People sometimes wonder why the Orthodox Church commemorates saints of the past during our service of worship to the One True God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is because they serve as examples to us of how we may better fulfill the commandments of Christ. In their victory, we are made stronger; we Read more about The Example of St. Vladimir[…]
“Those who feel the greatest need to rebuke others are probably the ones who ought to be doing it the least.” Abba Poemen said, ‘If a man has sinned and denies it, saying: “I have not sinned,” do not reprimand him; for that will discourage him. But say to him, “Do not lose heart, brother, Read more about The Desert Fathers On Rebuking Others[…]
Today’s Homily on the gospel account of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).
Q. I recently saw a video where a priest said that evolution and creation is irrelevant in Orthodoxy. He says it isn’t consequential. Is this right? A. I suppose we have to define consequential to decide whether it is right or not. On some very macro scale where the ultimate and only weight is one’s Read more about Creation v. Evolution: Does it matter?[…]
As the Nativity services approached, I commented that it was almost time for Royal Hours, and I received an inquiry as to what Royal Hours are. Here was my response: From the earliest days of the Church, there have been appointed certain prayers to be read at certain times (or certain Hours if you will). Read more about What are the Royal Hours?[…]
My prayers are weak and ineffectual. They are diluted by the sinful state of my soul. It is only in His great mercy that God would condescend to hear them! I am possessed of the passions, egoism, pride and gluttony foremost. God permits me to pray for others so that I might fight against these Read more about Reflection on My Soul[…]
In celebration of the feast of St. Nicholas, we offer this homily discussing the life of the Sainted Hierarch and how he stands as a shining example to Christians today! Listen to “St. Nicholas – Charity, Zeal and Love” on Spreaker.
The fathers of the Church consistently remind Christians that we are to guard our mouths. We sing in the vespers verses, “Set a watch O Lord before my mouth, keep the door of my lips!” I will occasionally post the saying of the fathers on this, or like posts by others that remind us of Read more about Wiser than the Saints[…]
What are we to make of this recent development in World Orthodoxy which, while percolating for some time, bubbled over this week when the synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided that, functioning as a court of last appeal, it would (25+ years post hoc) reinstate the deposed bishop Filaret Denysenko, along with other claimants to Read more about The MP-EP Schism: It’s Not a Surprise; It is a Big Deal[…]
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 140:3 This week I had an outburst. I lost my temper with someone who has been treating me badly for the last three years. He’s been disrespectful of me publicly. And on Tuesday, he interjected himself into a private Read more about Set a Watch Before my Mouth[…]