In Exodus 33:18 Moses asks God: “Please, show me Your glory”! But the vision of God as presented in the Holy Scriptures may sometimes appear contradictory. Some passages characterise such a vision as impossible whereas others state the opposite. From the Old Testament, we read: “the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend”. At the same time a few verses later God tells Moses: “You cannot see My face, for no man can see My face and live” (Exodus 33:11,20). Likewise, in the New Testament Christ teaches: “blessed are the pure in heart [...]

Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia Commemorated on December 2nd Elder Porphyrios was born in 1906 in Euboea to pious parents. He worked as a shepherd boy when he was eight years old and came across a booklet about Saint John the Hut-Dweller which he read with great difficulty as he was uneducated. Deeply touched by the life of the saint, at twelve years of age, he secretly left for the Holy Mount Athos. Here, he met his spiritual father who guided him until his own repose. After some time, he had to return to Euboea because of illness. Here, at 18 [...]

Gospel Reading June 30th (Matthew 9:36-10:8) Feast of the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles This Gospel passage concerns the first mission that Jesus entrusted to the Apostles during His public ministry. The term “Apostle” is of Greek origin and means “to be sent out”. At the outset, the passage describes the significance of the Apostles’ mission. The people of Israel were in a dire spiritual state. Despite having the Mosaic Law and the leadership of the Pharisees, they were like sheep with “no shepherd” (verse 36). Professor Trembelas[1], in his commentary on this passage, notes that we in fact know [...]

  Public Morality   Those of us who occasionally glance at the major topics appearing in the press, will not have failed to note that at present three Royal Commissions are sitting at the same time, each one examining a different matter of major public interest. They all are investigating the presumed misbehaviour of people who held or are holding high office in our Society. In addition, the ICAC is separately investigating political figures in our state for similar reasons. People such as the above are being expected to be honest and upright persons; in fact to be role models [...]