The Orthodox Church does not change along with the world. We resist passing fads, and we are not innovators when it comes to matters of faith, dogma, and worship. Our heads and hearts are not easily turned. We stand firm and do not make concessions to the world. But we do accommodate ourselves to the world. Just […]
What does it mean to bless and to be blessed? The Greek verb meaning “bless” is εὐλογέω (eulogeo), from the words eu, meaning “well” or “good” and λογώ (logo) meaning “a word”; so a literal meaning of εὐλογέω would be “to say a good word upon” something or someone. But εὐλογέω takes on additional meanings within Christian worship: To bless is to reveal, as Jesus says […]
When St. John the Beloved Disciple says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8), he makes it clear that the love he has in mind is “of God” (1 John 4:7). Not all that passes for love is of God, and not all that we humans take for God is love. St. John knows this. And he knows that the […]
The Berrien County Clergy Association consists of Protestant ministers who meet from time to time. I haven’t been free to attend these meetings, but I like to stay connected. Last year during Western Holy Week, I was asked to address that passage in the Gospel of John where Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Christ. […]
My son Will writes plays. He and I have been talking about the playwright Moss Hart, who maintained (with Aristotle) that “character is destiny”; and we agreed that this is true—certainly when it comes to playwriting. A character in a play is sketched out by the playwright, and his outcome is determined by the playwright. […]
Father Angelo Maggos of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Rochester, NY responds to a recent New York Times article which claims that the Holy Cross is a hot new accessory.
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, […]
