What is the Church’s position on controversial end of life issues? Firstly the Church is often at pains to point out that human life is by its very nature sacred, that is, it is intrinsically good and deserves respect and protection. Secondly, the Church and many thoughtful people are aware that suffering can be redemptive: through suffering we can grow spiritually and in other ways. Indeed, it could be that proponents of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide do not have a deep understanding of the purpose of suffering. Active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is forbidden by the Orthodox Church. The word [...]

On the 25th March 2019 as is known, the former Archbishop of Australia, Stylianos slept in the Lord. The whole body of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia mourned the passing of its Shepherd. For a short while, we all felt like we were lost, somewhat like orphans. The question naturally and inevitably came to our lips: Who would come now? Who would take the rudder? Who would guide the Church? Who would sanctify our collective pain? The prayers of all the faithful were united. They became “a sweet-smelling spiritual fragrance.” And the Lord accepted those prayers and responded. Through [...]

St Achilles, the Miracle Worker (Commemorated 15th May) Born around 270AD to an imperial patrician family in Cappadocia, St Achilles received a good education, especially in philosophy. On the death of his parents, he sold all his property, gave the money to the poor, and went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands and then onto Rome. He became a monk and finally settled in Larissa, Thessaly. In recognition of his holiness of life St Achilles was made Bishop of Larissa. He was present at the 1st Ecumenical Council (325AD) where he challenged the Arians: “If Christ is a creature [...]

St Epiphanius - On the Lord’s Descent into Hades Christ’s descent into Hades, although only mentioned briefly in the New Testament, is confirmed as a mystery of cosmic significance by the hymnology and iconography of the early Church. This event is narrated most magnificently by Saint Epiphanius of Salamis in his famous Holy Saturday homily: “Whither does He go? What is the means, what is the intent of His descent into Hades?” St Epiphanius explains that Christ goes to Hades with the intention of seeking out and liberating his lost sheep Adam and Eve. He then continues: “But hurry, let [...]

Elder Markellos of Karakallou (1939 - 2006) Very little is known of Elder Markellos’ early years. He was born in 1939 in Pteleos in Thessaly, south of Volos. He was a teacher, but left this to chase monasticism. He became a disciple of Elder Ephraim of Philotheou, who later went to Arizona. It was these monks from Philotheou who repopulated Karakallou in 1981 after the brotherhood was down to four monks (there are now over fifty). In all stages of his earthly life, both as a layman and as a monk, he possessed purity, simplicity, modesty, wisdom and sincere love [...]