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My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE THE INESCAPABLE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF PAIN AND SUFFERING. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING AND PATIENCE” (JamesContinue reading “THE INESCAPABLE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF PAIN AND SUFFERING”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA OR SEBASTE Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. First Tone Be Thou entreated for the sake of the sufferings of Thy Saints which they endured forContinue reading “THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA OR SEBASTE”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior, CHRIST OUR PASSOVER (Gr. PASCHA) PASSOVER, the central rite and symbol of Judaism, is based on the experience of the liberation of the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt (Exodus 12:1–15:21). It is called Passover both because the Lord passed overContinue reading “CHRIST OUR PASSOVER (Gr. PASCHA)”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. "THE WILDERNESS" (Matthew 4:1) IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "was led up by the Spirit into the WILDERNESS to be tempted by the devil.Continue reading ““THE WILDERNESS” IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY AND THE "GIFT OF TEARS." In Orthodox spirituality, the "gift of tears" is a profound, divine grace that softens the heart, washes away sin, and facilitates deepContinue reading “ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY AND THE “GIFT OF TEARS””

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE THE NOBLE ACT OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,Continue reading “THE NOBLE ACT OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. PRAYER AND THE PSALMS "If you are not able to pray or keep vigil, at least force yourself to study the psalms. The psalms give expression to prayer, repentance,Continue reading “PRAYER AND THE PSALMS”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. COMMUNING WITH OUR MERCIFUL AND ALL-LOVING GOD THROUGH THE SACRED PSALMS The Orthodox Christian appreciates the opportunity throughout the year, especially during holy Lent, to strengthen his/her commitment toContinue reading “COMMUNING WITH OUR MERCIFUL AND ALL-LOVING GOD THROUGH THE SACRED PSALMS”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. INNER UNITY OF THE TRIODION THE MEANING OF THE GREAT FAST [Lent] Fifth Sunday. This corresponds closely to the preceding Sunday: just as the Fourth Sunday of Holy andContinue reading “INNER UNITY OF THE TRIODION”

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior, CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. HOLY AND GREAT LENT: THE AKATHISTOS HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD [THEOTOKOS] A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great [Great Compline] LORD, O Lord, that hast delivered usContinue reading “HOLY AND GREAT LENT: THE AKATHISTOS HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS)”