(Feast Day ~ Feb. 18) In the Orthodox Church, we emphasize that decision-making by councils is the historic method begun by the Apostles themselves in Jerusalem and we honor the seven Ecumenical Councils for the decisions regarding the theological truths of our faith which were made in those meetings. Even though we are amused by […]

Feast Day ~ February 19 Although there are many stories of group and even mass baptisms both in holy Scripture and in the lives of the saints, the conversion of the Roman Empire and beyond to Christianity was, for the most part, not smooth sailing! There are many instances of areas which had become Christian […]

(Feast Day ~ February 18) In our time, old age is not considered a good thing. We do everything we can to minimize its effects (wearing youthful clothes, dying our hair, even having plastic surgery) and, when the effects of old age have become a burden, some would even advocate euthanasia or assisted suicide. But […]

Among the prominent Russian missionaries, St. Nicholas Kasatkin (1836-1912) was the tireless evangelist to Japan during that nation’s dramatic transition from feudal isolation to its emergence as a Westernized and modern society. In the mid-19th century, no traces of the 16th century Spanish and Portuguese missionary efforts remained in Japan after 250 years of persecution […]

(Feast Day ~ February 11)   Witiza, the son of Count Aigulf of Maguelonne, a Visigoth, was born around the year 747. As a boy, Witiza was sent to the court of the Frankish king, Pepin, for education and training as a courtier. The boy did well at court, serving as cup-bearer to Pepin and […]

(Feast Day ~ February 11) Pope Gregory II shares many characteristics with his namesake (and our patron), Pope St. Gregory I. He was born in the year 669 of a noble and wealthy family and his rise to the papacy followed a typical pattern. As a young man, he was ordained Subdeacon and given responsibility […]

(Feast Day ~ February 9)  While some saints are revered for their gentle natures and charity and sweetness toward others, there are some whom God has required to be in the forefront of battle with the enemy. These are the saints who have had to defend the Orthodox faith against heresy, perhaps chosen for their […]

(Feast Day ~ February 7) We hear much in our day about torture and mob violence. Fallen, sinful man will always resort to this kind of behavior when he allies himself with the forces of evil. Devout Christians can expect to be frequently on the receiving end of this behavior. This was certainly true in […]

(Feast Day ~ February 7) In the more than 1700-year history of Christian monasticism, there have, no doubt, been many reasons why a young person has decided to leave the comfort and pleasures of the world and take on the ascetic life of a monk or nun. Murder has not usually been one of them. […]