Offering praise is the work of angels who constantly love to be before the Throne of God. They praise Him zealously since all their pleasure, satisfaction, and comfort is in the praise of their Creator. Offering of praise is the most sublime type of prayer, for it is conversing with God. When we praise, we are likened with the heavenly hosts who praise God incessantly. As St. Gregory the Theologian says, “He who has granted – …

1. When the holy Abba Anthony lived in the desert he was beset by ‘accidie’ – lethargy – , and attacked by many sinful thoughts. He said to God, ‘Lord, I want to be saved, but these thoughts will not leave me alone. What shall I do in my affliction? How can I be saved?’ A short while afterwards, when he got up to go out, Anthony saw a man like himself sitting at his – …

An excerpt from Origen’s Commentary on the Gospel According to St. John, Book I, Ante-Nicene Fathers v. 10. Christ as the Resurrection. Now He is called the light of men and the true light and the light of the word, because He brightens and irradiates the higher parts of men, or, in a word, of all reasonable beings. And similarly it is from and because of the energy with which He causes the old deadness – …

How many times have you admitted that you love God but: · When you stand up for prayers, you do not feel His presence? · When you open the Bible to read, you feel it is puzzling? · When you enter the church, you feel no spiritual awe? · That you find no comfort in any kind of worship? · Neither do you find it easy to keep the commandments. What is the solution to – …

Coming to a neighboring city, after having made a discourse, he observed a young man in the company of a fair stature and pleasing aspect, and being much taken with him, he presented him to the bishop whom he had ordained for that see, saying, "In the presence of Christ, and before this congregation, I earnestly recommend this young man to your care." The bishop took the trust upon him and promised to discharge it – …

The saints and those who truly practice virtue, "put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire (which is idolatry)." [Col. 3:5]. As the result of this, they are pure and without spot, confiding in the promise of our Savior, who said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." [Matt. 5:8] Having died to the world and renounced the merchandise of the world, they gained an – …

The Holy Church teaches us that Jesus Christ our Lord, Who gave Himself "for the life of the world" (Jn. 6:51), is the One, Who saved us from eternal death by His crucifixion, trampling death by death. Through His Resurrection, we are given a new life in Him, where sin and death are forever conquered. By the mercy of God, we are brought back to have life in His everlasting Kingdom. But like any form – …

As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, we remember the power which the apostles received when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, fulfilling our Lord’s promise to them that, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) This power, which the disciples received on the Day of – …

During the gospel readings of the Sundays of Great Lent, the reference to miracles is repeated. There are some miracles, which our Lord Jesus Christ performed, and others He refused to perform. Our Lord did some miracles, without being asked, while others were a result of someone’s request. Also, Satan himself asked our Lord Jesus Christ to do miracles. We hear in the gospel reading of the second Sunday of Great Lent (Matt. 4:1-11) Satan – …

"I write to you, youth because you are strong and the word of God is abiding in you and you have overcome the evil one." (1 John 2:14). We should be strong, especially youth, because we were created in the image of God. God is not only strong and mighty, but Almighty. The Church reminds us of this quality of the Divinity. During Holy Week, we recite each day "Thine is the Power;" we declare – …

“The Blessings of Egypt” By Saint Gregory the Theologian I will address myself as is right to those who have come from Egypt; for they have come here eagerly, having overcome ill will by zeal, from that Egypt which is enriched by the River, raining out of the earth, and like the sea in its season, — if I too may follow in my small measure those who have so eloquently spoken of these matters; – …

Printed in EL Karaza Magazine, April 29, 2005‎ The rising of Jesus Christ from the dead was the biggest event that shook Jews and ‎they tried to fight it in all ways to the extent that they said about resurrection that ‎this last deception will be stronger than the first deception which is Christ’s ‎Preaching. So what was the power of resurrection and what was its impact?‎ ‎1- Christ came out of the tomb while – …