Monthly Archives: December 2011

Orthodoxy & become complete; restored

Posted on 31/12/2011 by lucas

The Covenant with Christ The culmination of Irenaeus’s system was the revelation of Christ, the second Adam, the one who restored what had been lost by Adam, but “recapitulating” human life. By being born, living sinlessly, and dying, Jesus undid what … Continue reading →

Posted in 1. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 14. New [Testament] Covenant, 2. Orthodox Church, 3. Theotokos | Comments Off

December 31th – Saint Zoticus [Martyr ?], the Feeder of Orphans [Benefactor of the Poor]

Posted on 31/12/2011 by lucas

Zoticus was eminent both in birth and in rank. He moved to Constantinople, rejected all worldly things, and received ordination to the priesthood. He founded a home for the poor, in which he housed those who had contagious diseases and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2. Orthodox Church, 4. Saints | Comments Off

December 30th – Saint Gideon, the New Righteous Martyr of the Monastery Karakallou

Posted on 31/12/2011 by lucas

    The Monastery Karakallou at the east coast of Mount Athos boasts two fathers who became worthy to join the chorus of the Saints:   His new Martyr Gideon was born in 1766 at the village Kapourna [current colorful] of Magnesia. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2. Orthodox Church, 4. Saints, 9. Monasticism | Comments Off

Orthodoxy & understanding damnation

Posted on 31/12/2011 by lucas

None among us is perfect, and all of us fail in some way or other; “I am the biggest sinner of all humanity“. Jesus reflects on some of the brokenness He observed in the human condition. For instance, there are … Continue reading →

Posted in 1. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 11. Mystery [Sacrament], 14. New [Testament] Covenant, 2. Orthodox Church, 8. Church-fathers | Comments Off

Orthodoxy & the Shepherd of the sheep

Posted on 19/12/2011 by lucas

For unto us a child is born For to Us a Child is Born is connected to Christmas after Pascha the main feast of the feasts associated with the incarnation of our Lord [next to Theophany and the feast of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 12. Old [Testament] Covenant, 14. New [Testament] Covenant, 2. Orthodox Church, 6. Psalms created on Truth, 7. The Vintage of Beauty | Comments Off

December 25th – Christmas, Birth in the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour

Posted on 15/12/2011 by lucas

“Seeing man perishing, whom He had created with His own hands, the Creator, bowing down the heavens, descended, and took on the whole of human nature through the pure                       … Continue reading →

Posted in 1. God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 12. Old [Testament] Covenant, 14. New [Testament] Covenant, 16. Icon's, windows to Heaven, 2. Orthodox Church, 3. Theotokos | Comments Off

Orthodoxy & refusing your own will

Posted on 15/12/2011 by lucas

“See that you do not refuse Him Who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him Who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from Heaven, Whose voice … Continue reading →

Posted in 11. Mystery [Sacrament], 2. Orthodox Church, 4. Saints | Comments Off

December 23th – the Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete

Posted on 15/12/2011 by lucas

Saints Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunician, Zoticus, Pompius, Agathopus, Basilides and Evaristus suffered for Christ during the third century under the emperor Decius [249-251]. The prefect of Crete, also named Decius, fiercely persecuted the Church, and arrested anyone who believed … Continue reading →

Posted in 15. Hymns of the Orthodox Church, 4. Saints | Comments Off

December 21th – Saint Macarius the Faster, Abbot of the Khakhuli Monastery

Posted on 15/12/2011 by lucas

In the second half of the 10th century King Davit Kuropalates constructed the Khakhuli Church in southern Georgia. He also founded Khakhuli Monastery, which in later centuries would become a center of spirituality, science, and education. Today this monastery is … Continue reading →

Posted in 4. Saints, 9. Monasticism | Comments Off

December 17th – Patriarch Benjamin

Posted on 15/12/2011 by lucas

Benjamin is a popular given name for males, derived from Hebrew בנימין translating as “son of my right [hand]“. Saint Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and his 2nd wife Rachel. After Joseph was sold into slavery by his … Continue reading →

Posted in 12. Old [Testament] Covenant, 14. New [Testament] Covenant, 2. Orthodox Church | Comments Off