The hermit’s contribution to the world The personalism of Orthodox asceticism in the life of a hermit is inseparable from the life of the Church. Saint Seraphim of Sarov tells us that if we acquire the Holy Spirit a thousand around us will be saved. Hermits, although distancing themselves from
Category: The Morning Offering
Staying afloat in the ocean that would consume us The pandemic shutdown that has had a major impact on our lives sometimes makes us feel like we are treading water in an ocean. Being separated from our friends and loved ones makes many of us feel lost and hopeless. During
And our response as authentic Orthodox Christians The Church, if she is authentic in her Christian witness, must grapple with the challenges of society starting from its most marginalized sector. If the Church does not teach with a loud voice that the Nativity Fast is about more than refraining from
To watch Abbot Tryphon’s video on the subject of the Nativity Fast, click above.
Preparing ourselves for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ The Nativity Fast was already in progress for those on the Gregorian (New) Calendar, and started on Saturday for those who follow the Julian (Church) Calendar. During this period of prescribed fasting we are to abstain from all meats, dairy,
The nous versus the ego Reformed theology focuses on forensic justification, whereas the mystical theology of the Orthodox Church focuses on restoration to God through healing of the darkened soul alienated from Him. These are two very different models, but not really equal, because one can have faith in Christ’s
Memory Eternal I just received word that His Eminence Archbishop David of Alaska has reposed. This is a photo that was taken during the annual Saint Herman of Alaska Pilgrimage a few years ago. Vladyka David is on the left, and Metropolitan Tikhon is in the middle. I got to
Children must be taught kindness at an early age More and more frequently we read about children taking their own lives, having reached a place where they would rather be dead, than live another hour suffering from bullying. Too often parents and teachers have ignored the problem of bullying, dismissing
The essential element for the salvific union of two people The western world has seen a terrible downward trend in the number of couples choosing to get married. Of those couples who do, almost fifty percent of their marriages end in divorce. Those marriages that do last, see only a
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thanksgiving has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on the last Thursday of