Πεμπτουσία

Let’s take communion with humble thoughts. We should listen to and concentrate on the words of the Service of Holy Communion and we should say: ‘Christ, I’m such a sinner and no-one else is’.

The Apostle Paul, with this reading from his Epistle to the Galatians, seeks to educate those who still do not realize that the Mosaic Law has a temporary and not eternal value. To illustrate this, he uses the example of the two sons of Abraham. The first child born from Hagar the slave symbolizes the current city of Jerusalem, which is undermined by her and her children. The other child of Abraham, born from the free woman Sarah, according to the promise of God, symbolizes the heavenly Jerusalem. The heavenly Jerusalem is free, and is the mother of all of us Christians. Since she is free from the Mosaic Law, this means that her children also are free from the ...

Jesus taught in the synagogues on Saturdays. The reason behind His choice of day was that, for the Jews, Saturday was a day of rest and worship of God. Any work was completely forbidden. Even the distance one could walk was strictly defined. So on this day, everyone gathered in the synagogues to hear the word of God. One Saturday, in one of the synagogues, there was among the congregation a woman whose body was so bent that she couldn’t fully straighten herself up. Because of her infirmity, it had been eighteen years since she been able to look at other people from a natural position. A pitiable condition. Her life was one of continuous suffering. She had, however, hope ...

Through unflinching repentance, knowledge of the self leads to knowledge of God.

There’s no easy or definitive answer to this question, nor any anxiety over it if you trust in God’s plan. It is, however, a matter on which theologians have set out their opinions, though we’re not in a position to accept any particular one of these absolutely. However that may be, it’s certainly not necessary to approach the issue by involving nationalistic elements, anti-Semitic tendencies and the like. If we start at the beginning, as events are described in Genesis, God creates Adam, that is the human person. After the flood and other Biblical events, He chooses a people to whom He will give His Law and from whom will be born His Son. That this people is Israel is beyond ...

We must address the causes of what’s wrong with a candid mind, rather than dealing with the results with charity.

Rev. Father Nicolas along with the Parish Council of Saint Spyridon Church invite you to join them for the Feast of Saint Spyridon The Wonderworker Bishop of Tremithus, patron Saint of the St. Spyridon community of Washington Heights. Tuesday, December 11, 2018 7:00 pm Great Vespers celebrated by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America Immediately following Services, The Ladies Philoptochos will be offering refreshments at the St. Spyridon Church Banquet Hall. Wednesday, December 12, 2018 9:00 am Orthos – 10:15 am Divine Liturgy Hierarchal Divine Liturgy presided by His Grace, Bishop Apostolos of Medeia Immediately following services, The Ladies Philoptochos will be hosting a luncheon at the St. Spyridon Church Banquet Hall. 124 Wadsworth Avenue – New York, NY 10033 Donation $30.00 Please make your reservations by calling: Elizabeth Katechis 718-514-4853 Maria Konnari 212-928-0343 Complimentary Valet Parking ...

Some monks from the skete set out to visit Abba Anthony. So they got on a boat and there found another Elder who also wanted to go the same place. The brothers didn’t know him, though. Sitting amidships, they talked about the sayings of the Fathers, phrases from Scripture or, in between, discussed their handicrafts. The Elder remained completely silent. When they got to the mooring-stage, they noticed that the Elder was also making his way to Abba Anthony. When they arrived the latter said to the monks: ‘You found good company in this Elder’. To the Elder he said: ‘You had good brethren with you, Abba’. ‘Good they are, certainly’, he replied, ‘but their yard doesn’t have a gate. ...