Meditations for the spiritual edification of our readers
Reflections on the Contemplative Riches of the Mass Quotations Are From the Book The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, by Fr. Nicholas Gihr By a Hermitess In “the heart of the devout Catholic...a mere glance at the altar, upon which day after day heaven with its majesty and grace descends in Mass...convinces him that it is [...]
By Robert Wiesner Miracles were rather more commonplace in ancient Israel than in our modern, rationalistic world. Or, rather, people were not quite as astonished at manifestations of the supernatural. There was no sharp distinction between the temporal, material world and eternity; God had, after all, conceived a universe, not a multiverse. Peter’s reaction to the [...]
BY FATHER EL MESKEEN “He who follows, grows and becomes free” The Spiritual Law is generous and positive, like God Himself. From Spiritual Economy, by Father Matta El-Meskeen (Matthew the Poor), Spiritual Father of the Monastery of St. Macarius, in the ancient desert of Scetis Part III - The Spiritual Law is the law of love... [...]
Pope Francis made an important point during his Morning Meditation on May 9 when he emphasized the unique impact of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes the difference, who sets souls on fire and breathes life into the actions of the Christian. Often the Holy Spirit is either forgotten or overlooked, [...]
Icon of Sts. Peter and Paul Saints Peter and Paul are considered pillars of the Orthodox Church, and thus share a special feast day which is celebrated on June 29. This feast is preceded by one of the main periods of fasting in the liturgical calendar, a time of fasting that is unique to [...]
St. Gregory Palamas We are made up of a soul and body, and both soul and body consist of many members. For the soul too has members after a fashion: those parts of it concerned with growth, desiring, anger and reason. Therefore, true fasting must extend to every part, cleansing and healing them all. [...]
The small structure inside the Church of the Holy Sephulcher in Jerusalem which encloses the tomb of Jesus Endangered Jesus Tomb Unites Rival Catholic, Orthodox Churches in $3.4 Million Restoration Project Three Christian traditions recently put aside their long-standing theological differences and agreed to partner to save the endangered holy place where Jesus was [...]
Icon of the Resurrection Why is the Great Pascha on a Different Date than Easter? This year the Orthodox Church celebrated the Great Pascha, their Easter, on May 1, several weeks after the rest of the Christian world celebrated Easter. This feast is preceded by a Holy Week similar to the Catholic one, and [...]
Icon of Mary Reflecting on Mary’s Blessedness through the Annunciation Thou knowest, O Mary, things kept hid from the patriarchs and prophets. Thou hast learned, O virgin, things which were kept concealed till now from the angels. Thou hast heard, O purest one, things of which even the choir of inspired men was never [...]
Icon of the head of St. John the Baptist The Third Finding of the Head of John the Baptist Along with the lance of Longinus, the head of John the Baptist has a history worthy of an Indiana Jones saga. The Eastern Churches also celebrate the first and second findings in separate feasts. The [...]
