Christian Life

I would now like to tell you how the Orthodox Church understands daily Christian life. Orthodoxy is not only about what happens in church on Sundays—it is about living with Christ every day, in prayer, in Scripture, and in love for others.

Prayer is our daily breath. Just as our bodies cannot live without air, our souls cannot live without prayer. Saint Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean we must always be saying words, but that we should keep our hearts turned toward God throughout the day. Even a simple prayer like, “Lord, have mercy” or “Lord Jesus Christ, help me,” can keep us close to Him.

Reading the Bible nourishes our faith. The Holy Scriptures are not just for Sundays. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). In Orthodoxy, we are encouraged to read a little from the Gospels, Psalms, or Epistles each day, so that God’s Word becomes part of our minds and hearts.

Fasting teaches us self-control and focus on God. In the Bible, fasting is often joined with prayer (Matthew 6:16–18; Acts 13:2–3). By giving up certain foods on fasting days, we remind ourselves that “man does not live by bread alone.” Fasting is not about rules but about learning to say no to ourselves so that we can say yes to God more fully.

Love for others is essential. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This means daily life as a Christian must include kindness, forgiveness, and service. Saint James says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). The Orthodox life is not only about prayer and worship but also about showing Christ’s love in action.

Daily life is a journey of growth in Christ. Saint Paul wrote, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13). This means we take small steps every day—through prayer, Scripture, fasting, love, and repentance—trusting that God is shaping us into the likeness of His Son.

Orthodoxy is not only about what we believe, but about how we live. Each day is a chance to walk with Christ, to grow in His grace, and to reflect His love to others.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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