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Spiritual Counsels of the Elders of Optina

11/09/2022

SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification Topic of the Week- Spiritual Counsels of the Elders of Optina “We must entrust everything to the will of God, even our being separated from each other. The Lord enlightens us in order that we not become attached to the things of this world, no matter how precious they might seem, in order that we might strive for the heavenly, saving our souls. Strive only to save your soul,

Saint Nectarius Kephalas, Metropolitan of Pentapolis

11/09/2022

Commemorated on November 9 Saint Nectarius, the great wonderworker of modern times, was born Anastasius Kephalas in Selebria, Thrace on October 1, 1846. Since his family was poor, Anastasius went to Constantinople when he was fourteen in order to find work. Although he had no money, he asked the captain of a boat to take him. The captain told him to take a walk and then come back. Anastasius understood, and sadly walked away. The

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

11/08/2022

Reading All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, – sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation – (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them

The Communion of Friends

11/07/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, November 22, 2016 You meet someone and like them. You slowly get to know them. Conversation and sharing, listening and learning, a picture or a reality begin to emerge. You think about them when they’re away. You’re aware that you matter to them as well. The thought of anything hurting them is painful. This is friendship. We easily reduce friendship to a set of shared emotions. Why we like someone else, we

Saving Knowledge

11/04/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, November 28, 2016 I have often used the example of riding a bicycle as an image of knowing God. There’s no difficulty learning how to ride if you don’t mind falling off for a while. But no matter how many years you have ridden, you cannot describe for someone else how you know what you know. But you know it. I also suspect that if you thought too much about riding a bicycle while you were riding

A Safeguard for the Soul, by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain

11/03/2022

SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification Topic of the Week – A Safeguard for the Soul, by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain Day 1 Concerning the Worth of Salvation 1) My salvation is a matter entirely my own. If I do not have concern for it, who else will? 2) My salvation is a matter concerning my whole soul and body. If I do not make sure of my salvation, who else will make sure

The Fear of God is Reverence for and Love of Him [2 of 2]

11/03/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, November 20, 2017 Metropolitan Athanasios of Lemessos The Church is not opposed to the human body. This is why the Fathers were so careful not to damage their body with their ascetic efforts. They tried to submit it to the Holy Spirit and to God’s commandments, so as not to seek the pleasures and lapses of the flesh, but they never accepted that their bodies should be damaged. In Patristic literature,

The Sanctification of the Human Body [1 of 2]

11/02/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, November 18, 2017 Metropolitan Athanasios of Lemessos The human person is the temple of the living God. This is an Apostolic teaching of our Church, which means that, just as the grace of God, the grace of the Holy Spirit, resides in a church, the same is true of the human body and we are temples of the living God. We call God living because He’s not cut off somewhere in

Saints Cosmas and Damian – November 1

11/01/2022

By Fr. George My sons the doctors. This rather stereotypical phrase is descriptive of a proud parent speaking of the accomplishment of their children. Even today, we express great joy when our sons or daughters reach that lofty position of becoming a physician. The place of doctors has always been one of respect and admiration. Throughout history, the dedication of healers has usually brought prestige, social status as well as financial reward. This is true

Who’s Afraid of Halloween?

10/31/2022

I have a confession to make. And it’s a bad one …. When I was a kid … I used to get dressed up for Halloween! And it was not always something innocent either, like an astronaut or a cowboy. Once I was even a ghost! Worse yet, I would go door-to-door with my brothers and say “Trick or treat!” Idolatrous! Occultic! Satanic! Over time, of course this demon-glorifying activity caught up with me. Look

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Spiritual Counsels of the Elders of Optina

Saint Nectarius Kephalas, Metropolitan of Pentapolis

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

The Communion of Friends

Saving Knowledge

A Safeguard for the Soul, by St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain

The Fear of God is Reverence for and Love of Him [2 of 2]

The Sanctification of the Human Body [1 of 2]

Saints Cosmas and Damian – November 1

Who’s Afraid of Halloween?

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