Strengthening Provisions
Alexandros Christodoulou, Theologian After those who entered the ancient Church had been baptized, the whole of their life was imbued with the sacred desire for Holy Communion. The places of worship, especially the catacombs, were full of allegorical symbols of the heavenly nourishment of the faithful. Images of the...
4th Sunday in Lent
Protopresbyter Nikolaos Patsalos After the middle of this period , then, the Church provides appropriate additional help in our ascetic efforts, which differ in accordance with the capacities of each one of us, by presenting the perfect figure of asceticism, Saint John of the Ladder, that great asceticwho really...
Saint John of the Ladder
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...
Visions of Geronda Joseph (Miracles of Saint Joseph the Hesychast)
Gero-Arsenios was always agreeable and gave out blessings very easily. One time, however, he strangely became so strict and unyielding that he upset one of the fathers. Afterwards, when he was asked why he had been so harsh with him, he answered: “Yesterday Geronda came and told me: Be careful,...
‘When you come in power to judge the whole world..’
‘When you come in power to judge the whole world, Word, do not publish my secrets, so that I may praise your great kindness’. (Matins, Ode 9). Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) is a 501(c)3 and an official agency of the Assembly of Canonical...
First Discourse on the Annunciation (part 3)
Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker, Bishop of New Caesarea (ca. 213-270) Just as the pearl comes from two natures, from lightning and water, from the unfathomable parts of the sea, so also our Lord Jesus Christ proceeds, without confusion and without change, from the pure, chaste, undefiled and holy Virgin...
First Discourse on the Annunciation (part 2)
Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker, Bishop of New Caesarea (ca. 213-270) : ‘You alone, All-Holy Virgin, now receive the mysteries unknown to all of these and learn their origin. For where the Holy Spirit is, everything is already well-ordered. Where there is Divine Grace, everything is possible for...
First Discourse on the Annunciation (part 1)
Saint Gregory the Wonder-Worker, Bishop of New Caesarea (ca. 213-270) Today, the ranks of the angels rejoice at the hymns being sung and the light of the presence of Christ shines brightly upon the faithful. Today, is glad spring-time for us, and Christ the Sun of Righteousness shines all...
The Liturgical Context of the Veneration of the Cross
Georgios Zaravelas, Theologian On the 3rd Sunday of Lent, and, indeed, throughout 4th week, a time within the reverential climate of the fast which is so beneficial to the soul, the Church displays the Precious Cross of the Lord, for the support of the faithful. The appointment of the...
‘The Cross brings peace to our life and sweetness to bitter experiences’
Metropolitan of Pisidia Sotirios HOMILY ON THE SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (22/3/2020) The Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross is today! With a spirit of celebration and surrounded by flowers, the Precious Cross of Christ is placed in the center of the Church. All...
The Two Paths to Deification
Georgios Koios For Christians there are two paths which lead to union with God, deification. One is monasticism. This is the difficult path. That of virginity, a pure life, perfect submission to His will. A life of humility, fasting, prayer and love for all the world, unlimited trust in...
Word of Consolation for the Pandemic
Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou Many people are in confusion and others panic because of the threat of the Coronavirus epidemic that spread in the whole world. I think, however, that this should not happen, for whatever God does with us, He does it out of love. The God of Christians...
