As we live in this world, we are bound to face difficulties and sometimes feel bombarded by troubles from all directions. At one time or another, we may seek assistance, support, or encouragement from someone higher than ourselves. This is an innate longing in all of us. As we stand at the crossroads, where do we go for guidance and direction? Where do we find help to face the perplexities of life, as we know – …

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 – …

Originally published in El Karaza Magains, on Friday, August 5, 2005 I would like to meditate with you in the teachings of St. Paul the Apostle about the spiritual building, as mentioned in his first Epistle to Corinthians, where he said: “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he – …

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23) As we look at this biblical commandment said by our Lord Jesus Christ and mentioned in all the synoptic gospels (Matt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34; Lk. 9:23), we may find ourselves puzzled and at loss. As Orthodox Christians, we certainly want to follow our Lord Jesus Christ and fulfill His commandments in our lives, – …

"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 – …

It pleases me on this blessed day to congratulate all of you on the occasion of the Nativity of the Lord Christ. I felicitate my Muslim brothers on this occasion as I felicitate my Christian brothers because the Lord Christ is for everyone and everyone believe in His miraculous virginal birth. I would like to talk to you about a single characteristic of His many characteristics and it is His characteristic as a teacher. They – …

As sin is separation from God, repentance then is returning to God. God says: "Return to me, and I will return to you" (Malachi 3:7). When the prodigal son repented, he returned to his father (Luke 15:18-20). True repentance is a human longing to return to the origin from which it was taken. It is the desire of a heart that stayed away from God, and felt that it stay away any longer. As sin – …

Excerpts from a talk given to the servants of the Diocese at St. George’s church on August 24, 2000‎ Our Lord God said to His disciples, “You ‎will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes ‎to you and you will be witnesses to Me in all ‎Judea, Samaria, and all the earth.” How can I ‎be a witness to the Lord? This is the question. ‎You may be a witness through your own life, ‎through – …

This optimism comes from faith and hope: faith in God being the beneficent, and hope for what He is going to do. Successively After the flood of water, there was the Ark. And God promised that He shall never destroy the earth anymore (Gen. 8). After the Crucifixion events, there was the joy of the resurrection. As God said to His disciples: "but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and your – …

Actually friendship is a vital part of young people’s lives today. They cannot do without their friends. They would feel so threatened if they lost their friends. It is a natural part of growing up. Everyone needs Friends; even adults cannot do without certain friends. So, it is a human need. Rarely do we find someone who does not have a couple of friends, especially in the teenage years. I am worried however, that perhaps – …

With only two weeks before Christmas, there was one lady ‎in the hospital recovering from an illness. She had a large, ‎loving family who visited her regularly and attended to her ‎needs. When she came back from surgery, she awoke to a ‎room full of several cards and bouquets of flowers. She also ‎realized that she had another patient staying with her. This ‎lady was going to have surgery the next day on her foot. – …

Saint John the Beloved identifies Christian love by two essential descriptions: love must be both active and genuine. He said, “My little children, let’s not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) Christian Love Must Be Genuine, Proceeding From a Heart Free of Hypocrisy and Not Hiding Ulterior Motives “Let love be without hypocrisy.” (Rom 12:9) Although excessive praise may seem to be proceeding from a loving – …