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Introduction to the Creed   The following is an introduction to a multi-edition series which will focus on our Creed. The Creed is one of the most ancient prayers of the Orthodox Church. The word creed comes from the Latin credo which means “I believe.” The early Christians realised the need for a public, authoritative interpretation of the Bible that remained faithful to what Christ taught and what the Apostles intended. It was needed to instruct new converts, nurture the believers and protect the church against false teachings. It was composed, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by the [...]

The Sunflower by St John of Tobolsk   The beginning of all wisdom, given to us by the most exalted Divine Wisdom, our Lord Jesus Christ, is our faithful fashioning of ourselves - in all actions and words - to the will of God. So begins The Sunflower, a guide on how to turn the human will towards God. It starts by focusing on understanding what the will of God is, including why God allows evil, and how the human will can conform to the will of God. It turns to the benefit for humanity of conforming to God’s will [...]

Ἄξιόν ἐστιν/Axion Estin     «Ἄξιόν ἐστιν ὡς ἀληθῶς μακαρίζειν σε τὴν Θεοτόκον, τὴν ἀειμακάριστον καὶ παναμώμητον καὶ μητέρα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν. Τὴν τιμιωτέραν τῶν Χερουβεὶμ καὶ ἐνδοξοτέραν ἀσυγκρίτως τῶν Σεραφείμ, τὴν ἀδιαφθόρως Θεὸν Λόγον τεκοῦσαν, τὴν ὄντως Θεοτόκον, σὲ μεγαλύνομεν.» “Truly it is right to call you blessed, Theotokos, ever blessed and all-pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim, who undefiled gave birth to God the Word, true Theotokos, we magnify you.”   This hymn is one of the most well-known chants in honour of the Theotokos. The [...]