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…
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…
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) The infinite love of Jesus Christ for each of us is perfectly expressed in His Sacred Heart. In Orthodox theology, the heart is not merely a symbol of emotion but the very centre of our spiritual being—the place where God meets man. The Sacred…
The use of icons in Orthodox Christianity has often been misrepresented as idolatry, yet the biblical record provides clear evidence that sacred images were not only permitted but commanded by God in specific contexts. Understanding the distinction between veneration and worship is crucial. The Orthodox Church teaches that icons are not objects of worship but serve as windows into the divine, much like the sacred imagery employed in the Old Testament. One of the strongest biblical precedents for the use of icons is found in the construction of the Tabernacle. God Himself commanded Moses to include sacred images in its…
Prayer is the lifeline of our spiritual journey. It is through prayer that we open our hearts to God, commune with Him, and deepen our relationship with our Lord. In Orthodox tradition, prayer is not simply an obligation but the very breath of the soul, drawing us into the divine presence and transforming us through grace. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us about the intimate nature of prayer: “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew…
“The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food at the right time.” In Psalm 145:14-20, we encounter an immense expression of God’s divine providence and compassion, reflecting the Orthodox understanding of our loving and merciful Creator. The Lord upholds all who fall and raises up those who are bowed down, offering strength and solace to those who turn to Him in humility. His mercy is boundless, extending to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. All creation looks to God in hope, recognising Him as the source of all sustenance, both physical and…
“The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Psalm 97:1) Our God reigns in majesty, clothed in light and splendour beyond all comprehension. The psalmist calls us to lift our hearts in praise and adoration, for the Lord is the Most High over all the earth. In Orthodox hymnography, we repeatedly proclaim: “The Lord is King, He is clothed with majesty!” (Psalm 93:1) This declaration is not mere poetry but a theological truth—God’s dominion is absolute, His authority unshakable, and His providence governs all things visible and invisible.
“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” (Psalm 85:8-9) In the midst of the distractions and burdens of daily life, it is crucial that we take time to quiet our souls and listen to the voice of the Lord. The psalmist reminds us that God speaks peace to His people and to those who turn their hearts toward Him….
The reading from the Wisdom of Solomon (12:13,16-19) reveals the nature of our God as the one true and sovereign Lord who cares for all creation. In these verses, we are given deeper insight into the attributes of God that should shape our understanding of His divine character and our response to Him. The passage begins by declaring, “For neither is there any god besides you.” The Lord alone is the supreme authority over all things, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is not distant or indifferent, but actively involved in the affairs of His creation. Unlike the…
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun…
