Happy Holidays! Blessed Nativity! “O come, O come Emanuel! Held ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice Emanuel shall come to thee O Israel.” We are awaiting the Incarnation of the Word, as Mary did so many years ago. St. Nickolai Velomirovic will be giving … Continue reading O Come, O Come Emanuel…., Part 3 on the Mother of God, The Holy Manifestation of her Virtue, The Incarnation of the Word
Mary, the First Hesyachist Part II “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” While in the womb of the Advent Fast, awaiting the birth of Christ, let us enter into the prayer life of the Theotokos, whom St. Gregory Palamas called the first hesyachist and reflect on the value of … Continue reading Mary, the First Hesyachist – Part II – “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart”
Most of us are not thrilled about fasting – which part of the struggle we all confront when we begin a fast. How do we joyfully and thankfully approach fasting? How do we prepare ourselves to receive Christ into the manger of our souls? How can the Mary be a guide to us this Advent? … Continue reading Drawing closer to the Mother of God during Advent, Part I airing on OCN mid-Nov.
“For it is absolutely necessary for the grace of God to leave, once a tried struggler has acquired a good taste of it in the beginning, so that he may be tested and become a practiced soldier in Christ.” Elder Joseph My last few podcasts have focused on fighting our spiritual battles as members of … Continue reading The Dance Between Temptations and Grace, Part II, Airing on OCN beginning of November
The Dance Between Temptations and Grace Part 1 "As the Vespers service finished, I reflected on the newly tonsured nuns. They had waited years for this moment. They had struggled and fought temptations, passions, bad thoughts, and here they were at the true beginning of their monastic life. Things would become harder, … Continue reading The Dance Between Temptations and Grace, Part 1
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matt 11: 12) St. Ambrose writes: “This is the weapon of a righteous man: to win while retreating, as skilled archers are able, while in retreat, to hit those stronger than themselves.” … Continue reading Part 2 on Spiritual Violence, airing on OCN Oct. 22
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt 11: 12) Our Lord’s life and ministry was one of spiritual violence - from the death of 14,000 children by Herod to His own voluntary death. Let us explore His words … Continue reading Part 1, Spiritual Violence, airing September 19th
