Τhe Τriumph of Orthodoxy
Saint Luke the Doctor Discourse on the First Sunday of Lent On the first Sunday of Great Lent, our Holy Church celebrates the triumph of Orthodoxy, of the correct faith, which trampled down all heresies and has been established for ever. This is why this Sunday is called the...
Understanding and Living Our Faith: How We Experience Lent and Fasting
“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...
As We Begin the Great and Holy Lent
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. Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to...
Cheese Fare Sunday
Metropolitan Panteleimon of Antinoes Today, is Cheese-fare Sunday, which sees the closing of the period of Triodion. Tomorrow, with God’s blessing and help, we embark upon the forty day Fast of Great Lent. Great Lent is a time of spiritual struggle for Orthodox Christians. The aim of this struggle...
Cherishing the Journey of Great Lent
I was so excited for Lent this year. During the 18 years we have been Orthodox, I have never been able to attend all the mid-week services because we have lived so far from the church. One pre-sanctified was usually all I could get to and not just because of...
Lykourgos Angelopoulos – “Spotless Undefiled”
Lykourgos Angelopoulos, Archon Protopsaltis of the Most Holy Archdiocese of Constantinople and founder of the Greek Byzantine Choir (†2014) Listen now From a live recording at a service in the church of Saint Irene, Aiolou St., 30 March 2001. Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK Orthodox Christian...
The Challenge of Fasting in the Modern World
We’re most of the way through our Lenten journey! Pascha is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday. I love the reverence of Holy Week services. I love the buildup to the Resurrection. I love that it takes place in Spring (the best of all the seasons). The process of preparing,...
‘Triumphant Leader’ (setting by Georgios Raidestinos), Greek Byzantine Choir
Listen now ‘Triumphant Leader’ (setting by Georgios Raidestinos), tone plagal four. Sung by the Greek Byzantine Choir conducted by Lykourgos Angelopoulos. From the CD Hymne Acathiste (2005). 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 Bishops...
‘My soul, my soul, arise, why are you sleeping’, (kontakion, Great Canon)
Listen now From a recording of a concert of the Greek Byzantine Choir in Patras on 3/11/2006. The setting is by Konstantinos Pringos and the piece is sung by Panayiotis Koutras, the Protopsaltis of the church of Our Lady Myrtidiotissa, Alimos. Source: pemptousia.com ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK...
Great Lent: A Refining Crucible
After a time of emotional and spiritual unrest, culminating in a conscious feeling during the Nativity season that my spiritual life needed attention, this Lenten journey heralded in a “new beginning” for me. The details of life are unique for each of us, but the goal for Christians is simple...
