The world is filled with confusion, despair, and spiritual weakness. Christians must stand firm and strengthen one another in faith. Encouragement is not optional; it is a command. The Apostle Paul instructs: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) This is an obligation, not a suggestion. A Christian who purposely isolates himself from his brethren can become vulnerable to deception. The Church is a fortress, and its members must support each other in the battle for salvation. The home is the first battleground because it is where the soul is…
Forgiveness is not only an ethical obligation or a personal virtue; it is a deeply significant reality at the heart of the Orthodox Christian life. It is through forgiveness that we participate in the very life of Christ, who “came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) In the prayer our Lord taught us, we beseech, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12) This is not a meagre request but a spiritual law: the measure of our own forgiveness by God is tied to our willingness to forgive others. If…
The season of the Great Fast approaches, and with it, the Church calls us to repentance, prayer, and ascetic labour. Fasting is not an optional devotion, nor is it a tradition of human invention. It is a commandment from God, given for our salvation. The Lord Himself fasted forty days in the wilderness, not because He needed purification, but to show us the path we must follow. If Christ fasted, how can we, who are weak and full of sin, neglect it? Yet, fasting is more than abstaining from food. The Prophet Isaiah warns against an empty fast, saying: “Is…
As the new year approaches, many reflect on the past twelve months and begin making resolutions. While it is common to focus on physical health or professional goals, we must not neglect our spiritual growth. The turning of the calendar is an opportune time to assess our spiritual lives and set resolutions that draw us closer to God. Unlike secular resolutions that often prioritise worldly success, spiritual resolutions aim to deepen our relationship with the Lord, conform us more closely to Christ, and prepare our souls for eternity. Our lives on earth are a pilgrimage, and setting spiritual goals helps…
“Come to me, all you who labour and have been burdened, and I will refresh you.” – Matthew 11:28 Christ’s invitation is not a vague offer of comfort but a profound reality for those who truly seek Him. In our struggles, we often turn to our own strength, relying on our willpower, routines, or external solutions to manage life’s burdens. Yet Christ does not say, “Endure alone,” or “Find your own way.” He commands us to come to Him. This is an act of faith, a conscious movement toward the One who alone can provide true refreshment. The Orthodox Christian…
“And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” —Romans 8:17 The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, reveals the great mystery of our adoption as children of God. To be an heir of God is to receive an inheritance not of fleeting earthly riches but of eternal communion with Him. This inheritance is given to us through Christ, in whom we are made partakers of the divine life. It is not an abstract promise; it is the very…
The Nativity Fast, or Advent, is not merely a season of waiting but a time of spiritual renewal, calling the faithful to prepare their souls for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world that rushes to celebrate Christmas with excess and distraction, the Holy Church bids her children to step away from the noise and turn inward, seeking the true light that is Christ. This season is not one of idle anticipation but of active preparation, where fasting disciplines the body, prayer lifts the soul, and repentance purifies the heart. The joy of Advent is not superficial…
The words of Christ in the tenth chapter of the Gospel According to St. Mark is a strong affirmation of the sacredness and permanence of marriage. In a world where human weakness seeks to redefine or diminish the divine order, Jesus Christ speaks with absolute clarity, reaffirming that marriage is not a trivial human contract subject to revision, but a holy and indissoluble covenant established by Almighty God Himself. His response to the Pharisees, who sought to test Him regarding divorce, is not only a rejection of their legalistic mindset but a call to return to the original divine plan…
In recent years, an ugly trend has emerged among certain self-satisfied segments of the Orthodox Church—a dismissive and prideful contempt toward converts, frequently labelling them as “LARPERs” (Live Action Role Players)—a term originally coined to describe those engaging in theatrical, artificial mimicry. Within this context, it is used to accuse converts of play-acting Orthodoxy, of adopting external forms and customs with no inward conviction or spiritual integrity. This accusation, sometimes uttered with scorn by cradle Orthodox, is not only unjust; it is unchristian. Worse, it betrays a festering pride that blinds such accusers to their own spiritual poverty.
As we come to the close of the month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we continue to meditate on the boundless love of Christ. While the devotion to the Sacred Heart has been especially cultivated in the West, its essence is deeply Orthodox—rooted in the love of God made manifest in the Incarnation, the Cross, and the Resurrection. The heart of Christ is the wellspring of divine mercy, overflowing with grace for all who seek Him. Let us reflect on five key aspects of this devotion in light of the Bible and Orthodox spirituality. 1. Prayer…
