Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture: The Apocalypse of John (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture 

The Apocalypse of John

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Sunday, August 31, 2025)

So far, in the sermons for the months of July and August, a brief presentation has been made of the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are called the Holy Scriptures or the Bible, and now reference will be made to the last book of the Holy Scriptures, which is called the Apocalypse of John (or the Book of Revelation), with which the entire Holy Scripture ends. The first book of the Holy Bible, as we have seen, is the book called Genesis, in which the revelation of God to the Prophet Moses is recorded, and He revealed to him how the world and man were created, and how man sinned and left Paradise, and his life was difficult. The last book of the Holy Bible, titled the Apocalypse of John, records the journey of the Church towards the Kingdom of God, towards the end of the world and the beginning of new life, the Heavenly Kingdom. Therefore, we have the beginning and the end of the world, but also the beginning and endless life in the Kingdom of God.

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture: The Epistles of the Apostles (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture 

The Epistles of the Apostles

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Sunday, August 24, 2025)

After His Resurrection, Christ commanded His disciples to go into all the world and preach to people about the Kingdom of God. Thus, from being Disciples of Christ, they became Apostles. He told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 12:19-20). This means that the Apostles were to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to keep all the commandments of Christ. This happened after Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit.

Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Signing of the Synodal Act of Canonization of Saint Demetrios Gagastathis

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Service of the Ceremony of the Signing of the Patriarchal and Synodal Act of Canonization of the new Saint in the calendar of the Orthodox Church, Father Demetrios Gagastathis, which took place on the afternoon of Saturday, August 30, 2025, in the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in the Phanar. At that time he addressed the following words to the people present, among whom was Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikki, who also addressed the congregation, and a number of faithful with him from Trikala, who had originally proposed his canonization.

Address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Signing of the Synodal Act of Canonization

We heartily welcome all of you, the most honorable and beloved brother Hierarchs, the most revered clergy and monastics, and all the Christ-loving children of the Church, to this sacred and devout synaxis in the Phanar.

Homily One for the Twelfth Sunday of Matthew (St. John of Kronstadt)

Homily One for the Twelfth Sunday of Matthew
(12th Sunday of Pentecost)

By St. John of Kronstadt

At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? For no one is good except God alone. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:16–26).

August: Day 31: Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos

August: Day 31:
Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos
 
(On the Prayers That Are Not Pleasing to the Mother of God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today the Church commemorates the Placement of the Honorable Zoni of the Most Holy Theotokos, which took place in the year 408. Besides Her robe, the Most Holy Theotokos also left the faithful Her honorable zoni (girdle); it was passed on among the faithful, just as the robe was, by succession from one to another in Jerusalem. The Emperor Arcadius, son of Theodosius the Great, having received the zoni from Jerusalem, placed it in Constantinople. In time, due to public calamities, the zoni was taken from Constantinople to the city of Zila, in Cappadocia, but under the Emperor Justin it was again brought to Constantinople. Many miracles occurred from it through prayer to the Mother of God, if these prayers were pleasing to the Lord and were acceptable to the Mother of God. Part of the zoni is on Athos, in the Vatopaidi Monastery, in a cross, the other part is in the Trier Monastery, in the west.

The Synodal Act of Canonization for Saint Demetrios Gagastathis is Signed

Today, Saturday, August 30, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Trikki, Gardiki and Pyli, accompanied by Priests, the President of Urban Development of the Municipality of Trikala, as well as a multitude of pilgrims from Trikala, paid a visit to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

His Eminence, with emotion and gratitude, thanked His All-Holiness for the great blessing of the official canonization of Saint Demetrios Gagastathis, expressing the thanks of the faithful people of Trikala (see his words below).

He also particularly thanked the members of the Patriarchal Holy Synod, who were present during this sacred meeting.

Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Mystery of the Holy Trinity

By Metropolitan Panteleimon of Beroia, Naousa and Kampania

(Delivered on August 30th 2025 in the Church of Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople, in Alexandreia of Imathia)

"You were seen, O all-glorious, as the performer of secret rites to the Most Divine Trinity on high, worshiping them with purity and singing unceasingly, O Hierarch Alexander."

Today our Church celebrates the memory of three Holy Archbishops of Constantinople, among whom is Saint Alexander, to whom this beautiful church of our city is dedicated. And we especially honor Saint Alexander this year, as this year we celebrate the anniversary of the completion of 1700 years since the convening of the First Ecumenical Synod in Nicaea, in which our Saint also participated.

Saint Phantinos, the Bear and Saint Athanasios of Athonite

By Spyros Symeon

If we knew what the synaxaria hide, then we would become rich. So rich that nothing would touch us.

Yes, yes, rich, perhaps not in material goods, but in spiritual goods, because no matter how many material goods a person has, they are not what will give him the happiness and peace that the human heart seeks.

The synaxaria are the verification of the New Testament of Christ.

It is there we see in practice the application of the Law of God, and indeed through many aspects, since it is not always the path we follow that will determine our destination, but desire will determine the conquest of our destination.

August: Day 30: Teaching 5: Venerable Alexander of Svir

August: Day 30: Teaching 5:
Venerable Alexander of Svir
 
(Against Those Who Do Not Honor Their Parents)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today we celebrate the memory of Saint Alexander of Svir. This great ascetic was born in a village in the Olonetsk province. From early childhood and adolescence he showed great piety, loved fasting and prayer, later avoided marriage, and with all his soul strove for the hermit's life. When he was 26 years old, the Saint went to the islands of Valaam and there took monastic vows. He spent 13 years in a monastery, following not his own will but being obedient to all, and constantly engaged in labor and prayer. Afterward, he received permission to live in solitude; and having arranged a small hut six versts from the Svir River, he lived there for seven years in complete isolation. Then, laborers began to gather around him. Initially, hermits lived in separate cells; but as the number of brothers increased, the Venerable One began to build a monastery with a stone church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. "Where shall we find the means?" the brothers said: "This undertaking is unreasonable." But the Venerable Alexander replied: "Indeed, we can do nothing if the Lord does not help; but He assists those who trust in Him." The church was constructed and consecrated in 1526 with the blessing of Archbishop Macarius.

August: Day 30: Teaching 1: Translation of the Relics of the Holy and Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the Ruling City of Saint Petersburg

August: Day 30: Teaching 1:
Translation of the Relics of the Holy and Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the Ruling City of Saint Petersburg
 
(On the Virtue of the Holy and Noble Prince Alexander Nevsky)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. On this day we cannot wish for anyone anything better than the heavenly glory that was acquired by the Saint, now worthily revered and blessed by the Holy Church, the Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky, who lived during the difficult time of the Tatar enslavement of Russia. This purple-born righteous man was marveled at by his contemporaries, his descendants revere him, his honorable relics were glorified by the incorruptibility of the just Rewarder of the righteous, the Holy Church has numbered him among the Saints. How did Saint Alexander Nevsky acquire such glory? Our mother, the Orthodox Church, answers this in one of her hymns in his honor. "Come, all you sons of Russia," she sings, "praise the good leader, the ruler" - "the wise builder, the warrior" - "the valiant warrior, the lover of Orthodoxy" - "the firm confessor of the faith, the voluntary martyr" (Canon of Saint Alexander Nevsky). These are the flowers from which the unfading crown of glory of the Right-Believing Prince, Saint Alexander Nevsky, is woven.

On the Beheading of the Honorable Forerunner (Archimandrite George Kapsanis)

On the Beheading of the Honorable Forerunner 

By Archimandrite George Kapsanis

(Delivered in 1981 at Gregoriou Monastery of the Holy Mountain)

We have noticed two contrasting images in tonight’s feast, described to us by the hymnography of our Church and the sacred Gospel we read (Mark 6:16-29).

On the one hand we have Herod, Herodias, the daughter of Herodias, that wicked banquet, the triumph of human wickedness and sinfulness. Promiscuity, illicit marriage, drunkenness, fearlessness of God, passions, anger, hatred, revenge, lack of repentance. In contrast to this image, so gloomy, stands the pure, holy figure of the Baptist, the Prophet, the man of God, the righteous man, Saint John the Forerunner.

Great indeed is the difference! In the person of the Honorable Forerunner we see the man of God, man as God willed him to be, the man of obedience, love, faith, hope in God, perfect devotion to the Lord, sacrifice. In the other persons, of the enemies of the Honorable Forerunner, we see the man who was enslaved to the devil, as he became because of his disobedience to God. On the one hand, we have the highest peak of holiness, and on the other hand, we have the lowest depth of sinfulness and the passionate state. These two images summarize the drama of man's salvation, the fall and holiness.

Homily Two on the Beheading of John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord (Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov)

Homily Two on the Beheading of John the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord

By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov

(Delivered in 1962)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, today the Church of Christ, and we with it, remember with sorrow a sad event from our sacred history – the beheading of the greatest Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John. This tragic event is conveyed to us by the Gospel read today in the following words: "At that time, Herod the King heard about the fame of Jesus, for his name had become known. He said, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.' For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.' And he vowed to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' And she went out, and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask?' And she said, 'The head of John the baptizer.' And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb" (Mark 6:17–29).

August: Day 29: Teaching 1: The Beheading of John the Baptist

August: Day 29: Teaching 1:
The Beheading of John the Baptist
 
(Why is the Beheading of John the Baptist Remembered So Reverently?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ, who preceded His birth, had to precede His saving death by his own death, so that as on earth he preached the coming of the Lord, proclaiming: "There comes One after me who is mightier than I" (Mark 1:7), so also in hades he might proclaim to the souls contained there that the expected Messiah had already appeared in the world. This is how it was fulfilled: 

Herod, called Antipas, the son of the elder Herod, who killed the children of Bethlehem, was married to the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia; but, seduced by the beauty of Herodias, the wife of Philip, his brother, with her consent, he drove away his first lawful wife and took Herodias. Such lawlessness could not be tolerated by the zealot of God's law, the denouncer of sins and preacher of repentance, Saint John the Baptist. He began to denounce Herod before everyone, saying: "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." But Herod, not tolerating the denunciation, commanded that John be thrown into prison in chains. Herodias, however, was most furious against the holy denouncer. She wanted to kill him immediately, but she could not, because Herod, who knew John as a righteous and holy man, did not want to hand him over to be killed, fearing not so much God as that the people, who revered John as a prophet, would cause an uprising because of his murder. As a result of this, Saint John remained in prison for quite a long time. 

The Death of John the Baptist as the Fruit of a Lawless Family Relationship

Referring to the person of the Forerunner, Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros, during Great Vespers on August 28th 2025, described him as “a model ascetic, a champion of the truth, who knew and served his mission.” He also observed that “his killing is the fruit of a lawless family relationship. Power sometimes feels so secure that it thinks it can exceed the laws and even the Law of God. Herod’s passion for power, Herodias’ grudge and Salome’s lack of education led to John’s death.”

Metropolitan Ignatios compared that lawless family with modern ones, “which experience violence at their core, which leads to crimes, and even crimes against women or even children. Ultimately, without God, man loses his humanity, his home becomes a prison, the equality of people is destroyed and life becomes hell. The same thing happened with the Prophet John. His death resulted from a family that did not operate according to the Divine Law.”

August: Day 28: Teaching 1: Venerable Moses the Ethiopian

August: Day 28: Teaching 1:
Venerable Moses the Ethiopian
 
(The Judgment of God Punishing Murderers)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The life of Venerable Moses, celebrated today, is very instructive. It demonstrates that there are no sins that can overcome the mercy of God. The great robber, who shed human blood and committed various wicked deeds, after his conversion to God, when divine grace touched his soul through his conscience, became a completely different person. Leaving behind the companions of his sinful life and all the treasures he had plundered, he secluded himself in a monastery, where, through the practices of fasting, prayer, humility, courageous and relentless struggle against his passions and desires, and constant tearful repentance, he attained a high degree of holiness. Regarding his former sinful life, let us today, brethren, discuss the sin of murder.

August: Day 27: Venerable Poemen the Great

August: Day 27:
Venerable Poemen the Great
 
(On Non-Condemnation)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Venerable Poemen, an Egyptian by birth, whose memory is celebrated today, was born about the year 340 A.D. While still young, he took a vow of silence and renunciation of the world and began to struggle in a desert skete near Diocles. His brothers also struggled with him: the elder, Anubius, and the younger, unknown by name.

Thus, Venerable Poemen strictly kept his vow of renunciation of the world, that he even refused to meet with his mother when she came one day to visit her children in the skete, and only at the insistent persuasion of the brethren, Poemen, approaching the door behind which his mother stood, said to her: "If you graciously endure this temporary separation from us, then in the life to come you shall see us; thus we hope for God's benevolence!" And comforted by this promise, the mother left the skete, no longer striving to see her children and not distracting them from the feat of the life they had chosen.

August: Day 26: Teaching 2: Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

August: Day 26: Teaching 2:
Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God
 
(The History of the Celebrated Event With an Indication of the Power of the Intercession of the Mother of God for the Human Race)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. This day is ever-memorable for the Church and our Fatherland because of the following great historical event.

At the end of the 14th century AD, in the depths of Asia, a brave military leader named Tamerlane managed to unite numerous Tatar tribes under his rule into one huge horde, in order to conquer all the kingdoms with this horde. Indeed, not a single nation that existed at that time could withstand the onslaught of the wild natives of the Asian steppes. Like locusts, the Tatars, led by the fierce Tamerlane, crushed everything that came their way. Thousands of flourishing cities of Asia were reduced to ashes by them, and populous states became deserts. Tamerlane, called the scourge of God by his contemporaries, moved more and more towards Europe and first of all turned his predatory gaze on our fatherland. 

August: Day 26: Teaching 1: Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia

August: Day 26: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia
 
(On Modern Women Raised Without Christian Piety)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia, celebrated today by the Holy Church, were a married couple and were united in marriage for only one year. They lived during the reign of Emperor Maximian, in Bithynia of Nicomedia. This emperor, having raised a persecution of Christians, promised rewards to those who would indicate Christians in hiding or would bring them themselves. Many denunciations were made. At this time, according to a denunciation, 23 Christians were arrested in a cave near Nicomedia. They were tortured, then forced to worship idols. Among others, Adrian was captured. The emperor ordered that he be thrown into prison. One of Adrian's servants reported to Natalia that her husband was imprisoned. Natalia was frightened, but when she learned that Adrian was suffering for Christ, she rejoiced, because she herself was a secret Christian, and hastened to him in prison with words of encouragement: “Blessed are you, my lord, that you have believed in Christ. You are acquiring a great treasure. Do not lament your youth and beauty: our mortal body is food for worms; do not think about wealth: it will not bring benefit on the day of the Dread Judgment. Only good deeds and faith are accepted by God.” Saint Adrian told his wife to go home, and promised to inform her of the time of his execution. 

Homily on the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost (Righteous Alexei Mechev)

Homily on the Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost*

By Righteous Alexei Mechev

(Delivered on August 10, 1914)

One slave owed the king 10 thousand talents (about 26 million rubles). The king forgave the slave this debt. But the slave turned out to be extremely angry and ungrateful: one of his companions owed him a hundred denarii (21 rubles 50 kopecks), and he did not want to forgive him or wait for the debt to be paid, and for this he was forever imprisoned.

Friends! The Heavenly Father acts with us, sinners, in the same way as this generous and merciful King. But we often, like this evil slave, do not want to forgive anything to our neighbor, and for that we will be severely punished.

Forgiving others for their guilt is necessary for our salvation. After all, we are all sinners without exception. Each of us has offended God many thousands of times. We are consoled by the paternal indulgence and mercy of God and hope for forgiveness. And it is truly given to us. God Himself offers it to us. But He set conditions, and if we do not fulfill these conditions, then, despite God's mercy, we die in sin.

August: Day 25: Holy Apostle Titus

 

August: Day 25:
Holy Apostle Titus
 
(How to Use the Word of God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Apostle Titus, whose memory is celebrated today, came from Crete, today's Candia, from pagan parents of noble origin. From his youth he loved reading Greek philosophers and poets, thinking to find the truth in them; he led a virtuous and chaste life. When he was a youth of 20, Titus twice heard a voice in a dream saying the words: "Titus! You must leave here and save your soul, for Greek education and pagan wisdom will not save you; read Hebrew books." Then Titus learned Hebrew and began to read the prophetic books, especially the Prophet Isaiah. From them he understood the insignificance of paganism and believed in the true God. 

At this time, rumors of Jesus Christ, His miracles and teachings reached the island of Crete. The ruler of the island, Titus' uncle, sent him to Jerusalem to verify the truth of the rumor. Saint Titus, having seen the Lord, became His disciple. Having been converted to Christ, the Apostle Paul loved Titus very much, and he accompanied the Apostle to preach to the nations in various countries. The Apostle Paul, having visited Crete, made Titus bishop there. From Nicopolis, in Macedonia, he wrote him a letter about the duties of a shepherd.

Life of Kosmas the Aitolos (Fr. George Metallinos)

Life of Kosmas the Aitolos 

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Metallinos

Kosmas the Aitolos, a monk, was a teacher and enlightener of the Nation, a national martyr and a saint of the Church. No personality of the years of slavery has occupied scientific study, literature and theology as much as Patrokosmas (Father Kosmas), as he became known by the broad masses of the people. He belongs to the enlightened figures who prepared the Nation for its rebirth. His appearance coincided with a critical period in the history of the slavery of the Nation. In the 18th century, the reconstruction of Hellenism in all sectors took place. Within the protective framework of the nationally ruling Church, it maintained its integrity and was able to survive in the particularly difficult 16th and 17th centuries.

1. Biography

He was born in 1714 in Mega Dendro (according to others in Taxiarchis), in the province of Apokorou in Aetolia. Mega Dendro is accepted as his place of origin by his first biographer and contemporary, Nikodemos the Hagiorite. He learned his first letters at the Lytsikas seminary in Sigditsa of Parnassos, and at the Monastery of Saint Paraskevi in Vraggiana, Agrafa. He taught as an assistant teacher in Lobotina of Nafpaktia, and in other villages. Wishing to receive a higher education, he went to the Athoniada School (Vatopaidi Monastery) around 1750, where his teachers were Panagiotis Palamas, Eugenios Voulgaris and Nikolaos Tzartzoulis.

Homily for the Eleventh Sunday of Matthew (St. John of Kronstadt)

Homily for the Eleventh Sunday of Matthew
(11th Sunday of Pentecost)

By St. John of Kronstadt

Today, beloved brethren, the Gospel parable of the Savior was read, in which He, the Lord our God, likened the Kingdom of Heaven or His righteous Judgment over people to a king, “who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay me what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive each of you from your hearts his brother his trespasses" (Matthew 18:23–35). I have repeated the entire Gospel that was read, so that you may remember it better.

August: Day 24: Teaching 2: Translation of the Honorable Relics of our Holy Father Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev, and Wonderworker of All Russia

August: Day 24: Teaching 2:
Translation of the Honorable Relics of our Holy Father Peter, Metropolitan of Kiev, and Wonderworker of All Russia
 
(Lessons To Follow From His Holy Life: 
a. Mercy, 
b. Meekness, and 
c. Love for the Fatherland)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, whose memory of the transfer of his holy relics from the former Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos to the present Dormition Cathedral in Moscow is now celebrated, was born in the Volyn of pious parents. Even from birth, his mother had a vision that Saint Peter would shine with virtue in the Russian land. Having begun his studies, Peter, although he studied diligently, did not keep up. He prayed fervently, and then one day he saw in a dream that some Saint approached him and, ordering him to open his lips, touched his tongue with his hand and blessed him. And from that time Peter became a most capable student. 

At the age of 12 he went to a monastery, was soon tonsured and then, for his exemplary life, was ordained a deacon and then a priest. In his free time, Peter loved to paint icons. After many years of exploits in the monastery, with the blessing of the abbot, he retired to solitude, near the river Rati. Soon, many brethren gathered around Peter, and he established a monastery named after the locality of Dvorts, known as Spassky-Dvorts or Novodvorsk. Gentle and uncontentious, he never grew angry with those who erred, but corrected them with kind words. A poor person or a wanderer always found shelter and assistance in his cell. Prince Yuri Lvovich of Volyn and Galicia took a great liking to Peter and asked the Patriarch of Constantinople to appoint him as bishop. The Patriarch designated Peter as the Metropolitan of All Russia. Initially, Peter lived in Kiev, but in 1309 he moved to Vladimir. 

August: Day 24: Teaching 1: Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches

August: Day 24: Teaching 1:
Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches
 
(On Gratitude and Ingratitude)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Eutyches, commemorated today by the Holy Church, was a contemporary of the Apostles. He came from Sevastopol, or Sebastia, in Palestine. Having heard the preaching about Christ, he became a disciple of John the Theologian, zealously preached the gospel and eradicated paganism. Saint Eutyches had to endure many torments during his preaching: he was tormented by hunger, and his body was scraped with iron claws, and he was thrown into the fire and then cast to be eaten by wild beasts; but the Lord always preserved His Saint. One day they released a lion upon him, and the lion spoke with a human voice. Saint Eutyches died by being beheaded with a sword in his native city.

The Miracle of the Theotokos in Kefallonia on August 23, 1694

On August 23, 1694, the Panagia brought “on the wings of the wind,” from the dungeons of the Barbary Coast to Kechriona in Kefallonia, three Kefallonians - Iakovos, George and John - who had been captured at sea by Barbary pirates and were being held in chains.

The desperate Kefallonians, on the eve of the celebration of the Leavetaking of the Dormition of the Theotokos, were nostalgic for their native Kechriona. They wished they could venerate the Panagia of Kechriona. 

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: The Treasurer of Inexhaustible Treasures (Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: 
The Treasurer of Inexhaustible Treasures

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Delivered in 2014)

The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos rejoices our hearts, because the Panagia is the most beloved person after Christ. She, with her purity and humility, became the cause of the incarnation of Christ and therefore the cause of our salvation. We owe her much. She gave flesh to Christ, she raised Him from His infancy, as His Mother. The writings of the Fathers emphasize this offering of the Panagia. And indeed, it is a great honor for the Panagia to conceive Christ by the Holy Spirit, to carry Him in her womb, to give birth to Him, to nurse Him, to raise Him, to rejoice in His actions, to suffer during His Passion and Crucifixion, to rejoice in His Resurrection, to see Him taken up into heaven, and finally to see Him come to receive her soul after her glorious Dormition. What extraordinary and divine blessings did our Panagia receive! How great was the wealth she received!

August: Day 23: Teaching 2: Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons

August: Day 23: Teaching 2:
Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
 
(There Is No Salvation Outside the Church)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus, a native of Smyrna, received his higher education in pagan schools, but when he heard the teaching of Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, he became his disciple, received Holy Baptism from him and was sent by him to preach in Gaul, where at that time Bishop Pothinus of Lyons, who was also a disciple of Saint Polycarp, was already preaching.

Irenaeus, ordained a priest by Bishop Pothinus, was his zealous assistant in spreading the Christian faith in Gaul, where until that time little was known about the successes of the evangelical preaching. Irenaeus and Pothinus laid the foundations of churches in the cities of Lyons and Vienne. Thus, these churches were firmly established by them, that they did not waver even during the cruel persecution from the pagans, who rose up with fury in defense of their gods; and this persecution was terrible, especially in the year 177, when it was expressed in a whole series of interrogations, tortures and executions. At this time, Bishop Pothinus of Lyons himself died a martyr along with many of his flock.

August: Day 23: Teaching 1: Holy Martyr Louppos

August: Day 23: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyr Louppos
 
(On the Relationship Between Masters and Servants)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Louppos, whose memory is celebrated today by the Holy Church, was a servant of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios. After the death of his master, he soaked his clothes and ring in his blood and performed many miracles with them in Thessaloniki, for which, by order of Maximian, he was beheaded with the sword.

II. The Holy Martyr Louppos, who was a servant of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrios, gives all servants an example of Christian attitude towards their masters.

Christian brethren! In the present time, it is not always possible to see good relationships between masters and servants. The masters complain about the servants, citing their unfaithfulness, laziness, rudeness, and other vices. The servants, in turn, complain about the masters, saying that they do not value their hard work, do not reward them as they should, and are too strict and demanding of their employees. Perhaps these complaints — both from the masters and the servants — are justified. But where do they arise from? What is the main root of them? Their root lies in self-love. Each party seeks its own interests, demanding that others fulfill precisely what they are obligated to perform for them, without paying attention to themselves and their behavior towards those from whom they demand so much. If these aspects were considered, there would likely be fewer mutual grievances between masters and servants.  

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: "Rejoice Dawn of the Secret Day" (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: 
Rejoice Dawn of the Secret Day 

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Delivered in 2011)

The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is a feast with a profound spiritual meaning, it is a continuation of the Resurrection of Christ. Christ received His body from the Panagia, resurrected it with His divinity, therefore the body of the Panagia also had to receive glory, honor and dignity. After all, all the gifts that the Panagia has are related to the fact that she is the Mother of Christ. Thus, today we celebrate the glorious Dormition of the Theotokos and her Metastasis into heaven. The Panagia experienced what all the saints will experience at the Second Coming of Christ and in the life that will follow.

The event of the Dormition of the Theotokos directs our thoughts to the basic issues of our lives related to death, repose, heaven, and God. We are usually busy with everyday life, with eating, drinking, working, having fun, going on trips and many other activities, but we ignore or bypass the problems that relate to existential questions, such as what life is, what death is, why there is death, where does man go after death, where are our loved ones who have left this world, how will we live the rest of our lives without them, and so many other questions that torment us in various ways.

August: Day 22: Teaching 2: Saint Eulalia the Virgin

August: Day 22: Teaching 2:
Saint Eulalia the Virgin
 
(Let Us Go To Christ!)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Eulalia, whose memory is celebrated today together with the martyrs Agathonikos, Zotikos, and others, was the daughter of pious parents who lived in Spain, in a village near the present city of Barcelona. From her very childhood she was so firmly brought up in the Christian faith that already at the age of fourteen she was ripe for the feat of martyrdom, in order through it to depart to her Heavenly Bridegroom.

In the year 303, when the persecution of Christians took place under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, Eulalia heard that the hegemon Dacian had arrived in their city, by whose order Christians who refused to participate in idol sacrifices were being sought out and tortured. Then Eulalia, at night, without even warning her parents, went to the city. Approaching the city gates early in the morning, she heard the voices of messengers calling the people to the spectacle that lay ahead for the faithful confessors of Christ. Swiftly making her way through the crowd of people, she approached the hegemon and said to him: “Unjust judge! You sit in a high place, but do you not fear God, Who is above all! Are you sitting here to destroy innocent people, to shed the innocent blood of Christians?”

August: Day 22: Teaching 1: Holy Martyr Agathonikos

August: Day 22: Teaching 1:
Holy Martyr Agathonikos
 
(Different Kinds of Suffering)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Agathonikos, celebrated today by the Holy Church, was martyred during the reign of Maximilian. Sent to persecute Christians in the southern land of the Black Sea, the commander Eutolmios seized Agathonikos and many others in Nicomedia, such as Zeno, Theoprepios, Akindynos and Severian, and on their way to Thrace he killed them on the road, except Agathonikos, since as a result of torture they were unable to continue their journey. Agathonikos was martyred in Byzantium itself.

II. The Holy Martyr Agathonikos and others with him are sufferers for the truth, for the confession of the Christian faith. And one can meet many sufferers of all kinds in life.

August: Day 21: Teaching 2: Venerable Abramius of Smolensk

 

August: Day 21: Teaching 2:
Venerable Abramius of Smolensk
 
(About Envy)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Venerable Abramius, the Wonderworker of Smolensk, whose memory is celebrated today, was born in Smolensk. In his youth he avoided children's games, loving more to visit the temple of God. And when he came of age, he refused to marry, because he was more inclined to the monastic life. 

His parents soon died. Abramius distributed their property to churches and the poor, and he himself began to wear the poorest clothes, and prayed to God to show him the path to salvation. Having then become a monk, he loved spiritual reading and zealously read the Lives of the Saints, especially the works of the Holy Fathers: Chrysostom, Ephraim the Syrian and others. "Earthly life," he said, "is a war, and for war weapons are needed, experienced knowledge is needed: so for spiritual warfare one must learn a lot from experienced holy men; one must learn from them what spiritual weapons are useful in what case; from them we can also get to know our enemies well.” 

August: Day 21: Teaching 1: Holy Apostle Thaddeus

August: Day 21: Teaching 1:
Holy Apostle Thaddeus
 
(About Miracles)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Apostle Thaddeus, celebrated today by the Holy Church, was one of the 70 Apostles and came from the city of Edessa. Having come to Jerusalem to worship and having heard the preaching of John the Baptist, he was baptized by John. Then, having seen Jesus Christ and His miracles and having heard the teaching, Thaddeus became a disciple of Christ. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, he was sent to preach the gospel in Edessa. Having established a church in Edessa, Saint Thaddeus went to Armenia. Here, combining preaching with miracles, he converted the king’s daughter, nobles, and many people to Christ. The king became angry and imprisoned his daughter and many believers, and put others to death. The Lord Himself appeared to the Apostle and said: “Take courage, Thaddeus! Arm yourself with patience, many troubles await you, but I will be with you.” The Apostle then went to the prison, where the doors opened of their own accord, a heavenly light illuminated the prisoners, and from the midst of the light the voice of God was heard: "Be steadfast, for I will come and take you to Myself." At this miracle, the prison guards asked Thaddeus to baptize them. Many miracles were performed through the Apostle Thaddeus. But the king was not enlightened by the miracles and executed his daughter. On the fourth day after her death, it was revealed to Thaddeus that he too would soon receive the crown of martyrdom. Indeed, the king soon ordered the Saint to be hunted by wild beasts, but the beasts lay at his feet; then they threw him into the furnace, but the wind cooled the furnace. Finally, the king ordered him to be killed with a sword. But as soon as the sword struck the Apostle, a heavenly light illuminated his body, the earth shook, the stone split and received the body. The pagans fled. It was about 44 A.D.

Panagia Soumela: Shocking Revelation to a Mother About Her Child Who Drowned

Narration of Mrs. Panagiota Mexi, of the family Boukas from Ioannina, resident of Piraeus, Pavlou Nirvana 38.

I have six children, one girl and five boys. I lost one of my children, 24 years old, a probationary engineer on the ship “Akrotiri” of the Eugenides–Vernikos company during the shipwreck in Constanta, Romania on 2/1/1970.

Some told me that my child froze and drowned with 21 sailors and others that he is in Russia for treatment.

On the evening of the day of the shipwreck, I prayed and said: “My Panagia, show me if my child is alive.”

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture: The Acts of the Apostles (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture 

The Acts of the Apostles

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Sunday, August 17, 2025)

The New Testament, after the Gospels, includes the book called Acts of the Apostles. If the Gospels present the activity of Christ, His teaching and miracles, the Acts of the Apostles present the establishment of the Church, as the Body of Christ, at Pentecost, and the subsequent organization of the Church in Jerusalem and its expansion beyond. First, something should be noted regarding the title of the book. Today it is written “Acts of the Apostles”, better though is “Acts of Apostles”, without the definite article “the”, because it does not describe the actions of all the Apostles, but mainly of the two Apostles, Peter and Paul, and it presents only a few incidents from their lives.

Specifically, the book of Acts of the Apostles contains incidents from the activities of the Apostles Peter, John, the Apostle Paul, James the Brother of God, the martyrdom of the Apostle James, the brother of John, and the hanging of Judas, the traitor of Christ. The author of the Acts is considered by all tradition to be the Evangelist Luke, who also wrote the third Gospel, the Gospel of Luke, and there are internal testimonies that confirm this, but also testimonies of the first interpreters of the Scriptures that support this. Among other things, this is evident from the prologue to the book of the Acts of the Apostles, in which it is clearly seen that it is sent to Theophilos, to whom he also sent his Gospel, where he refers to the “first word” in order to support him in the faith in Christ. And according to the interpreters, it must have been written around 70 AD.

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: The Glory and Honor of our Panagia Inseparably Linked to Christ (Metr. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homily on the Dormition of the Theotokos: 
The Glory and Honor of our Panagia Inseparably Linked to Christ 

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Delivered in 2009)

On today’s Great Theometoric Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, a portion of the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians is read as an apostolic reading, which refers to the kenosis and humility of Christ. And one may ask: Why is a reading that refers to Christ read in the Church on such a day when we honor and glorify our Panagia?

The answer is that the glory and honor of our Panagia is inseparably linked to the glory of Christ. The Panagia was not simply a good person, a virtuous woman, as there were many virtuous women in the Old Testament, but she was the Mother of Christ. After all, this is what we chant in the Theometoric hymn: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the savior of our souls.” Everything within the Church refers to Christ and the glory that the Panagia enjoys is due to the “fruit of her womb,” since she gave birth to Christ.

August: Day 20: Teaching 1: Holy Prophet Samuel

August: Day 20: Teaching 1:
Holy Prophet Samuel
 
(The Lord Calls Us All to Salvation Through Various Means: Natural and Supernatural)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Prophet Samuel, whose memory is celebrated today, grew up at the Tabernacle, that is, the portable temple of the people of God, and was the only consolation of the High Priest Eli. It soon became evident that he was pleasing to God, and that God had sent him His grace, and through him would proclaim His will. One day as a twelve-year-old boy, who slept every night in the Temple of God, was awakened by a voice calling him. Thinking that Eli was calling him, he quickly got up and went to the vestibule where the High Priest slept at the door of the Temple. “Did you call me, my father?” he said to Eli. “No, my child,” he answered, “I did not call you, go and sleep.” But as soon as the boy fell asleep, the same voice called out again: “Samuel, Samuel!” The boy got up, again went to the High Priest; and so on three times. Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy, and said to him: "If you hear the voice calling you again, then answer: Speak, Lord; your servant is listening to you." Indeed, Samuel heard the same voice for the fourth time and answered: "Speak, Lord; your servant is listening to you;" and the Lord began to speak to Samuel, and announced to him that He would punish Eli for not restraining his sons, knowing their iniquities.

When a Turkish Television Host Investigated Mysterious Foreboding Sounds Coming from an Orthodox Church

In December 1998, a few months before the great earthquake in Turkey on August 17th 1999, the island of Burgaz among the Princes' Islands, known as Antigone in Greek, was shaken by an amazing event. This island was once completely Greek, but today there are a few Greeks and Turks from various parts of Turkey. The island has an Orthodox church, which is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, which can be clearly seen as you approach the island by sea from Constantinople (Istanbul).

During that time, every night outside the church and throughout the surrounding area, a deep breath of anguish could be heard, rising and falling as if sighing. It was a great sigh. The Turkish residents of the area were worried but could not explain the phenomenon. Some even went so far as to take stethoscopes and, after approaching the outer walls of the church, tried to uncover the source of these resonant sighs that had disturbed them.

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture: The Gospels (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture 

The Gospels

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Sunday, August 10, 2025)

In previous Sundays we briefly presented the books of the Old Testament, the historical, prophetic and poetic, and in what follows we will briefly look at the books of the New Testament. As we have emphasized, in the Old Testament the Son and Word of God spoke, while in the New Testament the incarnate Word of God, that is, Christ, spoke. The first texts of the New Testament are the four Gospels, and in particular the first Gospel, that of Matthew, is in a way the link between the Old and New Testaments, and this is evident not only because it is the first book of the New Testament, but because it begins with the genealogical table of the Forefathers of Christ who lived in the Old Testament, and then speaks of the birth of Christ as a man.

Through the Theotokos "the Mortal Drachma Has Been Found"

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

The work of man’s salvation is likened to the woman who had ten drachmas and lost one of them, so she lit a lamp, swept the house, and searched diligently to find the lost drachma. And when she found it, she called her friends and neighbors together and said to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.” And by saying this parable, Christ assures His listeners that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:8-10).

The drachma signifies the soul of man and, more broadly, man, who was created by God to be in His image. The drachma was a silver coin and bore "royal marks," according to Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Man is "the royal image," as stated by Saint Theophylact, and "we were created in the royal image, that is to say, in the image of the God over all," according to Saint Cyril of Alexandria. However, when man distanced himself from God and fell into the place of impurities, Christ, who is the prototype of the creation of man, is likened to a woman who lit a lamp to find man.

A Miracle of the Panagia Katholiki in Rhodes in the 1920's

 

By George Paporis

In the mid-1920s, most of the inhabitants of Kremasti were engaged in agriculture. It is known to everyone that many times the farmer's labor and sweat go to waste, because it depends on factors independent of his will. Drought, humidity, hail, frost and other weather phenomena regulate the harvest.

Everything depends on the sky. That is why the farmer's only support is God. He prays to Him every morning when he makes his cross at sunrise, before starting any agricultural work. And in Him he places all his hopes for a good harvest.

That year God seemed to have forgotten them. The whole winter had passed without rain. The whole village was in a difficult situation. The wells had no water. The land was dried up. The trees and vegetables were waiting unjustly to drink. The entire plain groaned. One realized what drought and dryness mean for an agricultural place. Drought in agriculture means destruction.

August: Day 19: Teaching 3: Holy Martyr Andrew Stratelates

August: Day 19: Teaching 3:
Holy Martyr Andrew Stratelates
 
(How Can a Layman be Saved?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Andrew, tortured for Christ under the Emperor Maximilian, a cruel persecutor of Christians, was a stratelates, i.e. a military general. But his high military rank did not prevent him from receiving salvation. This points to the truth that even a layman can be saved in the midst of his everyday activities. For this, you do not necessarily need to go to a monastery or a desert.

II. The most merciful God accomplishes our salvation by the Orthodox faith, good works and His grace. The Orthodox faith is that which is contained in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Eastern Church; without this Orthodox faith no one can be saved. Good works are the Gospel commandments, without the fulfillment of which, as well as without faith, it is also impossible for anyone to be saved. The Orthodox faith without good works is dead, and good works without faith are also dead. He who desires salvation must have both together: both the Orthodox faith with good works, and good works with the Orthodox faith, and then, with the help of the grace of God, which promotes his good works, he will be saved according to the word of Christ, who said: “Without Me you can do nothing.” And it is necessary to know that Christ the Savior, our True God, Who wants all men to be saved, has set good works, that is, His saving commandments of the Gospel, as a law for all Orthodox Christians, both monks and laymen living with wives and children, and demands from all Orthodox Christians the most diligent fulfillment of them; because His holy commandments do not require great physical labor, but only a good disposition of the soul. For the yoke of His holy commandments is good and the burden of performing them is light. Any Orthodox Christian, regardless of their status, gender, or age — whether old or young, healthy or infirm — can easily fulfill the holy commandments of Christ with the help of God’s grace, provided that there is a proper disposition of the soul. Therefore, those who transgress them and do not repent, at the dread Second Coming of Christ will be condemned together with the demons to eternal torment. 

August: Day 19: Teaching 1: Feast of the Donskoy Icon of the Mother of God

August: Day 19: Teaching 1:
Feast of the Donskoy Icon of the Mother of God
 
(The History of the Feast and the Moral Lessons It Teaches: 
a. One Should Never Lose Faith, and 
b. Prayer Has Great Power)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Wonderworking Donskoy Icon of the Mother of God, which is celebrated today, is in the Donskoy Monastery, near Moscow, named after the icon itself and built in its honor. The distinctive feature of this miraculous icon of the Mother of God, in comparison to other miraculous icons of hers, is that it depicts the Infant Jesus Christ holding a scroll, symbolizing divine wisdom. The identity of the artist of this holy icon and the exact date of its creation remain unknown. It is only known that it was painted long ago, that it existed in the second half of the 14th century, and was originally located in the Don region in the Church of the Annunciation, in a place called Syrotino, and was already deeply venerated in the hearts of the Orthodox believers.

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture: The Poetic and Didactic Books of the Old Testament (Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos)

Homilies on the Books of Holy Scripture 

The Poetic and Didactic Books of the Old Testament

By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

(Sunday, August 3, 2025)

In previous Sunday sermons, we briefly looked at the historical and prophetic books of the Old Testament. However, as we have emphasized, the Old Testament also includes a category of books called poetic, which refer to books written in a poetic manner. This category includes the Psalms of David, Job, Proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, and the Wisdom of Sirach, that is, a total of seven books. As has been done so far, a brief analysis of these seven poetic books of the Old Testament will be made.

First of all, it should be emphasized that poetry is the oldest literary genre. Before the invention of writing, man expressed himself with wonder in hymns, laments, and outbursts of joy. After the invention of writing, he cultivated written prose. Thus, there is a difference between poetry and prose. Poems are letters in verse, the words have rhythm and meter, while prose consists of sentences that follow the rules of grammar and meanings are recorded in a logical sequence.

Thus, the Old Testament includes books that are written in prose, but it also has books that are written in poetic form, such as those mentioned above. They were called poetic books because they are expressed in poetic form. Poetry in the Hebrew language is divided into three categories: parallelism, that is, the thought of the first line is repeated with different phrasing in the other line; rhythm, as to the pronunciation of the words; and stanza, with the repetition of words or phrases, such as the refrain.

Saint Gabrielia on the Freedom Found in the Orthodox Church Taught by the Example of Saint Athanasios Hamakiotis

Nun Philothei, Abbess of the Sacred Hesychasterion Panagia of Vryoula, writes: 

The Eldress [now Saint Gabrielia] emphasized how privileged we Orthodox are, because we do not have a “bogeyman” God, in contrast to the Roman Catholic Church, where there is absolute submission:

“We, by divine grace, were born into a Church that is free. And this spirit of Orthodoxy is the true pedestal, on which Christ is directly the head. No one else - Christ is the head. When an Orthodox person says that Christ is not the head, he ceases to be Orthodox. That is why you will not see a truly Orthodox priest telling you absolutely to do this or that. If you see such behavior and it does not encourage you to ask your conscience and not discuss it, in order to make a decision, it means that something is wrong.”