Source: Department of Religious Education – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America NATIVITY SERMON SERIES Apodosis of The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Leave-Taking of Christmas) December 31 THE HYMN Heirmos, 1st Ode, Nativity Matins Christ is born; glorify Him! Christ is come from heaven; go and meet Him. Christ is on earth; arise to Him. Sing to the Lord, all you who dwell on the earth; and in merry spirits, O you peoples, praise His birth. For He is glorified. THE SERMON The Limitless Nature Of A Feast Our Church, on December 31st, celebrates the apodosis (or…
Browsing: Nativity of Christ
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America NATIVITY OF CHRIST 2017 Thus all magic was dissolved and every bond of wickedness vanished; ignorance was abolished and the old kingdom was destroyed, since God was becoming manifest in human form for the newness of eternal life; what had been prepared by God had its beginning. Hence everything was shaken together, for the abolition of death was being planned. – St. Ignatius of Antioch, To the Ephesians, 19:3 At this great feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, these words from St. Ignatius the God-bearer of Antioch focus us powerfully on the purpose…
Source: Orthodox Church in America To the Honorable Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, My Beloved Brethren and Blessed Children in the Lord, Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Today, as we proclaim with joyous hearts that “God is With Us,” we give glory to God for the Feast of the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. At the same time, we are surrounded by a host of images, symbols, icons, and representations of what the world thinks this Feast is, and what it should be. From Christmas trees…
Source: All Saints of North America Canadian Orthodox Monastery by Archbishop Lazar (Puhalo) How many and varied are the temptations that seek to rob us of prayer? How manifold are the deceits of Satan and the delusions of our own desire that would hinder us from being present for the Divine Liturgy? If a person — especially a child — finds himself away from home and alone, a telephone call to the parents is a great consolation. Is prayer not the same? Prayer is, indeed, like a call home and a comforting conversation with our loving Father. To call home, however, reminds us that…