Κατηγορία

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Through the prism of eternity (Saint Justin Popovich)

Κατηγορίες: In English

For us, Christians, who are illumined and enlightened in Christ, everything in this world has value and meaning only insofar as it’s a means and path to eternity. Because we see what’s not apparent and gaze upon the invisible. We regulate the whole of our lives in time on the basis of that which is eternal, what is human on the basis of the God/human. As long as there is something eternal within the sphere of the temporal, that’s what we live off. But when that’s missing, we’ll seek it beyond time, in the kingdom of the unending and invisible. We gaze upon everything through the prism of eternity, that is, through the prism of Christ, since He is the eternal God and ...

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The Dogma of Christ’s Descent into Hades

Κατηγορίες: In English

The descent in the Orthodox dogmatic system There is evidence for the Orthodox dogma of Christ’s descent into Hades both in Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition, though it is vague and general. Holy Scripture does not define in strictly dogmatic terms the details of the Redeemer’s descent into the kingdom of the dead, instead using general and symbolic expressions; nor did the ancient Church develop this dogma based on the Apostolic Tradition, since there was no reason to. The ancient Church Fathers occasionally made reference to the dogma of the descent, but not leave us with specific, systematic treatises concerning it. Instead, they were content to repeat the relevant passages in Scripture and the experience of the dogma in the worship ...

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Take Courage! Why are you Afraid? (Fr. Andreas Agathokleous)

Κατηγορίες: In English

As we progress through Holy Week with self-isolation and the various messages or news items concerning the course of the corona virus, I remembered the ‘Gospel of the Testament’. It’s the first of the twelve Gospels read on the evening of Great Thursday. It’s also the longest because it contains the words the Lord said to His disciples on the last night of his life on earth, taken from all four of the Evangelists. He prepares them for the difficulties they will encounter and for His betrayal and death. He also explains that He is the way that leads to the Father, the true vine Who keeps alive those who remain attached to Him. But mostly He prepares them for the ...

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‘Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hanged on a tree’ (old stichario), tone plagal 2. (Greek Byzantine Choir)

Κατηγορίες: In English

From a recording of the service of the Great Hours on Holy Friday, 25-04-2003 at the church of Saint Irene in Aiolou St. It is sung by the choirs of the church, directed by Lukourgos Angelopoulos and Ioannis Tsitsiopoulos. Recording: V. Zaharis; Photo: I. Panousakis. Your browser does not support the audio element.

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