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...]

by Fr. Jonathan Cholcher “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). This particular word translated “self-control” (Gk., enkrateia) literally means to be “in-control” of oneself, the opposite being out-of-control. As a fruit of the Holy Spirit, self-control exhibits a godly way of life in control of the will of God, the opposite of which is “to fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). What does an … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan Cholcher Forgiveness depends on two things: first, the ability of the one forgiving to let go of any offense, or moral debt, of sin; and second, the ability of the one being forgiven to correct any offense incurred by their sin. Therefore, forgiveness is the exercise of mercy on the part of the forgiver, and the exercise of genuine repentance in the forgiven. Apart from mercy and repentance there is no forgiveness because at its root forgiveness expresses a peaceful exchange, or relationship, of give and take. The giving … [Read more...]