Category: Spirituality
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2. Why Does Fasting Require Strength?
Saint John Chrysostom writes: “Fasting is not burdensome by nature; it is because we are spiritually weak that it seems burdensome to us” (Homily 30 on the Gospel of Matthew, PG 57:366). Let us reflect deeply on these words. A doctor once told me: “I had attended a medical conference in Athens. In their presentations,…
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1.Why Should a Christian Fast?
Explore the biblical roots of fasting and its place in the Orthodox Church, from the Apostles’ fasting days to the Church’s annual fast A first answer to the question is that a Christian fasts because Christ Himself fasted (Mt. 4:2), leaving us an example, “that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). He…
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Bible and Heresies. How Biblical Interpretations Lead to Heresy
This article is a continuation of our previous article, “Why Are There So Many Heresies?” In this article, we examine the same subject from a different perspective. Let us take a look. “We are in no danger from a wise person, nor from an ignorant person. We are in danger from a person with only…
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Why Are There So Many Heresies? An Orthodox Perspective
Heresies have always arisen within Christianity. They continue to arise today, and there are a great many of them. They are well known. There is no need to name or list them. But how and why do heresies arise? What happens along the way? Let us take a closer look. “Grandfather, we have lost that…
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Sufferings Through the Eyes of St. Basil the Great
Seeing the many trials that occur both in the world and in the Church, Saint Basil the Great composed a homily addressing a central theological question: “That God Is Not the Cause of Evils” (where “evils” refers to afflictions and human suffering, not to sin). He describes evil as “a subject much debated” (PG 31:33).…
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Why Does Human Nature Rejects Pain?
Everyone wants to be healthy and to live well. In other words, nobody wants pain, illness, or unhappiness. Why is this so? Why do we wish to avoid the opposite? Why do we avoid pain and suffering? Why do we not choose to be sadists? “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass…
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Why Do We Suffer?
“Look at that dog! It does not have a care in the world. It is not concerned about what it will eat, nor about money, taxes, or earthly needs,” a man remarked as he observed a dog lying peacefully in its doghouse. Animals, of course, do not partake in the same kind of suffering as…
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Why Does God Allow Suffering? God as Divine Surgeon!
Let us imagine that the only child of a famous surgeon becomes seriously ill. After examination, he concludes that his son has a severe heart condition and urgently needs surgery. The child, not understanding the gravity of the situation, refuses to hear anything about an operation. What should the father do? Should he give in…