“Let my prayer arise as incense before Thee” From Old Testament times believers have burned incense as an offering when worshiping God. The ancient temple in Jerusalem even had priests whose sole duty was to keep the censer burning twenty-four hours a day. Ancient pagan kings were often escorted with
Category: The Morning Offering
The place of the Holy Virgin Mary in the life of Christians On the occasion of the Feast of the Protection of the Holy Virgin, to which we have dedicated our monastery’s temple, I wish to address the subject of the Mother of God’s veneration among we Orthodox Christians. The
The theological vision of God and natural science “Faith without knowledge leads to superstition. Knowledge without faith leads to atheism.” Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Orthodoxy does not exclude from the theological vision of God the findings of natural science. Science and faith can be in concert with one
We must become a compassionate people As a nation, we need to be aware of the impact our economy has on the lives of our countless elderly and poor. It is right that we consider the teachings of the Orthodox Church concerning our duties to those who have less then
Everything proceeds out of God’s mercy There is a common misconception concerning the word “mercy”, used throughout the liturgical services of the Church, as well as our private prayers, and the Jesus Prayer. It is a given that we are all sinners, but the asking for God’s mercy is not
Saturday October 10, 2015 / September 27, 2015 19th Week after Pentecost. Tone one. Martyr Callistratus and his company (49 Martyrs) of Carthage (304). Venerable Sabbatius, wonderworker of Solovki (1435). New Hieromartyr Demetrius priest (1918). New Hieromartyrs Herman bishop of Volsk and Michael priest (1919). Hieromartyr Peter, metropolitan of Krutitsa
Sustainability and inter-dependency Since the foundation of this monastic community some thirty years ago, our holy brotherhood has been working towards becoming as self-reliant as is possible, given the age we live in. Recognizing that most of human kind, since the beginning, had no choice but to depend on personal
The need for unity between religion and the secular state The great divide between the secular state and religion has grown substantially during my lifetime. Gone are the days when our nation was based on Christian values and where religion played an important role the public life of this country.
Avoiding the stagnation of this present world For those who embrace the enjoyment of partying and entertainment, all in an attempt to avoid the hardships and life struggles that make great souls, they will have failed to embrace the essential element that makes this life journey salvific. They will have
Giving of ourselves over to the noonday demon There are times when we are tempted by what has been called the Noonday Demon, and give ourselves over to depression. This tendency can often find life in an almost chronic habit of complaining. We complain about our health to the extent