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by Fr. John A. Peck Dormition is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Christian faith. Of course, this is a great preaching opportunity, so we here at Preachers Institute, are offering an article on Dormition and a few things which we hope you will find valuable as you prepare this festal sermon. 1. Preach the Gospel … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon A question is just as likely to convey truth as to seek it. If asking questions is a good way of learning, it is an even better way of teaching, Good teachers ask questions. Consequently, Jesus chiefly employs the interrogatory form as a mode of teaching. Jesus asks questions, moreover, just about as much as he tells parables. For this reason, we need to consider Jesus more closely as the Teacher, the … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon In Jewish worship, it was customary to address God as "Father." Abinu, Malkinu---"Our Father, our King" has always been a standard praise formula in the synagogue. It is not surprising, therefore, that we find this form of address in the teaching of Jesus, even as we find it in His own prayer (Matthew 11:25-26; 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; 23:34, 46; John 11:41; 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 24, 25). When, in His sermons … [Read more...]
by Fr. Aris Metrakos Scripture separated from its context can be confusing, misleading, and even destructive. Take the well-worn Bible college criticism of the way Orthodox and Roman Catholic faithful address their clergy, Matthew 23:9 (call no man father). The literal application of Mark 16:19 (snake-handling) is downright scary. Women's southern summertime fashions being what they are, I'm grateful that no one is advocating an … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Edgar Allen Poe, in his penetrating review of Bleak House, remarked that no reader can comprehend the real wealth of that work in a single reading. Numerous shades of nuance, Poe explained, and dozens of subtle connections were woven so deeply into the fabric of Bleak House that their presence was not even suspected on a first reading. On a second reading, however, the now enlightened reader knows what to … [Read more...]
by Fr. John Behr A lecture delivered by Fr John Behr, Dean of St Vladimir’s Theological Seminary, at the parish of St John Chrysostom Orthodox Church, House Springs, Missouri, September 29, 2007, on the occasion of the 1600th Anniversary of St John’s repose. In his oration of thanks to his teacher, St Gregory the Wonderworker commented: For a mighty and energetic thing is the discourse of man, and subtle with its sophisms, and … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Before he ever met the Apostle Paul, the life of young Timothy was already full of blessings. Indeed, Paul himself, among the last lines he wrote on this earth, reminded Timothy of those blessings: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to … [Read more...]
by Fr. Aris Metrakos This article contains excellent advice for anyone contemplating the priesthood or discerning a vocation in the Orthodox Church (or any 'church' for that matter). Fr. Aris nails it. Aren't we disgusted with the shocking number of high-profile cases of priests engaged in pedophilia, homosexual activity, and adultery? Some excuse this behavior with the platitudes "a sin is a sin" and "we are all sinners." Uh, excuse … [Read more...]
by Fr. John A. Peck Well, friends, it is that time in our exercise. There's no shame in it. Blogging has become difficult. We're hitting 'the wall' in this marathon. Runners know what 'the wall' is. It's that wonderful experience you just have to push through. It's tough. It's all will power. Now for those of you who took up the challenge of the 30 (40) Days of Blogging, first let me congratulate you for takinng the challenge. Second, for … [Read more...]
During every Nativity Fast, I offer my spiritual children and parishioners an exercise in Scripture which I call "The New Testament Challenge." It's really not all that challenging, but for someone who has never read the entire New Testament before, it is an excellent time for just such an exercise. If you begin on Nov. 15th, you will do the 40 day schedule. If you begin on Dec. 1, you will do the 25 day schedule. Both schedules … [Read more...]
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