By Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher This liturgical phrase occurs in the closing prayers of the services of sunset (Vespers) and early morning (Matins), and as a refrain in certain Canons (i.e., extended prayers based on nine Biblical songs).  It is both a statement and a petition for the Virgin Mary to help us. Consider that God is not the only subject of the verb to save.  St. Paul writes: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).  To Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.  Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world.  I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.  Why do you ask Me?  Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them.  Indeed they know what I said.’” (John 18:19-21) Christianity, like many religions, can be characterized by its doctrine, its particular teaching(s).  One of the earliest Christian documents beside the … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The term dormition is one of those words commonly used in the Orthodox Church which is very uncommon anywhere else.  Other examples include Theotokos (lit., Birthgiver-of-God, a title of the Virgin Mary) and consubstantial (of the same essence, referring to the three Persons of God the Holy Trinity). Dormition comes from a Latin root – dormio – meaning “asleep.”  Thus the English word dormitory means “a place for sleeping”; it’s English equivalent from a Greek root is cemetery (lit., koimētērion, from koimēsis … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher Metamorphosis (Gk., met-a-MOR-phō-sis) refers to a process of change from one form to another, that is, a transformation.  Most school children are familiar with this process as illustrated in the life cycle of a butterfly: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), adult.  The organism that emerges at the end of the cycle differs dramatically from the organism that begins the process, usually changing from a non-descript entity to a highly specialized, intricate, and beautiful creature. God designed life in this … [Read more...]