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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Staying Afloat on the Sea of Life
Sometimes a good steward husbands a resource. Sometimes, however, a good steward makes
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]