Author: Abbot Tryphon

Orthodox icon of the Baptism of our Lord (Theophany) Commemorated January 6th (January 19th, Old Calendar). This icon is about the Feast that reveals the Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son,

Darkness does not exist in its own right Our Orthodox Christian theology views evil not as a primeval essence that is coeternal and equal to God, but rather a falling away from good. Evil does not exist in and of itself, and was not created by God. Our Orthodox Church

When correcting others is like assaulting them When focusing on the sins of others, we set for ourselves the mission of correcting them. We see ourselves as called to help this poor, unfortunate one by pointing out their sins, and telling them how they can be a better person. We

Reaching our full potential by the company we keep We don’t like certain behavioral patterns that have become habitual, so we feel helpless in our attempt to change. Our growth as Christians is often fraught with failure, and we seem to find ourselves stuck. Our spiritual journey to God feels

Keeping one’s mind and heart in a good place Walking through life with a smile on your face and a song in your heart is the best way to keep your mind and heart in a good place. Life has many turns and many trials, but when you keep centered

Receiving temptations with a peaceful heart Trials and temptations, when received by a peaceful heart, bring forth healing and make the soul stronger and healthier. Reacting does nothing but usher in paralysis of the soul, for it binds us to our fallen nature. When we receive all temptations with a

Keeping ourselves vigilant There are certain sins that become habitual, sins that we seem to repeat over and over again. We feel powerless against temptation, and a sense of resignation overtakes us. Saint Isaac the Syrian suggests that we confront these struggles head on. “If you bear your weakness constantly

The two centers of our Orthodox Christian life The catholicity of our Orthodox way of life finds its roots in the link between the monastery and the parish. Both are essential to the life of the Church, and neither is better than the other. The monastic life is not better

Living behind the mask of our own invention We are creatures who fool around with ambition, but are too weak to work on those things that will bring about infinite joy. Like the child who plays with his toys, but refuses to learn how to read and write, our distraction

Reaching out to our youth where they are Father Maxim Kurlenko, an Orthodox priest in Moscow, Russia, has a ministry of outreach to disenfranchised Russian youth through his use of rap music. Another priest has a mission next to his church that resembles a night club, a place where young