By Fr Stephen Freeman, March 2, 2018 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Ps. 119:11) Years ago, I heard a statement from an American monk: “The contemplative need go no further than his own heart to find the source of all violence in the world.” It struck me as true then and has only seemed more so as the years have passed. At the time (not
By Fr. Stephen Freeman, March 18, 2014 This article keeps coming to mind as I celebrate the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on these Lenten Wednesdays and Fridays. There is nothing to compare to them in the Christian liturgical world. It’s hard to thinking of fasting in the midst of such a feast. Orthodoxy has a number of “favorite” words – all of which fall outside the bounds of normal speech. Though we commonly use
A SPECIAL EASTER APPEAL FROM FATHER STEVE Holy Week & Pascha, 2020 Dearest Parishioners and Stewards, During this “Virtual Holy Week,” it is my most heartfelt prayer that you will continue to support your beloved Cathedral as you have always done so in the past. By clicking on the links, below, you may light a virtual candle, contribute to a virtual tray, light a virtual “Kandili” (votive candle) for health and remembrance, and make a
By Metropolitan Ioïl (Frangkakos) of Edessa, Pella, and Almopia, February 20, 2018 In this period, we have two fasts, as we all know. There are about seven weeks of strict fasting, eight if you include the Cheese-fare week which precedes. For a lot of people this is an enjoyable and desirable time, for others it’s difficult and for others again not at all pleasant. We’ll try to convey some thoughts on this period, as it
SSCORRE! Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification TOPIC OF THE WEEK Family/Adult – Unsure about when ‘social distancing’ will finally end and when we will be able to worship as a community again, we are spending our days at home. What should we be doing during our time at home now in the context of preparing to return to church for when that day comes? Click Below: PODCAST (recommended) BLOG Preschool
One of my favorite authors as a young man, was Thomas Merton, the famous Trappist monk. In the introduction to his work New Seeds of Contemplation he wrote: “Hell was where no one has anything in common with anyone else except the fact that they all hate one other and cannot get away from each other and from themselves.” This very much fits with the Orthodox view of hell as being in the presence of
By Fr. Patrick Reardon, March 13, 2005 The word “Lent,” now associated exclusively with the observance of the liturgical year, originally meant “spring” and had no directly religious significance. In English usage, however, its reference was gradually limited to the season of preparation for Pascha, a season that does, in fact, coincide with spring. In languages dependent on Latin, the word for Lent is some variant of “forty,” derived from the Latin *quadragesima*. This is
By Fr. Stephen Freeman, February 28, 2010 One of the hallmarks of my generation in the South is that we never grew up without a great deal of attention to God. Whether it was the absolute assurance in the sermons of preachers who could say with some precision who was going where when they died, or even with assurance describe heaven, or the far more mundane mutterings of public figures giving lip-service to the God
SSCORRE!Saint Sophia Cathedral Online Resources for our Religious Edification A Message from Maria Spanos I am passionate about our Orthodox Christian faith and seek to help others learn as much as they can about it. My purpose here is to share online resources that help strengthen our relationship with Christ and bind us closer to His Church. I believe they are invaluable in learning about our precious Orthodox Tradition, and are a great aid
Dear Steward, Easter will find the Nave of Saint Sophia decorated with flowers to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection. Traditionally potted lilies are arranged throughout the Church. You are invited to donate in remembrance of your beloved deceased or for the health of your families and loved ones. The Clergy will commemorate the names during the Prothesis of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please fill out the form below and send it
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