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The Samaritan Woman (John 20:1-10) On the fifth Sunday of Pascha, the Church commemorates the Samaritan Woman. In the dismissal hymn we chant “give drink to my thirsty soul”, which is drawn from the Samaritan Woman’s words to the Lord, “give me this water, that I may not thirst.” (John 4:15) This hymn refers to Christ as the “fountain of life”, being as He revealed Himself: “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” [...]

In Memoriam: Archbishop Stylianos On March 25, on the day of the Annunciation, our Father and Primate His Eminence Stylianos, Archbishop of Australia, slept in the Lord. We will not enumerate here on the many and wonderful achievements of his pastoral work in the Antipodes. This is a work for others more competent and capable than us. Nor will we deal with his rich writing and his especially unique poetic work. That is also for the relevant experts. However, in this column of our magazine, “Lychnos”, we have a “sacred debt” to record responsibly the honest and always willing support [...]

Was St Thomas a Doubter? When the Apostle Thomas was told that Christ had resurrected and had appeared to the other disciples, he responded that he would not believe unless he had palpable proof. So when Jesus appeared to him also, presenting him with that proof, He also stated, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). These words have led Thomas to be labelled as “doubting”. However, to what extent was the Apostle Thomas a doubter? When the Apostle Thomas saw the resurrected Christ himself, [...]

Death and Resurrection You asked, “where is he”, You who knows all, You shed a tear for me O Saviour, as human by nature and You raised me from the dead by Your command. (Compline Hymn, Saturday of the Raising of Lazarus.) All of us will or already have come into close contact with death through the passing away of a loved one or a dear friend. Our faith in God may be tested as the perceived injustice and indignity of death shocks us. However, if we truly believe in what we chant on Easter Sunday, “Christ is risen from [...]

The Great Martyr Theodore the General (Commemorated 8th February)   Great Martyr Theodore the General (Ό Στρατηλάτης) lived in the Black Sea coastal city of Heraclea Pontica, where he served as a military commander during pagan emperor Licinius’ reign (308 – 324 AD). When Licinius learnt that St Theodore was a Christian who had converted many through his heroic actions and eloquent preaching, he summoned him to Nicomedia. St Theodore responded: “I cannot come at present, because the Heracleans are in an uproar. They have forsaken our gods and are worshipping Christ. Therefore, I entreat you to come, and to [...]