Theophan suggests how God’s grace works in awakening a person from the sleep of sin. God’s grace achieves this by exposing to the consciousness and feeling of a man the insignificance and dishonor of the things to which he is … Continue reading
adminstmike
I am sure that most people only think about Christianity coming to the area that was known as Rus in the 10th century when Volodymyr the Great had all of the citizens of his kingdom baptized (988). The roots of … Continue reading
I have begun presenting information about Paul’s Letter to the Romans. After Paul announces his theme that the Gospel is for both Jew and Gentile, much of the rest of the chapters is about the mutual responsibility that both Gentiles … Continue reading
We must realize that our call to holiness is, for us, a true call to be Christian, that is a follower of Jesus Christ. To be a follower of Jesus means to possess the attitudes that give expression to a … Continue reading
It is during the 6th and 7th centuries that we see additional development of the Divine Liturgy. These developments took place against a background of continuing doctrinal controversy, which was not without its effect on the Liturgy in the capital, … Continue reading
As I shared with you in the last issue of this article, Maximus the Confessor espouses detachment as a means of achieving spiritual liberation which opens a person up to a divinizing relationship with God. Detachment is effective only when … Continue reading
I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better! It shall be done because you trusted During Ordinary Time, that is the weeks after Pentecost, the Church presents readings … Continue reading
In the last several issues of this article I have begun presenting Maximus the Confessors’ ideas on divinization and spiritual progress. It must be noted that Maximus drew his ideas – theories and practices – of spirituality from monasticism whose … Continue reading
The awakening of a sinner, Theophan says, is such an action of God’s grace in his heart that he, having awakened from sleep, sees his sinfulness and feels his danger. He then begins to fear for himself and concerns himself … Continue reading
While I have been sharing some of the history of the development of our Divine Liturgy, I have also attempted to stress the importance of making the Divine Liturgy our personal act of worship. This can only be accomplished IF … Continue reading