“'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 …
Tag: Orthodox Worship
A Place Not of This World
“O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth” (Ps. 25/26:8). Deep reverence and concern for the beauty of the Lord's house is characteristic of the servants of God. The Psalmist loves the House of the Lord because it is the place where the Glory of the …
Beauty Worth Dying For
Somewhere decades ago a true story was told. It's interesting how somethings stay with you throughout life. I must have been around nine or ten years of age. My parents took me to yet another Protestant gathering. Another adult speaking as I fidgeted in my chair. A missionary, I think, I mean my mind was …
A Kingdom Not of This World
“My Kingdom is not of this world ...” (Jn. 18:36). The “world is the general name for all the passions, when we wish to call the passions by a general name, we call them the world,” teaches St. Issac the Syrian. Thus, the Kingdom of our Lord is not OF this fallen order of sinfulness. …
With Faces Unveiled
Modern secular man has become materialized in his understanding. To a great degree, he no longer views the world and the events that transpire in it through the Spirit. Everything is mundane. Everything has a “scientific” answer. Experts rule and dictate base materialism. For the secular mind, there is nothing more than the material. And …
Gracious Evil and Apostasy
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). The Scriptures are replete with the call to self-examination. For the believer, this includes the examination of “whether ye be in the faith.” That is are we striving to hold fast to sound doctrine and teaching? St. Paul even gives …
Right Theology Without Right Praxis is Dead
“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 …
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The Watchman and the Blood of the People
“... his blood, I shall require at the watchman's hand” (Eze. 33:6). Fearful words are revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel. The Lord commands Ezekiel to speak to the “sons of your people” (Eze. 33:1), which means all of Israel of old and for us today it may be understood as those within the Church. The …
Meeting with Immortality
St. Justin Popovich proclaims that through the whole incarnate action of Christ the Lord, He “has sentenced mankind to immortality.” Truly, it is for immortality that we were made. St. Gregory Palamas teaches, in light of Christ Jesus' Ascension, “He ascended in glory (cf. Acts 1:9), entered the Holy of Holies not made by hands …
To the Church of Thyatira: Beware of Jezebel
“To the angel of the Church in Thyatira write ...” (Rev. 2:18) The ancient town of Thyatira had little historical significance, “but,” notes Archbp. Averky, “it is known in the history of Christianity because from it there came Lydia, who was enlightened with the light of faith in Christ by the Holy Apostle Paul (cf. …
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