On January 13, 2015, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Synod unanimously added the blessed Paisius to the roles of the Saints of the Church. This decision was made following the application by the Committee on Canonical issues. Saint Paisius of Mt. Athos, known to the world as Arsenios Eznepidis was born in 1924 in Farasa Cappadocia. He departed this world in July of 1994. He was a Greek … [Read more...]
Anticipating Needs
Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ Galatians 6:2 If you watch the altar servers closely, you will see that they anticipate the needs of the priest. The priest is the primary celebrant of the Divine Liturgy, the one who pilots the ship. But in order for the priest to do his job well he needs their help. Their work is important. They light the candles and incense, … [Read more...]
St. John Maximovitch and the Dove
When I came to San Francisco to be close to the saintly Archbishop John Maximovitch, I heard a lot of fascinating accounts of his ascetic life. Frequently I visited St. Tikhon's Orphanage, founded by this Saint, and run then by his long-time assistant, Mrs. Maria Alexandrovna Shakhmatova (+1967). Archbishop John was a very busy man, and I did not dare to be often in his presence... The … [Read more...]
A Prayer by Elder Paisios
The love of the Elder Paisios for the whole world is well known. The Elder has helped a whole host of people before and after his physical death. But the question is from where did he receive his ability to help people and to perform miracles? He received this heavenly power through his fervent prayers to God. The following prayer of his was given to a convent which had asked the Elder for a … [Read more...]
The Real Santa Claus
A Dedicated Servant of God More than 1,600 years ago, in the year 270 AD, St. Nicholas was born not far from Myra, in a land that is now part of the country of Turkey. In those days Orthodox Christians were persecuted for their faith. It wasn't easy to be a Christian. Many of them were tortured and executed because they believed in Christ. Nicholas was taught by his parents to love the Lord … [Read more...]
The Life of the Samaritan Woman Teaches Us to Preach the Gospel [AUDIO]
Christ is Risen! - The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman The evangelistic message of the Samaritan woman has an important message for Christians and it is this: It is possible to go to Church all your life and still not know God. We can be surrounded by a sea of Christian truth and still die because we really did not drink from the well of eternal life which is found in Jesus Christ. This podcast … [Read more...]
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Fr. Thomas Hopko on the Resurrection [AUDIO]
On this, the greatest of all Feast Days, Fr. Thomas explains what we, as Orthodox Christians, know for certain about Jesus Christ. Listen here: [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt027pascha_pc.mp3] … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: St. Mary of Egypt [AUDIO]
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, we commemorate St. Mary of Egypt. By her example, we are reminded of the extraordinary power of repentance and God's mercy, by which even the greatest sinner may be transformed and sanctified. Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the 5th Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is … [Read more...]
Sunday of the Cross [AUDIO]
On the 3rd 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 on Asking for Forgiveness [AUDIO]
Originally broadcast on March 11, 2008 Length: 13:24 Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin. [audio:http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt007forgiveness2_pc.mp3] Podcast courtesy of Ancient Faith Radio. … [Read more...]
Elder Pophyrios: One Should Feel Sorry for the Person Wounded by a Criminal
Excerpt from the book Elder Porphyrios: A Spiritual Child Remembers by the late Constantine Giannitsioti, translated by Marina M.Robb. Painting on Home page: "The Prodigal Son" by Vincent Van Gogh (Detail) Elder Porphyrios, an Athonite monk, was a spiritual father and confessor in the center of Athens for over 30 years, helping thousands of people with his counseling and ministry. He is … [Read more...]
The Meaning of Dostoevsky’s “Beauty Will Save the World”
By Vladimir Soloviev “Beauty will save the world” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot Dostoevsky not only preached, but, to a certain degree also demonstrated in his own activity this reunification of concerns common to humanity–at least of the highest among these concerns–in one Christian idea. Being a religious person, he was at the same time a free thinker and a powerful artist. These … [Read more...]
Fr. Thomas Hopko: A Deeper Level of Thanksgiving [AUDIO]
Fr. Tom encourages us to remember the place of gratitude and thanksgiving in the Christian life and tells us how we can go deeper and higher into the meaning of gratitude. [audio: http://audio.ancientfaith.com/hopko/stt_2008-11-24.mp3] … [Read more...]
Staying Afloat on the Sea of Life
Source: Pravmir | Archimandrite Kirill August 25, 2013 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me (Matthew 14:30). In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord! Today we had offered for our attention the wondrous and for us very precious account from the Gospel … [Read more...]
Mark 4:35-41 — Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus’ calming the storm by rebuking the powers of nature (vv. 35-41) demonstrates His divinity and authority. We learn from St. Mark that, in the words of the St. Athanasius the Great, “The Lord Who rebuked (the storm) was not a creature, but rather its Creator.” St. Basil the Great further teaches us that “by these encounters we are meeting the Father of the Son, the Father Who creates … [Read more...]
Ten Steps to a Better Prayer Life
Author Unknown If you want to improve your prayer life, start now. These ideas may seem of little significance, but can help you make leaps and bounds in the intensity and consistency of your prayer. 1. Designate A Prayer Space Whether it is in the corner of your desk or a little stand in your room, it is important to have a place where you can put your Bible, Icons, etc. Dedicate the … [Read more...]
St. John Chrysostom: The Dove at Jesus’ Baptism
St. John Chrysostom. Homily XII on St. Matthew But why in the fashion of a dove? Gentle is that creature, and pure. Forasmuch then as the Spirit too is “a Spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1), He therefore appears in this sort. And besides, He is reminding us of an ancient history. For so, when once a common shipwreck had overtaken the whole world, and our race was in danger of perishing, … [Read more...]
C.S. Lewis and Intelligent Design
This first week of November, 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of beloved writer C.S. Lewis. "C.S. Lewis and Intelligent Design" is the third of three short documentaries inspired by the book The Magician's Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. Lewis is best known for his magical stories about Narnia, but a new documentary explores his life-long struggle to find … [Read more...]
The Twelve Days of Christmas
By Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse In the Christian tradition of both east and west, the twelve days of Christmas refer to the period from Christmas Day to Theophany. The days leading up to Christmas were for preparation; a practice affirmed in the Orthodox tradition by the Christmas fast that runs from November 15 to Christmas day. The celebration of Christmas did not begin until the first of the … [Read more...]
Orthodox Leadership in a Brave New World
Source: Pravmir | By Rev. Johannes L. Jacobse Almost thirty years ago Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn delivered an address at Harvard University that still ranks as one of the most trenchant and inspired critiques of Western culture ever given. Although some of the political references are dated, two observations remain as true today as when they were first spoken. The first is that the … [Read more...]
