The Orthodox Practice of Standing for Worship Standing before God has been the only acceptable posture for Orthodox Christians from the earliest of times. We recognize that a faithful servant would never sit before his master, for the faithful are all servants of the Lord, whom we worship as we
The 2011 March for Life, State Capital, Olympia, WA. “Those who use abortifacients commit homicide.” Saint Clement The recent murder of a New York woman who was sprayed with gasoline and burned alive in an elevator caused outrage throughout our land. This heinous crime, committed with such abject cruelty and
Holy Father Nicholas Pray to God for us. Our father among the saints Nicholas of Myra, Wonderworker, was the archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor in the fourth century and is also the basis for the Santa Claus legends and imagery which accompany Christmas celebrations in much of the
During this Holy Season let us be Angels Unaware There is not one of us who does not meet someone in a given week who is not in need of encouragement, love, and mercy. They are often mothers, who’s children are going to bed at night hungry for lack of
How do we find God in an unbelieving world? God is a merciful God, quick to forgive, quick to show mercy, quick to embrace us when we turn to Him. In all of eternity our God chose to create humankind in His image and likeness, offering His creatures the opportunity
Civilization Needs Unity Between Religion and the Secular State The great divide between the secular state and religion has grown substantially during my lifetime. Gone are the days when our nation was based on Christian values and where religion played an important role the public life of this country. The
Pets as Gifts from God Every evening I try to spend an hour or so in the library, sitting in front of the fire place. Our beloved Norwegian Forest Cat, Hammi, sleeps in the library/community room every night. Hammi is most happy when the entire monastic brotherhood is gathered together
The Link between the Old and New Testament Temples 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,
God Beckons as Does a Lover A person who thirsts for the eternal feels constrained by this world and is not attracted by all that is transitory by nature. Only that which is of God quenches a thirst that can not be satisfied by anything that is of this material
The Role of Bodily Suffering in the Salvation of Human Kind Elder Ambrose of Optina Monastery said, “We should not forget that in our age of ‘sophistication’ even little children are spiritually harmed by what they see and hear. As a result, purification is required, and this is only accomplished