Note from Priest Seraphim: Prayers like this brought me to Orthodoxy. This is how Orthodox Christians commemorate important events, with sober, humble, and theologically rich prayer. An aspect that particularly attracted me was how in our prayer we ?blame? ourselves. For instance, the terrorist events remind us of our condition, and we do not focus on the sins of strangers who committed these acts. To me this is just telling the truth about ourselves, and reaching out to God with no pretences, much like in the Psalter. We are never far from talking about the human condition (a condition, which always fascinates, thrills and saddens me, all at the same time), and how the incarnation, the Holy Spirit, and all aspects of God?s grace and reaching out to man heals human nature so it can be united to God. Our prayer, if experienced in all of its scope, shows clearly that we know salvation is the perfection and elevation of the human soul to God, and not only forgiveness of sins. I did not experience these feelings in the public prayer when I was not Orthodox (although I did feel it in a germinal form when I read the Psalter). The mindset in our prayers truly led me to Orthodoxy. It feels very freeing to say out loud what is wrong with me (in our prayers), and at the same time, approach God with confidence and hope. I suppose that someone reading this may be experiencing the feelings I once had, and if so, I encourage you to investigate Orthodoxy. You can read books, and learn our theology, but I think you will really find rest when you experience our prayer. Come to many services, especially our Vespers and Matins services, and give it some time, because our manner and content of prayer is very different from what is normally seen in the West.

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter August 29/ September 11 12th Sunday after Pentecost Beheading of St. John the Baptist     The glorious beheading of the forerunner is a certain divine dispensation, that the coming of the Savior might also be preached to those in Hades. Lament then, Herodias, that thou hast… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter August 29/ September 11

People generally use the word freedom in order to describe two things: the first and perhaps most persistent meaning of the term is simply lack of subjection to any kind of ownership or tyrannical authority, the lack of restriction of one?s actions, the absence of obstacles to self-determination or personal choices, the right to make up one?s own mind with regard to occupation, speech, assembly, religion and so on….

In this particular article it is not our intention to dwell on the matter of freedom as described above, making this a plea for law and order. Rather, we wish to present a general account of the Orthodox Church?s understanding of freedom, in light of Christ?s work of redemption, His “breaking the chains of hell and overthrowing the tyranny of hades.” …