by Fr. George Metallinos Part Four of his four-part series on Paradise and Hell in the Orthodox Tradition. The mystery of Paradise-hell is also experienced in the life of the Church in the world. During the sacraments, there is a participation of the faithful in Grace, so that Grace may be activated in our lives, by our course towards Christ. Especially during the Divine Eucharist, the uncreated-Holy Communion-becomes inside us either Paradise … [Read more...]
The Experience of Paradise or Hell
August 2, 2010 By
by Fr. George Metallinos Part Three of his series on Paradise and Hell in the Orthodox Tradition. The experience of Paradise or hell is beyond words or senses. It is an uncreated reality, not a created one. The Franks created the myth that Paradise and hell are both created realities. It is a myth that the damned will not be looking upon God; just as the "absence of God" is equally a myth. The Franks had also perceived the fires of hell as … [Read more...]
Paradise and Hell are the Same Reality
July 31, 2010 By
by Fr. George Metallinos Part Two of his series on Paradise and Hell in the Orthodox Tradition This is what is depicted in the portrayal of the Second Coming. From Christ a river flows forth: it is radiant like a golden light at the upper end of it, where the saints are. At its lower end, the same river is fiery, and it is in that part of the river that the demons and the unrepentant ("the never repentant" according to a hymn) are depicted. … [Read more...]
Paradise & Hell in the Orthodox Tradition
July 30, 2010 By
By Fr. George Metallinos This is part one of a four part series on Paradise and Hell by the Dean of the Athens University School of Theology. On Meatfare Sunday, as we prepare for the commencement of the Holy and Great Lent, we commemorate the Second and Incorruptible Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The expression "we commemorate" confirms that our Church, as the Body of Christ, reenacts in its worship the Second Coming of our Lord as an … [Read more...]
Heaven & Hell in the Afterlife Acc. To The Bible
November 3, 2009 By
By Peter Chopelas I (Fr. John) came across this excellent article recently, and used it to craft an important sermon on heaven and hell in the afterlife according to the Scriptures and the teaching of the Orthodox Church, and found it to be an excellent and thorough resource for this important homiletic topic. Since then, I've come to discover just how quickly this essay has spread throughout the English speaking Orthodox world. An early draft … [Read more...]
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