The Christology of the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ (which He made just before His arrest on Holy Thursday) is explained, and then the moral application of this prayer which is as important as the dogma in it is discussed. Our Lord proves that He is equal to the Father, and gives us two instructions on what we must do to be saved. Both instructions are intimately related to His relationship with the Father, and consequently what our relationship should be with God and our neighbor.
7th Sunday of Pascha – Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Why do we commemorate the First Ecumenical Council and read the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus between Ascension and Pentecost?
7th Sunday of Pascha – Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Why do we commemorate the First Ecumenical Council & read the High Priestly prayer of Jesus between Ascension & Pentecost? John 17:1-13 John 17:1-13 2010 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, with Emperor Constantine (Arius, whose heresy was repudiated, is underneath… Continue reading 7th Sunday of Pascha – Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Why do we commemorate the First Ecumenical Council and read the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus between Ascension and Pentecost?
7th Sunday of Pascha – Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council – sermons and questions and answers
Icons, Homilies and teaching, in Q&A form about the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.
Electronic Newsletter May 22 / June 5 Sunday of the Holy Fathers
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter May 22 / June 5 Sunday of the Holy Fathers Announcements Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Links related to the coming week Thou wast born as Thou Thyself didst will; Thou didst appear of Thine own choice;… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter May 22 / June 5 Sunday of the Holy Fathers
On the struggle with thoughts. Fr George Calciu and Elder Paisios.
In the moment when you begin to pray, the devil attacks you; and after the first words, after the first short prayers you make, he puts all kinds of unimportant, worldly thoughts in your mind. …
Father Paisios of Mount Athos says that these thoughts which appear in our mind at the time of prayer are like…
With photos of Fr George Calciu and Elder Paisios of Mount Athos.
The Meaning of Ascension. Audio Homily.
Because Jesus Christ took on our flesh in every way, His ascension tells us that we will ascend in the flesh. This will be accomplished by living according the the Holy Spirit, Who was promised to us after His ascension.
St Ephrem the Syrian on the Ascension. St Athanasius explains the Psalms referring to the Ascension.
Do you see then to what height of glory human nature has been raised? Is it not from earth to heaven? Is it not from corruption to incorruption? … St Ephrem
On this account it foretells his bodily ascension into heaven, and says in Psalm 23, “Lift up your gates, you princes and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the king of glory shall come in.” And in the forty-sixth, “God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with a sound of a trumpet. … St. Athanasius of Alexandria
Ascension – 11 questions and answers, and The whole of our faith is Jesus Christ. Two prophesies, one fulfilled, one being fulfilled.
hat significance does the event of the Ascension of Jesus Christ have for the Christian? We should understand why we celebrate any feast, and its inner meaning. In the gospel reading for liturgy on the Ascension, two gifts are mentioned by Christ. One is given and one is promised. What are they? Comment on their… Continue reading Ascension – 11 questions and answers, and The whole of our faith is Jesus Christ. Two prophesies, one fulfilled, one being fulfilled.
Meditations on the Paschal Canon, Ode 9
Continuing the mediation on the Paschal Canon which I began in this post. The attentive reader might wonder when Odes 4-8 were posted. I'm wondering when I'll get around to writing them – perhaps next year, perhaps never… But it seemed appropriate to reflect on Ode 9 as we prepare to give up the feast… Continue reading Meditations on the Paschal Canon, Ode 9
The Sunday of the Blind Man. What must I do to be saved?
The story of the healing of the blind man who washed in the pool of Siloam is a primer on what we must do and must not do – to be saved. We discuss some very important dogma presented at the beginning of the reading (what does it mean when is says Jesus “passed by” – it is something very specific, personal and important, questions abut sin, what our Lord’s important statement about work during the day means), and then we look at the character of the blind man, and the ruling Jewish elite. A clear pattern emerges of the things WE must do, and the things that God will do it we do these necessary things.