Tag Archives: Eastern Orthodox Church

“Go and find out what this means: ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice’’ (Matthew 9:13). There is not an exhortation in the whole of scripture that needs more desperately to be pondered by Christians today than this sentence that Jesus says to the Pharisees after they criticize him for associating with sinners. Mercy and sacrifice produce completely different conceptions of holiness. …

In this gospel, Jesus teaches us that the only way we can overcome the evil in this world, is through prayer and fasting. The incident in today’s Gospel took place immediately after the Transfiguration. At the Transfiguration three of our Lord’s disciples, Peter, James and John saw our Lord Jesus Christ as He truly is, shining with the glory of …

PART I: STAYING FAITHFUL TO ORTHODOX TRADITION Christmas has already arrived at Wal-Mart, as in shopping malls and retail stores everywhere. It began as soon as Halloween, which was celebrated from August to the end of October, drew to an end. Overnight, plastic Santas and singing wreaths replaced orange candy on the shelves, and sound systems have begun to blare …

The Monastery – PART A We are pleased to present the location, the first buildings and future plans for the completion of the first Orthodox Christian Monastery in New Zealand. One can ask, what is the reason for the existence of a monastery? We Orthodox Christians can very easily answer that such a monastery is necessary for one is the …

Michael Todd (21) was baptised and raised in the Anglican Church and for a number of years he was a regular parishioner at All Saints’ Anglican Church in North Epping. However, interaction with fellow Christian students at the University of Sydney, several of whom were members of various older Christian traditions, deepened Michael’s already strong interest in Church history and …

Orthodox Christians representing the five canonical Orthodox Jurisdictions of New Zealand gathered at the Dormition of the Theotokos Romanian Orthodox Church known as St. Mary’s in Wellington to participate in the second official Pan-Orthodox Conference on Saturday, September 28th. The theme of the conference was Orthopraxia-Practicing True Faith. The conference was convened under the Omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Amfilochios of the Sacred …

‘’He who does not love his brother abides in death’’ (1Jn 3:14) The action of life is the heroism of love. This is the milk that is given in abundance by our Mother Church. ‘’Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are the truth, and …

INVITATION Beloved Orthodox Christians, We cordially invite you, your family and friends to attend the Foundation Stone Ceremony for the Main Church of Holy Cross monastery and its two side chapels dedicated to St Anthony the Great and St Irene Chrysovalantou. The foundation stone ceremony will be conducted by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos on SATURDAY 7th December 2013. PROGRAMME Saturday, …

‘’God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise’’ (1Cor 1:27) Today the whole world is suffering, however only those living in the Orthodox Church are liberated. Those suffering in the Orthodox Church are blessed because there exists the possibility for them to find peace. Those that are thirsty are blessed because they can …

Author: Fr James Bernstein Published by Conciliar Press, 2009 (Source: http://thechristianactivist.com)   Light and fire are interconnected. Light radiates heat, and when focused produces fire; fire emanates light. Both also have a wide spectrum of electromagnetic rays and energy, such as radiate from stars. Light illumines, is life-giving, but also burns. Orthodoxy teaches that on a supernatural level, uncreated light, …