O Lord our God, Crown them with honor and glory” (Orthodox Wedding Sacrament) I’m ever intrigued by the impressions that our sacred services have upon visitors who attend Orthodox worship for the first time. The most evident feature of our weddings is the use of imperial crowns. Like royalty in general, crowns are a throwback to times past; even the queen of England wears her crown only on rare... 

As an Orthodox priest, I cannot tell you how many times I have had to face someone, whether within my parish or a visitor from outside of it, and tell them that for one reason or another, they will not be able to partake in the Eucharist. Closed communion—it couldn’t possibly sound more negative. It implies judgement, exclusivity, and moral superiority—all qualities that a pluralistic, democratic... 

Few would argue against the statement that the Sacrament of Confession is on the decline in the Greek Orthodox Church. While it is not my intention here to explain the reasons for it, one could speculate that this decline is due to the morally and spiritually lax standards of our modern society to which we have become accustomed. Perhaps sins which in the past would have given rise to a sense of regret... 

Source: Canadian Orthodox Messanger. Summer 2004           Those of us fortunate enough to be nourished frequently by the Holy Liturgy will perhaps find it difficult to recall just how strange it is to aspire, and indeed be commanded, to eat of the Body and Blood of Christ. Mysterious grace, peace, and healing so wonderfully flow to us in Holy Communion that it may never... 

Source: St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Church     In January the Parish Council surveyed St. Luke parishioners regarding our Strategic Plan. Four responses to the survey were related to the Orthodox Marriage ceremony. This is significant, and I feel compelled to address these concerns. The survey comments referred specifically to two American practices: “Giving the bride away,”... 

Source: Orthodox Church in America     A huge amount of controversy has arisen recently over the way Christians receive Holy Communion, particularly in the wake of what some are calling the “H1N1 pandemic.” The issue involves not only Christians. In July of this year, ministers of health from Muslim countries met with specialists of the World Health Organization and issued... 

Translated by Zhanna Menshikova Edited by Yana Samuel       It is unrealistic to make people attend regular church services during the week. I agree that many people, at least in our parish, take their communion quite regularly now. For all that, we shouldn’t forget that the whole week and the night before the Holy Communion, you should live your life accordingly, that... 

Source: OrthoCuban         Yep, sure enough, the question comes up again. But, Father, should we not change our method of giving the Lord’s Body and Blood since the swine flu is going around?   That same question came up when the HIV virus was first identified as causing AIDS. It comes up in the USA every time that something starts making the rounds. And, it keeps... 

Source: All Saints of North America Orthodox Church     One of the most difficult and sensitive areas that our clergy must deal with when non-Orthodox attend the Divine Liturgy is the “closed chalice.” This refers to the teaching and practice of the Orthodox Church worldwide that only Orthodox Christians may partake of the Eucharist (or any sacrament for that matter) at our... 

Source: The offical website of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of New England   O Christ! Great and most holy Pascha! Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of You in the never ending day of Your Kingdom! (Liturgy of St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom) What does it mean to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist? As a eucharistic community,...