The internationally known journalist, cultural critic, and scholar of the English language, H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) of Baltimore, regarded the ninth chapter of St. John’s Gospel as the best crafted short story in all of world literature. It is this chapter (John 9:1-38) that forms the foundation for this Sunday’s Read more…
On the third Sunday after Holy Pascha we hear the story of Jesus healing the Paralytic at Bethsaida (John 5:1-15). This passage is taken from what Biblical scholars have designated as “The Book of Signs,” i.e. John 1:19 through John 12. It precedes “The Book of Glory,” which deals with Christ’s Paschal Mystery Read more…
Since the New Testament and throughout subsequent generations of believers, “Christ is Risen!” has been at the heart of the Christian proclamation (κ?ρυγμα). It is how Orthodox Christians greet one another during Paschal season. Of all the written testimony about Jesus’ life, in the four Holy Gospels, His death and Read more…
Welcome to The Daily Prayer Team messages, each day includes a passage of scripture, a reflection and a prayer. Sponsored by Saint John Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, FL. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with Read more…
As we remember the days of Christ’s final ordeal, the Church feels an oppressive silence at the death of her Lord, a silence that penetrates to the depths of the heart of every disciple, then and now, who stands wordless before the Cross. It is the silence after an execution. Read more…
I used to think it unfair that women got the dirtiest jobs. I know women who have had a baby boys pee in their faces during a diaper change. I know women who have had young children vomit in their laps. I myself have caught the vomit of a laboring Read more…
One of the most difficult things for human persons to face is rejection. Think of a time in your life when you felt rejected. Think of the feelings you had – sadness, betrayal, alienation and aloneness, and, for even a moment, a bitter lack of love and confidence in oneself. Read more…
Welcome to The Daily Prayer Team messages, each day includes a passage of scripture, a reflection and a prayer. Sponsored by Saint John Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, FL. As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a Read more…
It is quite easy to be dismissive of the power that can be found in the Church, the Body of Christ. But there is a spiritual power and a physical edification that awaits any individual who involves themselves in fostering community with fellow Christians. This should be considered a necessity Read more…
The noted American historian, Dr. Henry Glassie, once observed, “History is not the past. History is a story about the past, told in the present, and designed to be useful in creating the future.” On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the First Sunday of Great Lent, we naturally look back at Read more…
“Many Christians, unaware of the great value of fasting, either keep the fast with difficulty or reject it altogether. We should not be afraid to fast but embrace it with joy.” (St. John Chrysostom) Fasting is so much more then abstaining from certain foods. Christ reminds us in the Gospels Read more…
We know what kids and celebrity divas do when they can’t get what they want. They throw a hissy fit. They get all hysterical, throw tantrums, say stupid stuff, attract attention, and thrash about. Obviously, that’s not normal. Most mature people just take it in the gut and move on. Read more…