Daily Meditations Archives

Sons of Alphaeus

10/09/2026

By Thomas G. Doughty Jr. Brothers abounded among Jesus’s earliest disciples, most notably Peter and Andrew and the sons of Zebedee. According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, another pair of brothers features in the crew of apostles: Matthew, also called Levi, and James the Lesser. James is called the son of Alphaeus in all four New Testament lists of the Twelve. While this definitely distinguishes him from James the son of Zebedee and James the half-brother of

‘My Child, Wake Up and Don’t Waste Your Time on Stupid Things!’

10/08/2026

Published by Pemptousia Partnership on September 19, 2019 Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi I received your short letter and I share your pain. I brought to mind the image of how things are and, aware of my own wretchedness, sighed at the possibility of being saved. ‘Alas, Saviour of the world, I am overwhelmed by my iniquities and am unable to see. Hasten, as merciful, and make speed, as compassionate, to our aid, for you can do whatsoever you

The Only Question

10/07/2026

Sermon preached by Fr. Antony Hughes on Sunday, October 20, 2024 Today I would like to point out the parts of the Gospel reading that strike me as most important. I might surprise you. I do not believe that the wild and crazy happenings with the demons are the main point of the story at all. The main focus is Jesus who he is and what he does. Not even personified evil is a match

Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas

10/06/2026

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: “Unless I see in

The Peaches of Paradise

10/05/2026

~By Fr Stephen Freeman, May 5, 2025 The parish to which I have retired, St. John of the Ladder in Greenville, SC, has the extreme blessing of an iconographer-in-residence. The Church was built but a few years ago, and has slowly seen its walls frescoed. It is a place of beauty. Serving in the altar, I find that my eyes are frequently drawn to the icons. There are the figures of notable bishops, our heavenly

The Medicine of Immortality

10/02/2026

~By Fr. Stephen Freeman, September 9, 2025 Imagine that you’ve been brought into a hospital from a terrible wreck. You’re in the ER and there are a team of doctors and nurses standing by with their amazing array of medical equipment. Also standing nearby is a team of lawyers, specialists in accident litigation. Whom do you want to talk to first? I use this illustration to emphasize the nature of the human problem: we are

The Life of Saint Romanos the Melodist

10/01/2026

St. Romanos was born in Syria in the fifth century. His parents were neither rich nor famous but they were good Christians and loving parents. Romanos grew up with love for God in his heart. When he grew old enough he became an altar boy and then a singer and reader in church – at first in his home town of Beirut and later in Constantinople. Romanos wanted to serve God to the best of

Imitating Christ’s Compassion

09/30/2026

Sermon preached by Dn. Jeff Smith on Sunday, August 17, 2025 Good morning. In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he tells them that “I am a fool, I am weak. I am hungry and thirsty. I am homeless and without clothes.” He says essentially, “I am garbage. But I am also your father. So, imitate me.” And as he asks the Corinthians to imitate him, so does St. Paul imitate Christ, who was also

Venerable Kyriakos the Anchorite

09/29/2026

Saint Kyriakos (Kyriákos)1 was born in the Greek city of Corinth to the priest John and his wife Eudokίa. Bishop Peter of Corinth, who was a family relative, seeing that Kyriakos was a quiet and sensible child, made him a Reader in church. His constant reading of the Holy Scriptures awakened in him a love for the Lord, and made him long for a pure and holy life. When he was not yet eighteen years old,

Venerable Chariton the Confessor, Abbot of Palestine

09/28/2026

Commemorated on September 28 Saint Chariton the Confessor was born at Iconium in the province of Lycaonia, and suffered there during a persecution against Christians in the reign of Emperor Aurelian (270-275). The example of the holy Protomartyr Thekla (September 24), who was also a native of his city, encouraged him to confess Christ, since he had a great devotion to her. Saint Chariton bravely denounced the pagan gods and staunchly confessed faith in the one