Is it always wrong to doubt? We all have our doubts about many things: the survival of our nation, even of our planet; we doubt our politicians and our leaders; we doubt each other and ourselves. God help us, some non-Orthodox, so-called “Christian theologians” even doubt the physical Resurrection of Christ! And yet we might […]
It is Bright Tuesday, the 3rd day of Pascha, and I greet you with all my heart: Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen! And all of nature is glorified! Get out of yourself. Look outward. All is fresh, green, and peaceful. Daffodils are in full bloom. Tulip trees blossom. Nature sings a new song, and the […]
John 14 is included in the first of twelve passion accounts read on Holy Thursday evening, at the Orthros of Great and Holy Friday. This is some indication of its central importance to Orthodox Christians. Passages from this chapter are read at other times throughout the year as well. John 14 shows Jesus asserting His divinity in […]
This Holy Wednesday morning I’ll reflect on Jesus’s Great Eucharistic Prayer to the Father as recorded in John 17. It is said in the presence of the Apostles just days before His Passion. Here is a portion of that prayer: At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, ‘As you, Father, […]
It is indicative of its importance that the Parable of the 10 Maidens is read today as well as on the Leave-taking (Apodosis) of the Theotokos into the Temple and at other times of the liturgical year. Here it is: The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and […]
I look out and see daffodils and violets blooming, trees leafing, and birds singing of new life. Another spring is here, anticipating that eternal Spring and the resurrection of all who love Christ and keep His commandments. This confluence of spring and Holy Week reminds us of a paradox at the heart of things. For […]
On April 12, 1961, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man thrust into outer space. On returning, he said, “I didn’t see God out there”. The Soviet propaganda machine made much of this. But Gagarin was an Orthodox Christian, and he spoke truly. He didn’t see God out there, and he wouldn’t see God out there—because, as Christ says, “The Kingdom […]
We have received many requests during this Lenten season on how to create an Orthodox Prayer Rope. Dr. Christine Kerxhalli of the Orthodox Christian Devotionals YouTube channel provides a very helpful step-by-step instructional video on how to tie a wool or acrylic yarn Orthodox Christian Prayer Rope with yarn cross and tassel. Within the Orthodox […]
Time always comes up short. We haven’t enough to do all the things we want to do. Our days are numbered, and our number is bound to come up sooner or later. Andrew Marvell is right: “Time’s winged chariot” hurries near regardless. And yet we want to break outby any means. We try to prolong […]
The subject of Tollhouses is certainly not new. This idea has been around since the 2nd century in the writings of Tertullian, Ignatius, and Origen and certainly by the majority of the Holy Fathers of the 3rd – 5th centuries. It is told that the blessed Theodora of Constantinople in the 10th century when she […]
