ON THE ENTRY INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES OF THE MOTHER OF GOD AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY (November 21) by St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica (1296-1357) [This extract of Homily 53 is translated by Christopher Veniamin, in Saint Gregory Palamas the Homilies (Mount Thabor Publishing, 2009)] If someone attempts to touch the stars with his hand, even though he is tall and stretches his arm further than the rest, he is almost as far away from those ethereal heights as men of much shorter stature, the difference not being worth … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher For Americans, voting in elections is a fundamental right and duty of citizenship.  This duty is such a fundamental aspect of American government that American Christians, including the Orthodox, have incorporated voting into the routine management of their churches, for instance, at monthly Parish Council meetings, annual Voters’ Meetings, and church-wide assemblies.  Voting is an accepted tool for exercising the faith.  In the truest Christian sense, voting should be guided by faith because faith ultimately … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The first century Christian catechism called The Teaching (Gk., Didache) contains the following spiritual law: “Welcome activities occurring to you as good knowing that nothing happens apart from God” (3.10).  Our Lord says, “God the Father makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust”; then, later: “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do … [Read more...]