“You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you” Deut. 6:14. Since the time of Seth, the Lord has set apart unto Himself those who will abide in the true worship of Him. The guarding of true worship is an inextricable vocation of those who worship …
Continue reading Purifying Fire: Sermon of St. Seraphim (Zvezdinski) on the Divine Liturgy
My dear readers, below you will find a translation of a sermon by the New Hieromartyr Seraphim (Zvezdinski). It is the first of twenty two sermons specifically on the subject of the Divine Liturgy. It is, as far as I know, the first time it appears in English. As with all the holy newmartyrs of …
“'My counsels are not as your counsels, neither are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'But as heaven is distant from earth, so is My way distant from your ways, and your thoughts from My mind” (Is. 55:8-9). The ways, counsels, and thoughts of fallen man are as distant from the way of the …
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). True faith is both in word - theology, faith – and in deed - work, practice, application. Thus, there is no right faith devoid of right practice. St. Paul also echos this spiritual reality when he teaches “Not …
Continue reading Right Theology Without Right Praxis is Dead
Could we imagine … +++ A Notice from the Disciples - If you are suffering from disease, sickness, or ailment of any kind please do not touch, kiss, or venerate in any way, Jesus; this includes but is not limited to: the hem of his garment, his clothing in general, his feet, hands and so …
“Instead of learning to live, people are learning to die” Bob Dylan. A reflection on the Div. Liturgy during these trying times. The Divine Liturgy not only teaches us how to live, but it is also the means whereby we truly live. We must understand that first and foremost we are “Ekklesia.” That is …
Continue reading The Divine Liturgy is the Heart of the Church
At current, even within Orthodox circles, the idea is being put forth that if I, as a person, truly cared about others I would stay at home. This staying at home includes forgoing attending church. Some are saying things like "don't try to be a hero." Others are proposing that staying at home is …
Continue reading Christians in Times of Epidemic, Then and Now
Why Orthodox Christianity? Through the deafening din of the modern age, Orthodoxy may appear as just another voice in the babble, and just another flavor choice on the “what would I like today” buffet. (To clear something up from the start, Orthodoxy Christianity is not a denomination. Denominations are the result of the Protestant Reformation …
