A place for the sick and the lost Our Orthodox Church has always seen herself as a hospital for the soul, the place where her children can seek healing. It is within her walls that we find the medicine we need to make us holy (whole), and where we can
Successful membership in a health club requires exercise Health clubs make much of their profit from people who decide to join because they want to get in shape, but after a few sessions with the weights, drop out. Membership in the Church, like the health club, requires that we put
The holiest place is where you are Some twenty-six years ago I made a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain of Athos, where I was able to visit seven ancient monasteries. Upon my return to the United States, I asked by spiritual father, the Ever-Memorable Archimandrite Dimitri, for a blessing to
The Orthodox Faith is nothing without transformation of life If our spiritual life is concentrated only on external practices and traditions, but does nothing to bring about real change, we have gained nothing. Too many people think as long as they keep the fasting rules, do their prayers, and attend
Voiding despair and despondency Despair and despondency must be avoided, for they are used by demons to make us feel hopeless. When we confess our sins before Christ’s agent (the priest,) we can leave with a joyful spirit, for our sins have been forgiven. Our repentance is the key to
Sharing the truth in a world devoid of hope If you wish to share the truth of the Orthodox Faith, and Christ Who is her head, you must give witness to the love of Christ by loving everyone. Without Christ, Orthodoxy is just another religion, devoid of the power to
Forgiveness is the fruit of love Our Lord Jesus Christ, while hanging on the cross, asked the Father to forgive his murderers because they did not know what they were doing (Luke 23:34). This was the fruit of love. If we immerse ourselves in God’s love and learn to love
The true state of repentance If we think we are repenting, while all the while dwelling on the perceived sins of others, we are not repenting. If we focus on the wrongs done to us by others, we are not in a state of repentance. True repentance happens only when
The Link between the Old and New Testament Temple Orthodox temples have kept to the same form and function since ancient times. Using the Old Testament Temple model, Orthodox churches are divided into several courts or spaces peculiar to their function. The Holy Table, upon which is celebrated the Eucharist,
Complaining disturbs the heart and distracts us from the Path If we make it a habit to avoid complaining, we will disarm the enemy of our soul, for the act of complaining is like adding kindling to a fire, for it stokes our passions, and our ego is made stronger.