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 Note: July 9, 2015. Elder Paisios is now St. Paisios of Mt. Athos. He was canonized January 13, 2015 and his feast day is celebrated on July 12. Learn more about St. Paisios on Orthodox Wiki.] December 18, 2013 Naples, Florida USA Early morning on April 2, 2013 I looked down at my phone and saw a text from Jeremiah’s mother Patti, … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko on St. John of the Ladder [AUDIO]
March 11, 2018
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! [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt_lent4_pc.mp3] Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko — Sunday of the Cross: Take Up Your Cross
March 2, 2018
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: [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt_3rdlentcross_pc.mp3] Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: The Publican and the Pharisee
January 22, 2018
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 I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” February 10, 2009 … [Read more...]
How to Read the Bible
September 1, 2017
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 Scriptural Mind. Theosis - We read Scripture to become by grace what God is by nature. Tradition - Only within the Church and her Tradition (the consensus of the Fathers) is there full and correct interpretation. Scripture is a witness to the truth, the pinnacle of Holy Tradition; it is not an exhaustive manual of church life. We must interpret the … [Read more...]
