“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. …
Tag: Orthodox Worship
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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Knowing the Underlying Reality of Events
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Every believer has been given a commandment to test the spirits. That is each believer is to cultivate the ability, by God's grace, to discern …
The Mysterion That Transcends Seclorum
“And He [the Father] put in subjection all things under His [the Son] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things in all” (Eph. 1: 22-23). It seems fitting at the moment to put forth a very brief …
Please Do Not Touch Jesus
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 …
