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In commemorating the 200 years of Greek Independence we focus in this issue on the lives of some of the New Martyrs of 1821.   These heroic Saints witnessed for their faith during the retaliations of the Ottoman Empire against the Greeks and Orthodox Christians. St Dorotheos (Proios), Metropolitan of Adrianople (+ 1821) St Dorotheos was born and educated on the island of Chios, and later studied in Patmos, Italy and France. It was through his studies that he became one of the leading scholars of the Greek Enlightenment, and even edited the first edition of the Rudder of St [...]

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 [...]

St Babylas of Antioch (Commemorated on September 4)   Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch (237-253 AD). He served Antioch’s Christian citizens well during the years of Christian persecution, and especially cared for the vulnerable widows and orphans. Saint John Chrysostom was from Antioch, and in his homily on the Acts of the Martyrs said that Saint Babylas “saved this holy ship [the Church] in storm and choppy sea and waves.” He reported on the time that Saint Babylas stood outside of the church and refused to let the visiting pagan emperor enter the church to witness the [...]

Mother of Life   In the Dismissal Hymn for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, we chant the following about the Theotokos: “You were transported to life, as you are the Mother of Life.” At one level, this reflects on the events of the Dormition. Three days prior to her repose the Archangel Gabriel informed the Theotokos that she would fall asleep, and that she would be taken to Heaven to be with her Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Apostles were called from all parts of the world to farewell her and participate in her [...]

Who for us and for our salvation…     Who for us and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human.   “Beholding Herself in purity, the Holy One courageously said to Gabriel: ‘Your strange voice seems unbelievable to my soul; for how do you speak of birth-giving without seed?’ (1st Stanza, Salutations to the Theotokos).” This expression of great wonder directed by the Virgin Mary towards the Archangel Gabriel upon receiving the “Ευαγγελισμός” (Good news), that she was chosen to conceive within her womb and bring [...]