorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, thine only-begotten Son, to be exceeding sweet and supremely lovable to thy faithful servants: Mercifully grant that all who devoutly venerate the name of Jesus on earth may in this life receive thy holy comfort, and in the life to come attain thine unending joy.  Amen.

The Second Chapter [Isaiah 53:6]

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord that laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

The Third Antiphon [Psalm 51:10, 11]

Make me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence,

And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

The Fourth Prayer [Anglican Prayer, Alcuin of York, 8th C.]

O ETERNAL light, shine into my heart; O Eternal Goodness, deliver me from evil; O Eternal Power, be my support; O Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of my ignorance; O Eternal Pity, have mercy upon me; that with all my heart and mind and soul and strength I may seek thy face and be brought by thine infinite mercy to thy holy presence.  Amen.

The Psalm Reading [Psalm 119:129-146]

THY testimonies are wonderful; * therefore doth my soul keep them.

130. When thy word goeth forth, * it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131. I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath; * for my delight was in thy commandments.

132. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, * as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133. Order my steps in thy word; * and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men; * and so shall I keep thy commandments.

135. Show the light of thy countenance upon thy servant, * and teach me thy statutes.

136. Mine eyes gush out with water, * because men keep not thy law.

RIGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord; * and true are thy judgments.

138. The testimonies that thou hast commanded * are exceeding righteous and true.

139. My zeal hath even consumed me; * because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140. Thy word is tried to the uttermost, * and thy servant loveth it.

141. I am small and of no reputation; * yet do I not forget thy commandments.

142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, * and thy law is the truth.

143. Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me; * yet is my delight in thy commandments.

144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: * O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

I CALL with my whole heart; * hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes.

146. Yea, even unto thee I do call; * help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

The Third Chapter [Revelation 4:11; 5:13]

WORTHY art thou, Our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for thou didst create all things and by thy will they existed and were created; To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!

The Fourth Antiphon [Adapted from In the Cross of Christ I Glory, 1946]

O holy Jesus, who of thine infinite goodness, 

Didst accept the conversion of a sinner on the Cross: 

Open thine eyes of mercy upon us, 

When in our last hour we turn to thee for pardon and forgiveness.  

Renew in us all that is decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil or our own carnal will and frailness.  

Consider our contribution and accept our repentance; 

And forasmuch as we put our full trust only in thy mercy,

Impute not unto us our former sins, but strengthen us with thy blessed Spirit; 

When thou art pleased to take us hence into thy favor,

We beg through thy merits, O Lord, our Saviour and our Redeemer.

The Fifth Prayer [Anglican Prayer, Ninth Hour]

O Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sakes didst tread the paths of death; make known to us  the way of life; that as Thou wast reckoned with the transgressors in Thy death, and with the rich in Thy burial, so we, who are dead in trespasses and sins, may be raised up by Thee to the land of true riches; who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The Fifth Antiphon [In the Cross of Christ I Glory, 1946]

O Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious blood redeemed us;

Save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.

The Sixth Prayer [Adapted from Eastern Orthodox Prayer of St. Basil the Great, 4th or 5th C.]

O Master, Lord Jesus Christ our God, who art long-suffering toward our sins, and who hast led us even to the present hour, who didst hang upon the life-giving Tree and didst make a way unto Paradise for the penitent thief, and by death didst destroy death; Cleanse us sinners and unworthy servants, for we have sinned and have dealt iniquitously toward thee.  Inasmuch as we have departed from the path of thy righteousness, and have walked after the desires of our own hearts, we are not worthy to lift up our eyes and look upon the heights of heaven; Yet we implore of thy boundless goodness: Spare us, O Lord, according to thy multitude of thy mercies, and save us, for thy holy Name’s sake.  Amen.

The Grace (2 Corinthians 13:14)

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ξ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Benediction

May the Lord Almighty and merciful, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, vouchsafe to bless us and keep us. Amen. 

Here ends Ninth Hour.  Go in peace and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The complete text of Ninth Hour and the prayers for First, Third and Sixth Hour, plus Vespers and Compline are found in the AIC Bookstore Publication, Hear Us, O Lord: Daily Prayers for the Laity, which can be purchased on line using the Virtual Bookstore link at the bottom of the Home page. It can also be ordered from bookstores.