In English

Compassion is the voluntary sorrow we feel at the disasters that have befallen others. It’s begotten in a heart which sympathizes and suffers with the sufferings of others and it’s expressed as a loving disposition towards those who have been made miserable by unfortunate circumstances. It’s a powerful medicine for those who are down on their luck and is administered by a soul which suffers with them. It’s the father of clemency, a collateral bond of love and the link between all feelings of friendship. » Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis

Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis In our lives, my beloved brothers and sisters, God has endowed us with many gifts. Health, people we love and who love us, the beauty of the world surrounding us, the good things we need in our lives. We acknowledge many of these gifts and sometimes thank God for His loving-kindness. But when we’re overwhelmed by difficulties and when badness darkens our minds, we can hardly think straight, much less feel any gratitude. We’re reminded of this basic truth in tomorrow’s Gospel narrative for the Sunday of the Blind Man (Jn. 9, 1-38). Jesus is walking along with His disciples when they come across a man who’s been blind from birth. The disciples are at a loss to ...

Watch yourself, especially your passions in your family life, because that’s where they show themselves most freely. Outside the house, some of these are usually covered up by other, more ‘respectable’, behavior. But at home, you can’t conceal those passions that undermine your spiritual integrity. » Saint John of Kronstadt

Fr Jonah from Taiwan speaks on Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman (John 4, 5-42).

Since love that’s cultivated in the desolate wilderness has nothing of the world in it, it can’t fit into the world. Nor can it fit into the brain of many people (who think in a worldly way), which is why it can often be misunderstood. » Venerable Païsios the Athonite

In truth, the great virtue is to feel sorry for those who are evil and to benefit sinners more than the righteous. Give alms with a cheerful countenance and you’ll always bring comfort to those who are sad. On the day you feel sorry for someone who’s ill, see yourself as a martyr for Christ. » Saint Isaac the Syrian

Five hundred and sixty six years have gone by since that accursed day, 29 May 1453. When the cry “The City has fallen” rang out and the Reigning City, the City of Saints, Emperors and legends passed into the occupation of the Ottoman dynasty. Thus began the years of Turkish rule. The Greek nation survived, but Constantinople and Ayia Sofia (The Church of Holy Wisdom) remain in foreign hands. Today we honour those who fell during the siege and at the fall, we read the laments and the legends, we are moved, and taught. For this is the value of historic memory: to be a lesson for ever for younger and older generations. 1) We must remember the fall in order ...

As time goes by, everything fades, decays, ages. Only temperance is ageless and unfading. It doesn’t decay but always remains robust until the end. Temperance is a favourite virtue, because its beauty captivates hearts. » Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis

When people try to have a humble heart and peaceful thoughts, then none of the plots of the enemy can be implemented. Because where the thoughts are peaceful, that’s where God Himself finds peace: ‘His place is in peace’ (Ps. 75, 3). » Saint Seraphim of Sarov

A faithful friend is a living treasure, a fenced off garden, a sealed well which opens from time to time and offers the riches of its soul. When I say friends, I mean those who are good and kind, whose friendship has been cultivated on the basis of their virtue. » Saint Gregory the Theologian

For today’s passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the magnificent founding of the Great Church of Antioch in a period of harsh persecution. After Our Lord’s Crucifixion, the hatred of the Jews turned towards the Apostles and all who believed in Christ. The greatest persecution organized by the Jewish authorities against the Church of Jerusalem was in the year 36 AD. It began with the stoning of the Archdeacon Stephen (the first Martyr) and then spread beyond Jerusalem. As a result, many Christians left the city and scattered to the surrounding areas. Some of these were Cypriots and Cyrenians (from today’s Libya), and they found themselves in Syrian Antioch (which is in Turkey today, called Antakya). They ...

The great thing is for people to realize the deeper meaning of life: that we’re here temporarily and we have to get ready for the other village where will live permanently. » Venerable Païsios the Athonite

Different representatives of Orthodox media outlets gathered in Cyprus from May 15 to May 19, 2019, to find ways of strengthening the international cooperation between Orthodox digital media specialists. The meeting was occasioned by the opening of the ‘Colours of Orthodoxy. Cyprus – Poland’ Exhibition organized by the OrthPhoto.net photography website, the Archdiocese of Cyprus, the Cyprus Photographic Society, and the Publishing House of the Orthodox Metropolis of Warsaw. Incentivized by the desire to improve their activity at local level and to facilitate cooperation at international level, the Orthodox media representatives had the occasion to visit various holy places of Cyprus and to meet with hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus who are developing inter-Orthodox projects including Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition, Metropolitan ...

There are two most powerful weapons with which we overcome all the traps and temptations of the devil: the first is holy prayer and the second is humility. » Elder Cleopa Ilie

Fr Jonah from Taiwan speaks on the healing of the paralytic (John 5, 1-15).

Always bear in mind what Moses had to put up with –the two million grumbling people– how greatly he prayed with so much love for his people. How he was tormented for years on end in the desert, until he brought them to the Promised Land. If you recall this, it’ll give you abundant courage and you’ll never complain about your troubles, which are insignificant compared to those of Moses. » Venerable Païsios the Athonite

B) THE HOLY ICON OF HOSPITALITY OF ABRAHAM Also whoever studies, from the Old Testament, the chapter of hospitality of ABRAHAM, he will make sure that the Patriarch in his tent provides hospitality to God and two built angels. He who wants to have more secure and reliable interpretations about the content of hospitality as soon as he goes deeper into the Fatherly bibliography he will soon reach the conclusion that the overwhelming majority of the Holy Fathers ascertain exactly the same as a simple reader understands. The God is the focal person and the two angels are seated at Abraham’s table. The misunderstanding, which was given to hospitality and which tends to become dominant, that Abraham provides hospitality to the Holy Trinity, ...

People who don’t believe in God or don’t know God are obliged to worship things. » Saint Nicholas Velimirovich

Virtue which is not exercised disappears quickly under the pressure of various circumstances. We have to be swift to move from evil to good, but inflexible as regards turning from good to evil. » Saint Gregory the Theologian

Be careful not to reprimand anyone about anything. Love doesn’t become angry and doesn’t excoriate anyone. » Saint Isaac the Syrian