Racism has no place in the life of a Christian It is important to understand that genetically, all humans are of but one race. Indians, Arabs, Jews, Caucasians, Africans, and Asians, are not different races, but rather, different ethnicities of the human race. God created all humans with the same
Therapeutic Tradition of the Church Most of us have been asked the question, “are you saved?”, at least once in our life. Having it’s origin in the protestant soteriology (doctrine of salvation), this question has clearly become part of our American cultural lexicon. The question is often asked by Evangelical
Where heaven and earth are joined Whenever we have non-Orthodox visitors, I am touched by the look on their faces as they gaze for the first time the sublime, otherworldly, beauty of the interior of our little temple. They are often speechless, just as one would be when seeing a
in the After Life? Thoughts on the Oneness of Creation There is no formal doctrine in the Orthodox Church concerning the afterlife for animals, including our pets. Those Fathers of the Church who have expressed themselves on this matter were simply expressing theological opinions that have not become universally accepted,
An Ignored Heart is a Lost Heart It is important that we direct all our thoughts, all our actions, and all our desires towards a burning love for God. Our heart must become inflamed with the love of God, and all our intellectual and emotional striving must be directed towards
Our Response to God’s love Casts Aside all Estrangement When we feel estranged from God it is a true sign we are in need of working more diligently on building up our faith. Faith is a gift from God that requires our cooperation and when we are feeling dry we
When You Fall, Get Up Again It is often the case that we fail to keep God’s commandments and find ourselves despondent, unable, as it seems, to make progress in the battle over our sins. When the same sins constantly plague us, despondency is our enemy. Despondency is the tool
Drive Out All Negative Thoughts Our thoughts really do have an impact on our world. Negative thoughts about family members or fellow employees, change our relationships. If we dislike someone at work and allow ourselves to think poorly of them, they are likely to fulfill our low expectations. If we
Laboring to Receive the Gift of Compunction If we are to receive the gift of compunction, we must be committed to working for it, even laboring day and night for it, that the spirit of compunction take possession of our whole being. This can only be accomplished if we commit
Abbot Tryphon and Bishop Theodosy of Seattle And the Way of Humility The recently glorified Saint Sophrony of Essex, England, himself the spiritual son and biographer of Saint Silouan of the Holy Mountain, wrote that the empirical cosmic being is like a pyramid: at the top sit the powerful of