Jesus said: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how …
A Jacob who plays no tricks
On this First Sunday of Lent the Orthodox Church commemorates the restoration of icons in the year 843, after many decades of iconoclastic controversy. In the Liturgy we read John 1:43-51, and one can reasonably wonder what this Gospel reading has to do with the restoration of icons. I choose to dig into the symbols …
Lent is a Bridge
Once upon a time there was a people who looked at what was happening around the world and in their own country and began to be concerned about their own survival. “How can we be sure that we will have enough when the crisis comes? Let’s start collecting food, materials, and knowledge so that …
Who am I? Who are you?
A Nasruddin story A neighbour came to the gate of Mulla Nasreddin's yard. The Mulla went to meet him outside. "Would you mind, Mulla," the neighbour asked, "can you lend me your donkey today? I have some goods to transport to the next town." The Mulla didn't feel inclined to lend out the animal …
Don’t be prodigal in your prayers!
Among the most impressive civilizations in world history were the great Islamic societies of Central Asia, along what were called the Silk Roads. Great architecture and art, literature, technology, scientific and mathematical discoveries were among the trademarks of these societies - in sharp contrast to the common perceptions of Islam that are common in Europe …
How shall we pray?
“Lord, teach us to pray!” the disciples asked of Jesus. Why? They were Jews, they were taught to pray three times a day. Why were they asking? Perhaps because they felt something new was happening. Jesus was not like the Pharisees or the priests. He was teaching a new way, so they wanted to pray …
Finally, our Archbishop speaks
Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America Feb 4, 2017 As Greek Orthodox Christians and as Americans, we express our sadness and pain for our brothers and sisters all over the world who find themselves in tragic circumstances of hostility, violence and war, where families have been torn apart, displaced and where people are …
O Canada! O Quebec!
O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux... Canada is one of the most open and welcoming countries in the world. As an immigrant to Canada in 1963 I know that first-hand. The demons of division and hatred attacked Canada last weekend in the guise of a gunman's attack on a Quebec City mosque. Intolerance, religious and …
Boldness in Dialogue
Rachel Carson dedicated her groundbreaking book Silent Spring (published in 1962) this way: To Albert Schweitzer who said “Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.” Human beings have lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. And this means that we become resigned, fatalistic, accepting the …
The Dialogue of Salvation
The Gospel story of Jesus' encounter with the tax collector Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) brings us face to face with Jesus' message of inclusion. But it also reminds us how important dialogue was in the ministry of Jesus. Dialogue is everywhere in all four Gospels. Matthew 15:21-28 is my favorite example. It reveals practically everything you need to know about …
Ancient Answers 