Author: Abbot Tryphon

We are created by a God Who invites us into a relationship that is personal One of the primary differences between Islam and Christianity has to do with the basic view of the nature of God. Islam teaches total surrender to a God who demands submission. There is no invitation

Ending isolation through the Christian life In an age when families no longer eat dinner together, children watch TV, play computer games, and text message their friends from their bedrooms. When adults can be seen walking in our cities talking on cell phones. At a time in our history when

Keeping vigil against those habitual sins There are certain sins that have become habitual, and behavior that we would like to change, but seem to repeat, even against our will. Saint Isaac the Syrian suggested that we confront these struggles head on. “If you bear your weakness constantly in mind,

More than acquittal and justification Salvation can not be explained in legalistic terms of acquittal and justification, for salvation is much more than simply being forgiven and getting into heaven. The close tie between faith and works, when it comes to the Orthodox view of salvation, is not about being

When the gift of sexuality becomes an occasion for sin Sins of a sexual nature are common among many people today. Much of the struggle is directly related to the fact that people do not take advantage of having a regular confessor. If you are your own spiritual guide, the

And the acquisition of a humble and a contrite heart When the monk attempts to rely on his own strength to do battle with his fallen nature, he will be defeated. The arena, his field of battle, takes place in his own heart, and will be a life long battle.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).” While sitting in Victoria, B.C’s, Murchie’s sidewalk cafe, back in June of 2013, with my friend Archpriest Basil Rhodes, we noticed a homeless man stop behind me. The man was staring at our food, so

Enduring trials can make us grow stronger Sometimes we find ourselves so caught up in what we think we need, we become despondent as we face disappointment. We get so caught up in our desire for things to go just as we want, we end up wondering why God hasn’t

The murdering of innocent animals for sport Most of the civilized world has looked on in disbelief and disgust, following the shocking death of the much loved senior lion of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, who was tricked into leaving the safe haven of a wildlife preserve. This magnificent animal was

All you need for happiness is right in front of you It is easy to resist taking care of oneself if we run at full speed as though we are the only one who can get things done. We all need to set priorities, making sure we focus on Christ