Monk Agapios Behold, my friends, the arena of Holy Lent opens today. Behold, we’ve arrived at the gate of the fast and are about to engage in the warfare of the spirit. We’re now approaching the harbour of salvation and should be glad and rejoice more than when we Read more
Protopresbyter Georgios Dorbarakis ‘Even in the world, if Christians undertake the struggle with good intentions, God’s grace doesn’t exclude anyone. But, ‘excusing ourselves through excuses’ we say that we’re in the world and we can’t do anything. Desires defeat us. What do we need? This struggle, not only of Read more
Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papadakis of the Ecumenical Throne The hatred of the devil towards those engaged in the spiritual struggle is well known. This hatred was faced particularly by the fathers in the desert, whose purity, not only of body but also of mind, was greater than the enemy could Read more
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki The rejection of Christ, but also his acceptance by many, is an enduring phenomenon which can be seen in our own age, too. He himself said to his disciples: ‘If they have persecuted me, they Read more
Fr. Ioannis Sourlingas The Saturday before Meat-fare Sunday is called the ‘Saturday of the Souls’. It’s the first of two, the other being the Saturday before the Sunday of Pentecost. Even though every Saturday is dedicated to the departed, the Church established the Saturdays of the Souls for the Read more
When You come in Glory with Your heavenly Hosts, and sit upon the throne of Judgment, O Good Shepherd, do not separate me, for You know the ways of those on the right, and that those on the left are perverted. Wherefore, though I be hardened in sin, do not condemn Read more
Archimandrite Varnavas Lambropoulos One week before Great Lent, our Church prepares us for the ‘arena of the virtues’. The main events in which we’re called upon to make a particular effort are fasting and prayer. But these are events which aren’t aimed at independent prizes, particularly ones which would Read more
Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios On the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Day), we join the shepherds of Bethlehem and the wise magi of the East in their rush to the Holy Cave, to worship the King. We are amazed by the extreme humility of Jesus, who was willingly placed Read more
Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papadakis of the Ecumenical Throne The word ‘snare’ doesn’t mean only something which is part of the life of a hunter, but has a significance that extends to people’s life in general. As ‘trap’, it’s particularly important in a time of war against the enemy, as a Read more
Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios The Deacon, continuing the “Litany of Peace” in the Divine Liturgy, exclaims: “For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord”. We learn from the Bible that the Holy Spirit Read more
George Mantzarides, Professor Emeritus of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki The Gospel of Christ doesn’t come from this world, nor is it compatible with the spirit of the world. Moreover, the Gospel of Christ isn’t usually preached intact in the world, nor has it ever Read more
Saint Ignatij Brianchaninoff The gates of the senses have been closed. The tongue is silent, the eyes shut and the ears hear nothing of what’s happening all around. The mind casts off the yoke of worldly thoughts, clothes itself in prayer and descends to the inner chamber of heart. Read more