The Christian life takes its shape from the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who took our flesh and healed our nature. The Apostle sets a clear pattern for us: âBe imitators of me, as I am of Christâ (1 Corinthians 11:1). In the Church this call draws us into the life of […]
Augustine on Perseverance and Grace
âI assert, therefore, that the perseverance by which we persevere in Christ even to the end is the gift of God; … Therefore it is uncertain whether any one has received this gift so long as he is still alive.â (St. Augustine of Hippo) Calvinists, particularly those who seek to portray St. Augustine as a […]
Yet Another Nasty Email From Johnson City
I have been receiving these types of email for a few years now. I usually do not respond to most of them because of the filth they contain. For nearly a month, this individual has pelted me almost daily with the exact same message, turning his obsessive repetition into something as tiresome as it is […]
Steadfast Under the Cross
âMy son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of troubleâ (Sirach 2:1â2). These words, preserved in the Septuagint and cherished by the Church, form a warning and a promise for all who would walk the narrow […]
On Cultivating Godly Friendship
In the spiritual life of a Christian, genuine companionship is far from a peripheral matter. It is central to the human vocation, for we are made in the image and likeness of the Triune God. In the world today, true friendship has become rare and often misunderstood. The Holy Church, however, invites us to recover […]
Sustained by the Gift of Perseverance
Though the way may seem unending, the Lord grants the grace to endure. Trust that each moment of steadfast faith is blessed from above and brings you nearer the goal. âMy grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity.â (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Perseverance in the Trial
Growth is forged not in a comfortable lifestyle, but in the crucible of trialsâstand fast today in quiet confidence. Each challenge faced is a step deeper into endurance, each moment of faith edging you nearer to the promise kept. âMy power is made perfect in infirmity.â (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Strength in the Climb
Do not measure your worth by the ease of the path, but by the faith with which you climb. The ascent may be steep, but every upward step is seen and sustained by God. âThe Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and keep you from evil.â (2 Thessalonians 3:3) âWhoever has not experienced temptation […]
The Apostolic Identity and Exclusive Continuity of the Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church is not a denomination, a sect, a branch, or a reimagining of early Christianity. She is the original Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). She is not a renovation, nor a restoration, […]
After the Storm, the Crown
Though the trials you face may feel overwhelming, they are but passing stormsânot permanent walls. Steadfast in faith, walk forward assured that the calm and reward prepared for you will arrive. âMy grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity.â (2 Corinthians 12:9) âTake courage … The storms will pass, and […]