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The God Who Sings
Read more: The God Who SingsMy parish is in the process of installing and blessing bells. It is a joyous milestone in our parish’s life and an important addition to the proclamation of the gospel. According to Orthodox thought, the sound of a Church bell is an icon of the voice of God. It’s blessing reaches as far as the […]
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Truth
Read more: TruthIn the Gospel record of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate, we are told that Christ said He had come to bear witness to the Truth. Pilate, in what he must have thought was a clever response, says, “And what is Truth?” We know from elsewhere in the Gospel that Christ explained, “I am the Way, […]
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The Unnecessary God
Read more: The Unnecessary GodMany years ago I knew a pastor who said he did not believe in angels. I was surprised by his statement and asked him why. His response was interesting: “I do not believe in angels because I cannot think of anything that they do that the Holy Spirit could not do instead.” I thought his […]
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The Unknowable God
Read more: The Unknowable GodYou cannot know God – but you have to know Him to know that. – Fr. Thomas Hopko +++ Fr. Hopko’s small aphorism is among my favorites in contemporary Orthodoxy. Besides the fact that it sounds humorous – it states one of the most profound paradoxes within the Orthodox faith. This fundamental truth is stated […]
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Glory to God for All Things – The Song
Read more: Glory to God for All Things – The Song
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Freedom and Slavery – A Word to Neurotic Christians
Read more: Freedom and Slavery – A Word to Neurotic ChristiansBe both a servant, and free: a servant in that you are subject to God, but free in that you are not enslaved to anything – either to empty praise or to any of the passions. Release your soul from the bonds of sin; abide in liberty, for Christ has liberated you; acquire the freedom […]
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Saints Among Us
Read more: Saints Among UsThe first few Sundays following the feast of Pentecost are set aside for the remembrance of the saints. The first Sunday is “All Saints,” much like the West observes on November 1. The second and third Sundays mark saints of national and other particular interests. In the Orthodox Church in America, we commemorate, All Saints, […]
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The Mystery of the Fullness
Read more: The Mystery of the FullnessOne of the most common words used in Orthodoxy, drawn very much from the writings of the New Testament, is the term “fullness” (pleroma in the Greek). St. Paul uses it to mean something that is in its completion or its final state, transcending things as we often know them. Because the term often refers […]
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Existence, Choice and God
Read more: Existence, Choice and GodI recall a conversation with a Russian parishioner some years back. She had been baptized as an adult (by me) and I referred to her as a “convert” in the course of conversation. She bristled slightly at my comment and said, “I am not a convert. Converts are people who choose.” She went on to […]
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Babylon and the Trees of Pentecost
Read more: Babylon and the Trees of PentecostFrom the Feast of Pentecost The arrogance of building the tower in the days of old led to the confusion of tongues. Now the glory of the knowledge of God brings them wisdom. There God condemned the impious for their transgression. Here Christ has enlightened the fishermen by the Spirit. There disharmony was brought about […]
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Latest Comments
Since my terminal diagnosis, heaven and the saints seem to have gotten closer. There is an intrarelationship between each part…
This post is so reassuringly beautiful. Thank you Father Stephen. I can envision our sowing, tending, harvesting of heavenly gardens…
There must be cows, or we’d have no milk to go with our honey! Finally! An answer to the much-asked…
Beautiful. Not on a cloud, constantly adjusting slipping halos and tuning harps… or singing “Church in the Wildwood.” For eternity.…
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This was just beautiful, Father. Thank you.