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The Narrow and the Wide Gate In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt 7:13-14). How are we to understand these words and apply them to our daily lives? Jesus is telling his followers that the main aim of our earthly life is to find the road that leads to [...]

Holy Unction The mystery of Holy Unction or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick is also called euchelaeon and means “blessed oil.” This sacrament is the Church’s specific prayer for healing. When we are ill and in pain, this can very often be a time of life when we feel alone and isolated. Holy Unction reminds us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of His Church. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life, and even the approach of death. [...]

If There is Life, I Want to Live Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki This short book contains the encounters of Metropolitan Nikolaos, and addresses a question that concerns many: “How can the Church address the doubts of the younger generation and interest them in matters of faith?” The book recalls authentic conversations between the author and a group of young people. They are mostly skeptical of the Church, yet are interested in the life journey of Metropolitan Nikolaos, who went from being a successful scientific researcher in America to becoming a monk and hierarch. It is presented as 100 [...]

The Seventh Eothinon of Pascha “Behold, it is early and still dark. And why, O Mary, are you standing outside at the tomb, with much darkness covering your mind, such that you seek where Jesus has been laid? But see, how the Disciples, who ran together, understood the resurrection from the linen cloths and the napkin, and then remembered the scripture concerning this. With them and through them, we also have believed, and we extol You, Christ the Giver of life.” Τὸ Ζʹ Ἑωθινόν Ἦχος βαρύς (Grave Mode) «Ιδοὺ σκοτία καὶ πρωΐ, καὶ τί πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον Μαρία ἕστηκας, πολὺ [...]

Elder Ephraim of Arizona Born in Volos, Greece in 1927 on the eve of the nativity of St John the Baptist, Elder Ephraim was given the name Ioannis and raised with a deep love for God. At the age of nineteen with nothing more than his mother’s blessing he left home for the Holy Mountain. Upon his arrival at Mt Athos, St John the Baptist appeared to Elder Joseph the Hesychast informing him that he was entrusting him with a lamb called little Ioannis. He remained in Elder Joseph’s care for twelve years. Ephraim followed a stricter ascetical life than [...]