Bringing the Holy Light Home   At midnight on Easter Saturday the deep-toned voices of our Orthodox Liturgists all over the world, shout out the triumphal announcement, “Come receive the light, from the never-setting Light, and glorify Christ who has risen from the dead”! The faithful have awaited this moment from the beginning of Great Lent, when we have been urged as the Prodigal Son to return with deep repentance to the embrace of the loving Father. We have been encouraged to pray as the Publican with humility, “Lord have mercy on me”. We have witnessed the thief on the [...]

Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom   This homily is read aloud to the congregation by the priest on the evening of Holy Pascha, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. It draws from the richness of the Gospel parables to reassure and confirm the faith of the entire congregation. The homily calls us to enter into the joy of our Lord, like the good and faithful servant, whether we have began our spiritual struggle in the 1st hour, the 3rd, 6th, 9th, or even the 11th hour. On first impressions, the homily may appear to discourage personal struggle where [...]

From the Lauds (Αίνοι) of Pascha   Πάσχα ἱερὸν ἡμῖν σήμερον ἀναδέδεικται, Πάσχα καινόν, Ἅγιον, Πάσχα μυστικόν, Πάσχα πανσεβάσμιον, Πάσχα Χριστὸς ὁ λυτρωτής, Πάσχα ἄμωμον, Πάσχα μέγα, Πάσχα τῶν πιστῶν, Πάσχα, τὸ πύλας ἡμῖν τοῦ Παραδείσου ἀνοῖξαν, Πάσχα, πάντας ἁγιάζον πιστούς. A sacred Pascha has been revealed to us today, a new and holy Pascha, a mystic Pascha, an allvenerable Pascha, a Pascha that is Christ the Redeemer, an unblemished Pascha, a great Pascha, a Pascha of the faithful, a Pascha that has opened for us the gates of Paradise, a Pascha that makes all the faithful holy. This hymn is [...]

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867)   Along with St Seraphim of Sarov and Theophan the Recluse, St Ignatius Brianchaninov belonged to an exemplary class of 19th century luminaries that led the revival of monasticism in Russia. Of aristocratic lineage, the young Dimitry followed the course set for him by his parents and his society. This included attending the St Petersburg Military School. He excelled in his studies despite suffering from prolonged periods of illness. His academic achievements and distinguished character were noted by the future Tsar Nicholas I. Yet for all his success, Dimitry only desired to join a monastery. Christ [...]

«ἡ καρδία μου καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου ἠγαλλιάσαντο ἐπὶ Θεὸν ζῶντα» (Ψαλμ. ΠΓ᾽ 3) “My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God” (Ps 84:3) It is said that David composed this Psalm in the desert beyond the Jordan. He was there because he was being pursued by his son Absalom after having been betrayed by his counsellor Ahithophel. We therefore have David searching for God in the desert. It was adopted later by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, so it has become the par excellence Psalm of pilgrimage. The Psalm speaks of an immediate relationship with the Lord. [...]