The Nativity of Our Lord 2016 Nativity To the Honorable Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, My Beloved Brethren and Blessed Children in the Lord, Christ is born! Glorify Him! In recent years, we have been increasingly invited to immerse ourselves in a multitude of “universes” as an alternative […]
How to Avoid Holiday Depression
by Fr. Nektarios Serfes Over the years, I’ve seen many of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer from ‘holiday’ depression. It is not uncommon. I have found that the Nativity Fast, when sedulously applied, lifts this spiritual malaise and depression with great effectiveness. Likewise, I have seen, and continue to see, those who complain […]
On Fasting
Let prayer accompany fasting and bring the refreshing benefit of God’s grace to a thirsty, weary soul! by St. Nikolai Velimirovich With fasting I gladden my hope in You, my Lord, Who are to come again. Fasting hastens my preparations for Your coming, the sole expectation of my days and nights. Fasting makes my body […]
A Suggestion: “Foretaste of Christmas” Sunday
Four weeks from this Sunday is the last Sunday before Advent, and I’ve got a wonderful, grinchy idea. In preparing for the Nativity Fast, I’ve discovered something that I think is worthy of sharing, and I offer it to you as an early Christmas present. As Orthodox Christians, we spend 40 days before Christmas fasting. […]
In Defense of the Christmas Tree
by Fr. Daniel Daly Several years ago during the Christmas season, a religious program on television caught my attention. The program featured a discussion on the dangers of cults, especially to young people. I found myself agreeing with the panelists as they warned young people about the hazards of involvement in occult or “new age” […]