A truly devout woman   Her life had begun in tragic circumstances even when she was in her mother’s womb. In the late 1940s her father had died prematurely in his island village in the north east of Greece. He had left behind a young, grieving widow who already had in her care a few older children. As she was growing up, Yasemi may have felt the absence of her father, but she also had the sense that she and her family were being protected by Panagia, the Mother of God. No matter what happened, later in her life, this [...]

On the Prayer of Jesus by Ignatius Brianchaninov. Published by Nicolas-Hays, Inc. 2006   The words of the Jesus prayer are familiar to all pious Orthodox Christians: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner. St Ignatius Brianchaninov was a 19th century Russian Orthodox bishop. He begins his work by placing the Jesus prayer firmly within the tradition and teaching of the gospels. He recalls multiple examples from Holy Scriptures to show that the prayer has scriptural origins; that it is not conceived by monastics of later centuries. The main idea conveyed in his work is [...]

The Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15)   This parable is divided into three parts. The first part is the parable proper, showing how the seed is sown by the sower but requires a suitable environment to grow and yield a crop (v 5- 8). The second concerns the nature of parables, and explains why Christ spoke in parables (v 9 -10). The third is the explanation given by Christ to the Disciples of the initial parable (v 11-15). Looking at the parable, the seed is the word of God - the Gospel (v 11). The first fell along the [...]

How do we rejoice in the Lord always?   In his 4th Chapter to the Philippians, St Paul advises: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7). Many decades ago this author’s spiritual father said to the faithful, "If a Christian is not happy, [...]

St Iakovos of Evia (Commemorated 22nd November)   St Iakovos Tsalikis was born in the village of Livisi, Asia Minor, in 1920. After the destruction of Smyrna by the Turks in 1922, and the forceful deportation of the Greeks, the Livisian refugees eventually settled in the small village of Farakla on the Greek island of Evia. Growing up in Farakla, St Iakovos attended primary school and became immersed in the life of the Church, where he would chant hymns and read prayers. His sanctity was evident from a young age and many of his fellow villagers would ask him to [...]