Archimandrite Nikanor Karayannis Through its graphic narrative, the Gospel parable of the prodigal son depicts the mystery of human iniquity and also the majesty of God’s acceptance and love. In an unsurpassed manner, it presents the human fall and repentance, apostasy and return. Our vagrancy in the world. The Read more
Georgios Patronos, Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Athens 3. The Tragic Experience of Life “in a far Country”. In spite and independently of the reasons for departure, life in a country far from one’s home has its tragic aspect, too. It’s a bitter experience, often with dreadful consequences. Read more
Georgios Patronos, Emeritus Professor of Theology, University of Athens Introduction The parable of the Prodigal Son, which is the Gospel reading for today, is, as is well-known, one of the most beautiful texts of world literature. It also recalls for us the Classical narrative, from Greek mythology, of the Read more
Fr. Andreas Agathokleous If we adapt the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee to today’s conditions, we might say that it’s addressed to religious-minded people who are confident in their good works and their virtue, justifying themselves and rejecting sinners of every stripe. By the same token, the Read more
Metropolitan Anthony Bloom † 19 February 1984 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Time and again I have occasion to preach on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, on the story of the Publican and the Pharisee, and every time I notice how Read more
Do you ever fight with a brother or sister? Or maybe with a friend? Maybe you argue or pick on each other, or even punch or pinch. Your parents try to get you to make up with each other, don’t they? Your parents don’t like the fighting! In the story Read more
Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite So come to your senses in this way, because there’s no other way to do so. Get up and take this bold decision, saying to yourself: ‘I’ll arise and go to my father’ (Luke 15, 18). Get up out of this mud you’re wallowing in Read more
Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite Think about the return of the prodigal son to his father’s house and the reasons behind it, which were three in number. The first was that he reflected sincerely on the wretchedness of his situation; the second was that he compared his misery with the Read more
Saint Nicholas Velimirovich The Prodigal Son lived aimlessly and wasted all the wealth his father gave him. When he’d spent it all, a famine struck the far-off country where he was and he himself began to starve. In this distant country, far removed from God, there’s always a famine, Read more
Have you ever been lost? The Gospel story tells about a young man who wandered off. His family knew he was leaving, but they let him go anyway. After a while, this young man realized he was lost. He knew he wanted to be with his father. He knew he Read more