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Are Our Efforts for Crowns That Decay or Eternal Crowns?

04/06/2022

SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification Topic of the Week: Are Our Efforts for Crowns That Decay or Eternal Crowns? “…We, as Orthodox Christians, are athletes and participate, as ancient Olympians, in a spiritual contest. We are competing with the evil one to win by overcoming his evil snares and temptations. The reward is the crown “of honor and glory” bestowed by the Lord our God….” Excerpted from THE SPIRITUAL CROWN OF LIFE Adult/Family: “Blessed

The Fifth Wednesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part II

04/06/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, June 16, 2015 By Prof. Georgios Mantzaridis Christian monasticism has always been associated with stillness or silence, which is seen primarily as an internal rather than an external state. External silence is sought in order the more easily and perfectly to attain inner stillness. This stillness is not the same as inertia or inaction, but awakening and activation of the spiritual life. It is intense vigilance and total devotion to God. Withdrawing

The Fifth Tuesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part I

04/05/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, June 16, 2015 By Prof. Georgios Mantzaridis With the advent of monasticism, a special way of life appeared in the Church, which however did not proclaim a new morality. The Church does not have one set of moral rules for the laity and another for monks, nor does it divide the faithful into classes according to their obligations towards God. The Christian life is the same for everyone. All Christians have in common

The Fifth Monday of Great Lent: Forgiveness for All the Sundays to Come

04/04/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, February 23, 2017 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; (John17:20-21) The Elder Sophrony, together with St. Silouan, wrote about the “whole Adam.” By this, they meant all the human beings who have ever existed and those yet to come. They were, for them, something known in the present tense, a “hypostatic” knowledge of the fundamental unity of the human

The Fourth Friday of Great Lent: Secularized Sin

04/01/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, July 13, 2016 I have had numerous responses across social media about yesterday’s article on sin. It’s title, “Sin Is Not a Legal Problem,” drew some strong reactions. A particular concern is worth thinking about carefully. There is, as many have pointed out, plenty of juridical language in both the Scriptures and in the liturgical tradition of the Church. Quite specifically, someone noted that 1John 3:4 has this: “Sin is lawlessness.” One translation

The Fourth Thursday of Great Lent. Holy Mountain: A Universal Presence and a Heavenward Orientation

03/31/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, November 3, 2014 By Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaias and Lavreotikis The spiritual influence of Mount Athos is indisputable and certainly stems from the fact that many men have attained holiness through their secret ascetic struggles there. In recent years many pilgrims have found peace of mind and repose on the Mountain, together with spiritual guidance and support. The higher one rises, scientists tell us, the weaker the force of gravity becomes, the

The Fourth Wednesday of Great Lent: Thoughts on Great Lent, Thoughts on Fasting

03/30/2022

Thoughts on Great Lent By Michael Haldas, February 27, 2017 “Lent is a time for those who are at the “curious” stage to explore the faith deeper. For those who are at the “desire” stage, it is a time to deepen the commitment. For those who are at the “convicted” stage, it is a time to give greater witness. For those out recruiting, it is time to double efforts and recruit even more people to

The Fourth Tuesday of Great Lent: The Meaning of Pain in Our Lives

03/29/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, October 18, 2014 By Abbot George Kapsanis of Gregoriou Apart from the suffering that it causes, physical, mental or spiritual pain– which entered man’s life by divine sufferance – also has positive effects for man’s earthly life and development. It is easy to philosophize or theologize about pain but it is difficult to have a proper attitude towards pain when one experiences great pain oneself. I believe it is very presumptuous to

The Second Friday of Great Lent: Unmediated Grace

03/29/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, March 30, 2013 This Sunday the Orthodox Calendar commemorates St. Gregory Palamas – perhaps the most significant theologian and teacher of the late Byzantine period. He particularly is important when considering the nature of the Christian experience of God. Orthodoxy believes that it is truly possible to know God though He remains unknowable. The mystery of this true knowledge constitutes the heart of St. Gregory’s work. I first encountered St. Gregory’s

The Fourth Monday of Great Lent: Sin Is Not a Legal Problem – Athanasius and the Atonement

03/28/2022

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, July 12, 2016 I often struggle when people speak of their “sins.” Indeed, it is not unusual to be asked, “Is ___ a sin?” The question always makes me feel like a lawyer. Imagine that, instead of a doctor, you have a lawyer whom you consult for your medical problems. You are having trouble breathing. You’re short of breath and occasionally you cough up blood. You go to your doctor (lawyer)

SSCORRE!

Are Our Efforts for Crowns That Decay or Eternal Crowns?

The Fifth Wednesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part II

The Fifth Tuesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part I

The Fifth Monday of Great Lent: Forgiveness for All the Sundays to Come

The Fourth Friday of Great Lent: Secularized Sin

The Fourth Thursday of Great Lent. Holy Mountain: A Universal Presence and a Heavenward Orientation

The Fourth Wednesday of Great Lent: Thoughts on Great Lent, Thoughts on Fasting

The Fourth Tuesday of Great Lent: The Meaning of Pain in Our Lives

The Second Friday of Great Lent: Unmediated Grace

The Fourth Monday of Great Lent: Sin Is Not a Legal Problem – Athanasius and the Atonement

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