Unlike the English term Easter, which evokes the Teutonic spring-goddess Ostara or Eastra, the Greek word Pascha is a direct transliteration of the Aramaic pascha, which in turn renders the Hebrew pesach, meaning Passover. St Porphyrios explains here in simple, but compelling language how Christ Himself has become our true Passover from darkness into light, from sin and death … [Read more...] about St. Porphyrios Elucidates the Meaning of Pascha
Articles
The Sign of the Prophet Jonah in Our Days
This Holy Week and Pascha, the Covid-19 pandemic has given the faithful a hard saying. They will be deprived of celebrating these high and holy days in their parishes. They will be deprived of receiving holy communion. Nevertheless, they need not, now or ever, be deprived of Christ, for nothing, neither death nor life, neither things present nor things to come, can ever … [Read more...] about The Sign of the Prophet Jonah in Our Days
Prayers for a Time of Devastating Pestilence
“Are any among you suffering? Let them pray. Are any cheerful? Let them sing praises! Are any among you sick? Let them call for the presbyters of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will heal those who are sick and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed sins, they will be forgiven. Confess your … [Read more...] about Prayers for a Time of Devastating Pestilence
First Discourse on the Annunciation by St. Gregory the Wonderworker (Part I)
Truth first enters the world through a word and the more sublime a truth, the more sublime is the language that expresses it. In the essay below written in the third century, St. Gregory the Wonder Worker writes of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, where the angel Gabriel converses with the Virgin Mary in preparation of the coming of the Son of God as man. The Incarnation … [Read more...] about First Discourse on the Annunciation by St. Gregory the Wonderworker (Part I)
Word of Consolation for the Pandemic
Don't be confused, don't fear, don't panic over the Coronavirus pandemic counsels Archimandrite Zacharias of St. John the Baptist Monastery in Essex, England. Nothing that happens to us falls outside the purview of God, and God does everything in love. So why do difficulties come? Initially they come to draw us closer to God. What must we do? First we come come to know who … [Read more...] about Word of Consolation for the Pandemic