Orthodox Christian Reads

Lectionary for the 13th Sunday of Luke (November 27th) Ephesians 2:14-22 Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body thro

Small Compline, the final prayer service of the day which typically occurs after the evening meal and in compunctive preparation for sleep. It is an opportunity to give thanks for the joys and graces we've received during the day, and an honorable way in which to end the day the same way it began: In doxological prayer to God. The translation used is published by Holy Transfigura

Lectionary for the 9th Sunday of Luke (November 20th) Ephesians 2:4-10 Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages h

In honor of the feast day of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, which we celebrate on November 13th, here is a short selection from his 'philokalic' work, which pertains to the Jesus Prayer and the manner of life that is required to cultivate it. St. John Chrysostom and the Jesus Prayer is compiled and translated by the V. Rev. Archimandrite Maximos Constas and Rev. Fr.

A Manual of Eastern Orthodox Prayers published by Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press. Evening prayers, an opportunity for compunction and thankgiving. These prayers, as well as many others, are found in A Manual of Eastern Orthodox Prayers published by Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press. To access this same episode on YouTube, click here. 0:00 Intro 0:12 Trisagion Prayers 1:34 Peniten

Morning prayers, beginning the day with God. The translation used is published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline Massachusetts. It is one that I love deeply for its faithfulness to the original Greek text while striking a judicious balance between poeticism and interpretation. If you don't have the book already, head on over here to treat yourself to one. To access t

The following is an excerpt from Reflections of a Humble Heart: A Fifteenth Century Text on the Spiritual Life. (pgs 59-61) "Among the Byzantine manuscripts in the Vatican library there is this portion of the notes of a certain monk Basil concerning his discussions with an elder whose name did not reach us. Either the monk Basil, who recorded the words of the elder of blessed memo