Author: Abbot Tryphon

Anger must not be allowed to take root Most people, when angered by someone, think the best way to deal with the anger is by avoiding the person who offended them. The problem with this approach is that it allows the anger to take root in the heart, festering as

Leaving the ninety-nine for the one An important work of the Church is to seek out the lost sheep, and bring them back into the fold. The Church must go out into the community and find those who are lost. Many who were previously Orthodox, but failed to made a

The link between the Old and New Testament Orthodox temples have kept to the same form and function since ancient times. Using the Old Testament Temple model, Orthodox churches are divided into several courts or spaces peculiar to their function. The Holy Table, upon which is celebrated the Eucharist, is

Racism has no place in the life of a Christian It is important to understand that genetically, all humans are of but one race. Indians, Arabs, Jews, Caucasians, Africans, and Asians, are not different races, but rather, different ethnicities of the human race. God created all humans with the same

The kingdom that is our true home The Divine Liturgy begins with the words, “Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages”. This kingdom is our true home and our lives as Christians

The seen and the unseen, and the created and the uncreated There is the seen, and there is the unseen, the material and the immaterial. That which is material can be scientifically examined and experienced, the immaterial can only be seen and experienced spiritually. These are two worlds that are

We must live our lives in total commitment Throughout the New Testament we read of the importance of struggle, where focus on the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart is paramount to what it means to be a Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ tells us that if we are

The communal nature of our faith is essential Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires its followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is not “saved” in a vacuum, but

What will we experience in the afterlife? Thoughts on the oneness of creation. There is no formal doctrine in the Orthodox Church concerning the afterlife for animals, including our pets. Those Fathers of the Church who have expressed themselves on this matter were simply expressing theological opinions that have not

Our pets are gifts from God Every evening I try to spend an hour or so in the library, sitting in front of the fire place with our beloved Norwegian Forest Cat, Hammi. He sleeps in the library, and is most happy when the entire monastic brotherhood is gathered together