In the Orthodox Church, a patron saint is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, or person. Since the time of the early Christians up to the present, a vast number of patron saints have been recorded. The following is a list of saints who are often called upon for special purposes.
Redemption and Salvation in the Book of Tobit
A Sermon by Fr. John A. Peck The Book of Tobit is an astonishing book. It is a part of the Septuagint Old Testament, and therefore only in Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bibles. Until 1929, it was included in Protestant Bibles (in the section called “apocrypha” or “hidden things.” I don’t know why they thought […]
Is the Veneration of the Cross Idolatry?
by Fr. John Whiteford Another grand slam from the Bible – from Fr. John’s “Stump the Priest” column Question: How would you answer a Protestant who considered our veneration of the Cross (bowing down before it and kissing it) to be idolatry? First we should consider whether or not bowing down before something or kissing […]
Because The Lord Has Sworn An Oath
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon The scene at Mount Moriah, where Abraham prepared to offer his son Isaac, has long lived in Christian memory as a source of theological reflection. Melito, a 2nd century bishop of Sardis, commented on the event at some length in a Paschal homily. In this comment we observe how easily […]
The Sermon Series: A Crash Course
by John Anderson I (Peck) have been a proponent of taking preaching seriously for many years. Advancing in homiletics skill also means advancing in homiletics planning, and the sermon series has real value to the congregation whose needs are known by their priest. John Anderson gives an excellent introduction to this important pastoral tool for […]
A Letter From One Of ‘The Folks’
I have learned over the years that the best feedback about preaching comes from ‘the folks’ – the ones who actually listen (not just hear). If you are not used to getting feedback from laypeople, other than an occasional ‘attaboy’ on Sundays, I strongly recommend it. Their insights cut right to the bone of what […]
The Gates of Hell are Locked from the Inside
by Dn Joseph Gleason C.S. Lewis said the gates of hell are locked from the inside. It is real, and people actually go there. But they are there by their own consent. Hell is a place of self-exile. This position avoids the extremes of both the Universalists and the Calvinists. Universalists say, “Everybody goes to heaven.” […]
Did Ancient Israelites Drink Beer?
I am very particular about context in Scripture, so when I see something obscured that can be clarified, I like to repost it for all. And, in the spirit of the season, a festive libation which has warmed the hearts of men for millenia is the subject. The drinking of beer was prevalent across the […]
On Consecrating the Entire Economic Order
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon St. Luke’s account of Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree (19:1-10) is a story rich in spiritual reflection; preachers and Bible-readers, coming from a variety of backgrounds, have explored the narrative unto great profit for the education of the soul. A certain liturgical use of the text is particularly instructive; namely, […]
A Christian Understanding of Freedom
by Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas and the South (of Blessed Memory) People generally use the word freedom in order to describe two things: the first and perhaps most persistent meaning of the term is simply lack of subjection to any kind of ownership or tyrannical authority, the lack of restriction of one’s actions, the absence […]