We have no patience. Our generation has no patience. Our parents' generation had no patience. From Adam's Fall to the last man on Earth, we all make the same spiritual mistake - we do not want to listen to God and we believe in all sorts of miracle recipes for salvation. But there is no quick and easy path to salvation, there is no instant salvation and the effects of our impatience take years or … [Read more...]
A Miracle by Elder Paisios
I held off talking about this miracle by Elder Paisios publicly until the miracle was complete, which it nearly is. I was asked to write an account of the miracle to be included in the papers sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate where a decision will be made soon on the canonization of Elder Paisios as a Saint. I offer it here for the glory of God and the edification of the reader. [Editor's … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko on St. John of the Ladder [AUDIO]
Originally broadcast on March 11, 2008 Length: 13:24 It is at this point in our Lenten journey that the Church contemplates the instruction of St. John Climacus and his Ladder of Divine Ascent. Fr. Tom takes us step by step through this treasure and makes it practical for us non-monastics! Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko — Sunday of the Cross: Take Up Your Cross
On the third Sunday of Great Lent, we concentrate on the Cross of Christ, and Fr. Tom helps us understand what it means to take up our cross. Listen here: Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: The Publican and the Pharisee
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14) The Lord spoke this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that … [Read more...]
How to Read the Bible
Ten Principles of Orthodox Scriptural Exegesis Adapted from Bishop MICHAEL (Dahulich) Christ - God is real and is incarnate in Jesus Christ; He is the Key to the Scriptures. Life - One’s ability to interpret depends upon one’s spiritual state; one must live it in order to fully understand it. A Love Letter - We read scripture to fall deeper in love with God and put on the … [Read more...]
Saints for Various Needs
"We should seek the intercessions and the fervent prayers of the saints, because they have special 'boldness' (parresia), before God." Saint John Chrysostom THROUGH THEIR INTERCESSIONS . . . The Orthodox Church is a living and vibrant community of faithful Christians made up of the members of the Church militant and the church triumphant. The Church militant are those of us who are still … [Read more...]
St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia
Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, “belongs not to the Church of Caesarea alone, nor merely to his own time, nor was he of benefit only to his own kinsmen, but rather to all lands and cities worldwide, and to all people he brought and still brings benefit, and for Christians he always was and will be a most salvific teacher.” Thus spoke Saint Basil’s … [Read more...]
The Making of Christ Pulling Peter from the Water
Source: Orthodox Arts Journal By Jonathan Pageau Since I began icon carving full time 4 years ago now, I had a secret list of the things I wanted to make, certain objects and images that were dear to me. To my own joy and surprise, I have been progressively checking off items from that list with ongoing commissions, making even those objects and icons I did not think could … [Read more...]
Recipe for Phanouropita
Everyone loved Fr. Stephanos' phanouropita so we published the recipe below! St. Phanourios is a saint who helps us in difficult situations including finding lost things, employment troubles, a saint to go to when we need something we do not have. When he answers the custom is to bake a cake in gratitude and thanksgiving and share it with others. St. Phanourios' name "Phanourios" comes from … [Read more...]
What is Salvation For?
From the Palamas Institute for Orthodox Christian Pastoral Studies. By Fr. Gregory Jensen If I ask myself this question at all, “What is salvation for?” I’m likely to answer that my salvation is for me; so that I can be saved from sin and enter the Kingdom of God. But this is only a partial answer. In his defense of the Christian faith, St Justin Martyr (Apology, 66 … [Read more...]
Why Does St. Peter’s Parish Exist?
The reason why St. Peter's exists is so that those who attend can find Christ. Our vision when it started and that guides it today is: St. Peter's is here for those who wants to find Christ as He is understood and served in our Orthodox Christian faith. It is open to everyone – even those who are looking for Him but don't know where to find Him yet. This means then that we must always be … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: The Triumph of Orthodoxy
Icons are not optional devotional extras, but an integral part of Orthodox faith and devotion. They are held to be a necessary consequence of Christian faith in the incarnation of the Word of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, in Jesus Christ. You won't find a more concise and helpful explanation of why Orthodox Christians keep and venerate icons. Listen … [Read more...]
Bp. Timothy Ware on the Prodigal Son and Repentance
But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: 55 Maxims for Christian Living
Fr. Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminary and teacher of seminarians and priests for decades passed away in 2015. Fr. Tom was first a pastor, a man with a generous heart and burning love for Christ who directed many towards our Lord. Below are 55 maxims that Fr. Tom says are necessary for a sound Christian life. Memory eternal to Fr. Thomas Hopko. Click the print … [Read more...]
Met. Joseph Urges Orthodox to March for Marriage
The letter below was received from Met. Joseph urging Orthodox Christians to join the March for Marriage in Washington DC on April 25, 2015. From the letter: We are clearly on the cusp of a historic Supreme Court decision that could mark a powerful affirmation of marriage between one man and one woman, upon which all major civilizations have flourished – or, it can initiate a direction … [Read more...]
Dachau 1945: The Souls of All Are Aflame
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese In 1945, a Paschal Liturgy like no other was performed. Just days after their liberation by the US military on April 29, 1945, hundreds of Orthodox Christian prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp gathered to celebrate the Resurrection service and to give thanks. By Douglas Cramer The Dachau concentration camp was opened in 1933 in a former … [Read more...]
Orthodox Pascha (Easter) in Dachau
Learn more about the Dachau Concentration Camp. Read another account by Douglas Cramer: Dachau 1945: The Souls of All Are Aflame. By Gleb Alexandrovitch Rahr - Prisoner R (Russian) The last transport of prisoners arrives from Buchenwald. Of the 5,000 originally destined for Dachau, I was among the 1,300 who had survived the trip. Many were shot, some starved to death, while others … [Read more...]
Wisdom from St. Nectarios
St. Nectarios: Living Life as a Christian Christians, have we understood the great responsibility that we have taken on before God through baptism? Have we come to know that we must conduct ourselves as children of God, that we must align our will with the will of God, that we must remain free from sin, that we must love God with all our hearts and always patiently await union with … [Read more...]
How and Why Do We Fast?
Source: Antiochian Archdiocese By Fr. Steven Ritter Fasting is, according to St. John Chrysostom, the third most important element in our spiritual practices outside the worship of God in community. What are the other two? They are almsgiving, which indicates a mature spiritual Christian's willingness to help others, even at the expense of his or her own well-being, and prayer, which should … [Read more...]
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