The entire Christian life is summed up in the two great commandments given by our Lord Jesus Christ: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These commandments are not basic ideals but the very foundation of our salvation, for love is the essence of God’s being, and to abide in love is to abide in Him. (1 John 4:16) However, love in the Christian sense is not simply an emotion or sentiment; it is an active and sacrificial way of life, inseparable from obedience to Christ and His…
The twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, beginning with verse thirteen, recounts an event that occurred on the first day of the week following the crucifixion and burial of our Lord. Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus, discussing the recent events that had unfolded—Jesus’ death, His burial, and the strange reports of His resurrection that had begun to circulate. As they journeyed, a stranger approached and began walking with them, but they did not recognise Him. The stranger engaged them in conversation, asking them what they were discussing, and then began to open…
The Holy Eucharist is at the heart of the Orthodox Christian life. We do not regard it as a mere symbol, nor as a theological abstraction, but as the true and actual presence of Christ—His Body and Blood, given to us for our salvation. As our Lord Himself declared: “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.” (John 6:53-54) From the…
Follow Your Spiritual Father’s Guidance If you are unable to keep the full fast due to illness, weakness, or medical needs, consult your priest or spiritual father. The Church does not expect the sick to fast in a way that worsens their condition. Modify the Fast According to Necessity Those with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, heart disease, or gastrointestinal disorders) may need to consume dairy, eggs, or even meat. Those on medications that require food should eat as necessary. The elderly or weak may be permitted a less strict fast. Spiritual Fasting Still Applies If you are unable to…
The veneration of icons is not an option in Orthodox Christianity. It is essential. It is not a cultural embellishment or devotional tool for the simple-minded, but an active and visible confession of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Icons are not tolerated—they are required. Those who oppose icons do not merely misunderstand Orthodox worship; they misunderstand the very Gospel itself. The Incarnation is the Theological Foundation of Iconography The centre of the Christian faith is not an idea, not a principle, not a philosophy, but a Person: the Incarnate Word of God. “And the Word became flesh and…
Fasting, Prayer, and Confession in the War Against the Passions The Orthodox Church has never promised comfort. She promises salvation—and salvation is acquired by violence against the old man, by struggle against the passions, by war against the flesh. It is not won through vague spirituality or passive attendance in the temple. It is won by crucifying the body and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt. 11:12) If a man would be freed from lust, pride, anger, gluttony, and sloth, he must live…
The spiritual life is warfare. It is not a sentimental experience or a hobby of the pious. It is the daily crucifixion of the flesh, the relentless struggle against the passions that seek to drag the soul into damnation. Among the most destructive of these passions in our age is lust—fed, glorified, and weaponised through pornography. The Apostle does not speak lightly on this subject. He declares war on it. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5) Fornication—πορνεία in the Greek—is not a weakness…
The Jesus Prayer, known in its most common form as “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” stands as one of the most ancient and revered prayers in the Holy Ancient Orthodox Church. It is not a formula invented for convenience, nor a casual repetition of words for sentimental comfort. It is the distillation of the Gospel’s entire message. It is a spiritual weapon, a lifeline of the soul, and the heart of true hesychasm—the path of stillness and prayer leading to union with God. This article will examine its roots, meaning, scriptural foundation, liturgical…
