Category Archives: Introduction to Orthodoxy

On 22 February, at 10am, there will be a Divine Liturgy and Memorial service for Ψυχοσάββατο – Moșii de iarnă – Задушница – Saturday of Souls. In the Orthodox Church, there is an important and long-standing tradition of praying for

by Theo Andreou Over one thousand years stands between these two images of the Mother of God tenderly embracing her Son. They testify to the truth of Mary’s own words in Luke 1:48: ‘For behold, from now on all generations will

Introduction The Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible are part of God’s revelation to mankind.  The Orthodox Church claims that the author of the Old Testament is truly God Himself, but it recognises that it is equally the

This Pascha is for one day and it passes, while that Pascha has no successor. From it pain, grief and sighing have fled away; there everlasting joy awaits. Continue reading →

The simple answer to this question is “To meet God and share in His Life”. But how does this happen? Let us start by asking some fundamental questions. What is the Church here for? What is the distinctive and unique

Starting 31 March, there will be short catechism sessions after the Divine Liturgy during the period of the Great Fast. The theme of the catechism is living the Orthodox Christian life. Everyone is welcome to attend. After a ten-minute introduction,

Joyful is today’s festival, and splendid is the joy it conveys to the ends of the earth. The joy it yields scatters old sorrow; the joy it yields banishes the curse of the world, inaugurates the raising of him who

Watch the keynote lecture delivered by world renowned iconographer Aidan Hart at the Scala Foundation’s 2023 Conference on Art, the Sacred, and the Common Good. The lecture is followed by a discussion with Hart, Common Sense Society Senior Fellow Paul

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return, he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time;

Experience the profound beauty of Romanos the Melodist's ancient hymn for Palm Sunday, where Christ is praised as both the humble rider on a colt and the Almighty who comes "to call back Adam" from death. Contemplate this poetic masterpiece that captures the paradox of our Saviour—throned in heaven yet willingly embracing poverty on earth—as we prepare for the journey through Holy Week. Continue reading →

In certain parts of the Church, especially those influenced by Russian practice, there has grown up a tradition that it is not possible to receive holy communion unless you have first made a confession.  In many places the result has

When we enter into the season of the Great Fast, we start to use a number of special prayers and services.  Amongst these is the hymn that we sing at Matins every Sunday from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

Everyone searching for Christ should read this wonderful book. Bernstein is an immensely gifted man with a keen intellect and a profound desire, from early life, for the truth. His writing style is simple and direct. The book is well

I want to write about tombs, sheep and sea monsters… And yes, I know it sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. But in actuality, these things are related quite profoundly to each other. I want to draw your

Nurturing Orthodox Christian Virtues in Your Children This slim book belies its enormous potential to parents of young children.  Elizabeth White draws on her own experiences of motherhood, her errors and joys of introducing a child to God’s wonderful world.

On Thursday mornings we are currently reading The Inner Kingdom by Bishop Kallistos (as he was when it was published by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press in 2000). It is proving an extremely insightful text. It is a selection of previously

The Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced”. One might rephrase this, “the truth is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be participated

just as we promised through the holy Schema.[1] Theodore the Studite: Catcehesis 40 Brethren and Fathers, just as the hungry long to eat and the thirsty to drink, so we should be enthusiastic to listen to the word of God.

Here are some texts / books you might like to read this Lent. It is not intended that you should read them all before Pascha, but try to read them one day. Continue reading →

St Theodore the Studite's homily: Catechesis 103: On keeping God’s commandments and the just threat against those who neglect them. Brethren and fathers, God, who fashioned us and brought us out of non-existence into being, has placed us in this life as in a schoolroom to learn to gospel of his kingdom.  Continue reading →