Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 The world says “You’ve got to be kidding. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness in this world is a waste of time. It’s a dog-eat-dog world. You’ve got to be on your toes or
Saint Maximos the Confessor Appeared to Elder Iosif and Explained a Difficult Passage
When he (Elder Iosif Vatopaidinos) was encouraging us once to study Patristic writings, he mentioned that there was benefit not only in their teaching and exhortations, but also from their prayers. As well as studying their works, we should call upon them. In his hermitage at New Skete, on the
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Many people confuse “meekness” with “weakness.” The world will say, in response to this Beatitude, that “being meek and mild is okay for a ladies’ aid croquet match, but that’s not where it’s at in the real world. You’ve got
Genuine or affected godliness
Archimandrite Varnavas Lambropoulos As we enter the time of the Triodio, a period of contrition, the Church loses no time in reminding us of the clear distinction between genuine and affected godliness. At the start of the spiritual struggle, which will soon be intensified as we begin Great Lent,
Follow in the Footsteps of Jesus
For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Why would Jesus call those who mourn blessed? Isn’t there enough mourning in the world? There is a difference between grieving and mourning. Grief is an inner feeling of sorrow that we experience upon a death or loss. Mourning