Our Creed   “Who for us and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human” The concluding phrase of the third article of our Creed, “and became human”, contains profound theological depth and far-reaching consequences for our salvation. The attempt to define who Christ is proved to be the greatest point of contention for the Church over many centuries, forming the focal point of many Ecumenical Councils. To this day, the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ ‘provokes’ every person of faith to consider their own human [...]

  Atheism   Long before the Son of God was born as man, God spoke to Moses and told him, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex 20:3). And elsewhere he orders him to tell His people: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deut 6:4). God addressed these words to His own selected people. He had given them their own land, with Jerusalem to become their capital city and “The city of the great King” (Ps 47:3). Christ’s Incarnation established a new covenant which included those who in the past were not His people. [...]

Orthodox Journey: The Neomartyrs Podcast Series   The Neomartyrs is a podcast series (July 4th – September 12th) presented by the Greek Orthodox Christian Society through the Orthodox Journey podcasts. The series explores the lives of the Orthodox saints martyred under Ottoman rule. It develops several themes, all of which are guided by the lives of the neomartyrs. The foundation was laid in the first episode with the life of Saint Kosmas the Aetolian. It highlights the circumstances that the Orthodox Christians faced under Turkish occupation. From there, the series goes on to explore why the Ottoman Empire and Islam [...]

O Gladsome Light   Φως ιλαρόν – O Gladsome Light Gladsome light of the holy glory of the holy, blessed, heavenly, immortal Father, O Jesus Christ: arriving at the hour of sunset and having seen the evening light, we praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God. It is worthy for You to be praised at all times with happy voices, O Son of God and Giver of life; and therefore the world glorifies you This well-known hymn is chanted during the Vespers service, at the conclusion of the ‘entrance’ with the priest holding the Holy Bible or censor. Once [...]

Fr George Calciu   Imagine spending 21 years in prison for your faith in Jesus Christ. George Calciu (1925-2006) lived in Romania during the communist era (1944- 1989). While a young man, his medical studies were cut short when he was imprisoned for his deep religious convictions and outspoken criticism of the communist regimen. He was tortured until he denied Christ and was then forced to torture others toward the same end. He admired the imprisoned priests, who endured and forgave their tormentors. He was released after 16 years imprisonment in 1964. He then completed a degree in French literature, [...]