This Friday (November 15th) we begin the Nativity Fast. We fast before the Great Feast of the Nativity in order to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Our Lord’s birth. As in the case of Great Lent, the Nativity Fast is one of preparation, during which we focus on the coming of the Savior by […]
What Does Baptism Actually Do?
by Fr. John Whiteford Question. “As a former Evangelical, I have a question. Where do many protestants get the idea that baptism is “only an outward expression of an inward change”?” Roman Catholics and Anglicans have historically used the phrase “outward sign of an inward grace” to describe the sacraments, but by this expression, Roman […]
The People’s Pascha
by Fr. Lawrence Farley I am a giant fan of Fr. Lawrence’s writings, and this blog entry is no exception. At the end of October in 1840, the celebrated author Hans Christian Andersen (famous for his fairy tales) left his native Denmark for an extended trip in the east. He wrote about his travels in […]
“Oppression Disappears, But Forgiveness Remains Forever”
They persecute us by oppression, and we face them by forgiveness. They rule us by domination, and we show that humility. Our faith knows that oppression disappears, but forgiveness remains forever. The former is illusionary and the latter is life, and never dies. – Metropolitan Paul Yazigi Kidnapped in Syria while attempting to negotiate the […]
Worship With Incense
by Dcn. Joseph Gleason Throughout the scriptures we see both the inward and outward aspects of worship offered to God as being in unity with one another. For example, scripture tells us to lift both our “hands“ and our “hearts“ to God (Lam. 3:41). The hands are outward, and the heart is inward. God is glorified by both, and he commands […]
What A Hero Is
In the turbulent years of the Bolshevik Revolution. the Orthodox faithful of Petrograd found refuge in the calm, spiritual constancy of their beloved archpastor. His kindness and simplicity had long ago won their hearts, and it was no surprise when, in the summer of 1917, he was elected metropolitan by popular vote. A few months […]
The Difference Between Orthodox Spirituality and Other Traditions
by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos Orthodox spirituality differs distinctly from any other “spirituality” of an eastern or western type. There can be no confusion among the various spiritualities, because Orthodox spirituality is God-centered, whereas all others are man-centered. The difference appears primarily in the doctrinal teaching. For this reason we put “Orthodox” before the word “Church” […]
How To Abandon Sin
by St. Isaac the Syrian Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the […]
A Final Call To Orthodox Christians
by Fr. Demetrios Carellas Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This excellent pro-life encyclical (Click on the Website below.) from the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in North America was issued on January 22, 2013. I give thanks to God for these Spirit-filled words, and I pray that ALL Orthodox Christians – Clergy and Laity – […]
On Thoughts and Mental Imagery
by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite Just as so-called diagnostic physicians not only know how to treat external and visible wounds of the body, but also, by measuring the pulse, they learn the internal and invisible maladies of the heart, of the bowels, and the other unseen workings of the human body, and are therefore able […]