“You know where to go!” A miracle of Saint Xenia of St Petersburg in Oakland, California The sermons of Fr Weldon, an evangelical pastor, attracted many types of people, including a youth who arrived at church riding a Harley Davidson, who was however sincerely interested in his faith. Having started to transform his life, the young man struggled daily, conquering all passions but one – “biking”. Hearing that he must surrender this, he left the community despondent and intended never to return. Being involved in a terrible motorcycle accident that cost him his legs, the man landed back into the [...]

What happened to the Departed Souls before Christ? According to St Epiphanios, who lived in the fourth century, the souls of the departed who lived before Christ were in waiting in Hades, or the underworld. What were they waiting for? They were neither in heaven or hell, but waiting. St Epiphanios writes that after Christ was crucified and before His Resurrection, He descended into Hades and those who were righteous ran with eagerness to join Him, but others ran and hid from Him, their hearts unable to receive the love He was so freely offering. He brought the righteous souls [...]

The Beheading of St John the Baptist Commemorated on August 29th St John was the forerunner of Christ, preparing the world for the Saviour. He is sometimes referred to as the Child of the Desert and the one who fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (40: 4). St John was born to Panagia’s cousin, Elizabeth, and Zachariah six months before Christ. The relationship between St John and Christ began from the womb, when Panagia visited Elizabeth and the unborn John leapt in his mother’s [...]

Gospel Reading August 15th The Dormition of the Theotokos (Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28) Luke 10:38–42 recounts the visit paid by our Lord to the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Upon entering the house, Jesus is welcomed by Martha. She then continues to pre-occupy herself with serving while her sister, Mary, sits at the feet of Jesus listening to His teaching. Upon noticing that Mary is no longer helping with the serving, Martha becomes annoyed and says: “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” (v. 40). Our Lord [...]

The Saints Invade the Present In the last few years, the Orthodox Church has declared as Saints several men who were known to her devout members, as pious and sincere Christians. They included Russians, Serbians, and in rapid succession three from Greece - Saint Nicholas Planas (March 2012), Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia (December 2013), who lived most of his life in Athens, and Saint Paisios of Mount Athos (January 2015). The announcement by the Ecumenical Patriarchate caused a surge in popular piety, as all three Greek Saints were very close to the people through most of their lives, were well [...]