Hypothesis X The soul, after its departure from the body, undergoes testing in the air by evil spirits which encounter it and attempt to impede its ascent. A. From the Life of St. Anthony the Great 1. St. Anthony the Great was once preparing to eat at his normal time; according to custom, he stood… Continue reading On the Aerial Demons Encountered at Death (from the Evergetinos)
References to the Toll Houses in the Canon of the Parting of the Soul from the Body
Here are just a few of the many references to the Toll Houses which are found in the Canon of the Parting of the Soul from the Body found in the Great Book of Needs(these are from the St. Tikhon’s edition). “Noetic roaring lions have surrounded me, seeking to carry me away and bitterly torment me.… Continue reading References to the Toll Houses in the Canon of the Parting of the Soul from the Body
Old vs. New Calendar: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I’m Greek Orthodox but I’ve never heard of the “Old Calendar.” Could you please explain what this means? A. All Orthodox in the world used the Julian Calendar, which is currently thirteen days behind our modern civil calendar, until March 1924. At that time, the bishops of the Church in Greece unilaterally converted their… Continue reading Old vs. New Calendar: Frequently Asked Questions
Concerning this Website and My Writing
Over the past five years, over 120 of my articles have appeared in various places online, but mostly on the websites of St. Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Mission in Raleigh, North Carolina, Nativity of the Holy Theotokos Orthodox Church in Greenville, North Carolina, the Eastern Carolina Orthodox blog, and the Triangle Orthodox blog. Content was… Continue reading Concerning this Website and My Writing
September 2012 Bulletin Message
Please Note: This is something I wrote over a year and a half ago, which I never published online. I am posting it now for posterity. – Anastasios Dear Friends in Christ, I am happy to inform you that our Church in America continues to grow, paralleling our parish in Greenville’s growth over the past… Continue reading September 2012 Bulletin Message
August 2012 Bulletin Message
Please Note: This is something I wrote over a year and a half ago, which I never published online. I am posting it now for posterity. – Anastasios Dear Friends in Christ, September marks our fourth anniversary, and as in previous years, I’d like to take a moment to recap some of what has happened… Continue reading August 2012 Bulletin Message
Keeping the End in Mind
Dear Friends in Christ, Last Friday, there was a rare “Derecho” storm which pounded the East Coast, knocking out power in the DC area, parts of North Carolina, and places even further away. I had been working in the Northern Virginia area for my secular profession and left the Falls Church area around 8:00 pm… Continue reading Keeping the End in Mind
Heavenly King
Dear Friends in Christ, Most prayers of the Orthodox Church begin with the following prayer: Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who Art everywhere present and fillest all things, O Treasury of blessings and Bestower of life, come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from all stain, and save our souls, O… Continue reading Heavenly King
Christ Preached in Hades
Dear Friends in Christ, Christ Is Risen! Χριστός ανέστη! We had a blessed Pascha here in Greenville, North Carolina. Those of you who were able to make it joined me in witnessing our largest turnout to date. Seeing this steady growth of our parish is encouraging and gives us the energy needed to keep going… Continue reading Christ Preached in Hades
Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh
Dear Friends in Christ, Holy Week is fast approaching, and Great Lent 2012 will conclude before we know it. This year, we began celebrating the Akathist to the Theotokos (Hairetismi) each Friday night. When I was not able to make it to Greenville, the parishioners came together and prayed it as a lay-led service, which… Continue reading Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh