Although this is not Christmas for those of us on the Old Calendar (we must wait until the 7th of January for our celebration of the Feast of the Nativity), I wish to share the following excerpt from the incredible book, “Tortured for Christ”, by Richard Wurmbrand, a Lutheran
Be a Signpost Pointing Toward a Bright and Happy Future One of the most beloved movies ever made was Frank Capra’s, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Staring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, the movie tells the story of an ever optimistic man, who, while facing life’s hardships, set aside his own dreams
The 2011 March for Life, State Capitol, Olympia, WA. “Those who use abortifacients commit homicide.” Saint Clement Cruel and Depraved is the Killing of the Unborn Child We are living in a period of history that has seen the cause of human rights take the forefront as never before. We
Metropolitan Laurus of Blessed Memory A Servant Cannot be Greater than His Master The Sovereign Lord of the Universe came down to earth as a humble servant. He Who sits upon the Wings of the Seraphim, was born to us in a stable. The King of kings came as the
Forgiveness is a Two Way Street Psychologists have often made the observation that the one thing they lack, when it comes to their profession as psychological healers, is the ability to pronounce absolution. Yet many Orthodox Christians, making a good confession and receiving absolution, remain in a state as though
Pussy Riot Women Vow No More Scandalous Performances After their release in March 2014, the two jailed members of Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot will no longer do performances such as the February 2012 show at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior that earned them their two-year sentences, one
According to reports on theAgionOros.ru (“Holy Mountain“) website with reference to the authoritative Greek portalHellas-Orthodoxy, the Elder Paisios the Athonite and other elders from Holy Mount Athos will be canonized within the next few days. The services of Canonization (Glorification) for the Elder Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos, Elder Sophrony (Sakharov) of
Putting the Blame in the Right Place “A humble and spiritually active man, when he reads the Holy Scriptures, will refer everything to himself and not to another.” Saint Mark the Ascetic We all have a natural tendency to lay blame on others, when in truth we must blame only
Ask for Repentance in Your Prayers Our spiritual struggle must have as its central theme, repentance. Only in repentance will we find the true meaning of life, for only in repentance can we enter into communion with God. This life has been given to us for one purpose, that we
Novice Nicholas and Monk Moses awaiting Communion Asking for Miracles in our Smugness and Pride Asking for miracles in order to believe betrays a sort of smugness on our part, sort of like asking for an expensive gift from a perspective friend, before considering their overture for friendship. It could