'He led them out as far as Bethany.' We should understand that this occurred on the fortieth day after the Resurrection. You, O reader, should understnad that the events which the Evangelists describe … [Read more...]
Preparation For Confession
April 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment
St. John of Kronstadt A meditation for those preparing to stand before the Creator and Church community in the awesome Mystery of Holy Confession, thereby being given the renewal of a second … [Read more...]
Why Are Vigil Lamps Lit Before Icons
April 5, 2008 By 1 Comment
by St. Nikolai Velimirovich Living Water First - because our faith is light. Christ said: I am the light of the world (John 8,12). The light of the vigil lamp reminds us of that light by which … [Read more...]
The Purpose of the Pieties
February 13, 2008 By Leave a Comment
"When the mind forgets the purpose of piety, then visible works of virtue become useless." - St. Mark the Ascetic … [Read more...]
Better to do nothing, than anything without Prayer.
January 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Comment: Just as before work of any kind, it is always and ever the Orthodox praxis to pray before reading the scriptures, before reading anything, including and especially the Fathers, or hearing any … [Read more...]
Short, Useful Prayers
January 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
More short prayers Orthodox Christians frequently use or find good for repetition, from our Holy Fathers: "All shall be saved, and I alone shall be condemned." "It is my fault." "Lord, Thou … [Read more...]
Adoring the Cross
January 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
"Hail! life-giving Cross, unconquerable trophy of the true faith, door to Paradise, succour of the faithful, rampart set about the Church. Through thee the curse is utterly destroyed, the power of … [Read more...]
The Best Known Celtic Prayer
January 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Is Hebrew: “The LORD bless thee and keep thee. The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and grant thee peace” … [Read more...]
Remembering the Saints in All Things
January 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Comment: Remembering the saints in everyday, mundane things is an old custom of all Orthodox worldwide, and is sometimes obscured today by the modern megachurch approach to piety. It is good to take a … [Read more...]
Pieties among the Celts
January 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Comment: Celtic prayer consistently shows a recognition of God in all things, in the mundane, and likewise the practice of the pieties, the "taking of pains", in little things to remember God. These … [Read more...]