Christ Himself says He’s our friend
Saint Porfyrios Kavsolkalyvitis We should feel that Christ’s our friend, because He is. He says so Himself when He says: ‘You are my friends…’. We should look upon Him and approach Him as a friend. Do we fall? Do we sin? With familiarity, love and trust we should run...
Growing Strong Roots by Praying to God
Growing Strong Roots Have you ever looked at a tree, after it has fallen down? Sometimes we forget how deep the roots of a tree are. One tree expert says that they can grow as much as 20 feet below ground! That’s taller than your house! We don’t see the...
Christ’s Behavior (Matth. 4, 12-17)
Metropolitan Ioïl (Frangkakos) of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia ‘When he heard that John had been delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee’. Christ’s behavior towards people wasn’t monolithic. He reacted in a variety of ways. In any case, He became incarnate, was made manifest to people and revealed His wisdom...
The Word became flesh (John 1, 14) A Sermon on the Nativity of Christ
Saint John of Kronstadt The Word became flesh; that is, the Son of God, co-eternal with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit, became human — having become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. O, wondrous, awesome and salvific mystery! The One Who had no...
What is Christmas without Christ?
http://radio.myocn.net/podcast/TT/TT_2012/TT_121214.mp3 Listen Now as noted Orthodox scholar Fr. John McGuckin offers a fresh perspective on the chronic problem of celebrating an Orthodox feast amidst powerful secular influences. What is Christmas without Christ? Hear his surprising interpretation of “Happy Holidays,” a phrase which is often criticized in Christian circles. Fr. John...
The Aim of Christ’s Redemptive Work
Alexandros Christodoulou, Theologian In his First Epistle, Saint John the Evangelist tells us that the aim of Christ’s redemptive work was the abolition of the devil’s dominion over human nature: ‘The Son of God appeared so that He might destroy the works of the devil’ (1 Jn. 3, 8)....
When Christ Appeared to Saint Efraim Katounakiotis
One of the brethren was troubled and went to see the Elder. He begged him: ‘Elder, say a prayer for me to be rid of my sadness’. He put his hands on the man’s head and prayed as he usually did. Then he said to him: ‘Listen, son. In the...
The Hero’s Journey. Walking the path to Christ Likeness
Orthodox Christian Network Parish Partner Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Washington, DC hosted popular “Orthodoxy Boot Camp” lecture series! Over 100 participants. Sponsored by: Saint Sophia Ministry of Outreach and Evangelism & Young Adult League (YAL). Media Sponsor: Orthodox Christian Network. Check out previous series. Divine Liturgy 101 – Breaking...
Meeting with the Samaritan Woman (2)
George Mantzaridis, Professor Emeritus, Theological School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki While the Samaritan woman was talking to Christ, she basically didn’t understand what he was saying. He was talking on the level of eternal life. She automatically transferred what she heard to the level of this transitory life. There...
Meeting with the Samaritan Woman (1)
George Mantzaridis, Professor Emeritus, Theological School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Any encounter with Christ astonishes people. If you’re not astonished, you should ask yourself whether you actually encountered Christ, if you really felt His presence. This astonishment isn’t inexplicable, nor absurd, but rather it’s understandable and rational. It’s something...
