The Church strongly encourages all Her children to be involved in government and political affairs in a manner that embodies Christian values, for this helps produce a more perfect Christian society reflecting the Will of God. St. John Chrysostom taught us about the importance of being involved in government when he said, “Christ did not introduce His laws […]
A Guide to the Christian Life
September 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Let yourself be persecuted, but do not persecute others. Be crucified, but do not crucify others. Be slandered, but do not slander others. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep: such is the sign of purity. Suffer with the sick. Be afflicted with sinners. Exult with those who repent. Be the friend […]
On St. Justin Martyr
August 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Let us meditate on the life of St. Justin Martyr, who was martyred under the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. All of the historical evidence we have tells us that Marcus Aurelius was an enlightened man, even the movies. The fact is that he was responsible for some of the worst persecutions of […]
Psalm 89:7 and Complacency in our Relationship with God
July 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Psalm for the Divine Liturgy on the First Sunday of Abib is verse 7 of Psalm 88 (89), which says, “God is glorified in the council of the saints; great and terrible toward all that are round about him.” (Ps 88:7 LXX). Meditating on this verse in a homily on repentance, St. John Chrysostom preached the following: […]
Wisdom from Abba Moses the Ethiopian
June 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
1. A devout prince, upon hearing of the mortification of St. Moses, went with his retinue into the desert to see him. Informing Moses that the prince was coming to his monastery, Moses quickly ran out and began to flee and to hide somewhere, but he unexpectedly encountered the high-ranking visitors. “Where is the cell of […]
On the Parable of the Ten Virgins
April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The five wise virgins, watchful and alert, had taken oil in the vessels of their heart. That oil, not part of their own nature, means the grace of the Spirit. They were enabled to enter with the Bridegroom into the heavenly bridal chamber. The other five virgins, however, were content with their own nature. They […]
Spiritual Resources for the Great Holy Fast
February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment
On behalf of the priests, servants, and all the congregation, we wish you a blessed and fruitful Great Holy Fast this year. To help ensure these holy days are fruitful and beneficial, we offer the following spiritual resources from around the Internet. Articles Great Lent: Our Journey to meet our Heavenly Bridegroom by St. John Chrysostom […]
The Annunciation and the Virgin
December 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
On the second Sunday of Kiahk, we celebrate the Annunciation of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Holy Virgin Mary. As we rejoice in the news of our Lord’s glorious Birth, we cannot underestimate the value and importance of the Holy Theotokos St. Mary. She was the person for whom all generations […]
Why We Need to Read the Holy Scriptures Daily
December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I also always entreat you, and do not cease entreating you, not only to pay attention here to what I say, but also when you are at home, to persevere continually in reading the divine Scriptures. When I have been with each of you in private, I have not stopped giving you the same advice. Do not let […]
The Importance of Good Childhood Impressions
November 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Why are childhood impressions so important? Why is it essential to fill a child’s mind and soul with light and goodness, starting from the very earliest stages of its life? In childhood we find a natural gift for faith, simplicity, gentleness, a capacity for tenderness, compassion, imagination, an absence of cruelty and hardness. Now this is precisely the […]
By Grace Ye are Saved
November 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Who can comprehend and acknowledge that we are saved by grace — that we are saved by God’s grace, and not by our merits and works? Who can comprehend and acknowledge that? Only he who has comprehended and seen the bottomless pit of death and corruption in which man is engulfed by sin, and has […]
The Difficulty of Living according to a Christian Conscience
November 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I have read with compassion and sympathy the list of your spiritual tribulations, and have suffered with you. And yet, I believe in the fundamental goodness of your soul. The fact is, it is very difficult to live according to conscience, and it is very easy to live in the same way as everybody else, just […]
