Imagine for a moment that you are in a deep sleep having a dream. In the dream, you are in your church. You are sitting or standing in your usual spot (just guessing that you have a usual spot). You look at the back of the church and you see someone walk in. You can […]
“If we make every effort to avoid death of the body, still more should it be our endeavor to avoid death of the soul. There is no obstacle for a man who wants to be saved other than negligence and laziness of soul.” ~Saint Anthony the Great In this world we live in, there is […]
For those of us who enjoy the Indiana Jones movies, there is a line in the “Last Crusade” that has always stuck with me. He is trying to get to the Holy Grail, but must pass through some “tests” to get there. His father has discovered some clues for each of the tests. Already several […]
Today Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the Annunciation when the Holy Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she was “highly favored; the Lord was with her; and she was blessed among women!” You can read the whole story in Luke 1. Her response to the angel literally changed the course of […]
So how did the Holy Prophet Elisha ever get to be such a great man of God? The answer is found in 2 Kings 2 (4th Kingdoms 2 if you use the Septuagint). We find Elisha, a man of faith, as the apprentice for the Holy Prophet Elijah. One day, Elijah tells Elisha that he […]
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us his ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2:3) The Holy Prophet Isaiah has just invited us to climb a mountain to draw closer to the Lord. Climbing […]
“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The very first verse we read as we begin our Lenten Journey comes from Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God…” God is the beginning of everything for us. He gave us the gift of life and we have an opportunity to live in a way that pleases Him. What […]
In the Gospel of Saint Luke (17:11-19), we read the incredible story of Jesus healing ten lepers. All ten of them cried out to Jesus, calling Him “Master”, and asking for His mercy. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests in accordance with Jewish Laws regarding being cleansed of a skin […]
“Aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know they breed quarrels!” “If you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it!” Yes, that photo is of a cloudless sky. Over the years, I have […]
“For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day!” (2 Timothy 1:12) St. Paul writes this letter to Timothy as he knows the end of his earthly life is upon him. He is in prison and is about to be executed. […]