Fasting is an exceptional virtue; it represses bodily impulses and gives strength to the soul to fight against the poisoning of the heart through the senses, and provides it with a remedy against any past poisoning. Fasting causes the mind to be cleansed constantly. It whithers up every evil thought and brings healthy, godly thoughts… Continue reading Gleanings from the Holy Fathers: On Fasting
Author: Dn. Nicholas Park
Thoughts on the Scriptures – 38th (33nd) Saturday after Pentecost
In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord tells us a parable about the importance of continual, persistent prayer. We saw this same lesson in action in the few Sunday Gospels, when both the blind man and the woman of Canaan persistently cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” despite all manner of reproofs. Now,… Continue reading Thoughts on the Scriptures – 38th (33nd) Saturday after Pentecost
The Demon of Noonday and the Sixth Hour
The hours are 10 minute prayer services appointed by the Church for certain hours of the day. While most of us do not generally have time to pray these prayers regularly, they are a valuable resource for reflection and prayer. The sixth hour is the prayer appointed for noontime. This is a time when many… Continue reading The Demon of Noonday and the Sixth Hour
Meeting of the Lord
We have just finished the Vigil Service for the Meeting of the Lord. This is an event in our Lord’s life that should truly inspire our awe and wonder. The following selections from the service say more than any of my own words could: O Thou Who didst hallow the Virgin’s womb by Thy birth… Continue reading Meeting of the Lord
With God all things are possible
Both the epistle and gospel readings for today talk about what we must do, about the moral life of a Christian. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.” “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father… Continue reading With God all things are possible
Purpose of Our Life
It is easy to forget in the midst of our day-to-day responsibilities that the purpose of our life is not less than union with God. This is what we were created for. Not in the sense of losing our own personalities or being absorbed into the essence of God – God in his essence is… Continue reading Purpose of Our Life
Thoughts on today’s readings
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that oneteach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Forevery one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:for he is a… Continue reading Thoughts on today’s readings
Today’s Scripture Readings – Royal Hours for the Nativity
Dear all, Today the Holy Church sings the "Royal Hours" for the Nativity of ourLord. Therefore, instead of the "normal" scripture readings I hadlisted in an earlier email, the following festal readings are laid outfor us:Micah 5:2-4; Hebrews 1:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25Baruch 3:36-4:4; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 2:1-20Isaiah 7:10-16; 8:1-4, 8-10; Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Matthew 2:1-12Isaiah 9:6-7; Hebrews… Continue reading Today’s Scripture Readings – Royal Hours for the Nativity
Thoughts on the scripture readings – Wednesday Jan 2nd
Our Lord says, "whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire,… Continue reading Thoughts on the scripture readings – Wednesday Jan 2nd
Forefeast of Nativity
Greetings to everybody on the first day of the forefeast of the Nativity! Beginning today, the church accelerates her spiritual preparation for the feast: "Dance, O Sion! / Adorn thyself well, O cave! / Make ready, O Bethlehem! / For, lo! The Virgin cometh // to give birth unto the Christ!" — Reader Nicholas ParkSt.… Continue reading Forefeast of Nativity