HOMILY ONE – BY SAINT GREGORY OF NYSSA How lovely is the inspiration exhibited by those who are good, and how sweet is the joy which they disclose! See, we acquire a feast from a feast and grace from grace. Yesterday the Lord of the universe welcomed us whereas today it is the imitator [Stephen] of the Lord. How are …

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvjiVam2HO4] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOMvLRCHkTA] *1. This is the day that gladdened them, the Prophets, Kings, and Priests, for in it were their words fulfilled, and thus were the whole of them indeed performed! *2. For the Virgin this day brought forth Immanuel in Bethlehem. The voice that of old Isaiah spoke, today became reality. *3. He was born there who in writing …

FOREWORD FROM MODE OF LIFE Quite some time ago, at Mode of Life weblog we received a particular request made by one of our readers, who wanted some information or articles on St Spyridon the wonder-working Bishop and Confessor of Tremithoundas. We regret we were not able to respond to the request sooner, and given that we are inundated with …

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS – A PERSONAL REFLECTION It almost seems like yesterday when I was residing in Damascus, and conversing with His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV (Hazim) of Antioch after the conclusion of small vespers at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab-Touma on a very cold winter evening. I recall that at the time, His Beatitude was gravely ill and could not …

Over the many years, I have been an ardent follower of Australia’s ethnic media, observing with diligence the differing views, debates and issues which the various migrant communities engage in. It is without doubt, a great blessing of modern-day Australia, whereby one can seek and hear an alternate view to that of the mainstream media. For ethnic and migrant communities …

It is very interesting, if not revealing, that within the mainstream media we do not hear the truth or the full details of racism, hatred or prejudice that is within our midst and afflicting our societies. Nor do we hear as to how “multiculturalism” is used as a weapon and a defence by people who accuse others of hatred, racism …

Commemorated on the 27 November Prologue The great and ancient land of Persia has contributed much to the culture and civilisation of humankind, excelling in many fields and enriching us particularly with its exquisite arts, its gardens and its rich but sublime literature. It is a land of many contrasts and diverse peoples, but regretfully, this beautiful nation under God’s …

Introduction The Gospel pericope of Luke 10:25-37, better known by its title, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, is universal and relevant to all peoples, irrespective of their position within society, their age, their cultural context, the era in which they live or their geographical location. This is because the question raised by an arrogant and deceitful practitioner of the …

              BY FR. A. JAMES BERNSTEIN Source: http://thechristianactivist.com/vol9/V9CameFirst.htm (Originally Published by Conciliar Press, 1994) As a Jewish convert to Christ via evangelical Protestantism, I naturally wanted to know God better through reading the Gospels in the “forbidden book” called the New Testament, at age sixteen, that I had come to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and …

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Jc 4:6) Father Paisios used to say: – When we patiently endure our problems and turn to God for help, we notice that He gives us the best possible solution. Unfortunately, in our days, people are very impatient. We do not love patience at all. Christ assured us, however, that …