Pavlos Mouktaroudis What is it exactly that the Gospel for this day [Mark, 2, 1-12] tells us? That we should do everything, the impossible, in order to draw close to the Lord in our lives and in our experience of the cross. We must overcome every obstacle, every sin Read more
You, O Lord Who on the same day, made the thief worthy of Paradise, illuminate me also by the wood of the Cross, and save me. ~Exapostelarion, 12 Gospels, Holy Thursday Evening, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas — One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are Read more
Introducing a WORLDWIDE PASCHA EXCHANGE with Orthodox Pebbles! Sunday school classes and homeschooling groups can register to exchange Paschal greetings with other groups from around the world. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MARCH 23. Let’s get together to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection! Through the Orthodox Pebbles project, we feel blessed to Read more
Today is hung upon the Cross, He Who suspended the earth amid the waters. (3). A crown of thorns crowns Him, Who is the King of angels. He, Who wrapped the heavens in clouds, is clothed with the purple of mockery. He, Who freed Adam in the Jordan, received buffetings. He Read more
George Mantzaridis, Professor Emeritus, Theological School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki The prime feature of God is His simplicity. If God is not simple, but composed of different parts, then these parts must have existed before Him. Such a God would not be the Cause and Creator of all things, Read more
And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him Read more
Pavlos Mouktaroudis The second Sunday in Lent is devoted to Saint Gregory Palamas (14th century), a hesychast from the Holy Mountain and later Archbishop of Thessaloniki. Saint Gregory Palamas defended the hesychasts of the Holy Mountain who were being mocked and attacked by the person who expressed the spirit Read more
And, “Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the Read more
Elder Moses the Athonite † The gifts aren’t simply emotions, the results of some beautiful thoughts. They’re God’s grace, his blessing, divine gifts to those who humbly strive, to Christians who bear their cross and are crucified on it. They’re the gifts we receive in Church with Christ’s resurrection. Read more
“They stripped Me of My garments, and put on Me a scarlet robe; they set upon My head a crown of thorns, and gave a reed into My right hand, that I may shatter them in pieces like a potter’s vessels.” “I gave My back to scourgings, and turned Read more
Metropolitan Ieronymos of Larisa and Tyrnavos It’s a distressing observation but our era has forgotten God. Or rather, because it suits it, it’s turned its back on him, particularly in those places where technological progress, that is better tools or economic prosperity- usually made possible by the exploitation of Read more
When You, O God, stood before Caiaphas, and thought being the Judge, You were given over to Pilate, the Heavenly Powers were shaken with fear. Then lifted upon the wood between two robbers, You the sinless On, were numbered with the transgressors, in order to save mankind. O Most forbearing Lord, glory Read more