As citizens of the post-modern world we got so used to relative truth that we are quick to label any one that supports a fundamental truth of any kind as a fundamentalist. But there is no shame in upholding a fundamental truth. Imposing it on others yes, this could be a problem. But there is no evil in standing by it Continue reading
The Vanishing Pascha Multitudes
It is always uplifting to see the multitudes filling the Church for the beautiful services of Holy Week and Pascha. At this time most of the Churches seem too small to accommodate all the people wanting to receive God’s blessing. There is however one question that arises naturally: where are these people during the rest of the year? 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
Scarry! Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? – Pastor Eric Watt
I found this interesting article on the net, for those that are stil debating if you want to send your kids trick or treat tonight…Pretty scarry!
Should you and I be involved in the celebration of Halloween?
Finding the answer to this question has been an interesting journey in itself. I interviewed several people and then researched what many leading Continue reading
Divorce – An Orthodox Perspective – Fr. John Meyendorff
The Orthodox Christian, in traditional view, canonical regulations on divorce and remarriage are based on two presuppositions. 1) Marriage is a sacrament conferred upon the partners in the Body of the Church through the priest’s blessing. As any sacrament, marriage pertains to the eternal life in the Kingdom of God and therefore, is not dissolved by the death of one partner. An eternal bond is created between them-“it is given Continue reading
Further study on the meaning of marriage from a Christian Orthodox perspective
Marriage, an Orthodox Perspective – Fr. John Meyendorf
An excellent study on Christian marriage of the former dean of St. Vladimir Seminary that represents a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the Orthodox perspective on marriage. In it John Meyendorff examines marriage in the Church from the contexts of Judaism and the New Testament, the early Church and Roman law, sacramental life, and contemporary society. Specific issues discussed include: second marriages, “mixed” marriages, divorce, abortion, family planning and responsible parenthood, married clergy, celibacy, and the monastic life. Essential reading for all pastors, it is also useful for parents, newlyweds and those preparing or the sacrament of marriage.
The Theology of Marriage and Sexuality -Fr. George Morelli
The writer of Genesis said of Adam and Eve: “And God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it;’ Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 1:28; 2:24). St. Paul wrote in Hebrews: “Let marriage be held in honor among all . . .” (Hebrews 13:4).
St. John Chrysostom typified the Orthodox Church Fathers: “From the beginning God has been revealed as the fashioner, by his providence, of this union of man and woman, and He has spoken of the two as one: ‘male and female He… Continue reading
Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints
“Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints” is a very interesting book taking a closer look at saints that lived a married life.
Here is an excerpt from the foreword by Bishop Kallistos Ware
“Drawing on that rich but often neglected source, the Lives of the Saints, this book provides us with a representative selection of models, of icons in words, to encourage us on our own journey to the kingdom, whether we are married or not. . . . What is striking first of all about the examples chosen is their diversity. They are spread in time across nearly four thousand years, from the Old Testament era up to our own day. In space… Continue reading
The Eros of marriage – Fr. Vasile Tudora
“Everybody’s sin is nobody’s sin, and everybody’s crime is no crime at all.” This quote allegedly attributed to Alfred Kinsey, the parent of modern “sexology”, if such a “science” exists, seems to become more and more the motto of our society. If everybody does something it has to be accepted and it has to be good. Continue reading
Prayers for the Family
Family or Group Prayer
Leader: May the grace or our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
All: And with your Spirit.
All: You have given us grace at this time to offer You a common prayer together and have promised that when two or three are gathered together in Your name, that You will grant their requests; fulfill, Lord, the prayers of Your servants, which are for our welfare, grant us the knowledge of Your truth in this world and life everlasting in the world to come. Amen.
(At this point you may add your own private prayers and intercessions, using your own words or some of the prayers… Continue reading