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Practical Teaching on the Christian Life by Abba Dorotheos Published by Athens University, 2002. The book, Practical Teaching on the Christian Life by Abba Dorotheos details the life and wisdom of this grace-filled desert Father. Abba Dorotheos lived in Gaza Palestine during the 6th century. He denied himself many worldly pleasures out of his greater love for Christ, and became a magnet for those who sought guidance on how to improve their spiritual life. Seventeen of his practical teachings have been published in this book. Of paramount importance to the Abba was the need for humility, for no other virtue [...]

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.” [...]