Those who truly love God
Saint Symeon the New Theologian Who are those who truly love God, where does their love for Him come from and how is it shown? What are the works of our love for God as regards our neighbours? And that love is the culmination of the old and the...
In Praise of those who have Love in their Hearts – Part II
Saint Symeon the New Theologian Holy Love may we then be pardoned through you and may we enter into the enjoyment of the good things of our Master, since no-one will taste their sweetness except through you. Those who don’t love you as they ought and are not, as...
In Praise of those who have Love in their Hearts – Part I
Saint Symeon the New Theologian Let us therefore follow one and the same path, Christ’s commandments, which elevate us to heaven and to God. Even though the word shows us many paths and many ways for people to reach the kingdom of heaven, these paths are not, in fact,...
How to Have a Stress-Free Wedding Day
On May 10 of this year, my husband and I will celebrate 37 years of marriage. We were married at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, on Mother’s Day, 1981. Five years ago, after twenty years of experience, I took a leap of faith and started my own wedding...
Sin Is a Form of Love: Julian atte Norwich
James W. Lillie In continuation of the article* by Professor Ilias Voulgarakis on Sin and Love, it might be worth looking at what the English mystic and recluse “Julian atte Norwich” (ca. 8 November 1342 – ca. 1416) had to say on much the same subject in the Revelations...
Sin Is a Form of Love (Part 2)
Ilias Voulgarakis Everything starts with the meaning that each person gives to sin. If it is the breaking of a commandment, then people enter a legalistic relationship with God, in which, in the end, Hell is the natural concomitant for the transgressor. But if sin is a feature in...
Sin Is a Form of Love (Part 1)
Ilias Voulgarakis Love is the reason why things exist and the criterion for their behaviour. As regards the criterion for behaviour, we would recall the teaching of Saint Paul in his famous hymn to love (I Cor. 13, 1-13). But love as a criterion for behaviour is not concerned...
Musings from a Grateful Convert: Baby in the House!
The following is a departure from my usual MO. Here is a poem in free verse that represents a personal glimpse into the miraculous event known as having a baby. I hope you enjoy it. Baby in the House! We had been married only a month and she was pregnant...
Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops Condemn Hatred
Orthodox Christians throughout the world prayer for peace. Read the official response of Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America to Racist Violence in Charlottesville, VA. Response of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America stands...
The Theotokos: An Example for All Women to Emulate
“A fervent prayer, and a wall most unshakable A merciful spring And shelter of all mankind; Fervently we cry to you, Theotokos, our Lady, come to us and from all dangers now deliver us….” — Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos As a little girl, I was always fascinated by my...
