Reading yesterday a Romanian Akathist Hymn dedicated to Epiphany (You can read it here in Romanian) I was moved by the following verse
“Glory to you cause with Your body You broke down the dividing wall of hostility, so even us, who are far of upon the sea, will get closer to you. “
Doing a bit of biblical digging I found the corresponding scriptural context
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph 2:13-14)
From another source I found out that… Continue reading
How Santa stole Christmas or Resisting the de-Christianization of Christianity
“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Mt. 13:33)
Christ came into the world as one of us, to change us from within. He is the leaven of a new world, and although born as a little babe, in a humble and forgotten manger he starts a chain reaction that will reach the entire earth.
The apostles were the first to react to this catalyst and they were changed into something better, from humble fishermen into fishers of men, becoming themselves agents of change for the world.
Through their missionary work entire populations were converted to Christianity, temples were changed into churches… Continue reading
Learn from me – A Nativity reflection on the humility of Christ
I recently found this quote on humility from Elder Paisios from Sihla (A skete in the North of Romania close to the Sihastria Monastery where Elder Cleopas lived)
“It’s best for a man to become a clay vessel, which is useful to all people and for all kinds of daily work, for food, water, and so on. But golden vessels are put in safes and locked up in cupboards. For fear of thieves they are seldom used, maybe only once a year. A clay vessel has its daily use and service to man. So also is a humble man who does not seek honors and rank. He remains insignificant even amid men of lower rank, but he benefits, counsels, and… Continue reading
Love in times of recession
“The LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.”
(Deu 23:5)
What makes our Christian religion unique is our concept of salvation. As Christians we have a Savior that loves us and in His love He comes down on Earth and saves us by
Who stole Christmas? – A consumerist Nativity story
From time to time even a benign shopping session at Walmart can give you insight on the status of our society today. The other night, as part of pre-Christmas preparation, I was looking for a copy of the recent Hollywood movie “The Nativity story”. After scouting for a while with no avail in the helter-skelter of the multi-media proposals, I… Continue reading
The Perfect Gift for Christmas
Please take a look at these two wonderful books by Niko Chocheli.
Mr. Choceli was born in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, where he graduated with honors from Tbilisi Nikoladze Art College and Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Arts. Awarded permanent residency status by the U.S. government as Alien of Extraordinary Abilities, Niko has received numerous awards for is artistic achievements. He has illustrated three other children’s books for SVS Continue reading
Why did the People of Israel Crucified Christ?
Here is an interesting topic that I would like you engaged in as we approach Nativity. If Christ, the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament, and the people of Israel knew these prophecies, how come that when He actually came they rather said: Crucify Him?
Here is a stichera from Holy Friday Continue reading
The true Christmas spirit or Putting back Christ into Xmas
For a first comer in an Orthodox Church the thing that strikes the most is the richness of traditions that abound in the life of the faithful. It seems that we have a tradition for everything: the way we light the candles, the way we venerate the icons, the way we cross ourselves and so on. All conforms to some unwritten rules that are puzzling and difficult to follow Continue reading
The Nativity Story
Seeing Jesus Christ in All the Books of the Bible
When you go to the Book of Genesis, look for the Lord Jesus Christ there. The promise is given that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpents head (3:15). Then turn to Exodus and you find that He is the One, and the only One, that…