by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “You were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence…” (Troparion [hymn of the day] for St. Nicholas) Having just once again celebrated the feast day of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Lycia (Dec. 6), it is crucial for us to reflect on the meaning of this great saint’s life in the Church.  Though most depictions of St. Nicholas in our popular culture are mere caricatures of reality – e.g., Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, etc. – the fact that St. Nicholas … [Read more...]

The word “Christmas” literally means “Christ’s Mass,” Mass being the principal service of the Church commonly called the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Tradition; therefore, Christmas refers to the Divine Liturgy served on the Feast day of our Lord’s birth in the flesh from the Virgin Mary (December 25). One cannot technically or properly celebrate Christmas unless one prepares for and participates in the Divine Liturgy – by definition, receiving Holy Communion – on the Feast of Christ’s birth. Already in this simple explanation, we realize how … [Read more...]

by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The Orthodox practice of the Christian Faith includes fasting as an essential aspect of its tradition.  The earliest Christian writing outside of the New Testament states: “And your fastings, let them not be with the hypocrites; for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week (i.e., Monday and Thursday; see Lk. 18:12), but you, fast on the fourth day and on the preparation” (i.e., Wednesday and Friday; Didache, 8.1; ca. 100 A.D.).  Likewise, Christians always fasted for a season connected with the yearly … [Read more...]