Some Things Can Wait

One of my favorite lessons to learn during Great Lent has to do with feast days. As you know, during Great Lent the Church does not encourage large celebrations. In fact, even the Divine Liturgy is limited during Great Lent because it is ‘too festive’ for the normal character of Lent. Today is the Feast…

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The Power of the Incarnation

Today the Church ‘takes a brief break’ from the strict fast of Great Lent for the Feast of the Annunciation. Today the Church remembers the Good News that God gave humanity through the Archangel Gabriel. Today all humanity receives hope in the power of God’s Incarnation. Nothing says power like a virgin giving birth. To…

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Celebrate Properly

The entire Orthodox World (those on the New Calendar) celebrated yesterday. If you went to celebrate the end of the fast, you celebrated the wrong thing. We say we celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which we did. Today is a fast day since it is Wednesday. If you awoke this morning…

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Episode 401 – The Light of Christ

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

On the Feast of Transfiguration, the Church celebrates the Light of Christ. On Mount Tabor Christ appeared as bright as the sun, but the disciples were not harmed because God protected them. God allows us to see His Light as much as we can bear. The world is competing with God by showing us images…

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You Are In the Father

The Pinnacle Church

Yesterday the Church celebrated the Feast of Ascension, the day which commemorates Christ’s glorious return to His Throne in Heaven. Here’s the deal that most Christians do not consider. If we are baptized into Christ, and become united to Christ, then we too are on the Throne of God with Christ. It doesn’t mean that…

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Still True

A cross sign in the middle of a sunset

Today is the Feast of Apodosis of Pascha. It is the final day of celebration of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the last day to say and sing Christ is Risen! By the end of today, we will have to wait until May 5, 2024, to sing…

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2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 27

A white and blue color long silicon cloth

In the middle of Great Lent, we encounter a totally different experience. The Feast of the Annunciation is the only day a ‘regular’ Liturgy is celebrated during the week. It is a day when fasting is lessoned. It is a day when the Church celebrates, not matter when it occurs. Growing up Greek in America…

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Why Bless Material Things?

Beginning today, the Orthodox Church on the New Calendar celebrates the Feast of Theophany (Epiphany) with as much grandeur, maybe even more than Christmas. Among the special church services, liturgies and Holy Water blessings, many Orthodox Christians will gather around natural bodies of water for a blessing. During the special blessing service, the Holy Spirit…

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