Ξένες γλώσσες

Scholarship Programme ANNOUNCEMENT 2021-2022 The Saint Maxim the Greek Institute, with the support of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopaidi, is introducing the ‘Evyenios Voulgaris’ Scholarship Programme. Evyenios Voulgaris (1716-1806) served as principal of the Athoniada School, which had been established by the Holy Monastery of Vatopaidi. In his day, he was the greatest and most important Greek scholar, a theologian, philosopher, polymath, a man of encyclopaedic learning, poet, Father and Shepherd of the Church and an influential teacher for the whole of Orthodoxy.  The ‘Evgenios Voulgaris’ is directed towards:  Orthodox theologians (up to 40 years of age), holders of or candidates for a doctoral degree. Duration: 1 year (October 4 – September 30) Programme Language: Modern Greek Requirements:  Good knowledge of Ancient Greek, Modern Greek and English High level of theological knowledge ...

Orthodox theology maintains an attitude of respect towards animals, as it does to the whole of creation, recognizing the raisons d’être for their existence, which were established by God himself. Thus, as Saint Silouan the Athonite taught, it is impossible for people whose heart loves the Creator fervently not to be filled with compassion for all creatures. We see a similar pattern of thought in the teaching and personal example of many Fathers and Saints of our Church. This concept does not, however, involve any absolute prioritization or idolization of creation, animate or inanimate, animal or plant. The Church regards the creation with respect. We must ‘guard’ creation, while, at the same time, living in it and off it. Animals and plants ...

The Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women (Mark 15, 43-47; 16, 1-8) relates two important events: the burial of Jesus’ body by Joseph (15, 43-47) and the visit of the myrrh-bearing women to the empty tomb (16, 1-8). The burial is the last act of the drama of the crucifixion, with which the cycle of the earthly ministry of Jesus comes to an end. The Resurrection is the first-fruit of a new world which is offered to us. Before looking at the second narrative, let’s turn our attention briefly to the person of Joseph, who occupied a high position in society (‘a prominent member of the council’) and belonged among those who secretly were hoping for the coming ...

Dear friends, We are writing to inform you about the 1st Digital Fellowship with Elder Ephraim Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Vatopaidi, Mount Athos and the Theology Teachers of the Open Educational Resources Platform  “red-religie.ro” will take place Monday the 17th of May 2021 at 19:30 Greek time (12:30 EASTERN).    The developers and users of red-religie.ro, dedicated to supporting and promoting Orthodox Christian religious education. The project includes teachers from Romania who initiated the platform. Other teachers from Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Canada and America joined them, wishing to contribute to the development of the platform’s resources. Elder Ephraim will talk in Greek and we will offer simultaneous Romanian, English, Russian and Georgian Interpretation for the entire session, including the homily as well as the questions ...

Ensconced within the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women is another, greater feast: that of the second Annunciation of Our Lady. The feast of her Annunciation as the Mother of the new creation, as Mother of the children of the Resurrection. Saint Gregory Palamas notes that Christ’s Resurrection is the resurrection of human nature and the recall of the old Adam to imperishable and immortal life. And just as the first person to see the old Adam was a woman, Eve, so the first person to see the new Adam, Christ, after his Resurrection which renewed human nature, was also a woman. This woman was not Mary Magdalene, however, but Our Lady, as can be seen from a detailed comparison of the ...

Without the body, the mind does all sorts of things, good and bad. But without the mind, the body can’t do anything, because, before any action, the law of freedom comes into play and the mind decides what to do and what not to do. Saint Mark the Ascetic

It sounds harsh, and perhaps the observation that we don’t want the Resurrection will be hard for unsuspecting readers to believe. What blind people wouldn’t want their sight back; what sick person wouldn’t want to be cured? And Christ’s Resurrection is precisely the eyes in the darkness of our wicked blindness, health in the hideous sickness of our mortality, the saving escape from the blind alley of this world into the infinite and holy world of eternity, our transition from decay to permanence. The Resurrection is an irrefutable fact. It doesn’t depend on our faith; it’s the foundation and support of our faith. Two thousand years ago, our Lord Jesus Christ, as God and human person, did battle with death and ...

Our eyes should always be brimming with tears at the good things given to us by God and we should be constantly thanking him. Dimitrios Panagopoulos, preacher

‘So that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life’ (Rom. 6, 4). The triumph of Jesus’ Resurrection over injustice, violence and, in general, over sin and death, again fills our hearts with elation and is the culmination of his ministry on earth for the renewal of the whole world. Christ, the ‘Son of God and Son of Man’ did not merely suffer a terrible death on the Cross, but on the third day he rose from the dead ‘through the glorious power of the father’ and remains forever the Risen Lord. The Resurrection confirms the magnificent uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Billions of people have passed through ...

Sudden headache that does not go away with just a painkiller. Unexplained drowsiness, unbearable stomach ache, annoying feelings of weakness and unbearable dizziness, feeling of suffocation, high pressure or discomfort without any biological cause. These are some of the most common symptoms that – if there is no obvious disease – are attributed to the evil eye, vaskania (bad energy). Whatever you call it, it is essentially nothing more than a strong negative influence of one person on another one, because of the envy or intense jealousy the one may feel for the other. Read more here

Be wary of intemperate sorrow; it comes as the result of a just rebuke. Excessive sorrow over things is a temptation. There’s only one genuine sorrow: that which comes when we fully recognize the wretched condition of our soul. None of the other sorrows have anything to do with the grace of God. Saint Nektarios of Pentapolis

‘How great and unsearchable is the depth of your compassion, Merciful Lord. You were patient with the Jews who struck you; with the apostle who touched you; with the perplexed who dismissed you. How were you incarnated? How were you crucified, you who are sinless? But instruct us Lord, that, like Thomas, we may cry to you: My Lord and my God, glory to you’.  (Doxastiko, Vespers on Thomas Sunday). We’re perplexed today, also, regarding faith and Christ. On the one hand, rationalism and the achievements of our times and on the other habit, as well as the fact that these days everybody has an opinion about everything, all combine to make us see faith as something ordinary, mundane, one of ...

The present is an outline of the future. The future life will be a continuation of the our present internal state, somewhat modified are regards its degree, however. For the righteousness this means the fulness of eternal glory and for sinners condemnation to eternal punishment. Saint John Kronstadtskij

Fasting is a theological action, and sin has a theological hypostasis. We don’t avoid sin because it will upset our nervous system or because it’s better for our health to do so. A God who needs things like that isn’t the God of the Gospels, but is Zeus or Cronos and all those who, when they became angry, launched bolts of lightning and did wicked things in the world. The true God has another dimension and seriousness. So this young man read books in which a certain psychiatrist told him that if he committed this sin of the flesh he’d suffer a variety of ailments. He went to see an Elder on the Holy Mountain and told him he ...

I have come pay off in good time an outstanding debt. I may be poor, but I want to forcibly draw on your gratitude. I promised to show the unbelief of Thomas, and here I am to do just that. I’m more than willing to pay off the first debt so that I’m not crushed by accumulated interest. Cooperate with me, then, so that I can deposit what’s owed and entreat Thomas, that by laying on my lips the holy hand which touched the Lord’s side, he will inspire my tongue to explain what you desire. Taking courage from the prayers of the apostle and martyr Thomas, I shall declare first his doubt and then his confession which is the ...

Signs of progress of the soul are: a) a rich prayer life; b) absence of pride and a willingness to overlook the failings of our neighbors; c) a desire to leave the body; d) joyful fortitude in sorrows; and e) gratitude and praise to God for everything. Saint Isaac the Syrian

Just as God is patient with you and puts up with you, so you must be patient with your children. You have a duty to advise them, not with friction and anger but calmly and peacefully. If they don’t listen, the responsibility’s all theirs. You must then entreat God to illumine them and guide them in the path of his commandments. Saint Iakovos Tsalikis

John and his brother James were the sons of Zebedee and Salome and came from Bethsaida, a town on the shore of Lake Tiberias. In Aramaic, the name Bethsaida means ‘fishing/fishermen’s place’ and it’s clear that most of the inhabitants of the town were involved in fishing. The two apostles, James and John, also followed this profession, as did their father. Indeed, they were colleagues of Saint Peter, as is clear from Saint Luke’s Gospel: ‘so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon’ . Saint Mark also mentions their profession in his Gospel: ‘He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. ...

It’s very difficult to diagnose pride within yourself. But here are some symptoms: if you’re attacked by demons and tormented by wicked thoughts, this means that you don’t have humility. So, even if you aren’t aware of your pride, humble yourself. Saint Silouan the Athonite