Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis
Our Compassionate Father
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis invites you to turn your gaze to our God, to contemplate the kind of God we have. (Sunday of the Prodigal Son/Compassionate Father).
STRIVE FIRST FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis comments on the context of the Parable of the Foolish Rich man, and encourages us to strive not for the ephemeral, but the eternal.
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
In this divine parable, the Lord offers us a view of our everyday reality from the prism of eternity according to the eternal truths of the Christian faith.
THE CENTURION: AN OUTSIDER WHO MADE IT IN
If we Orthodox Christians, the New Israel, turn our backs to God, He will fill His heavenly mansions with the innocent from heresy, schism and false belief.
Dogma and tough love of the Holy Fathers
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis contrasts the love of the Holy Fathers that anathematises with the love of those who preach it without keeping the dogmas (truths).
CHRIST IS RISEN!!
We don’t have a dead leader of our faith, but one who is alive and more than that is Life itself. Christ gives us life; life abundant; everlasting life…
24 SIGNS OF PRIDE, AND HOW TO ACQUIRE HUMILITY
Guided by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, we present some signs of Pride to reflect upon, in order to help us eradicate it from our heart, and thus acquire humility.
BISHOPS AND THEIR PARAPHERNALIA
In this excerpt from “The Heavenly Banquet”, Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis says bishops should shed their vain paraphernalia, and that the laity would welcome it.
Newtown: Seeking Answers
Why do we blame our heavenly Father for the evils of the world? There is an answer to the “why”, but the answer only applies to believing Christians.
The “Inaudible prayers” should be read out loud
What sense does it make for the laity to say “Amen” to prayers not heard? This article is taken from The Heavenly Banquet: Understanding the Divine Liturgy.
Let’s make the “churching prayers” non-offensive
Many faithful might consider the prayers for the mother in the churching service offensive. It’s time we revisit our prayer books and make some changes.
“I am an Orthodox Christian, but not a believer”
Your good friend, a scientist and lifelong Orthodox Christian church-goer does not believe in Christ and His Resurrection. Have you shown them this evidence?
THE AKATHIST HYMN: History, Significance, Analysis
Take a glance at this post and see the structure of “The Akathist Hymn”, an acrostic poem and “jewel of Theology” comprised of a prelude and 24 stanzas.
How Christians of the 3rd millennium can apply The Ladder of Divine Ascent in life
Almost fourteen centuries after Saint John wrote “The Ladder” for monks of his day, the way upward remains the same today.
Why the story of the Three Holy Youths is so significant
The Church remembers the story of the Three Holy Youths often–even daily–in her hymnology, and especially at Christmas. Read why it is so significant.
THE BREAD, THE WINE, THE MODE
Athonite Priestmonk Chrysostomos explains how God “innovates the mode” of bread and wine to acquire Divine properties while retaining their natural properties.
Let everyone examine himself
Can holy Communion transmit Coronavirus? Orthodox theologians have answered on both sides of the spectrum. We offer a few brief reflections on this issue.
A “mercy” or an “offering” of peace? – PART II
This follow-up to our post, “A ‘mercy’ or an ‘offering’ of peace?” presents new insights and clarifications to the “orthographic confusion” of the response.
Resemblance to animals but affinity with God
Theologians and Scientists share their thoughts on faith and evolution. This article includes new translations from Greek sources.
A “mercy” or an “offering” of peace? – Part I
If “A mercy of peace” sounds nonsensical to you, you’re not alone. Examine with us this response in Greek to see how we arrive at “An offering of peace”.
Unbaptized spouses: welcome to the Church! –Abp. Elpidophoros
Taking one step closer towards complete apostasy, Archbishop Elpidophoros has declared non-Orthodox spouses to be “100% part of our community”.
Eternal suffering or eternal rewards
Won’t the Lord bring all suffering to an end, so that eventually everyone will be saved and enjoy eternal blessings? Not so, says the Church.
There is only one way to reach salvation and life eternal
The world would have us believe we’re assured of eternal life, but God’s ways are different. Here’s what to know about life eternal and how we get there.
A symbol or actual body and blood?
“Do the bread and wine truly become the actual Body and Blood of Christ?” A reader asks to be assured of what the Church has always taught.
A Prayer for the Coming New Year
Has the Church completely ignored the the new year? We offer a short sketch of where our calendar came from and “A Prayer for the Coming New Year”.
Did Christ have a fallen human nature? – Part 8 of 8
This post concludes our series of eight posts on the topic, “Did Christ have a fallen human nature?”
Did Christ have a fallen human nature? – Part 7 of 8
In this installment in our 8 part series, we look at other aspects of Christ‘s humanness that reveal His “otherness.”
THE ECUMENICAL MONARCH
The special privileges of the Patriarch of Constantinople are no longer based on the canons, but on a new theory that he is the vicar of… God the Father.
Why bother to Christianize those outside the Church?
We want everyone to know that salvation is available to all. What the Lord will do with outsiders is His business. Our business is to proclaim the Gospel.
“How long do we remain with the GOA?”… and 3 other questions answered
Commemorating an ecumenist bishop does not necessarily pollute the clergy and people under them, as long as they declare their faith openly.