Saturday of Souls

The Church received from the Holy Apostles to  perform memorial services on the third, ninth, and fortieth day and so on for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. Since many have throughout the ages died in foreign lands,…

Dialogues of Ss. Cyril and Methodius with Jews

Our Holy Fathers, Cyril (known in the world as Constantine the Philosopher) and Methodius, the Enlighteners of the Slavs, were renowned for their profound wisdom and unwavering confession of Christ. The following excerpts, taken from the Life of these Saints…

Moses’ Staff and the Rock

Question:What does the staff of Moses and the struck rock that water came forth from symbolize?Answer:The staff symbolizes the Cross, the rock the Church, the water symbolizes the Holy Baptism that comes from the Church. “orthodoxos omologia” ορθοδοξος ομολογια orthodox…

Dialogues of Ss. Cyril and Methodius with Muslims

The Orthodox Church, as the pillar and ground of the Truth (1 Tim. 3:15), has from apostolic times been called to defend the pure teachings of Christ against all falsehoods. Among the great champions of Orthodoxy stand our Holy Fathers…

Saint Lydia of Philippi — Firstborn of the Church in Europe

Commemorated on June 2 Today the Holy Orthodox Church honours Saint Lydia of Philippi, the first recorded convert to Christianity in Europe, whose faith and hospitality mark the dawn of the Gospel’s journey across the continent. Saint Lydia was a…

The Lord Did Not Simply Curse the Fig Tree

by St. Isidore of Pelusium The Lord did not simply curse the fig tree ( a known symbol of the Jewish people) but to show to the ungrateful Judeans that He has the strength necessary to punish.

The Grandeur and Sanctity of Places

Epistle of a Patriarch of old to the Fathers of Sinai The grandeur and Sanctity of places, without virtue though, do not benefit a soul just as Paradise did not benefit Adam when he was disobedient Nor was Lucifer benefited…