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George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki In the middle of the time of Great Lent, we have the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross. The rubrics for the day begin as follows: ‘Since we, too, are, in a sense, crucified Read more…
Hierodeacon Rafael Misiaoulis, Theologian What is the Precious Cross for Orthodox Christians? The Cross is the symbol of sacrifice, the ransom for the salvation of our soul, the guarantee of eternal life. However, apart from being a symbol of sacrifice, triumph and victory, it’s also a symbol of pain Read more…
Listen now ‘Triumphant Leader’ (setting by Georgios Raidestinos), tone plagal four. Sung by the Greek Byzantine Choir conducted by Lykourgos Angelopoulos. From the CD Hymne Acathiste (2005). Source: pemptousia.com
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki ‘Communion of deification’ means a society of people that prepares and produces gods, gods by grace. This was, in any case, God’s pre-eternal plan for us, as is clear from the fact that we were Read more…
Saint John of Kronstadt It’s difficult to trample down the passions, which become like our natural members. Saint Paul says: ‘Put to death your members which are on earth’. When you’re constantly vigilant, when you pray and practice self-control all the time, then, with God’s help, you’ll manage to Read more…
Archimandrite Georgios Alendas Great Lent is a period of repentance, during which our stony hearts must become, through God’s grace, softened in the flesh, and move from being callous to being sensitive, from cold and hard to warm and open to others, particularly God Himself. Great Lent is a Read more…
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Iconoclasm was a form of religious ideology, which cast doubt on and, in the end, rejected the fact of God’s incarnation, which is the prerequisite for the renewal of the world and of our own Read more…
Saint Nicholas Velimirovich In today’s Gospel, the paralytic arose immediately, took his bed upon his shoulders and walked past everyone. And everyone was amazed and glorified God saying: “We’ve never seen the like”. Let’s look at the marvellous powers the Lord reveals for us in this miracle: He reads Read more…
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki On the first Sunday of the Fast of Great Lent, the Church celebrates the triumph of Orthodoxy over the heresies. The specific historical event which was the basis and starting-point for this celebration was the Read more…
Hierodeacon Rafael Misiaoulis, Theologian ‘From heaven Gabriel cries Hail to the Virgin’ [1]. Glad tidings indeed today for Orthodoxy. A feast of the Lord and the Mother of God. Of the Lord because is has to do with Our Lord Jesus Christ who was conceived in the womb of Read more…
Father Nikolaos Patsalos This year, the 5th Sunday in Lent coincided with the great feast of the Mother of God, her Annunciation. We’d left the middle of Lent the previous Sunday, that of John of the Ladder, and, instead of the 5th being centred on the great desert ascetic, Read more…
Alexandros Christodoulou, Theologian Saint Justin (Popović) was born on March 25, 1894, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, in the town of Vranje in Southern Serbia, to devout parents, Father Spiridon and Tashe (Anastasia). At his baptism, in the church of the Annunciation, he was Read more…