Complacency and Humility
Ioannis Karavidopoulos, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Hermeneutics, A. U. Th. two characteristic types of people are presented in the Gospel reading, both of them praying in the temple. They were at opposite poles of society as it was...
The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
Monk Agapios From the Kyriakodromion of Monk Agapios The Holy Fathers of the Church have commanded us to sing and read today about the case and parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, in order that we might prepare for the spiritual struggles and warfare of Holy Lent, which is approaching. This...
Approaching God for the Right Reason
At Vespers last Saturday evening, the Orthodox Church began the use of the Lenten Triodion–a service book that provides the texts for the Divine Services for the pre-Lenten weeks of preparation, for Great Lent and for Holy Week. Last Sunday was that of the Publican and the Pharisee, quite familiar...
Humility and a Reorienting the Heart
The Gospel of the Pharisee and the Publican is read every year to open the Triodion, the preface period to Great Lent, and it is a highly familiar parable to all Christians as an analysis of the weight of humility versus pride; however, the layers of depth in meaning...
Listen to the Daily Reading for Saint Timothy the Righteous
February 21, 2016 Saint Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Timothy, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct,...
Thank God You’re Not like Those Sinners
Wherever you look, you are surrounded by sinners. You spend your days fasting and keeping all the “rules” of the Church, and every night you thank God that you’re not like those sinners you know in the world. Did you ever stop to think, YOU might be sinning? Did you...
