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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 the Venerable St. Bede of Jarrow Our father among the saints, the Venerable Bede of Jarrow, (c. 672 - May 25, 735) was a monk at the Northumbrian monastery of Saint Peter at Wearmouth (today part of Sunderland), and of its daughter monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow. He is well known as an author and scholar, whose best-known work is Historia ecclesiastica gentis AnglorumThe Ecclesiastical History of the English People), … [Read more...]
by St. John Chrysostom This is perhaps the greatest sermon ever written. It is read in every Orthodox Church in the world, every year at the Paschal Vigil, during the Matins of Pascha. St. John was the Archbishop of Constantinople during the fourth century. He was fearless when denouncing sin in high places, and was a prolific writer, and bold preacher, unafraid to hit the topical issues of the day squarely between the eyes with all … [Read more...]
George of Nicomedia: Convention and Originality in the Homily on Good Friday by Niki Tsironis From STUDIA PATRISTICA VOL. XXX, Leuven 1997. In the present paper I will examine the models used by George of Nicomedia for the composition of his homily on Good Friday, the first homily which has come down to us that treats the subject from a mariological point of view. George of Nicomedia elaborates on the passage from the Gospel of St … [Read more...]
This weekend, we meditate on the meaning and the power of the Holy Cross. This is a recording of our father, Archbishop Job of Chicago singing the 15th Antiphon at Matins for Great and Holy Friday 2009. We include it for your own spiritual edification. Contemplate this worthy meditation on the Cross in anticipation of Holy Week. May his memory be eternal! If anyone has access to sheet music for this, please contact us … [Read more...]
by St. Irenaeus of Lyons Against Heresies, Book 4, Chapters 7, 10, 11, 23 Therefore Abraham also, knowing the Father through the Word, who made heaven and earth, confessed Him to be God; and having learned, by an announcement [made to him], that the Son of God would be a man among men, by whose advent his seed should be as the stars of heaven, he desired to see that day, so that he might himself also embrace Christ; and, seeing it through … [Read more...]
by St. Gregory Palamas Our father among the saints Gregory Palamas (1296-1359), Archbishop of Thessalonica, was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece (at Vatopedi and Esphigmenou Monasteries), and later became Archbishop of Thessalonica. His feast days in the Church are Nov. 14 and the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent. David indicates that our Lord Jesus Christ has no genealogy with regard to His divinity (Ps. 110:4), Isaiah says the same (Isa. 53:8), … [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...]
William J. Tighe on the Story Behind December 25 In this, one of my favorite articles, William Tighe explodes the notion we were all taught in public school about the 'Christianization' of a pagan festival for the date of Christmas. He uses historical fact to prove his point, and has thereby offered all Christians that most precious of all jewels - the truth, regarding the Church's celebration on Dec. 25th. Enjoy! Many Christians think that … [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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