by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of His honor, will accept the last even as the first; He giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour…Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, … [Read more...]
The Story of Saint Mary of Egypt: Our Personal Salvation
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “May God who works amazing miracles and generously bestows gifts on those who turn to Him with faith, reward those who seek light for themselves in this story, who hear, read, and are zealous to write it, and may He grant them the lot of blessed Mary together with all who at different times have pleased God by their pious thoughts and labors.” (St. Sophronius of Jerusalem, The Life of Our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt, epilogue) Here near the end of the season of Great Lent we have the story of Saint Mary of Egypt, … [Read more...]
SPIRITUAL TEACHING IN THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian (said during weekdays of Lent; translation mine): O Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of idleness, curiosity, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration) But grant, rather, the spirit of whole-mindedness, humility, patience, and love to your servant. (prostration) Yes, O Lord and King, gift me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother, for blessed are You unto ages of ages. (prostration) (1) General Characteristics of the Prayer: (A) Each … [Read more...]
Uniquely Orthodox
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher Orthodox Christianity is unique among all the other varieties of Christian belief, practice, and expression. Orthodoxy is the original way of Faith and Life given by our Lord Jesus Christ to His one Body, the Church (see Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4-6; Jude 3). Our Lord warns: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with arousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectantly. For it will … [Read more...]
Flee Sodom and Gomorrah
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “Flee Sodom and Gomorrah. Flee the flame of every irrational appetite.” (Ode 3, Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete) We pray this during the first week of Lent. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah exemplify the depth of humanity’s sin especially practiced as sexual perversion. The story of these cities situated at the south end of the Dead Sea is recorded in the Book of Genesis, chapters 18 and 19. “Then the Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah has been completed, and their sins are exceedingly … [Read more...]
Daily Lenten Prayer Rule
ON FASTING (Extracts from the Fathers)
The Abortion Issue
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher The practice of abortion continues to be an ever-present subject of society both ancient and modern. Much like the historically common practices of slavery and extra-marital sex (e.g., pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, and pornography), the abortion issue is nothing new. In Western culture the issue is shaped by two opposing limits: the ideological justification to dispose of the inferior/weak for the good of the superior/strong; and the basic human instinct exemplified by the … [Read more...]
SCHISM (DIVISION) AND THE CHURCH
by St. John Chrysostom (d. 407; from Homily 11 on Ephesians 4:4-16) If therefore we desire to have the benefit of that Spirit which is from the Head, let us cleave one to another. For there are two kinds of separation from the body of the Church; the one, when we wax cold in love, the other, when we dare commit things unworthy of our belonging to that body; for in either way we cut ourselves off from the “fullness of Christ.” But if we are appointed to build up others also, what shall not be done to them who are first to make … [Read more...]
Water and the Spirit
by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”’” (John 3:5-7) According to our Lord Jesus, water is the medium by which we must be born into the kingdom of God, that is, the spiritual dominion of eternal life and communion with God Himself. The alternative is to remain merely in … [Read more...]
