The World's Premier Online Orthodox Christian Homiletics Resource
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 Fr. Stephen Freeman Originally titled "Living Orthodox in the Modern World," this article from the blog "Glory To God For All Things" is worth reading. The reason I have reposted it here is simple: We are here, now, and have been placed here by God, for whatever reason, to preach the Gospel to the whole creation. It is not for nothing that we have come to this time and place in our nation, and worthy of our attention and reflection as we … [Read more...]
By Rev. Dimitriy Yurevitch 1. Essential aspects of the Biblical doctrine of repentance The doctrine of Repentance is represented in different books of the Old and New Testament. There it is set out with different degrees of fullness depending on historical conditions as well as on the sacred authors? purposes and objectives. Philologically it is not restricted to any one term; and while the biblical teaching about salvation was evolving, … [Read more...]
by St. Theophan the Recluse Our father among the saints, Theophan the Recluse, (d. 1894) was the bishop of Tambov in Russia. He was a prolific author, especially on the subjects of the Christian life and the training of youth in the faith. In order to facilitate the development of true prayer, take these steps: … [Read more...]
by St. Amphilocius of Iconium Delivered on Great and Holy Saturday 1. Let us commemorate today the solemnity of the burial of Our Saviour. He has undone the bonds of death of those who were in hades, filled hades with His splendour, and roused from sleep those lying there; and we on earth rejoice exultant, recalling to mind His Resurrection, and now we fear death no more, for it shall not prevail against immortality. Because Thou wilt … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
by Elder Paisius the Athonite Thanks to Moses over at the Burning Bush weblog for this. God loves every person very much, knows the problems of each one of us perfectly and is wishing to give help before our asking for it, because nothing is too difficult for the all-mighty God. But even God is facing a difficulty in the case of a non-humble man! I repeat that there is but one problem that God can face — that He “cannot” help as long as … [Read more...]
by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov Our father among the saints, Ignatius , was a bishop of the Church of Russia and ascetical writer. He is best known for his spiritual and ascetic writings, particularly 'The Arena.' His feast day is celebrated on April 30. Two beloved disciples asked the Lord for thrones of glory, and He gave them His Cup (Matt. 20:23). The Cup of Christ is suffering. But for those who drink from it on earth, the Cup of Christ … [Read more...]
by St. Maximus the Confessor Our venerable and God-bearing Father Maximus the Confessor (ca. 580-662) was an Orthodox Christian monk and ascetical writer known especially for his courageous fight against the heresy of Monothelitism. His feast days in the Church are celebrated on January 21 and, for the translation of his relics, on August 13. "If you bear a grudge against anyone, pray for him and you will stop the passion in its tracks. By … [Read more...]
English