Author: Abbot Tryphon

Orthodoxy is Our Life When we Orthodox Christians greet each other at the Divine Liturgy, and the other services of the Church, it is critical that we remember that we are family. We must lift each other up in prayer. We must love one another. We must give thanks that

Living History Did Julius Caesar exist? This might seems like a silly question to ask until we consider that it is actually less absurd to question his existence than the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. There is more evidence for the existence of Jesus than even many contemporary people who

The Beginning of The End Each of us is only one moment from eternity. We are all going to stand before God to give an account for our lives, and no matter how many years we live before that moment, they will be like a few drops in an infinite

Light Burden “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 There are those who promise spiritual enlightenment, and many gullible people who are willing to spend their money on such bogus offers. In an age of quick fixes and challenged attention spans, it is easy for

Soul Food When we ask God to give us our daily bread, this is not only a request for physical food in our stomach. Our souls require spiritual nourishment from God with even greater urgency. This food from Heaven is primarily received in the form of God Himself, His very

Enlighten The Darkness Today in the Church, we celebrate a feast on the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. This might seem strange in a world where the powerful often censor, imprison, and execute their critics. Even if we sympathize with those who have been targeted in these ways, we

No Hate If there is to be peace in our world, it must begin within us. We must choose to reject hatred for anyone, and choose to love everyone, instead. We cannot blame the world, or even those around us, for the hatred the destroys our peace. That which happens

Timeless Temples 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 situated at the east end of

Just A Temptation Do you ever find yourself beset by a thought that robs you of peace and demands your attention? This thought is evil, a temptation, borne either of your own fallen impulses or inspired by demons. God is peace. Do not fight this thought by arguing with it,

Beloved in Christ I had two back surgeries, the second one was accompanied by complications that left me hospitalized for a month. So now I’m in a skilled nursing facility, going through rehab to get my strength back. I hope to be released to return to the monastery soon. In