What is the significance of the Holy Light? The Holy Light (το Άγιο Φως) refers to a miracle that happens every year at Pascha at the Cathedral of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The flame of the Holy Light lights up on its own, without a material flame source. There are references to the miracle of the Holy Light from the fourth century AD, and it has been documented consecutively every year since 1106 AD. Each year, the miracle has occurred at the same time (in relation to Pascha), in the same manner, at the same place, and to the [...]

How can we share in the joy of Christ's birth?   I suspect that the readers of Lychnos are aware of how terribly commercialised Christmas has become. My answer to your question on how can we share in the joy of Christ’s birth is to meditate on the real meaning of Christmas, and to also allow the example of Christmas to change our mindset and the way we relate to one another. I will answer your question by using a sermon on the Nativity by Saint Gregory Palamas. This very spiritual saint put it as follows: “The pre-eternal and almighty [...]

Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Jesus all spent time in Egypt before returning to Israel. What is the significance of Egypt?   Egypt was already a great civilisation by the time it is first mentioned in the Bible. Abraham had gone to Egypt when there was a famine where he lived in Canaan. A few generations later, Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt. During the great famine, his whole family (and therefore the whole Israelite nation) moved to Egypt. Four hundred years later, it was Moses who delivered the Hebrews out the slavery and oppression of Egypt into [...]

What do we learn from the Transfiguration? The story of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is amazing! Jesus takes three of His disciples to Mount Tabor and there, in front of them, and surrounded by Moses and Elias, He transfigures and shows them His divine nature. You can read the story in the New Testament in Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2 and Luke 9:28. Some of the important lessons from this revelation by Jesus are as follows: The Authority of Jesus Christ Our Lord Jesus Christ transfigures in the presence of Moses and Elias.Moses is the liberator [...]

How can we help our families to grow spiritually? Those that ask this question come from a variety of backgrounds. It is a very common question amongst parents who have come to love Christ, and who yearn for their children to come to love Christ. Those that ask this question could even be young people who love the members of their family and deeply desire that their loved ones, as the psalmist says, come to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 33 [34]:9). Saint Porphyrios said the following for parents, but his words apply to all, no [...]