Archbishop Paul's Reflections

Title taken from the Orthodox Marriage Service By Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div. The prayers and hymns of the Orthodox Church are ancient and revered, but also replete with references from the Scriptures and the historical life of the Church. Let’s take a closer look at the Marriage Service, particularly the second prayer before the crowning of the Bride and Groom. … Read More

Lent is always a challenge when it comes to observing the fast, getting to more church services, and increasing or improving upon the quality of one’s prayer life. These words from Peter Chrysologus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are wonderful thoughts to live by. This excerpt is taken from the 4th Sunday of Lent after the Synaxarion on St. John … Read More

Ode 1 Triodion Canon Verse, Sunday of the Cross Mighty Cross of the Lord, manifest yourself, showing me the divine vision of your beauty! Grant that I may worthily venerate you, for I speak to you and embrace you as alive! Last Sunday and this week we place the Holy Cross in our churches to remind us where we are … Read More

Taken from: http://www.orthodoxmotherhood.com/children-during-lent-ideas-for-parents/  I remember my first ever Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha in the Orthodox Church.  The reflection and anticipation of Lent, with its dogged mission to bring my sins and need for repentance to the forefront of my mind each day; the solemnity of Holy Week, with its invitation to completely enter into the cosmic events that changed … Read More

As long as we live self-centered lives, we cannot forgive our neighbor, our ego will not allow it. Once our lives are God-centered, however, we are able to forgive others as God forgives us. Let us remember that God’s mercy and forgiveness to us is often hidden in our mercy and forgiveness to others. Our Lenten journey is not an … Read More

Last Sunday we heard the readings from 1 Corinthians 8, concerning eating meat, and Matthew 25, concerning the Last Judgment. They may seem disjointed in looking at them on the surface, but they are actually very connected to each other. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better … Read More

COMPASSIONATE ONE, I COME BEFORE YOU LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON: FOR MANY YEARS I HAVE ABANDONED YOU, AND NOW YOU ARE A STRANGER TO ME. RESTORE TO ME THE FIRST LOVE WHICH I WASTED, LORD; RECEIVE ME IN REPENTANCE AND SAVE ME! (Matins Tone 4 Praises Verse, Prodigal Son) In the parable of the Prodigal Son we just heard last … Read More

Ode 5 Verse from the Triodion Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility, and let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish pride and the defilement of transgressions. This past Sunday marked the beginning of the Lenten Triodion. The gospel reading was from Luke concerning … Read More

The five Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent are important for helping us get ready to observe and participate in the Great Fast. We got started with the Sunday of Zacchaeus a few days ago. As many may know, Fr. Alexander Schmemann identified the theme of Zacchaeus Sunday as “desire.” Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He faced several obstacles. … Read More

This Sunday evening, we will be doing our livestream on this question. I am looking forward to it. I wanted to share a few preliminary thoughts on this, as unworthy as I am to do so. In August of 1993, my father passed away. I had completed my second year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. I was at the funeral home … Read More