Make A Difference In Your Life
Ever feel like there is never enough time for personal growth in your faith? Have you made goals to pray more, read more, and learn more but rarely can find the time. We at OCN want to see your grow, we want to see you go from feeling stagnant to...
St. John Cassian (February, 29): How Should We Pray
Feast of St. John Cassian the Roman is on February 29, and for non-leap years on February 28. St. Cassian (360-435) was a monk, known for his mystical writings. He visited many Fathers in desert and wrote about their life and teachings. Because of his disagreement with St. Augustine’s teachings...
Opening the Gates
Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of...
Daily Devotion, February 19: PRAY!
Pray constantly! I Thessalonians 5:17 Good morning Prayer Team! Note: Beginning tomorrow, Saturday, February 20, I will begin a new unit of the Prayer Team, centered around Triodion, Lent, Holy Week, Pascha and Pentecost. The weekend reflections on the Liturgy will be on hold for a couple of months,...
Daily Devotion, January 21: Where Do I Pray?
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your...
Daily Devotion, Friday January 15: How Often Should I Pray?
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Good morning Prayer Team! How often should I pray? I have been asked this question, and I have asked this question myself to my Spiritual...
IOCC Responds As Severe Weather Cripples Communities From Texas To The Midwest
December 31, 2015 Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is preparing emergency relief for survivors of severe weather that is crippling hundreds of communities across the country. Nearly 70 tornados have swept across the country in the past week, causing 11 deaths and massive destruction near Garland, Texas....
VIDEO: What Do You Mean, ‘Pray to the Saints?’
“Wait . . . you pray to saints?!” I remember someone asking me something similar after my conversion to Orthodoxy. I tried to explain but they were not interested. I can tell you as a former protestant that “prayer to the saints” really freaks some people out—and it’s such a shame!...
To Pray in Jesus’ Name
For all who seek the fullness of life in Christ, ancient Christian faith is deeply satisfying. Rather than justifying one’s self as she is, prayer that humbles one’s own spirit and invites the Holy Spirit into the heart gives one new life. This re-birth returns one to the original purpose...
When the Pray-er Becomes Prayer
Recently, I ran across a compelling quote from the pen of St. John Chrysostom, which I believe is very telling of the spiritual poverty people experience in our day and age. This spiritual poverty is a serious self-inflicted disease which, unlike most physical maladies, can only be exclusively healed by...
