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Daily Meditations

The Purpose of Mystery, Paradox and Contradiction

08/23/2021

By Stephen Freeman, January 25, 2016  Orthodox Christianity is deeply associated with the word “mystery.”  Its theological hymns are replete with paradox, repeatedly affirming two things to be true that are seemingly contradictory. Most of these things are associated with what is called “apophatic” theology, or a theology that is “unspeakable.” This same theological approach is sometimes called the Via Negativa. This is easily misunderstood in common conversation. An Orthodox discussion takes place and reaches an

The True Real Life and the False Imaginary Life

08/20/2021

SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification Topic of the Week – The True Real Life and the False Imaginary Life “We only call the Lord, God, but in reality we have our own gods, because we do not do the Will of God, but the will and thoughts of our flesh, the will of our heart, of our passions; our gods are – our flesh, pleasures, money, dress, etc. What vanities, what foolish

Is the Universe Tragic?

08/20/2021

By Stephen Freeman, January 20, 2016  Tragedy is among the older forms of story-telling. The ancient Greeks can be said to have perfected it, and theorized about it with great care. One need only read the plays of Aeschylus or Sophocles to come away with a deep appreciation of the very nature of tragedy. I will not offer anything like the sophisticated analysis of Aristotle. However, I will make a single observation that seems apt

Bringing Happiness to Others. True Love.

08/19/2021

Bringing Happiness to Others Being happy ourselves we are more likely to bring about happiness in others By Abbot Tryphon, December 11, 2019  Gratitude is an affirmation of goodness, for in our being grateful we affirm that there are good things in the world, and good people that are part of our lives. Our being grateful does not mean that everything in life is perfect, but it does mean that we look at life as

Thoughts on Life and New Life, on God’s Nature and our Nature

08/18/2021

Thoughts on Life and New Life By Michael Haldas, July 6, 2016 “The gift of new life requires the reception and cooperation of the believer through faith and obedience to God. We are His children (Romans 8 v. 14) as He leads us by the power of the Spirit. In this new life, the body becomes the follower, not the leader. In choosing the way of the Holy Spirit, we put to death sinful passions

Friends in High Places

08/17/2021

Asking the prayers of those who have won their place in Paradise By Abbot Tryphon, December 9, 2019  The concept of Christ as the “sole mediator between God and man”, assumes that “mediator” means “intercessor”. But, there is a more profound meaning, not merely an intercessor but the reconciliation of God and man in the reality of the hypostatic union of God and man in the person of Jesus Christ. That is the real meaning

The Act of Veneration

08/16/2021

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, January 17, 2016  No spiritual activity permeates Orthodoxy as much as veneration. For the non-Orthodox, veneration is often mistaken for worship. We kiss icons; sing hymns to saints; cry out “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” And all of this scandalizes the non-Orthodox who think we have fallen into some backwater of paganized Christianity. It is not unusual to hear Orthodox who more or less apologize for this activity and seek to

The Dormition of the Mother of God

08/15/2021

Submitted by Abbot Tryphon, August 28, 2011  Today the Living Ladder is Assumed into Heaven How does He, who dwells in the splendor of His glory, descend into the Virgin’s womb without leaving the bosom of the Father? How is He conceived in the flesh, and does He spontaneously suffer, and suffer unto death, in that material body, gaining immortality through corruptibility? And, again, ascending to the Father, He drew His Mother, according to the

The Christian’s Holidays

08/13/2021

SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification Topic of the Week – The Christian’s Holidays “…Christ wants us to enjoy our lives. I’m honestly saying this to you. It’s in our Holy Scriptures. Do you know what it says? “My delights were with the sons of men.” ‘Delights’ equals ‘celebrations’ (having fun). This is the Holy Spirit talking here. God says that He has fun. (He has a feast) when He is with

The Dormition Fast: The Most Holy Mother of God

08/13/2021

By Fr. Stephen Freeman, August 13, 2008  On August 15, the Orthodox Church (new calendar) commemorates the Dormition (falling asleep) of the Most Holy Mother of God. The feast is considered to be one of the 12 Great Feasts of the year and thus an integral part of the proclamation of gospel of Jesus Christ. Many who are not familiar with Orthodoxy, or its manner of understanding saints, easily see feast days and the veneration

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