Embracing Absolute Truth In an age when many people think truth is relative, the knowledge that there is such a thing as absolute truth, is comforting. The freedom that comes with the knowledge that we are able to embrace teachings that are a continuation of an unbroken line dating back
Dead to the World, but Alive in Christ We cannot give Christ to others unless we have welcomed Him into the central place in our own heart. We must know and love Christ, personally, before others can see Him in us. When we are willing to sacrifice self for the
Love And Prayer Are Interconnected If we find fault in others, our judgmental attitude prevents us from having a successful communion with God. Prayer is born of love, while fault-finding, idle talk, and self-indulgence are the death of prayer. Love and prayer are interconnected because both involve God, and if
The Elder Pavlos of Sinai on Archimandrite Dimitry The Elder Pavlos of Saint Katherine’s Monastery in Sinai (of blessed memory), who visited our monastery on May 26, 2012, recounted something about my own late spiritual father, Archimandrite Dimitry of Santa Rosa, that I’d forgotten. Elder Dimitry of Valaam Monastery in
There is no room for abusive husbands, tyrannical bishops, or clericalist priests Misty Isle Farms, the largest privately owned property on Vashon Island, with more than three hundred acres, sponsors an annual Sheep Dog Trials, every autumn. The dogs are judged according to their ability to quickly herd sheep through
Taking Orthodoxy Beyond The Self-Congratulatory We must guard against noticing when another parishioner seems careless in the making of the sign of the cross, while we go about demonstrating for all around us, the proper way. Making sweeping signs of the cross that are done in such a way as
The Saints Are Alive In Christ Jesus Vigil lights are placed before the icons of the saints, according to Saint Symeon the New Theologian, as a way of showing that without the Light, Who is Christ, the saints are nothing. It is only as the light of Christ shines on
Encountering The Precious, Ageless, And Sacred The very first time I entered an Orthodox church, I felt drawn to Her. There was a tangible, inner tug, and an overwhelming sense of peace, holiness, and awe, emanating from the very walls of the temple. The serving clergy were not the focus