The foundation stone for true love Ignoring family and friends who are in the room, while text messaging someone far away, is counterproductive to solid, healthy, relationships. Allowing ourselves to be consumed with on-line chat rooms, or endlessly talking on cell phones, is a form of self-destruction, for it ultimately leads to separation and alienation […]

“The mouth which is continuously giving thanks,  receives blessing from God. In the heart that always shows gratitude, grace abides.” St. Isaac the Syrian

“Let us say, Brethren!  And because of the Resurrection, let us forgive all things to those who hate us…’ (Doxasticon of Pascha) You easily forgive yourself, if you have sinned against God, or against men; accordingly forgive other people, too. Love your neighbor as yourself, forgive him much.” St. John of Kronstadt

Only when the grace of God comes does a person stand on his feet.  Otherwise, without grace, he always changes and always falls. So be a man and don’t be afraid at all.  Do you see how that brother you wrote about endured the temptation?  You, too, should do likewise. Acquire a brave spirit against […]

The Disturbed Heart – And the forgetfulness of the things of God The passions that create a state of unrest in our hearts cause us to forget the real purpose of our life, which is union with God. Saint Basil the Great tells us we cannot approach the knowledge of the truth with a disturbed […]

When we participate in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with eyes that really see and ears that really hear we stand in the Presence of God and catch a glimpse of His eternal Kingdom. Although our worship takes place in this world, in the context of space and time, it touches upon the transcendent […]

The Divine Liturgy teaches us an ethos, the ethos of humility. As Christ sacrificed Himself, so also should we sacrifice ourselves. The type of the Divine Liturgy is the type of impoverishment for us. In the Divine Liturgy we try to be humbled, because we have the sense that there is the humble God. Every […]

Do not be irritated either with those who sin or those who offend;  do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbor, and for judging him, as we are in the habit of doing. Everyone shall give an answer to God for himself. Everyone has a conscience; everyone hears God’s Word, and […]

Marriage is a revelation and mystery. We see in it the complete transformation of a human being, he expansion of his personality, fresh vision, a new perception of life, and through it a rebirth into the world in a new plenitude. Our modern individualism creates special difficulties in married life. To overcome them, a conscious […]

Tribute to His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip Christ is risen! With a peaceful heart, I am writing these lines upon commemorating the 40th Day memorial service for the eternal repose of the soul of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip of New York and all North America. On this occasion, I am wondering about the most precious thing […]