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...
The Short Version
Watch Fr. Michael Marcantoni as he speaks about “The Short Version” of the second commandment. “For the second commandment is like this, to love your neighbor as your very self – for no greater live has a man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends.” ABOUT FATHER MICHAEL...
Our Relationship with God: 5. The Love of Christ
Very Rev. Archimandrite Zacharias (Zacharou) The Son glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son and rightly ‘straightway,’ in a natural way. The Holy Spirit, similarly, proceeds from the Father, rests in the Son and glorifies Him, heralding the content of the life of the Son and guiding the...
The Elder of love, forgiveness and discernment
Alexandros Christodoulou Elder Iakovos Tsalikis (5/11/1920-21/11/1991) Our age and today’s culture has, unfortunately moved away from the vision and pursuit of sanctity. The Orthodox faith is based on the presence of the saints. Without these, our Church is on the path towards secularization. Naturally, as we know from Scripture, God...
Peace Treaty
Peace Treaty In a time of turmoil and anxiety, how can we be expected to have peace of mind? If the Peace of Christ is not like the peace of this world, what does it look like and what good does it do me? ABOUT FATHER MICHAEL MARCANTONI Fr. Michael Marcantoni is...
Not Contractually Obligated: The Orthodox Marriage Ceremony
Not Contractually Obligated: The Orthodox Marriage Ceremony Marriage may be the most common institution in society, but it is also not well understood. With so many marriages finding themselves in difficulty, how does the Orthodox Church approach this cornerstone of family life? ABOUT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK The Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) is an official...
