Routines. Day in and day out, small or large things. You tend to do them and take them for granted. Wake up. Wash-up; brush your teeth. Say prayers. Have some coffee, read a little. I like my routines. They bring an aspect of stability, at least seemingly, to everyday life. The unexpected. It throws a …
Iznik and the Predators of Humanity: What “Unity” Conceals
Dear readers, I present to you a translation of a message from Met. Luke of Zaporozhye about the meeting of Pat. Bartholomew and Pope Leo at Iznik (Nicaea), which happened not long ago. His message is forthright and timely. I have posted a number of other messages from Met. Luke on this blog. They may …
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The Times They are not a’changing
What follows is a letter from Archbishop Theophan of Poltava, of blessed memory. He penned this letter on 4/31/36, in the short calm between two World Wars. The fact that the themes he touches upon are so close to those of our times shows that modern man has learned very little. Today, secular leaders speak …
Must Christians Bless the Modern State of Israel?
“His disciples came to him and showed him the buildings of the temple. But Jesus told them, 'You see all of these things, do you not? Amen, I tell you that not one stone will be left standing on another; all will be thrown down,'” Matthew 24: 1-2. After years of Jewish resistance to the …
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Call No Man Father! Don’t You Read the Bible, Bruh?
“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven,” Matt. 23:9. Every so often, a goodhearted Protestant will post this verse in the comment section of my social media. “Matthew 23:9, what are you doing, brother?” “Call no man father … whatever Jesus!” I appreciate their …
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Let the West Cross Itself
Below is a timely word from St. Nikolia Velimirovich. This prophetic call of his to European peoples is recorded by St. Justin Popovich in his book entitled “The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism.” St. Nikolia's word is equally applicable to the United States of America. Moreover, the spirit that he addresses is not one contingent upon …
The Sea of Life and Waves of Death
Life indeed is a sea. Sometimes it is calm and peaceful, and other times the wind and waves boisterously rage. Unexpectedly, a storm can roll quickly out of seeming “nowhere.” In the Kingdom of Heaven, the tempestuous nature of changing time will be gone. “And there was before the throne as it were a sea …
New Martyrs of the Muslim Yoke: Holy Martyr Myron
March 20th, Holy Martyr Myron of Crete Myron, the glorious martyr of Christ, was from Kandia of Megalokasto in Crete. His father's name was Demetrios. Both his parents were devout and noble. From his boyhood that ever-memorable one had an innocent disposition, loved virtue, and was morally upright. In addition, he was an admirer of …
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Christian Martyrs of the Muslim Yoke: Holy Martyr Manuel
May we not forget the multitude of Christian martyrs who have suffered under the brutalities of Islam. Once again, Christians and minority Muslim groups are being brutally murdered by Sunni Islamists, may we recall the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have a hard-to-find and out-of-print book, “New Martyrs of the Turkish Yoke,” translated …
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Should Orthodox Priests be Working Out?
“Bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for all things” St. Paul (1 Tim. 4:8). Should an Orthodox priest be working out? Is it possible that in doing so he would somehow detract from the very spiritual nature of being a priest? The question may be expanded, should Orthodox Christians in …
The Inkless Pen 