A COMMENTARY ON THE DIVINE LITURGY Introduction The Divine Liturgy is divided into three parts: 1. The "Proskomidi", or preparation of the Holy Gifts. (Not visible to the Faithful). 2. The "Liturgy of the Catechumens", (the students or learners of the faith). 3. The "Liturgy of the Faithful", (Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist). Priest [...]
July 24 _. † Holy Martyr Christina Born in Tyre, she was the daughter of a rich and famous pagan. Having known the true faith, she destroyed the idols in the house of her father and she was turned over by him as a Christian woman to the most terrible tortures. St. Christina was beaten, [...]
The Transfiguration of Christ By Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas and the South The Transfiguration of Christ is recorded in the first three Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9: 2-9; Luke 9: 28-36). The fourth does not contain an account of the event, but its author, being one of the three witnesses, is probably referring specifically to it when [...]
Lit candles and Icon lamps (lampadas) have a special symbolic meaning in the Christian Church, and no Christian service can be held without them. In the Old Testament, when the first temple of God was built on earth the Tabernacle services were held in it with lamps as the Lord Himself had ordained (Ex. 40:5, [...]
SYMPOSIUM CHURCH GROWTH CHURCH SUPPORT/GIVING (TITHING) The Responsive Church Is a Healthy Church: A Healthy Church is a Growing Church! SYMPOSIUM CHURCH GROWTH CHURCH SUPPORT GIVING TITHING (2)
LITURGICAL TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS 1. ADVENT -It is of Latin origin, meaning `coming or `arrival, and is used in reference to the coming of Christ at the time of and preparation for His Nativity. 2. AER - -The largest of the three veils used to cover the diskarion and Chalice. 3. AKATHISTOS - A [...]
( صوم السيدة ) صوم السيدة العذراء هو من الاصوام المهمة والمحبوبة لدى فئة كبيرة من المسيحيين الممارسين مسيحيتهم ويكاد يقال أن لشعب المؤمن هو الذي وضعه وفرضه على روزنامة الكنيسة لانه حتى القرن الحادي عشر لم يكن ضمن الاصوام المعمول بها بحكم القانون الكنسي ، كما لا نجده في أي قانون من قوانين الصوم [...]
The Fast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos For the first fourteen days of August during each year, the Holy Orthodox Church enters into a strict fast period in honor of the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. The eminent Orthodox theologian, Father Sergei Bulgakov, beautifully expresses the high regard which the Orthodox Christians [...]
St. Theophan the Recluse On Prayer From the Letters of Bishop Theophan the Recluse (Feast Day January 6th.) The Art and Science of Prayer (from Letter 15) You write that you prayed fervently and at once you were calmed, receiving an inner assurance that you would be released from oppression; and then, indeed, it was [...]
هل الخوف نعمة أو نقمة؟ بقلم: الأب انطونيوس مقار إبراهيم كي يتسنى لنا التأمل في هذا الموضوع علينا أن نطرح بعضاً من الأسئلة التي ربما تفيدنا في حياتنا: ما هو الخوف؟ وكيف نتخلص منه؟.. وما هو الفرق بين الخوف والمخافة؟ وهل هناك ما يسمى خوف إيجابي وخوف سلبي؟ أو بمعنى أخر: هل من خوف نافع وخوف [...]