June 23, 2017 885 0 Concerning the Services of a Priest without Readers and Singers The priest can serve Matins and Vespers without readers and singers, but only when the priest of the house or church is found alone,…
June 19, 2017 532 0 On the Meaning of the “Age” and “Unto Ages of Ages” St. John of Damascus (+749 A.D.) On the meaning of the AGE (aion/vek/vicie) and UNTO AGES OF AGES (eis tous ton aionas ton aionon/vo…
June 9, 2017 327 0 10 Things to Know Preparing for Holy Communion 1. The most important “thing” about preparation for preparing for communion is that one must strive to be a Christian. If you are not…
May 30, 2017 228 0 The Rite of Consecration of a New Bishop By the laying on of their hands on those chosen from among the faithful, the Apostles consecrated bishops, priests and deacons. It is evident…
May 27, 2017 11546 5 What Does This Hand Gesture Mean in Orthodox Iconography? Origin of the hand gestures In ancient Greece and Rome, there was a well-established system of hand-gestures used in oratory and rhetoric. Some of…
May 19, 2017 3878 0 Addressing Orthodox Clergy in Speaking and in Writing In speaking: for… use this title: Patriarch the Metropolitan His Beatitude the Patriarch of _____ or His Holiness the Patriarch of_____…
May 4, 2017 2605 1 20 Rules for Altar Servers from St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco A list of the rules for young altar servers composed by Archbishop John of Shanghai: 1) To serve in the sanctuary, it is necessary…
May 4, 2017 185 1 The History of the New Testament Canon from the Apostolic Church to the Present All Christians agree that Scripture is the heart of the Christian tradition. However, what they mean by this affirmation often differs. To shed light…
April 26, 2017 3557 0 A Look at the Symbolism of Orthodox Vestments Visitors to an Orthodox church service may ask why it is that our clergy wear such seemingly peculiar garments. Accustomed to the sight of…
April 13, 2017 47 0 The Great and Holy Thursday: Establishing the Perfect Eucharistic Life Two events shape the Liturgy of the Great and Holy Thursday: the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. The Last Supper…