God prefers to reveal His ways through paradox. Because mystery is paradoxical. But people don't like paradox; people want clearcut answers, clearcut methodologies. And so people get confused. Why did God choose this way? Wouldn't it have been easier and less messy if God did it otherwise, maybe by just waving his hand and telling …
Ancient Hymns of Holy Thursday
The Last Supper, by Julia Stankova (Reproduced here with her permission.) http://www.juliastankova.com/home.html On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus. Throughout Holy Week some of the most profound meditations are found in the various Kanons that are sung throughout the week, usually in the Matins services …
Re-inventing the language of prayer
Like Anne Frank, Etty Hillesum lived in Amsterdam during the German occupation. Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary. And like Anne Frank she died in a concentration. But unlike Anne Frank, she was not a teenager; she was 29 when she died in Auschwitz in 1943. Her diaries cover her spiritual journey during the …
Christian, Come Forth!
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, it is easier for people to become even more alienated than usual from the worship services of the Orthodox Church. But today is Lazarus Saturday, the beginning of Holy Week - though this weekend of Palms is a kind of festal break between the end of Lent yesterday and …
God’s ‘hidden love’
Lord, stir up within me at this timethe sense of wonder at your Cross;fill me with a fervour of faith at this moment,so that my thoughts may be inflamedwith the fire of your love;and may my eyes become for yourivulets of waterto wash all my limbs;may your hidden lovebe infused into my thoughts,so that my …
