Fr.George Dion. Dragas We have entered the period of Great Lent, and our Church calls us to observe the traditional fast and prayer. Several people will raise again the questions why should we fast, or how much should we fast, etc. The following thoughts provide some answers to the general questions which are raised at this time both inside and …

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos The “Synodikon of Orthodoxy” is a text contained in the “Triodion” and read on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Lent. It is well known that through the ages various heresies have appeared which deny the experience of revelation and in fact make use of philosophy and conjecture, doubting the Church’s truth on …

With Clean Monday begins Great Lent in the Orthodox Church and marks the end of feasting. Clean Monday is called as such because Christians are called to cleanse themselves spiritually and bodily. It is also a day of strict fasting with no work. The holy fast has a duration of 40 days in imitation of our Lord’s fast in the …

By Monk Moses the Athonite The main elements of Great Lent are prayer and fasting. Prayer presupposes faith. Without prayer one is helpless, insecure, blind and alone. Tied to the earth, to matter, one is not aware that they can fly high, to shine in the heavens, to have needed heavenly assistance. They are magnetized, tied, attached to the perishable …

PETRODOLLAR ALERT: PUTIN PREPARES TO ANNOUNCE “HOLY GRAIL” GAS DEAL WITH CHINA By Tyler Durden on 03/21/2014 If it was the intent of the West to bring Russia and China together – one a natural resource (if “somewhat” corrupt) superpower and the other a fixed capital / labor output (if “somewhat” capital misallocating and credit bubbleicious) powerhouse – in the process marginalizing …

The following videos are from an Orthodox Christian catechism that gives an overall introduction to the Eastern Orthodox Church, its beliefs, its history and its presence within the world. (Produced by Silverline Films which is associated with the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America.) [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U54tTcY8xY] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5yeo2s1dA] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyaL0Rgb5YE] Public Note: To ensure historical accuracy, we should cite one slight error within Part …

Dear sister and brothers, The anniversary of the 25th March always had a special resonance in the conscience of the Greek people and the Church. The double Annunciation that announces the redemption of all people through the incarnation of God, but also the liberation of the enslaved Greek nation through the sacred uprising of our heroic ancestors, became the “Magna …

Every year, when Greek Independence Day approaches, we hear within our community the retelling of this great event as the fight for freedom from oppression and tyranny of “Turkokratia” (Ottoman rule). Yet the explanation remains at this basic and superficial level, without much qualification or thought, as Greeks then adjourn to attend to “celebrations” and glendia dressed as “cultural” events. …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiNL9vj_GCE] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y1lQ_YUc4k]

Ecumenical Impact on Orthodox Witness and Mission: A Convert’s Reflections By Fr. John Reeves Presented September 24, 2004 at the Conference: “Ecumenism: Origins, Expectations, Disenchantment” The Aristotelian University Thessaloniki, Greece Twenty seven years ago (last week, in fact), I stood outside the doors of the St Seraphim Church, Dallas, Texas, awaiting reception into Holy Orthodoxy. I was asked whether I …