Cherishing the Journey of Great Lent
I was so excited for Lent this year. During the 18 years we have been Orthodox, I have never been able to attend all the mid-week services because we have lived so far from the church. One pre-sanctified was usually all I could get to and not just because of...
Lykourgos Angelopoulos – “Spotless Undefiled”
Lykourgos Angelopoulos, Archon Protopsaltis of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Constantinople and founder of the Greek Byzantine Choir (†2014) Listen now From a live recording at a service in the church of Saint Irene, Aiolou St., 30 March 2001. Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK Orthodox Christian...
The Challenge of Fasting in the Modern World
We’re most of the way through our Lenten journey! Pascha is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday. I love the reverence of Holy Week services. I love the buildup to the Resurrection. I love that it takes place in Spring (the best of all the seasons). The process of preparing,...
‘Triumphant Leader’ (setting by Georgios Raidestinos), Greek Byzantine Choir
Listen now ‘Triumphant Leader’ (setting by Georgios Raidestinos), tone plagal four. Sung by the Greek Byzantine Choir conducted by Lykourgos Angelopoulos. From the CD Hymne Acathiste (2005). Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) is a 501(c)3 and an official agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops...
‘My soul, my soul, arise, why are you sleeping’, (kontakion, Great Canon)
Listen now From a recording of a concert of the Greek Byzantine Choir in Patras on 3/11/2006. The setting is by Konstantinos Pringos and the piece is sung by Panayiotis Koutras, the Protopsaltis of the church of Our Lady Myrtidiotissa, Alimos. Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK...
Great Lent: A Refining Crucible
After a time of emotional and spiritual unrest, culminating in a conscious feeling during the Nativity season that my spiritual life needed attention, this Lenten journey heralded in a “new beginning” for me. The details of life are unique for each of us, but the goal for Christians is simple...
4th Sunday in Lent
Protopresbyter Nikolaos Patsalos After the middle of this period , then, the Church provides appropriate additional help in our ascetic efforts, which differ in accordance with the capacities of each one of us, by presenting the perfect figure of asceticism, Saint John of the Ladder, that great asceticwho really...
Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki In the middle of the time of Great Lent, we have the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross. The rubrics for the day begin as follows: ‘Since we, too, are, in a sense, crucified...
Carrying the Cross: How Much Does It Cost You?
One of the most difficult things for human persons to face is rejection. Think of a time in your life when you felt rejected. Think of the feelings you had—sadness, betrayal, alienation and aloneness, and, for even a moment, a bitter lack of love and confidence in oneself. Rejection strikes...
Venerating the Cross of Christ
Ioannis Karavidopoulos, Professor of the School of Thelogy of the University of Thessaloniki In the middle of Great Lent, on the third Sunday of the fast, the Church presents the Cross for veneration by the faithful, so that they can be strengthened in their spiritual struggle, which will bring...
