On the Nativity of Our Saviour Jesus Christ
Saint John Chrysostom I see a strange and wondrous mystery. Shepherds’ music reaches my ears: not the piping of a plaintive melody, but the singing of a heavenly hymn. The angels are singing. The archangels join in. The cherubim hymn, the seraphim glorify. They all rejoice at the sight...
The Third Birth of Christ (Part II)
Stergios Sakkos Our first encounter with Him is through faith. Faith opens the door of the soul, so that Christ can enter. Faith receives Him, subjects our hearts to Him and engenders within us a fervent interest and powerful desire to approach Him. This is the initial requirement for...
The Third Birth of Christ (Part I)
Stergios Sakkos 1. Rebirth The third birth of Christ is in the life of people who believe in Him and accept Him as their own, personal God. Because even though Christ became incarnate in order to save everyone, not everyone will be saved. Of course, the Lord “wants all...
Recordings from the Christmas Vigil at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopaidi
As the ‘capital of feasts’, Christmas is honoured on the Holy Mountain with a vigil, during the course of which the monks sing hymns and troparia of exceptional poetic and musical beauty. At the Divine Liturgy on the day itself, ‘Those who have been baptized in Christ’ is sung in...
The Incarnation of God as the Opposite to Today’s Sinfulness
Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of the Vatopaidi Monastery Beloved Fathers and brothers, today we celebrate the greatest event of all time and all ages: the birth of Christ, the ‘capital of all feasts’, according Saint John Chrysostom. God enters our life, in time, in history as ‘Jesus Christ the man’...
Christmas Message from Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea
My beloved, The redemptive message of the great and joyful Feast of Christmas, which we have been deemed worthy to celebrate again this year, through God’s ineffable love and benevolence, could be summed up in a simple phrase: “God loves you personally.” John, the Evangelist of love, has told us:...
On Feelings of Loss and Sadness During the Holidays
Listen Now. Join us as Fr. Chris and His Grace Bishop John (Abdalah) discuss dealing with feelings of sadness and depression during the holiday season. It is a quiet and reflective conversation on a topic that many of us are familiar with, and may even experience ourselves, but what do...
Musings from a Grateful Convert: Christ’s Coming and a Conversation in Heaven
The following is an imagined excerpt from a recently unearthed ancient manuscript found somewhere in Mesopotamia. The original was probably written in Ancient Hebremaic and has been dated between 2 and 6,000 BC. The really curious feature of the manuscript is that it appears to be written in a format...
On the Christmas Season
Listen Now. Join us as Fr. Chris speaks with Fr. John Anthony McGuckin about the holiday season and reconnecting with the early church in a new and interesting way, and remembering that the season revolves around Christ. Christ is Born, Glorify Him! Photo credit: Event Brite ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN...
Celebrating St. Nicholas: When Santa Went to Jail
The Nativity Fast has begun, and Christmas is just around the corner. Trees are soon to be decorated. Children around the world will make lists, check them twice and anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus. However, parents beware! Jolly old St. Nick served time in prison. I’m not kidding!...
