Orthodox Christianity

Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom

Christ Resurrection - Christ is Risen
Christ Resurrection - Christ is Risen!
The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom is read at the end of Orthros (Matins) at Pascha, the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, universally throughout the Orthodox Church. It was composed sometime during his ministry in the late 4th or early 5th century.

“If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant festival. If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his recompense.”

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and praises the intention. [Read more…]

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One Word of Truth Outweighs the Whole World

Alexander Solzhenitsyn Word of TruthOrthodoxyToday.org | Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse | Mar. 28, 2009

When Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn gave his Nobel Lecture in 1970, he quoted this Russian proverb: “One word of truth outweighs the whole world.”

We know Solzhenitsyn’s story. In WWII Solzhenitsyn was a Soviet Army officer who was arrested and sentenced to eight years in the Gulags under Stalin. In prison Christ captures him. The encounter changes him, so much so that he clandestinely wrote the three volume “Gulag Archipelago” that laid bare the moral bankruptcy of Marxism. His work caused the collapse of the Marxist establishment in Western Europe and tilled the intellectual ground that led to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. [Read more…]

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Looking Back on American Orthodoxy 2008

OCANews.org | George Matsoukas | Dec. 22, 2008

Reflecting back on the events in our Orthodox Church over the past year is hampered by the fact that our Church is jurisdictionally fragmented. Much good and dynamic work is being accomplished in all jurisdictions. At the same time, that work is not always easy to spot because they are buried in duplicated efforts, not supported by other jurisdictions, under-funded, and all the other problems our fragmentation fosters. [Read more…]

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Orthodox Church in Saudi Arabia for Mosque in Moscow

Interfax | Nov. 26, 2008

Moscow – Representatives of Orthodox public organizations addressed the King of Saudi Arabia an open letter with a request to build an Orthodox Church in his country. The address, conveyed to Interfax-Religion, was initiated after the Saudi Kingdom announced its plans to build a mosque in Moscow.

“You often say that Islam is a religion of justice. However, if Saudi Arabia builds mosques in dozens of Christian countries, isn’t it just to build a church for Christians living in Your Kingdom!” the letter says. [Read more…]

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Moral Tradition and the Assault of Gay Activists

OrthodoxyToday.org | Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse | Nov. 24, 2008

It used to be that when the voters settled on something — even twice, the matter was decided. No more. Proposition 8, the bitterly fought constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman that squeaked by in California recently, needs to be “overturned” — or so the homosexual activists tell us.

Overturn a constitutional amendment? If judges can overturn the amendment, then effectively we have no constitution and we will be governed by the whims of a non-elected judiciary. Say goodbye to the constitutional republic. [Read more…]

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Metropolitan Jonah’s Vision of Orthodoxy in America

OCAnews.org | Met. Jonah | Nov. 21, 2008

Being Orthodox is not about what we do in church, that’s maybe 5%. Being an Orthodox Christian is how we live. It’s how we treat one another. It’s our self-denial and our self-giving. It’s our self-transcendence. And, ultimately, what does that lead to, but the complete fulfillment of our personhood in Christ, so that we become who God made us to be in a communion of love with one another.

One of the most important things, so far as tasks go that I think it’s a vision that we can embrace as a community. It’s going to be something that will help us in our mission, it will help us in our outreach. One of the things that’s convicted me, very much, is where are the Orthodox hospitals? Where are the Orthodox schools? Where are the Orthodox institutions of charity? [Read more…]

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Election Day 2008, Prayer for America

Orthodox Prayer BookNov. 4, 2008

Almighty God, the Father of mercies, Lord of all Creation, and Spring of all comfort, hear our prayers, come to our defense, and deliver us from the dangers and evil that besets us and threatens to enslave us and our children. Oh Master, Jesus Christ, we beseech You to save this land and have mercy on Your people, for the days are dark and our hearts are troubled.

We believe Lord, that all trials of life are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from us fear, anxiety, and distress. Help us to face and endure these difficult and dangerous times with faith, courage, and wisdom. Grant that these trials may bring us closer to You for You are our rock and refuge, our comfort and hope, our delight and joy. We trust in Your love and compassion. For unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. [Read more…]

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California Orthodox Bishops Issue Statement on Proposition 8

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese | Oct. 28, 2008

The decision of the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008, unilaterally redefines the sacred institution of marriage in a manner unprecedented in human history — and alien to our Christian tradition. We, the Orthodox Christian bishops of California, were saddened by this decision which constitutes a direct attack upon the longstanding role and freedom of religion in American life. A majority of the justices declared not only that same-sex couplings must be allowed to exist at those couples’ discretion as “marriages,” but that the state of California is forbidden to refer to these couplings as anything but “marriages.” [Read more…]

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The Most Wanted Infidel in the World

OrthodoxyToday.org | Raymond Ibrahim | Sep. 18, 2008

Al Qaeda declares Coptic priest Zakaria Botros “one of the most wanted infidels in the world” and offers $60 million for his head.

You have probably never heard of Father Zakaria Botros. But you need to know his story. He is far and away the most-watched and most-effective Arab-American evangelist focused on reaching the Muslim world, and by far the most controversial. The Rush Limbaugh of the Revivalists, he is funny, feisty, brilliant, opinionated, and provocative. But rather than preaching the gospel of conservatism, he is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And his enemies do not simply want to silence him. They want to assassinate him. [Read more…]

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