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Epistles by Saint Paisios This book contains a collection of six letters written by Elder Paisois (now St Paisios) to the Sisters at the Monastery of St John the Evangelist in Souroti. The letters were written between 1971 and 1975 to assist the Sisters in their spiritual struggle. However, they also have a more universal relevance and application to our lives. The writing is in St Paisios’ classic simple and engagingly direct style, whose gems can be seen in these three extracts. Firstly, in speaking about the danger of being indifferent because we have not committed any ‘major’ sins, the [...]

Habakkuk and Easter In the festive Paschal service, during which the congregation is captivated in the joy of Christ’s resurrection, we hear an interesting reference to the Old Testament. The fourth ode in the paschal canon of St John of Damascus tells us that the Prophet Habakkuk foretold of the Incarnation and the triumph of the Son of God. This arises in the third chapter of his Old Testament book, being the Hymn of Habakkuk. Habakkuk wrote that God ‘will be revealed when the time comes’, being in Christ’s incarnation where he took on flesh and sanctified humanity. We then [...]

Doxastikon of Saint George                           This Doxastikon is chanted at the Matins service for St George, the Great-martyr, victory-bearer and wonderworker. Although the Saint’s feast day is normally celebrated on April 23, this date is moved to Bright Monday (the day after Easter) if it falls before Easter. In this way, the Church always celebrates St George’s memory after Holy Pascha, which is why the chant commences with calling the faithful to ‘be merry’ given that ‘Christ’s resurrection has shone brightly’. In a similar manner to how Christ [...]

St Symeon the New Theologian on The Life-Giving Death of Christ   This Discourse by St Symeon the New Theologian, written in the 10th and 11th centuries, discusses the implications of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. It calls the reader to examine themselves and the state of their soul in the light of the perfect virtue and knowledge that were made clear through Christ. Reflecting on Christ’s death on the Cross, St Symeon considers that we too should struggle spiritually even to the point of dying to achieve a single virtue. This level of spiritual warfare is something that [...]

The Icon of the Mystical Supper A common icon found in our dining rooms is that of The Mystical Supper. The West calls it ‘The Last Supper’, and its iconography focuses on the tragedy of the crucifixion, and the end of Christ’s earthly ministry surrounded by deceit and betrayal. In contrast the Orthodox icon does not simply capture Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but it also focuses on the institution of the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Through this mystery, Christ marks the beginning of a New Covenant which is to be repeated in remembrance of Him and offered [...]