By Saint John Maximovitch Our father among the saints, John Maximovitch, was a diocesan bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) who served widely from China to France to the United States. Countless miracles have been attributed to this holy bishop, both during his lifetime and since his repose. When the Lord had finished the Mystical Supper with His disciples and given them His Instructions, He went with them … [Read more...]
Discourse on the Passion of the Savior
March 28, 2010 By
by St. Ephraim the Syrian Our Righteous Father Ephraim the Syrian was a prolific Syriac language hymn writer and theologian of the 4th century. Over four hundred hymns composed by Ephrem still exist. The church historian Sozomen credits St. Ephraim with having written over three million lines. He wrote exclusively in the Syriac language, but translations of his writings exist in Armenian, Coptic, Greek and other languages. He died … [Read more...]
Exegetical Sermon 145 on the Passion
March 28, 2010 By
by St. Cyril of Alexandria Our father among the saints Cyril of Alexandria was the Pope of Alexandria at the time Alexandria was at its height in influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431 which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople. … [Read more...]
The Sermon and the Chalice: Part Two
March 27, 2010 By
This is part two of a two part article by Prof. Steenberg is based on a talk originally given in November 2007 at Ampleforth Abbey, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, as part of a day conference on St John Chrysostom during the year commemorating the 1,600th anniversary of the saint’s repose. The homily, the Word, and the Spirit The particular connection to be made in the above, in terms of understanding St John Chrysostom as homilist, is that of the … [Read more...]
Palm Sunday Sermon
March 26, 2010 By
by St. Andrew of Crete Our father among the saints Andrew of Crete, was Archbishop of Crete at the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th. He was a true luminary of the Church, a great hierarch—a theologian, teacher and hymnographer, best known for writing the Great Canon. Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today he returns from Bethany and proceeds of his own free will toward his holy and blessed passion, to … [Read more...]
The Sermon and the Chalice: Part One
March 26, 2010 By
At the request of some of our readers, we are again making this article, which links the importance of the Sermon with the Holy Eucharist, available at Preachers Institute. This two part article by Prof. Steenberg is based on a talk originally given in November 2007 at Ampleforth Abbey, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, as part of a day conference on St John Chrysostom during the year commemorating the 1,600th anniversary of the saint’s repose. St … [Read more...]
Exegetical Sermon 144 on the Passion
March 25, 2010 By
by St. Cyril of Alexandria Our father among the saints Cyril of Alexandria was the Pope of Alexandria at the time Alexandria was at its height in influence and power within the Roman Empire. Cyril wrote extensively and was a leading protagonist in the Christological controversies of the 4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431 which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Archbishop of Constantinople. His … [Read more...]
Catechesis 64: On the Incarnation
March 24, 2010 By
by St. Theodore the Studite Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Theodore the Studite was a hymnographer and theologian as well as the abbot of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Studios, outside of Constantinople, during the ninth century. His great theological contribution, On the Holy Icons, was for the defense of icons during the Second Iconoclasm Period (814-842). He is also known for his writings and influence on … [Read more...]
Passover To Pascha
March 24, 2010 By
by William J. Tighe On the Origins of the Primary Feast of the Christian Church, from the man who brought us the stellar article, Calculating Christmas. For all Christians today who observe a “liturgical year,” the high point of that year is the annual commemoration of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection at the end of Holy Week. Good Friday recalls to the faithful the Lord’s suffering and death, and in most Christian … [Read more...]
Third Sermon on the Annunciation
March 24, 2010 By
by St. Gregory the Wonderworker Our father among the saints, Gregory the Wonderworker, also known as Gregory Thaumaturgus or Gregory of Neocaesarea, was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century. The Theotokos and Apostle John appeared to St. Gregory in a dream, and taught him about the Holy Trinity. He was a zealous evangelist. When Gregory began his episcopacy with only seventeen Christians, but at his death there remained only … [Read more...]
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