Author: Fr George Dimopoulos Source: Orthodox Sermons for all the Sundays of the Year – Volume I Publisher: Christian Orthodox Editions Dear brethren, today is already the Third Sunday of Holy Lent, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Life-Giving Cross. The priest decorates the Holy Cross with flowers and places it out for veneration by the faithful. Respect …

On this the third Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate the Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross. The Cross is the sign of purification, the presence of the kingdom of God, and an emblem of salvation. Through the Cross, Christ sanctified His body, during His life in the world. He rejected the temptations sent to Him by the world: …

Gregory Palamas. The Triads. Translated by Nicholas Gendle.  London: SPCK, 1983. 172pp. Palamas’s treatise the Triads in Defence of the Holy Hesychasts is presented in this translation under six headings: Philosophy does not save; Apophatic theology as positive experience; The Hesychast method of prayer, and the transformation of the body; Deification in Christ; The uncreated glory; and Essence and energies …

Author: Roger Scruton – ABC Religion and Ethics – 9 May 2012 (Source: http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2012/05/09/3499101.htm) Not all questions about human nature are scientific questions. When it comes to the human condition, to the byways of culpability and the secrets of happiness and grief, we need the humanities. There are many reasons for believing the brain is the seat of consciousness. Damage to …

Introduction In recent times, there has been a subtle but noticeable trend of Byzantine iconography manifesting itself within the decor of Roman Catholic and Protestant churches all around the world. To the discerning Orthodox Christian observer, initially there is joy at the fact that other fellow Christians are adopting and using iconography as an expression of faith, and thus serve …

“Peace be with you and may God’s blessing and mercy be upon you.” (Traditional Byzantine Greeting) Dearly beloved brethren, in today’s epistle (Heb 11: 24-26, 32-40) and gospel (Jn 1:44-52) readings we were presented with the theme of faith and its repercussions in attaining the realisation of God and of our own identity. In the first Scriptural lesson, we hear …

By L. Joseph Letendre Source: http://thechristianactivist.com (Light and Life Publishing Company: Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1987.) FOREWORD Confession is an important, yet neglected sacrament of our Church. This offering provides a practical and stimulating guide for Christian growth in our age. – Reverend Stanley S. Harakas – In every sacrament there is an act of offering. In the Eucharist, we offer bread …

By Peter E. Gillquist Source: http://thechristianactivist.com (Published by Conciliar Press 1987) Is it safe to say that no woman in history is more misunderstood by modern Christendom than the Virgin Mary? And it is also probable that in a discussion concerning Mary between two Christians, if their differences remain unresolved, most likely it will be due to differing interpretations of …

By Fr J. Richard Ballew Source: http://thechristianactivist.com/ (Originally Published by Conciliar Press, 1994) Scriptural Account – Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and …

Foreword Well dearly beloved readers, it is clear that democracy, which means the rule and governance of the demos (people) is something that is being gnawed away at by legislators in many countries on a whole range of issues from matters pertaining to finance to immigration to social policies. Within Australia for example, legislators created an issue and forced it …