God never washes His hands of us God never washes His hands of us. We may disappoint Him every day, but His love is without measure, and He responds with His saving Grace and Mercy. The Church, as the hospital of the soul, is the very institution founded by Our
Monasticism and the love of God Monasticism in the tradition of the Orthodox Church has many expressions. Some are called to live in the wilderness as hermits, living the solitary way of life. Others, such as Saint Maria of Paris and Saint John of San Francisco, are called to live
During the Nativity Fast it is good to remember that fasting is not just about food FAST from self-concern and FEAST on compassion for others. FAST from discouragement and FEAST on hope. FAST from lethargy and FEAST on enthusiasm. FAST from suspicion and FEAST on truth. FAST from thoughts that
If it is easily attained, it is easily lost We Americans are accustomed to having everything happen quickly, and without delay. We want our food prepared before we drive up to the window of the fast food place restaurant, our music on demand, and our favorite shows on line so
Where we find the good, the bad, and the ugly I often google topics that interest me, finding information that would have required hours in a research library in the past. I’ve visited Russian monasteries, watched videos of monks chanting in Greek monasteries, viewed Orthodox patriarchs serving the Divine Liturgy,
And the workings of the enemy of the Church Those occasional disturbances within the life of the Church leave many, including some clergy and monastics, with the sense of gloom, wondering what’s coming next. During times like this it is good to remember that nothing has changed during the two
You can better help your priest by understanding this one thing There are many difficulties and temptations that come with priesthood. Parish priests feel pressures that are found in no other profession. Although the type of man that generally is drawn to the holy priesthood is one who has a
As God’s love grows in us, so does love of neighbor If we find fault in others, our self-indulgent attitude keeps us from having a successful interaction 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
Troublesome passages of the Old Testament It is important when reading the Old Testament, to remember that it was written as an account of a peoples journey to God. As the Israelites journey continued, they came to know God, little by little, through God’s self-revelation to their prophets, and their
The uncreated grace of God According to Orthodox teaching the uncreated grace of God that illuminates the righteous, also burns the sinner. This teaching is directly related to the fact that man is a person who can never be brought into non-existence, or non-being, precisely because Christ’s resurrection is the