The Deeper Meaning in the Blessing of Homes
This little article was written by a pious priest, who has since reposed. It is not about what you already know about blessing homes – get a candle, get some holy water if you have it, get an icon, write out a list of all the living you want the priest to pray for, write […]
Great Vespers
In the Orthodox Church the liturgical day begins in the evening with the setting of the sun. This practice follows the Biblical account of creation: “And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” (Gen 1:5) The Vesper service in the Church always begins with the chanting of the evening psalm: “…the sun knows […]
Orthodox Christian Beliefs
Doctrine We worship God in Trinity, glorifying equally the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; that He is truly God, of one essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Christ Incarnate is also truly […]
The Church Building and Worship
Normally an Orthodox Church is divided into three distinct parts: Narthex (entry way); Nave (main body); and Altar. The Narthex symbolizes the created world, made and blessed by God in the beginning as “very good,” but now fallen and alienated from the Source of Life. The Nave constitutes the Church Herself, the Mystical Body of […]
Scripture in the Divine Liturgy
Opening Doxology – [“Blessed in the Kingdom…] Mark: 11:10; Luke: 22:29-30, Matthew: 28:19; Revelation: 7:12.The Great Litany – Philippians: 4:6-7; Psalm 51:1 Luke: 18:13; John: 14:27; 1 Timothy: 2:1-2; 1 Hebrews: 13:7; Psalm 109:26; Luke: 1:42.The First Antiphon – [“Bless the Lord, O my soul”]. Selected verses from Psalm 103.The Second Antiphon – [“Praise the […]