Category: Faith
Father Stanley Harakas talks with Father Chris Metropulos about the origins, history, and meaning of the mystery of Holy Unction. Click here for a direct link to this
“Πάσχα (pascha)” is a polyseme, a word that could refer to more than one thing. It could refer to the Jewish Passover (celebration of the Exodus) or the Christian Easter (celebration of the Resurrection). The context determines the meaning. As used by Jews prior to Christ’s resurrection, [...]
By Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos
SAINT LAZARUS SATURDAY
On this day, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, we celebrate the Raising of Lazarus, the holy and righteous friend of Christ, who lay for four days in the tomb.
Verses
Thou lamentest, O Jesus: this [...]
By Father Sergius Halvorsen
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are not “Lenten disciplines” per se. Rather, they are essential to our basic health and wellbeing: they are fundamental to the Christian life. Yes, it is true that during Lent we place a much greater emphasis on prayer, fasting and [...]
We have just entered the period of Great Lent (February 27), and our Church calls us to observe the traditional fast and prayer. Several people will raise again the questions why should we fast, or how much should we fast, etc. The following thoughts provide some answers to the general questions which are [...]
By Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Mark
34-37. And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever desireth to follow after [...]
Every Saint loves the Panagia. Sainthood is not understood without this Theotokophilia. It occurs because the Saints, after tasting the Love of God, communing of the Body and Blood of Christ, and experiencing the gifts of the incarnation of Christ, feel the need to give thanks also [...]
The following vision was recorded by Patriarch Philotheos Kokkinos, the biographer of Saint Gregory Palamas, and was also later repeated by Hieromonk Athanasios of Paros in his biography of Saint Gregory Palamas.
At the Great Lavra of St. Athanasios on the Holy Mountain there dwelt [...]
By Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos
SECOND SUNDAY of LENT
On the same day, the Second Sunday of the Fast, we celebrate the memory of our Father among the Saints, Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica.
Verses
The Fountain of light leadeth unto the unwaning [...]
The Holy Church calls the second Sunday of Great Lent the Sunday of the Light-Creating Fasts. In its Divine services, in line with the destruction of the sinful condition of man, it is descriptively and touchingly represented in the church hymns, which explains the Gospel parable about the Prodigal son, [...]
The Sanctification Ceremony for the Holy Myrrh
The Sanctification Ceremony for the Holy Myrrh at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Holy Thursday morning.
The Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great. The Sanctification Ceremony for the Holy Myrrh at 2:01:48-2:14:00
