A Recent Miracle of St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon
Whenever OCN publishes something about St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon, people are amazed at his life and inspired by his witness. Although a Russian saint, his fame has spread throughout the Orthodox world. One reason for St. Luke’s growing international popularity is the regular stream of reports about his wonder-working...
Journey to Bethlehem, Part 3
Click to read Part 1 and Part 2 The Angels are rejoicing and proclaiming the Good News. The Magi, journeying from afar, bear their gifts foreshadowing the divinity, sovereignty, and humanity of Christ. The shepherds, the first Jews to believe, explain what they have seen and heard, leading others, too, to...
Christmas Bread with Figs
This is another version of the Christopsomo. From the region of Macedonia, Northern Greece, this bread contains figs, symbolic of prosperity, wealth, and happiness, as a blessing upon the household. It is also symbolic of the arrival of Christ into the world. The bread can be made into small buns...
Archbishop Job: Facing Secularism, Orthodox Christians Must Say “No!”
A friend sent me this reflection, which I’d like to share with you. His Eminence Archbishop Job (Osaky) reposed in the Lord five years ago today (18 December, 2009). He was the OCA’s Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest since 1993, previous to which he served as the OCA’s Bishop...
Sesame Baklava
Baking sesame baklava (Μπακλαβάς Σουσαμένιος) on Christmas Eve is an old custom in Thrace and other parts of Greece. Sesame was once regarded as a highly-prized commodity worth its weight in gold. When used in the Christmas baklava, it is symbolic of the invaluable gift of Christ who comes into...
Drawing Closer to the Mother of God During Advent, Part 2
In this episode, we explore the prayer life of the Theotokos, primarily drawing upon the significance of her practice of secret meditation of the heart, as we read in the words of Saint Luke, “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). Saint Gregory Palamas...
Making “The Healing”: Orthodox Film-makers’ Perspective
In this episode, Chris Vlahonasios interviews Serbian Orthodox filmmaker Ivan Jović and his wife screenwriter Monja Jović. Their film “The Healing” (Isceljenje) has been released and is receiving accolades for its portrayal of an Orthodox monk grappling with the aftereffects of war in his homeland. The interview explores the filmmakers’...
The Children’s Word: JOY to the World!
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra asks you about Baby Jesus. Did He come to Earth for you? Who else did He come for? What makes His story special? Christmas day is...
