“The Lord is compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy” «οἰκτίρμων καὶ ἐλεήμων ὁ Κύριος, μακρόθυμος καὶ πολυέλεος» Psalm 103 (102 in Greek), Verse 8 With these four adjectives David expresses both the experience of God in his own life and in the life of Israel. Elder Aimilianos says that God's “compassion” is exercised on behalf of human beings who are made of earth and are forever in danger of lapsing into non-existence.[1] If something is very delicate and fragile, you'll handle it with care and compassion. Human nature demands that God act toward it with sensitivity and compassion. [...]

From the Psalms “God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us” - Ps 117:27 (118:27 in English versions) «Θεὸς Κύριος καὶ ἐπέφανεν ἡμῖν» (Ψαλμ. ΡΙΗ᾽ 27) Throughout every Service of the Orthodox Church are scattered verses from the Psalms. At the beginning of every Matins (Orthros) Service, the Orthodox faithful proclaim with the Psalmist: “God is the Lord and has revealed Himself to us; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Ps 117:27,26). This simple yet profound phrase is the core of Christian teaching: God has indeed revealed Himself to us. This is what [...]

Psalm 22 (LXX)  “The LORD is my Shepherd” This Psalm is one of the most beloved and most quoted among Christians. We as Orthodox Christians are very familiar with it, especially as it is part of the prayers in preparation to receive Holy Communion. St. Gregory of Nyssa saw in this Psalm both a prophecy and a summary of the Sacraments: “…Christ teaches the Church that, first of all, you must become a sheep of the Good Shepherd (verses 1-3)… Then you must be buried with Him into death by baptism. But this is not death, but a shadow and [...]