By Fr. Stephen Freeman, February 24, 2018 According to St. Basil, God is the “only truly Existing.” Our own existence is a gift from God who is our Creator. None of us has “self-existing” life. We exist because God sustains us in existence – in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Sin is the rejection of this gift of God – a movement away from true existence. +++ Much of our attention in the
By Father John Parker, February 27, 2018 I still hear, from time to time (though less frequently), “What are you giving up for Lent”? I’m glad that it is still ‘out there’—the idea that there is a season during which someone might actually abstain from something. Abstinence of any sort is usually trampled upon in our day. Self-indulgence (because, after all, ‘you deserve it’), generally reigns. One could summarize the 40 Days of the Great Lenten Fast
From Old Testament times, the people of God prepared for holy occasions with fasting and prayer, and the New Testament continued with this holy tradition. The Lord Himself fasted for forty days before beginning His earthly ministry, demonstrating the importance of fasting before starting any spiritual task. Christ even went so far as saying “When you fast” (Matt. 6:16), rather than If you fast. Our Lord told his disciples that “when the bridegroom shall be
PRAYER OF PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS Brothers & Sisters, During this difficult and trying time, the Metropolis of Atlanta has published a most beautiful prayer of protection from the coronavirus (below). His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta encourages all the Faithful throughout the United States to offer this prayer in their “κατ’οικον εκκλησία,” in their “church of the home.” Whether individually or as a family, I ask you to offer up this prayer before Almighty
By Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou, April 4, 2017 The grace of God has gathered us together today at the heart of Great Lent in order to express to the Lord our longing for His salvation, for the acquisition of the spirit of wisdom and for understanding of His commandments. Holy Scripture, however, warns us: ‘It is impossible for a heartless man to purchase wisdom.’[1] What is the ‘heart’ for us as Christians, and what kind of
ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS ANNOUNCES FURTHER MEASURES TO PROTECT THE FAITHFUL RESPONDING TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Brothers & Sisters, Devout Stewards of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Below, please see the most recent press release, in both English and Greek, from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The sentence which demands your most immediate attention is the following: The [community] churches will continue to perform the appointed services [exclusively with the priest(s) and chanter(s)], however the Faithful should pray
By Fr. Stephen Freeman, March 2, 2016 Orthodox Christians make a beginning of their Lenten discipline with the forgiving of everyone for everything (theoretically). This is expressed in the rite of forgiveness which is part of Vespers on the Sunday of Cheesefare. The ritual expression of forgiveness can easily and often be little more than a ritual. It reminds us of the need to forgive, but does not, on its own, achieve what it expresses.
SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT While liturgical services are to be celebrated as previously scheduled at Saint Sophia Cathedral, please see the most recent announcement issued by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Thank you, Stay safe, and may the Lord preserve and protect us all. Father Steve GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA NEW YORK – On Saturday, March 14, 2020, the Holy Eparchial Synod convened via a teleconference to
Further Guidance From The Holy Eparchial Synod NEW YORK – On Saturday, March 14, 2020, the Holy Eparchial Synod convened via a teleconference to continue assessing the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as Corona Virus, and decided the following: 1) For the benefit and protection of the faithful, and taking into account the recent scientific findings, we advise our faithful not to be exposed in places of public assembly (including attending church) during the
Dearest Parishioners & Stewards, Given the state of emergencies and school closings called in DC, Maryland, and Virginia due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we have made the following changes to our activities. Starting Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 29, Saint Sophia Cathedral will suspend all non-liturgical activities. Specifically, there will be no activities, classes, or meetings for youth or adult programs, including Sunday School, Greek School, Little Angels, JOY, GOYA, Symposium, Philoptochos, Baking
© 2020 Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
