In this episode, we explore the reality of holiday grief through the Eastern Orthodox perspective of bright sadness. Whether you’re coping with the loss of a parent or looking for traditional wisdom during the Nativity season, these reflections offer a path toward healing and hope.

Episode Description

The holidays are supposed to be a time of family and joy, but for many of us, the lights only serve to cast longer shadows over the empty chairs at our tables. In this episode of From Tears to Theosis: Reflections, Emily explores the "bright sadness" of navigating the Nativity season while carrying the weight of loss.

Drawing from her own experience of losing both parents in very different spiritual seasons, she contrasts the "grief of chaos" with the "grief of stewardship". Whether you're navigating your first Christmas without a loved one or your tenth, this reflection offers you permission to not be "fine" and points toward the profound Orthodox hope of reunion and Memory Eternal.

Show Notes & Highlights:

• Permission to Grieve: An acknowledgement that it’s okay to decline invitations and feel the weight of the season.

• Bright Sadness: Connecting the Lenten concept of charmolypi (joyful sorrow) to the experience of holiday loss.

• A Tale of Two Griefs: * The Mother: Remembering a sudden loss and navigating the "absurdity" of grief without a spiritual compass.

  • The Father: Reflecting on the final year of caregiving through Alzheimer’s and the "liturgy of stewardship".

• The Theology of Reunion: Finding solace in the idea that our loved ones are celebrating a heavenly feast while we struggle through an earthly one.

• Memory Eternal: How the Orthodox tradition transforms grief from a black hole into a window of hope.

  Connect & Contribute:

• Read the Essay: Join the conversation and read the full text of this reflection on Medium.

• Join the Community: Subscribe to the From Tears to Theosis Substack for more reflections on grief, legacy, and the Orthodox path.

• Share Your Story: How are you navigating the empty chair at your table this year? Share your traditions and reflections in the comments.

About the PodcastFrom Tears to Theosis: Reflections is hosted by Emily, an Orthodox wife, mother, and student of iconography and end-of-life doula work. This podcast is a space for grounded, respectful exploration of how our traditional faith and Church traditions inform our journey through loss and our vocation as stewards of our God-given talents.