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
Fr. Andreas Agathokleous If we adapt the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee to today’s conditions, we might say that it’s addressed to religious-minded people who are confident in their good works and their virtue, justifying themselves and rejecting sinners of every stripe. By the same token, the Read more
Metropolitan Anthony Bloom † 19 February 1984 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Time and again I have occasion to preach on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, on the story of the Publican and the Pharisee, and every time I notice how Read more
Archimandrite Kyrillos Kostopoulos ‘Herein lies the essence of sin: in our lack of trust in and absolute love for God the Creator; and in our total attachment to the ego’. In society today, in particular, the notion of sin has been deliberately distorted. This is because we dwell on Read more
Saint Joseph the Hesychast Constantly say ‘Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me’ with your tongue and your mind. When the tongue tires, start with the mind. Then, when the mind becomes burdened, the tongue. Just don’t stop. When you’re at prayer keep control of your mind and don’t Read more