Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, Read more…
Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. I Timothy 3:8-10 The word “jurisdiction” Read more…
Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints shout for joy. Psalm 132:9 As we continue our short unit on the Sacrament of Ordination, we have identified the three major ranks of the clergy—Deacon, Priest and Bishop. Over the next three days we will discuss the role of Read more…
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Peter 2:9 I Peter 2:9 makes reference to the “royal priesthood,” which is some translations Read more…
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God Read more…
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and Read more…
The Lord said this parable: “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he Read more…
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant Read more…
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23 Before the Fall of Adam and Eve, mankind lived Read more…
Even in our very secularized culture, there’s one saint’s day no one is likely to forget: St. Valentine’s Day. But how much do you really know about the saint behind the day? If you’re like most of us, the answer is “not much.” And to make things worse, most of Read more…
After his return from the defeat of Ched-or-laomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. And Read more…
The following in an excerpt from “Eros of Orthodoxy,” translated by Fr. Nicholas Palis and written by Mr. Pantelis Paschou. It has been said of this parable that even if all of the holy text of the Old and New Testament was lost, and only this parable was saved, it Read more…