Kalanta - Carols Kalanta (κάλαντα) in contemporary times are traditionally sung on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve and Epiphany. The carols are different for each festivity as they refer to the Nativity of Christ for Christmas, to St Basil for New Years and to the Baptism of Christ at Epiphany. The tradition of the Kalanta however, has its roots in ancient Greece adopted during the Byzantine period. The word itself derives from the Latin calendae which means “the beginning of the month”, and while the form of the custom has changed as we moved from the ancient to the Christian [...]

St Nectarios on Christology St Nectarios, the much beloved saint of the 20th century, is remembered as a great example of Christian love, sacrifice and long-suffering. However, one aspect of his legacy that is often overlooked is his significant theological work. St Nectarios was a very learned man and through his writings in modern Greek, he made the Apostolic and Patristic theological traditions of Orthodox Christianity approachable to the wider public of the Greek nation. In his extensive writings on Christology, St Nectarios examines the coming and the person of the Saviour and Messiah, Jesus Christ. Using a similar style [...]

Dismissal Hymn of Theophany (6th January) It was no mere co-incidence that the Holy Trinity was revealed when Christ was baptised by St John the Baptist in the Jordan river. Our tradition teaches us that Christ means, "one who is anointed", chosen by God for a special mission. This Christ however was not anointed with oil as the prophets and Kings of the Old Testament were, to witness for God, or to be God's representative on Earth. He is Himself the "theophany", the Son of God who reveals to us God as Holy Trinity. In his Catechetical Lectures, St Cyril [...]

The Rod of Jesse “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1) This is one of the many prophecies regarding the Incarnation of Christ, which clearly states that Christ will be born with royal lineage. The Genealogies of Christ found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, confirm that Jesus’ descendants can be traced back to Jesse through the Holy Theotokos. Our Church hymnography expresses the same message in the Katavasies of Christmas: “Jesse’s root produced a branch, O Christ, and You its flower blossomed forth.” [...]

Psalm 109 (110) «Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τῷ Κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἃν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου» The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet.” This psalm is a prophecy concerning the birth and priestly reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will triumph over the enemies of evil, sin, and death. Parts of this psalm are read in Church during the Divine Liturgy on Christmas day. The first verse relates God the Father promising the Son that He will place [...]