Материалы 25 декабря 2011 г.

Сегодня, дорогие братья и сестры, Господь Иисус Христос во Святом Евангелии предлагает нам притчу о том, как один господин устроил вечерю и звал многих. Когда настало время ужина, он послал своего раба сказать званным: «Идите, ибо все уже уготовано». И начали все, как бы сговорясь, извиняться. (MP3 файл. Продолжительность 12:49 мин. Размер 6.2 Mb)

12 / 25 декабря 2011 г. Неделя 28-я по Пятидесятнице, святых праотец. День памяти святителя Спиридона Тримифунтского. Сретенский монастырь. Божественная литургия. Хор Сретенского монастыря. (MP3 файл. Продолжительность 70:35 мин. Размер 33.9 Mb)

Where else are people going to get assistance if not from the Church at times of crisis? Our people come here, at the monasteries, and that’s why it is imperative that monasteries own property so that they are able to help our aching brothers. Where else can they go?

The theme of Russian support for Greeks since the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 has been perpetuated in each generation. Russia played a major role in the creation of the Greek nation in 1832. Every generation is reminded in Modern Greek history and literature that Russia is their Orthodox brother who will always aid the Greek nation.

The Greek courts have ruled that a respected Orthodox Christian monk will be imprisoned over Christmas over a land dispute in northern Greece. Abbot Ephraim who leads the largest monastic order in the Orthodox Christian world, has strong links to the royal family in the United Kingdom, among others, and his supporters have threatened the Greek government with widespread protests to release the Abbot.

The angels chant these three majestic proclamations and yet the great majority of human beings, although celebrating the feast of Christmas, cannot perceive the significance of the angelic song, instead asking themselves whether God is truly glorified today or why God should even be glorified; where can one discern on earth the peace that is announced, and why should contemporary humanity live with good will?

The Holy Mountain Athos, the sanctuary of Orthodox Christian monasticism for over a thousand years, which is directly under the spiritual jurisdiction of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, is featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes”.

With thousands of tourists - mostly religious pilgrims - visiting the city, locals are keen to show that it is a safe, welcoming place. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials are using the occasion to highlight the problems caused by nearby Jewish settlements and Israel's separation barrier, which blocks access to Jerusalem.

Just as he did during his life, out of his great kindness St. Spyridon continues to help people who pray to him. Here is a story sent to the editors of Eskom-Vera from Olga of the town of Syktyvkara. It happened last year. Before then, my husband and I lived with our three children in a crowded two-room apartment. When a fourth little one appeared to the world, it became clear that six people could not live there and we had to look for a larger place.

Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick, and cast out demons.