The Road to Love Goes Through Repentance
Christianity is the religion of love. That’s what we say. That’s what many of us hold to as our reason for existence. We revert to that passage in the Book of Acts that says, “see how these...
View ArticleLent – An Intimate Journey to God
Lessons from the sermon on the mount The post Lent – An Intimate Journey to God appeared first on A Russian Orthodox Church Website.
View ArticleA Reflection on Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann
When a man leaves on a journey, he must know where he is going. Thus, with Lent. Above all, Lent is a spiritual journey and its destination is Easter, “the Feast of Feasts.” It is the preparation for...
View ArticleThe Voice of the Dragon
It would not be a pleasant experience for me to outline the history of my childhood and youth. Let’s just say that it left me an emotional wreck. I wouldn’t say that it was all bad and had no joys, but...
View ArticleRewarding the Effort
If you make the effort, God will reward you as if you had achieved your goal, even if you don’t. The post Rewarding the Effort appeared first on A Russian Orthodox Church Website.
View ArticlePay Attention! See What You See!
It has been said that the whole of Orthodox theology and teaching can be found in a single, well-executed icon. I believe it to be true. Over the years, I have found that certain icons have been...
View ArticlePatience: What Growth In Christ Looks Like
A small but always persistent discipline is a great force; for a soft drop, falling persistently, hollows out hard rock…. When patience greatly increases in our soul, it is a sign that we have secretly...
View ArticleWhat does the phrase ‘Eternal Memory mean?
You’re troubled because you don’t understand the meaning of the words you’ve heard so often and have said over the dead. You’ve done well to ask. The better we know our ancient and beautiful Orthodox...
View ArticleChristianity in a Plain Brown Wrapper
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2Co 3:18) Among the...
View ArticleRule of Four
“For all this His anger is not turned away and His hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 9:12, 17, 21, and 10:4) It is a good rule of thumb that if the Lord says something twice in Holy Scriptures, we...
View ArticleNot Exactly as Advertised
It is, I suppose, because I’m the type that doesn’t get out much that I had never heard of Hunter S. Thompson before now. As the better-informed may recall, Thompson was the father of so-called “Gonzo...
View Article“He Loves Me…He Loves Me Not”
“No sooner had the wood of Thy Cross been set up, O Christ our Lord, than the foundations of death were shaken. Hell swallowed You eagerly, but it let You go with trembling! You have shown us Your...
View ArticleDon’t Miss The Ladder
(Ephesians 5:9-19, Matthew 4:25-5:12) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. On the front face of the little abbey in the city of Bath in Somerset, England, are carved two...
View ArticleCan God Break A Promise?
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (6:13-20) and The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (9:17-31) Blessed 4thSunday of Great and Holy Lent. As we are now past...
View ArticleLessons from Saint Mary of Egypt
The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Mary of Egypt on April 1/14. The post Lessons from Saint Mary of Egypt appeared first on A Russian Orthodox Church Website.
View ArticleOn Feeling Forsaken
In my forty years of ministry, I have counselled a number of people who suffered from a deep sense of loneliness. Over time, whatever family or friends that they had known disappeared from their life....
View ArticleDining with Caesar
An old proverb says that whoever dines with the devil must use a long spoon—i.e. one should be very careful and keep as much distance as possible. I suggest the same advice is suitable for dining with...
View ArticleWhat Does Asceticism Look Like?
One of the temptations of being an Orthodox priest and pastor is to present a view of the spiritual life and the ascetic path by which one develops his or her relationship with God in the Church as if...
View ArticleBe Bearers of Light
“If your eye is simple, then your whole body will be full of light and if your eye is wicked, then your whole body will be full of darkness.” If we translate this verse into language comprehensible for...
View ArticleThe Meekness of God
When Cecil B. DeMille cast Charlton Heston in the role of Moses in the 1956 film, The Ten Commandments, he had in mind a very American version of the central story of the Old Testament. The 50’s were...
View Article
