The form of Orthodox Church Government is neither authoritarian (monarchial) nor majority-rule (purely democratic). It believes in sharing of authority, keeping in view the special roles of the Clergy and the Laity – the mind of the community. An exposition of this concept is given by Fr. Dr. K.C. Joseph
Pesaha is one of the most important feasts of the Jewish religion. The word Pesaha literally means ‘exodus’. Church historians are of the opinion that Pesaha must be the combination of two feasts, which existed before the time of Moses. One was linked with the experiences of the time when
The center of the liturgical year in the Orthodox Church is Kymtho, the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. It is extolled in the services as the Feast of feasts and Triumph of triumphs. Justifiably so, for as the Apostle Paul declares, if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain,
Definition The Apocrypha and the Churches The Roman Catholic Church The Syrian Orthodox Church The Protestant Churches and Apocrypha The term’ Apocrypha’ The Church Fathers and Apocrypha The books in Apocrypha The predominant thoughts in Apocrypha Conclusion a. Definition The word comes from its counterpart in Greek which means ‘hidden’
Today we celebrate a multi-layered Festival. It is multi-layered because it is both a festival of the Church and an astronomical calendar date marking the half way point between winter solstice and vernal equinox: spring is on the way! It commemorates a scriptural event which combines the Presentation of the
In the first qolo of Thursday evening prayer, we sing: The Ninevites trembled at the voice of Jonah, the son of Mattai, and took refuge in penitence by watching, fasting and prayer; and by tears and groans the sentence of judgment pronounced by Jonah concerning the destruction of Nineveh was
Christians have often been called as “ordinary people with extraordinary claims”. And in many ways this appellation is true! The word of God says “But Jesus looked at them and said to them “with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. Mt. 19:26, (Lk 1:37, Jer
It is always presumed by the World that Christian Orthodoxy is a path that is old and outdated that it can not have any constructive and positive response to any problem from the modern world of epistemological advancement. Is this true? Stem Cell Research is a very modern field of
As Christians and especially Orthodox, we have a rich tradition of the Holy Qurbana. How many of us realize the importance of participating in the Holy Mystery? Are we forced into Church every Sunday by our parents or by our community? It is a problem that many youngsters face today.
The genuinely humble do not seek their own honor, but rather seek to honor God. But in the end, God honors them. A true servant does not seek his own reward, but rather serves because he has accepted the Lordship of Christ.
