Daily Archives: June 30, 2023

Why the World Is on the Brink of Great Disorder – TIME

Posted: June 30, 2023 at 4:56 pm

Im a global macro investor who has been betting on whats going to happen for over 50 years. Ive been through all sorts of events and cycles in all sorts of places over a long time which led me to study how these events and cycles work. In the process, I learned that I needed to study history to understand whats going on and whats likely to happen.

Early in my career, I learned though a couple of painful mistakes that the biggest things that surprised me did so because they never happened in my lifetime but had happened many times in history. The first time that happened was on August 15, 1971 when I was clerking on the floor of the New York Stock exchange and the U.S. defaulted on its debt promise to allow people to turn in their paper dollars for gold. I thought that this was a big crisis that would send stock prices down but they went up a lot. I didnt understand why because Id never experienced a big currency devaluation before. When I looked back in history, I saw that the exact same thing happened on March 5, 1933 when Roosevelt defaulted on the U.S.s promise to let people turn in their paper money for gold and stocks went up. That led me to study and learn whywhich is that money could be created, and when its created, it goes down in value which makes things go up in price. That experience led me to study the rises and declines of markets, economies, and countries which Ive done ever since. For example, my studying how the 1920s debt bubble turned into the 1929-33 financial collapse led me to anticipate and profit from the 2008 financial crisis. Thats how I learned that its critical to take a longer-term perspective and understand the mechanics behind why history rhymes.

A few years ago, I saw three big things happening that hadnt happened in my lifetime but had happened in the 1930-45 period. These were:

Seeing these three big things that never happened in these magnitudes in my lifetime led me to study the rises and declines of markets, economies, and countries over the last 500 years, as well as the rises and declines of Chinas dynasties the last 2,100 years.

That examination showed me that these three big forcesi.e. the debt/money one, the internal conflict one, and the external conflict onetranspired in big cycles that reinforced each other to make up what I call the Big Cycle. These cycles were driven by logical cause-effect relationships Most importantly, this study of the last 500 years of history taught me that:

Said differently, history shows that the painful seismic shifts part of the Big Cycle comes about when there is simultaneously 1) too much debt creation that leads to debt bubbles bursting and economic contractions which cause central banks to print a lot of money and buy debt, 2) big conflicts within countries due to big wealth and values conflicts made worse by the bad economic conditions, and 3) big international conflicts due to rising world powers challenging the existing world powers at a time of economic and internal political crises In doing this study, I also saw two other big forces that had big effects. They are:

I call these the Five Big Forces. I saw how they affect each other and change in logical ways to produce the Big Cycle that produces big changes in the world order. I came to realize that if one understands and follows each of these forces and how they interact, one can understand most everything thats changing the world order. Thats what Im trying to do.

I will give you a quick summary of what I learned from my study but if you want to lean more about how and why things change you can get that in my book Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order.

In the U.S., we are now in middle part of what I call the short-term debt cycle and is also known as the business cycle. These short-term debt cycles have lasted 7 years on average, give or take about 3 years. There have been 12 1/2 of them since the new monetary world order started in 1945. So, we are now about half-way though the 13th of the cycles, at the point of the cycle when the central bank has tightened money to fight inflation that is just before the debt and economic contractions which will likely come over next 18 months.

We are also in a late and dangerous part of the long-term debt cycle because the levels of debt assets and debt liabilities have become so high that it is difficult to give lender-creditors a high enough interest rate relative to inflation that is adequate to make them want to hold this debt as an asset without making interest rates so high that it unacceptably hurts the borrower-debtor. Because of unsustainable debt growth, we are likely approaching a major inflection point that will change the financial order. Said differently, it appears to me likely that we are approaching a debt/financial/economic restructuring that will lead to big changes to the financial order.

More specifically. it appears likely to me that because of large deficits the U.S. Treasury will have to sell a lot of debt and it appears there will not be adequate demand for it. If that happens, it will lead to either much higher interest rates or the Fed printing a lot of money and buying bonds which will devalue money. For these reasons, the debt/financial conditions could worsen, perhaps very significantly, over the next 18 months.

In several countries, most importantly the U.S., we have seen a growing percentage of the population that are populist extremists (about 20-25 percent of the right are extreme and about 10-15 percent of the left are) and a shrinking of the percentage of the population that are bipartisan moderates. Though the bipartisan moderates still remain in the majority, they constitute a declining percentage of the population and they are far less willing to fight and win at all costs. In studying history, I saw this growing populism of both sides and increased conflict has repeatedly occurred when large gaps in wealth and values existed at the same time as bad economic conditions. At such times, significant percentages of the population chose populist political leaders who vowed to fight and win for them rather than compromise. In my book, I described the state the U.S. is now in as Stage 5 (When There Are Bad Financial Conditions and Intense Conflict) of the internal order cycle, which comes just before some sort of civil war and changes in the domestic order. That is what is now happening.

Looking ahead, the next 18 months will be an increasingly intense big election period which will lead to much greater political conflict which is likely to sharper the divide between the left and the right. Thirty-three Senate seats, the presidency, and control of the House will be fought over by a number of populist candidates and there will likely be poor economic conditions, so the fights will be vicious and there will be a real test of rule-following and compromising, both of which are required to make democracies work. You can see the movement toward a win at all cost fight while the respect for the legal and political systems declines. You can see this dynamic playing out even now, in things like Donald Trump and his followers being at war with the justice system, or as he and his followers would say, the systems war against him. Whichever perspective you have, it is clear that we are headed into a type of civil war over the next 18 months. To me the most important war is between the bipartisan moderates and the populist extremes, yet the bipartisan moderates are for the most part quietly staying out of this fight. The only thing the Democrats and Republicans can agree on, which most Americans also agree on, is being anti-China which brings me to my next big force.

The conflicts between the U.S. and China are likely to intensify as domestic political tensions will likely lead to increased aggressiveness toward China. That is because in the U.S. most everyone is anti-China and those running for office will want to out-China-bash each other in an election year. China and the US are already dangerously close to some form of war, whether an all-out economic one or, worse, a military one. There are also important elections in Taiwan next year, which is already a flash point in U.S.-China elections, and a U.S.-backed push for Taiwanese independence is something to keep a close eye on when weighing the potential for even more overt U.S.-China conflict. There are several issuesTaiwan, chips, dealing with Russia, sanctioning investmentsthat are being fought over, and both sides are preparing for war. I dont mean to say that we are destined for war, but I do mean that the odds of some form of a major conflict are dangerously high.

Acts of nature are of course harder to predict accurately, but they appear to be getting worse and are likely to be more costly and damaging over the next five to ten years due to climate change. Also, the world is entering an El Nio phase of the climate cycle over the next year.

What can we expect from technology/human inventiveness? Like acts of nature, it is hard to know exactly, though there should be no doubt that generative AI and other technological advances have the potential to cause both massive productivity gains and massive destructions, depending on how they are used. The one thing that we can be sure of is that these changes will be greatly disruptive.

Exactly how events will unfold is beyond my ability to say, but there is no doubt in my mind that those who assume that things will work in the orderly ways we have gotten used in the last few decades will be shocked and probably hurt by the changes to come.

How well these changes are managed will make all the difference. If our leaders can rise above their tendencies to fight and instead focus on cooperating, we can certainly navigate these tricky times to create a better world for most people. Presumably, this outcome is best for everyone, so we should be strongly against civil disorder and war between nations, keeping it in the back of our mind so we strive for cooperative decision-making. For example, now that a debt ceiling agreement has passed, it would be great to see the Democrats and Republicans mutually agree on a bipartisan group of very skilled people to come up with a practical, long-term bipartisan plan. I wrote an article Why and How Capitalism Needs to be Reformed? years ago which is still relevant today in case youre interested. Having said that, it is probably unrealistic to believe that we can materially change the course of events, so what is most important for most people is to visualize the worst. If you do that, you will be prepared for it and will probably be fine.

In closing I should say that the most important thing Ive learned in my 50 years of being a global macro investor is that I can be wrong. For that reason, while I suggest that you consider what I am sharing, I also suggest that you assess it and the circumstances for yourself.

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Why the World Is on the Brink of Great Disorder - TIME

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All the New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books to Put on Your Radar for July – Yahoo Entertainment

Posted: at 4:56 pm

An upside-down house

The Possibilities

July is here, and its brought with it an almost overwhelming array of new sci-fi, horror, and fantasy books. Whether youre in the mood for magic, monsters, or mysteriesor some combination of all threeio9's monthly list of new releases has you covered.

Amazon has a ton of different Kindle options, so its a great time to check those out if youre looking to get an e-reader or upgrade yours.

London exorcist Felix Castor takes on a baffling new case, searching for a missing ogilarch whose mansion is home to malevolent forces both living and dead. To crack it, he assembles a team that includes a zombie, a cop, a warrior, and a reformed succubus. (July 1)

Odd-job specialists Indrajit (a poet) and Fix (an ex-monk) return for more adventures chasing crooks, solving crimes, finding lost objects and people, and dodging their rivals in a city full of turmoil and magic. (July 4)

Admiral John Black Jack Geary returns for a deep-space adventure involving a mysterious alien species, a different alien species with technological superiority, dangerous human factions, and shadowy forces rising within the Alliance hes long been loyal to. (July 4)

The Liaden Universe series continues as the light keepers and their allies band together to rebuild the station that once held the malevolent Tinsori Lightand keep it from falling into the wrong hands while theyre at it. (July 4)

After their young son dies, a couple tries different coping mechanisms to deal with their grief: the husband digs holes to keep his mind off the tragedy, while the wife turns to the occult. (July 4)

Story continues

In this fantasy romance, a troubled teen grows up next door to a family of shape-shifters; years later, in the wake of a terrible tragedy, he feels a spark with the son closest his age. (July 4)

A young woman whos sent to hell after she dies sees an opportunity for escapebut then must decide if she wants to return to Earth, or stay and try to fix what she realizes is a system of divine injustice. (July 5)

Fifteen zombie-themed tales from across the Bram Stoker Award-winning authors career, including a never-before-published new story. (July 6)

A 15-story horror and suspense collection from the author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World. (July 11)

This coming-of-age tale set in rural Pennsylvania is billed as The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass. (July 11)

A traveling sideshow in Victorian London achieves great fame thanks to its performers real magical powers, including the ability to grant wishes and create fire. Complications arise with blackmail and a forbidden attraction. (July 11)

This tale of corporate intrigue, political unrest, unsolved mysteries, and the havoc wreaked by one companys monomaniacal endeavor to build the worlds first space elevator comes from one of South Koreas most revered science fiction writers, whose identity remains unknown.(July 11)

The ninth book of this dark urban fantasy series follows necromancer Eric Carter through a world of vengeful gods and goddesses, mysterious murders, and restless ghosts.(July 11)

A royal spy tasked with keeping dark magic out of the queens realm must team up with her worst rival once she begins to understand the surprising strength of her own powers. (July 11)

This fantasy tale is described as a female John Wick story with dragon magic set in contemporary San Franciscos Chinatown.(July 11)

The Water City future-noir trilogy continues with a new mysterythis time taking our detective turned bounty hunter from his underwater home to the moon on the trail of a dangerous conspiracy. Read an excerpt here. (July 11)

This epic fantasy kicks off a new seriesthe Nightingale and the Falconthat reimagines the Mongol Empires invasion of Persia, following the lives and treacherous journeys of four key figures in the heart of war.(July 11)

Sisters who both have one son clash with each other and their community when one of them refuses to test her son for a gene that predicts violence. (July 11)

In a city full of doors that are actually portals, a young man escaping a violent upbringing finds his new home is packed full of divine destiniesincluding his own. (July 11)

In this YA space opera, a reincarnated god and a grumpy pilot go on a mission to save a beloved space DJ and stop an intergalactic war. (July 11)

In this debut sci-fi tale, a young tea expert is taken as a political prisoner and recruited to spy on government officialsa role that may empower her to win back her nations independence.(July 11)

Firefly meets The Breakfast Club in this tale set in a galaxy with a dying sun, and the unlikely group of misfits who just might figure out how to rescue it. (July 11)

A thief travels from her home moon to rob the richest attendees at a royal ball, but the mission gets complicated when the emperor is murderedand shes on the list of suspects. (July 11)

The black-sheep son of an industrial tycoon starts working for a tech pioneer whos running a biomedical startup selling nothing less than immortality, only to uncover the horrifying truth at the heart of her sublime promises. (July 11)

Cinderellas familiar story gets a retelling here, as the former maid schemes to become a princess with the help of her stepsisters and a limited supply of magic. What will happen when her powers begin to fadeand she starts to fall for the wrong prince? (July 11)

The Covenant of Steel trilogy ends as outlaw turned knight Alwyn begins to question the royal mistress hes long servedand a final battle for the fate of the kingdom looms. (July 11)

This all-new anthology in the long-running seriesset in a universe where an alien virus mutates some and grants superpowers to othersfeatures stories by Kevin Andrew Murphy, Christopher Rowe, Marko Kloos, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Bradley Denton, Walton Simons, Peter Newman, Gwenda Bond, and David Anthony Durham. (July 11)

A mysterious severed hand upends the lives of a washed-up singer and her son as they run from shadowy government agents and the random victims affected by the hands ability to incite anyone to extreme violence. (July 15)

After he dies and comes back, a security expert at a secret research facility sets out to help two deserving people who are still among the livingif he can avoid angering a street gang and an assassin capable of making a man die twice. (July 18)

The fourth installment in the Chronicles of the Avatar series follows Avatar Yangchen as she charts the course of her legacy, finally making peace with her choices and facing Avatarhood with the courage it demands. (July 18)

This collection gathers the first three books in the Hugo- and Nebula-winning Wayward Children series: Every Heart a Doorway, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, and Beneath the Sugar Sky. (July 18)

The Lightspeed first contact trilogy continues as humanity pushes forward in exploring new systems, and discovers the Fermi may not be the only alien intelligence in their midst. (July 18)

In an ancient city with a long, bloody history where countless thousands live and their stories endure, an heir to a merchant family falls in love with a mysterious stranger. His search to find her may alter not just his life, but the lives of all the city-dwellers. (July 18)

Tingles first traditionally published novel is a horror tale set at a gay conversion summer camp. (July 18)

John Tucker Must Die meets Shrek in a revenge tale where princesses save themselves.(July 18)

The video game designerco-creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3-D writes about his life and groundbreaking career in this new memoir. (July 18)

The Graven Trilogy ends with this concluding chapter in the space opera, which sees Caiden reunited with his long-lost sister and finally at peace with his worst enemy. But theyll need to face one last towering threat to the multiverse before they can rest easy. (July 18)

In this Egyptian-inspired fantasy debut, a fugitive queen strikes a bargain with her greatest enemy and becomes embroiled in a complex game that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever. (July 18)

In this prequel to the authors sci-fi fantasy Coldfire trilogy, we follow colonists who arrive on a new planet thats nowhere near as welcoming as theyd expected. (July 18)

This feminist alt-history tale, a sequel to Widowland, is set in 1955 and imagines a dystopian London where the Nazis won World War IIand the woman hiding a huge secret whos tasked with convincing Queen Wallis Simpson to fight for whats right. (July 18)

In an America thats nearly all underwateran apocalypse brought about by climate changea teen and her adoptive father seek a community of survivors. But their journey wont be easy since the country is not only flooded, its populated by cannibalistic murderers. (July 18)

In this tale set in the film industry of 90s Mexico City, a sound editor and her best friend become drawn into the world of a cult horror director, who claims the unfinished film that ended his career is cursed with Nazi black magic. (July 18)

The romance of Poppy and Casteel continues as the newly powerful Poppy falls into stasisleaving Casteel to try and bring her back from the brink as a war between gods begins to brew. (July 18)

Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince. (July 25)

The Godstone fantasy series continues as healer Fenra becomes caught up in a power struggle between the Red and White Court magic practitionersand starts to suspect their conflict has darker forces urging it forward. (July 25)

An AI that works as an investigative reporter uncovers a story so juicy its subject resorts to memory wipes to keep it from getting out. (July 25)

The authors Hades Saga concludes as Persephone and the God of the Dead excitedly prepare for their wedding, despite attempts at interference from Theseus in the mortal world as well as various Gods of Olympus. (July 25)

A new trilogy begins in the fantasy realm of Valdemar, where a gryphon hero sets out to explore an unexpectedly dangerous mystery with an old friend. (July 25)

This tale illuminates the lives of women involved in the Trojan War, including Prince Hectors warrior wife, Andromache; gifted horsewoman and spy Rhea; and legendary beauty Helen, who finally shares her side of the story. (July 25)

In this Gothic fantasy, a teen flees her familys estate after realizing shes cursed to see ghosts. But the refuge she finds, and the romance that accompanies it, soon begin to turn dark and frightening. (July 25)

The best-selling YA authors adult debut is an Antony and Cleopatra-inspired tale set amid a magical and deadly royal games tournament. Read an excerpt here. (July 25)

The Taking of Jake Livingston meets Cemetery Boys in this YA ghost story about a Puerto Rican teens battle with a malevolent spirit targeting his apartment building and the all-too-real horrors of gentrification. (July 25)

The Red Rising series continues as Darrowthe legendary leader also known as the Reaperdecides its finally time to reunite with his family on Mars, though the journey to his home planet wont be an easy one. (July 25)

In this ecological fable, a young woman must venture on a quest to find out why her land, the Real, has suddenly become enveloped in a noxious brown fog (July 25)

A new mother ventures into parallel worlds to find her missing child in this mind-bending novel that turns the joys and anxieties of parenthood into an epic quest.(July 25)

Psychic powers clash and different sets of twins must forge their own paths in this seventh entry in the authors Psy-Changeling Trinity. (July 25)

A homicide detective suspects an AI created by a top-secret Pentagon project might be tied into her new murder case in this thriller described as Silence of the Lambs meets Ex Machina. (July 25)

Two women embark on a unforgettable quest that draws them into a world of dark gods and ancient magic in this sweeping fantasy debut inspired by the history and folklore of colonial South America. (July 25)

A Black teen desperate to regain her Ivy League acceptance enters an elite competition only to discover the stakes arent just high, theyre deadly, in this searing thriller thats Ace of Spades meets Squid Game with a sprinkling of The Bachelor. (July 25)

This follow-up to Among Thieves returns to the world of the heist crew, who must put aside their differences and reunite to try and separate a dangerous criminal from an even more dangerous magical artifact. (July 25)

This novel inspired by Viking history and myths follows two womenone desperate only to save her missing sister, the other a witch destined to become queen of Norwaywho meet as children and form a magical bond that remains strong throughout their lives. (July 25)

After leaving her violent husband, a woman makes a new life tending an apple orchard in a town with magical rootsand must find the strength to overcome the persistent shadows of her dark past. (July 25)

The author expands her acclaimed Green Bone Saga with four prequel short stories that delve into the personal histories of the Kaul and Ayt families. (July 31)

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

The Naxos Quartet: The Greek Gods in the Modern World – Greek Reporter

Posted: at 4:56 pm

A depiction of Zeus and Athena in Olympus in the painting by Rene Antoine Houasse. Public Domain

The Naxos Quartet is a compelling series of novels by author Patrick Garner about the Greek gods in the modern world.

We know the Greek gods from mythology, and assume their stories ended there. According to Garner, they did not. The books which can be read as stand-alone novels or as a series makes the reader feel that he or she knows the gods and wont want the story to end.

For those who would appreciate a reminder of whos who, theres a glossary of the featured gods in each book.

The premise is that the ancient Greek gods were not myths at all, and have chosen this moment to reinsert themselves onto the world stage.

Books 1 4 begin with The Winnowing, and continue with Cycladic Girls, Homo Divinitas and All That Lasts. Much of the action takes place in Greece, centering on Mykonos, Delos and Naxos.

The Winnowing (Book 1)

The Olympic gods return to prevent humans from discovering immortality. As we know, geneticists worldwide are in a race to extend life to unimaginable lengths. The Fates three ancient goddesses who determine human life span reappear so they can manipulate events to restore the balance of life and death. Their machinations make this a classic Greek tale.

As long as the reader keeps in mind that the Olympic gods and goddesses are brothers and sisters who sleep with each other, marry each other, and generally behave without human morals, you wont be dismayed by the apparent incest that appears in the beginning of the book. Be assured that the Fates are involved, and a rollicking good story is about to unfold. Get ready for Artemis, Apollo, Aphrodite and Nyx for starters, with mother earth Gaia in attendance.

Jack Night is a financier who raises his daughter by himself in a bucolic Pennsylvania country-side. When shes 19 extraordinary events begin, which include golden light and irresistible lust. Sightings of a massive, three-headed dog and the goddess Artemis occur in the backyard. Hes shocked to find his daughter claims to be one of the Fates.

Jack finds himself pulled into the amoral world of Greek divinities and a mad rush to take down world-famous scientists. A second Fate who also claims to be his daughter joins them at his estate. When a third daughter appears, the Fates are set for action.

The stakes rise and additional Greek goddesses join in the fray. As scientists are picked off one by one, Jack is torn between conventional morality and loyalty to his supposed daughters.

Just before the startling climax, Jack is aided by a nymph who is destined to become more powerful than the Olympic gods. She is the subject of Books 2, 3 and 4.

Cycladic Girls (Book 2)

The Greek gods once again take an active role in human events when one of Artemiss nymphs is transformed into the primeval Great Goddess. The reader is swept into tales of high fashion,

Cycladic islands, satyrs, alliances between the gods, and a powerful love story. Youll feel like youre on a first name basis with these deities.

The nymph Timessa becomes an internationally famous fashion model and leader of a group of young followers. However, she is tormented by constant mental and physical changes she cannot understand. She finds some solace in the company of women, but is increasingly unhinged. The Olympic gods recognize her growing power, and are concerned about how shell use it.

Demonstrating her new abilities, she visits the desolate island of Delos south of Athens, where she dances over the old stones. The alchemy of her ancient steps awakens the Olympic gods, who 1,600 years earlier had retreated there to escape the changing world. Now they are astonished at her mastery of long-forgotten sacraments.

One of the divinities who escapes the island is the war-god Ares. Weeks later in a small town in France, Timessa and Artemis confront him in an epic battle Timessas unconventional battle gear is a shear bodice, ruffled skirt and stilettos. Her victory confirms her ascendence as a divinity whose powers supersede the Olympic gods.

Homo Divinitas (Book 3)

Artemis former nymph Timessa fully embraces her transformation into the Great Goddess, a primal being who was worshipped throughout the ancient world. Her powers are second only to Gaias, and she doesnt know what to do with them.

Shes gotten as far as understanding that humans and gods are part of the same family tree, and that humans are the mortal variation of the Homo species. Unlike Homo divinitas which is what she calls the gods humans spend their lives worrying about death. Thats not an issue to the Olympians, whose lifetimes seem endless.

Timessa as the Great Goddess struggles to find purpose, which increasingly puts her at odds with Gaia. The Olympians see her as the new wave in their development, and provide assistance. Her attempts to ease human suffering using elements of the ancient Eleusinian mysteries rituals that ancient Athenians believed saved them from extinction at death set us up for one of the greatest love stories of all time.

All That Lasts (Book 4)

In the final book of the series, the Great Goddess Timessa is challenged by Gaia to correct her predecessors ancient failings. She is ripped in time from the modern-day Greek island of Naxos to Europe of 40,000 years ago, where the original Great Goddess reigned over a peaceful, matriarchal society. When she stopped protecting her followers from invading barbarians, the world was changed forever.

Gaia challenges Timessa to redo the old Great Goddess decisions. Timessa is forced to relive the ancient goddess trials, all the while chided by Gaia and confronted at every turn. The Olympic gods hold their breath as they watch Timessa struggle.

Concluding that Timessa, like her predecessor, has failed, Gaia strips her of her powers. The event forces the enfeebled Timessa to look inside herself and discover what all of us seek.

The Naxos Quartet and the individual novels explore issues of morality and purpose in an imaginative and compelling story. Readers may be interested to know that Gaia always appears to Timessa as a 9-year-old girl practicing ballet so she doesnt overwhelm her.

These four page-turners deliver. The Olympic gods are on center stage.

The Naxos Quartet is available on Amazon. Homo Divinitas is also available as an audible book at Amazon or Audible.

Patrick Garner is also the creator of the breakout podcast, Garners Greek Mythology, with listeners in 178 countries.

Continued here:

The Naxos Quartet: The Greek Gods in the Modern World - Greek Reporter

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July 10: Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the … – Edmonton Eparchy

Posted: at 4:56 pm

Our Venerable Father Anthony of the Monastery of the Caves in Kiev (1073); Forty-Five Martyrs of Nicopolis in Armenia (321-3); Holy Brothers Francis, Mutius and Raphael and Those with Them, Martyred in Damascus (1860)

Polyeleos Feast.

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading

Blessed is the man is sung.

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

When the love of God took possession of you, venerable Anthony,* you began to look upon the enticements of the world as vain.* For this reason you left your homeland and settled on the Holy Mountain.* There, among the father, your virtues have shone forth like a light.* Pray to Christ, Whom you have served already from your youth,* for the enlightenment and salvation of our souls.

When you were enflamed with the love of Christ* you despised the world its wisdom and passing glory -* and led an ascetic life, like an angel.* For this, God counted you worthy of the glory of the angels.* Now standing with them before Christ,* pray, Anthony, for the enlightenment and salvation of our souls.

When you, father, received into your heart the love of God,* you then entered a dark cave, as though it were a bridal chamber.* There you enriched yourself with knowledge, which is beyond all understanding:* To behold the future as though it were present,* and to openly preach it to all.* Pray to Christ, to Whom you have consecrated yourself, since your youth,* for enlightenment and salvation of our souls.

Your feastday has arrived, O God-bearer.* Brighter than the sun, your memory enlightens all who come to you in faith.* O Anthony, intercessor for our souls, your soul is fragrant with immortality* and you pour out healing for our souls.

O wonder-worker Anthony, you subdued the sensual and bodily passions* with the bridle of abstinence.* On earth you displayed angelic zeal* in subjecting bodily lusts to the spirit.* In the heavenly courts where you now dwell,* offer prayers for our souls.

O blessed Anthony, by discarding the old self and its urges,* and by truly clothing yourself with Christ,* you laid a foundation for virtue.* And so, after repelling many hostile attacks,* you became a guide for monks, O venerable one.* Offer your prayers for the salvation of our souls.

In Tone 6

Glory

Having witnessed your austere life and ascetic endeavours,* the fathers of the Holy mountain, under the inspiration of God,* sent you back to your homeland, saying:* Go, son, so that, there, the blind may learn about God.* Having returned, venerable father Anthony,* you enlightened your entire homeland* and became the head of community of ascetics* whom you have drawn to Christ.* Beseech Christ for us, that He protect us from the enemies of our souls* and grant us all salvation.

Now

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?* Who would not sing a hymn of praise* to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?* The Only-begotten Son Himself,* begotten of the Father before all ages,* was made flesh out of you in a manner* that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!* And for our sake, He Who is God by nature* assumed the nature of a man.* He is not divided into two persons;* He is understood to have two natures* without commixion or confusion.* O noble and blessed Woman,* intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

Readings (1) Proverbs 10:6-8; 8:6-21; (2) Wisdom 3:1-9; (3) Wisdom 5:15-6:3

Aposticha

In Tone 1

O venerable father, you followed in the footsteps of the great Anthony.* Seeking solitude, he dwelt in the desert,* so as to be counted worthy to converse with the angels,* while you shut yourself up in an underground cave,* in order to contemplate the unspeakable world.* Because you have imitated his life, you took his name.* Now that you stand before the Holy Trinity,* pray for the salvation of our souls.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful.

Like a lampstand shining in a dark place,* you have shone forth, O father Anthony!* And like the prophetic palm tree you flourished in the house of God,* offering yourself, in an unbloody sacrifice,* as blessed fruit to the Master.* Therefore, having gathered together,* we always extol you as is fitting.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commandments.

Because your life resembled that of the great ascetic Anthony,* in Gods plan you were called Anthony,* for, having gathered together many monks,* who observed your teachings, you led them to God.* Therefore, as a co-dweller of the monastics and righteous,* with whom you now stand before the Holy Trinity,* pray for all those who with hymns glorify your glorious departure.

In Tone 6

Glory

By zealous prayer and great faith you became likened to the prophet Elijah.* For he drew from heaven fire to consume the sacrifices,* while you through prayers drew fire from heaven* to prepare and purify the site where you desired to build a glorious church* in honour of the Lady and Mother of God.* Therefore, we extol you as a fellow-monastic of the ascetics and heir of the prophet* and implore you: Pray to Christ for the salvation of our souls.

Now

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,* came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.* He clothed Himself in our human flesh* to set us free from the original curse of Adam.* Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,* as the true Virgin Mother of God,* and we sing with the angels:* Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

Troparia

In Tone 4

Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus lead your homeland to Christ.* Pay to Him that He save our souls.

Glory Now

O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,* and saved our souls from death.

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia

Troparion, Tone 4: Leaving behind worldly tumult,* O Venerable Father Anthony,* in keeping with the gospel you turned your back on the world,* and leading a life equal to that of angels you attained to the calm haven of Mount Athos* from whence you came to the Mount of Kiev* with the Fathers blessing* and living there an arduous life you enlightened your fatherland,* pointing the way into the Kingdom on high to a multitude of monks and nuns* and thus you lead your homeland to Christ.* Pray to Him that He save our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 8: Cleaving to God,* whom you loved from your childhood above all else,* you followed Him lovingly with your whole heart,* O Father Anthony.* Scorning this passing world as a trifle* you made your dwelling a cave in the earth.* There you fought well against the unseen enemys snares* and shone like the sun to the ends of the earth.* From whence you passed joyfully to heavens mansions* and stand now with angels at the Masters throne.* There we ask you to remember those who feast your memory* that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Anthony, our Father.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones. verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)

Epistle: Galatians 5:22-6:2

Alleluia, Tone 6 verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. verse: His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth. (Psalm 111:1,2)

Gospel: Luke 6:17-23

Communion Hymn The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)

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