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by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon The permanence of the soul, its continued life after death, was not in contention among the early Christians. Indeed, thanks in part to Plato, some form of belief in a spiritual afterlife was quite in fashion in the Greco-Roman culture where the Apostles proclaimed the Gospel. The Apostle Paul, for his part, certainly anticipated an afterlife immediately following death. This persuasion prompted him to "desire to … [Read more...]
by Fr. Michael Shanbour The Holy Apostle Paul made it abundantly clear that the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith when he wrote to the Corinthians: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). It would be fair to say that one who does not believe in the Resurrection of Christ cannot be called a Christian. But what does it mean to believe in … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon When Flavius Josephus misrepresented the faith of the Pharisees---claiming they believed in the transmigration of the soul, instead of the resurrection of the body---he did so to avoid ridicule from contemporary Greco-Roman pagans. Although the latter differed among themselves with respect to an after-life, none were disposed to take seriously a belief that the dead would really rise. Even the most broadminded of … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon From the beginning, the proclamation of the Gospel has always involved a claim that the full weight of universal human wisdom declares to be impossible: the resurrection of a man who had been dead in his grave for a couple of days---as distinct from the resuscitation of someone apparently dead This claim, without which there is no Gospel, is the primary component of the "folly" mentioned by the Apostle Paul as … [Read more...]
By St. Nikolai Velimirovich "Brethren, see to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Brethren, do not let philosophy enslave us, which by conjecture, says that there is no eternal life nor resurrection from the dead. For we do not arrive at the Truth through the conjecture of man, but by God's … [Read more...]
by Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus The seasons blush varied with the flowery, fair weather, and the gate of the pole lies open with greater light. His path in the heaven raises the fire-breathing sun higher, who goes forth on his course, and enters the waters of the ocean. Armed with rays traversing the liquid elements, in this brief night he stretches out the day in a circle. The brilliant firmament puts forth its … [Read more...]
by St. Symeon the New Theologian Our venerable and God-bearing father Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022) is one of three saints of the Orthodox church to have been given the title of Theologian (the others are St. John the Apostle and St. Gregory Nazianzen). Born in Galatia and educated at Constantinople, he became abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas. His feast day is celebrated by some on March 12, the date of his repose, while others … [Read more...]
by St. Gregory the Great Our father among the saints Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great, was the Pope of Rome from September 3, 590, until his death on March 12, 604. He is noted for his writings. Also, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts has been attributed to him. Given to the People in the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the Holy Day of the Resurrection 1. It has been my custom, beloved brethren, to speak to you on … [Read more...]
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