“In Thee rejoices, o Thou Who art full of grace, all creation: the angelic assembly and the race of man.” With such words we glorify the Holy Theotokos at each Sunday service during the Great Lent. In truth, all creation rejoices in the Theotokos – both angels and men, for She is like a bridge […]
Category: Article
Prayer for the Departed
By Thine own Blood, O Savior, Thou hast ransomed mortal men, and by Thy death Thou hast delivered us from bitter death, granting us eternal life by Thy Resurrection. Give rest, then, O Lord, to all those who have fallen asleep in godliness, whether in wilderness or city, on the sea or land, in every […]
Why Do We Light Candles in Church?
One of the first things a newcomer notice in an Orthodox church is how the faithful light candles before the icons. One may wonder, why do we light candles in church as we offer up our prayers? Here are six reasons handed down to us from St Symeon of Thessaloniki (c. 1381–1429): As the candle […]
The Orthodox Approach to Mission: Transforming the Heart of the World
Remarks Given at the XII All-Diaspora Youth Conference Paris, 5th July 2011 Your Eminence, Your Grace, Reverend Fathers, Beloved Brothers and Sisters: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Amen. It is a joy for me to be giving what amounts to the first ‘formal’ lecture of this blessed […]
Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Optina
Although the beginning of monastic life in Optina monastery dates to at least as early as the sixteenth century, it is most known for its tradition of spiritual eldership in the tradition of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia, which flourished there in the nineteenth century—particularly in the monastery’s Skete of St. John the Forerunner. This […]
Blessing of Flowers and Fragrant Herbs on Dormition
Holy Tradition tells us that all the Apostles, with the exception of St. Thomas, were transported mystically to Jerusalem in order to be with the Mother of God – the Theotokos – as she reposed, and to be present at her burial. When the Apostle Thomas arrived the next day, the Apostles opened the tomb so that […]
Blessing of Fruit at Holy Transfiguration
The blessing of grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables on this day is the most beautiful and adequate sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of God’s unending Kingdom of Life where all will he transformed by the glory of […]
On Same-Sex “Marriage” and the Orthodox Church
By Fr. Andrew Harmon “Over the last few years I have been asked many times about same-sex marriage. Especially in the last few months, as this issue has become so big, the question repeatedly comes: “What does the Eastern Orthodox Church say about this matter?” Some denominations will now perform such ceremonies. Within some denominations, […]
Veneration of the Holy Scriptures
Sometimes various Christians in the West find it strange that we show our veneration to the Scriptures, icons and holy object by kissing them. However, this video of (presumably Protestant) Chinese Christians receiving Bibles for the first time shows how natural this love and veneration of holy things are. When was the last time we […]
Paschal Hours
From the Holy and Great Sunday of Pascha until the Saturday of Renewal Week, in place of the usual Morning and Evening Prayers, Nocturns, the Hours, Compline, and the Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion, the following is read: [After the exclamation by the priest, we say:] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down […]