by St. Augustine of Hippo Our father among the saints, Augustine is one of the great Church Fathers of the fourth century. He was the eldest son of Saint Monica. At the end of his life (426-428) Augustine revisited his previous works in chronological order and suggested what he would have said differently in a work titled the Retractions, which gives us a remarkable picture of the development of a writer and his final thoughts. In his … [Read more...]
Second Sermon on the Annunciation
March 22, 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...]
On The Annunciation
March 21, 2010 By
by St. Ambrose of Milan Our father among the saints Ambrose of Milan came to be bishop of Milan as the only competent candidate to succeed Auxentius, a bishop of Arian persuasion, in 374. A catechumentheology through intense study of subject as he was successively baptized and then consecrated as Bishop of Milan. He held to the Nicene belief and through the eloquence of his arguments he persuaded Emperor Gratian to the Nicene confession. … [Read more...]
Annunciation Sermon
March 21, 2010 By
by St. Leo the Great St. Leo the Great was the bishop of Rome during difficult times. He was an eminent scholar of Scripture and rhetoric. During an invasion by Attila the Hun, St. Leo met him outside the gates of Rome. After some short words, to everyone’s surprise, Attila turned and left. Three years later, during an invasion by Genseric the Vandal, St. Leo’s intercession again saved the Eternal City from destruction. God is He … [Read more...]
First Sermon on the Annunciation
March 20, 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 seventeen … [Read more...]
St. Patrick & Unceasing Prayer of the Heart
March 18, 2010 By
A few days ago, we published the Confession of St. Patrick, in honor of that great Enlightener of Ireland. John Sanidopoulos, over at Mystagogy blog, posted a section of this Confession, pointing out St. Patrick's experience in the hesychast tradition. Astonishing news to some, but this saint was clearly in the Orthodox tradition of interior prayer, ascetic discipline and stillness! In his Confession, Saint Patrick describes with some detail his … [Read more...]
Sermon On The Annunciation
March 18, 2010 By
by St. Proclus of Constantinople Our father among the saints, Proclus, was the Archbishop of Constantinople from 434 to 446. He was a friend and disciple of St. John Chrysostom. He is remembered for his "Tome of Proclus" that peacefully mediated certain doctrinal disputes among the Eastern bishops. His feast day is celebrated on November 20. Our present gathering in honor of the Most Holy Virgin inspires me, brethren, to say of Her a … [Read more...]
He Who Quarrels Consoles the Devil
March 17, 2010 By
From the editors: Russian Orthodox Christians in San Francisco continue to abide in the light of the memory and celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Church's glorification of St. John (Maximovich, +1966). "The days of St. John" in San Francisco are usually ended on the day of the Birth of John the Forerunner, when the funeral of the Saint of blessed memory was performed by a host of archpastors and clergymen (including … [Read more...]
Confession and Communion
March 17, 2010 By
From a discussion with the students of the Moscow Theological Academy at the Lavra of Saint Serge with the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Saint Vlassios, Hierotheos Vlachos. Question: How many times a year must one receive Holy Communion? Is the Sacrament of Confession necessarily tied to Holy Communion? Answer: Holy Communion is not absolutely linked to Confession. In the ancient Church, people had the Grace of God in them; they were in a state … [Read more...]
The Confession of St. Patrick of Ireland
March 17, 2010 By
This day is not all about leprechauns, shamrocks and green beer. This is a day to honor and pray to St. Patrick. He was an influential saint who, 1,500 years ago, brought Christianity to the little country of Ireland. He was born about 385 in the British Isles, was carried off while still very young during a raid on Roman Britain by the Irish and sold as a slave. At the end of six years he contrived to escape to Europe, became a monk and … [Read more...]
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