Has the World ever heard words of such momentous significance, which are true, and which also announce that all of us, will be resurrected when Jesus returns in full glory in His second coming! The Angel at the tomb, in brilliant white, announces to the myrrh-bearing women: "Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here - but is risen" (Lk 24:5-6). Since then, Orthodox Christians on the day of Pascha and the 40 days that follow, greet one another with unique spiritual joy: Christ is Risen! But the greeting “Christ is Risen” is [...]

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The most natural thing an Orthodox Christian can do is to kiss his 'spiritual family', including the icons of the Saints, Holy Relics, the Cross, the Gospel, as well as kissing the priest's hand. It is an ancient custom signifying love, respect and reverence: as it is Christ Himself that we encounter and experience through these holy things. St Paul instructs us to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (2 Cor 13:12); hence we greet the priest or bishop by making a bow and saying, "Father bless", kissing his right hand. When a priest is ordained, he receives the [...]

'On Prayer' is the 28th chapter of St John Climacus' 'Ladder of Divine Ascent', a treatise comprised of 30 chapters (steps) concerning the spiritual life. St John urges his readers to "pray in all simplicity" and to forget over-complicated words in prayer. The "simple and unadorned lisping" of children is enough to win the heart of the Lord. St John reminds us that the tax collector and the prodigal son both received forgiveness by a single phrase. Our prayer should therefore contain more heart than intellect. The reader is warned that our minds can be distracted in searching for words. [...]