How lovely is Thy dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 Begin this morning’s reflection by reading Psalm 84:1-2, out loud slowly three times. How does that make Read more
Have you ever seen a fancy seal on a letter or on a certificate? A seal makes things official. A seal shows something really comes from who it says it comes from. Long ago, a king might write a letter, close it with wax, and then make a mark in Read more
Among other things, I asked the Elder what I could do to love Christ? I thought that he’d tell me all sorts of things involving unceasing prayer, many prostrations, fasting and so on, but he simply said: ‘Love Christ’s Cross’. Indeed, looking upon the Saviour’s Cross you learn to gratefully Read more
At that time, Jesus said this parable, “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord Read more
Father Damascene, abbot of St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, talks to Pemptousia about the history of the brotherhood of the Monastery and how the brotherhood turned from missionary to monastic. He is mentioning some important spiritual words of Father Seraphim Rose and he is describing the situation of Orthodoxy in Read more
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have Read more
On many occasions, at the big feast of the province, instead of being the chief celebrant at the liturgy, as was his right, grandly wearing his monastic veil and expensive vestments and ordering his juniors about, the Elder would wear a shabby habit, would not concelebrate, but instead assisted and Read more
Arise, O God, judge the earth; for to Thee belong all the nations! Psalm 82:8 One of the greatest misnomers about Orthodoxy is that we aren’t a Bible based church. Many of us were raised not reading the Bible. Many people put more stock in “Tradition” than the Bible. And many Read more
Saint Theophan the Recluse On earth, there are more sorrows than joys. And just as the latter are sent by God, so the former are allowed by Him. For a variety of reasons. On occasion so that we bestir ourselves from spiritual hibernation. On another so that we can Read more
I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Thy name forever. Psalm 86:12 There is an elementary school and middle school whose campuses are connected into one large complex about four blocks from my house. To walk, run or bike around Read more
Returning to the subject of the Elder’s sermons. It was indeed a great spiritual pleasure to see him preach in church. His face would be transformed in a wondrous way, since the whole of his soul was invested in the sermon. He would actually often make some kind of witticism Read more
Restore us, O God; let Thy face shine, that we may be saved! Psalm 80:3 One beautiful thing about the Psalms is that they capture every emotion, every feeling, every need that we can have. No, they are not all captured in one Psalm, but when we make our way through Read more