We all went through situations so challenging that we instantly and instinctively knew that only God could help and save us. In such moments, we turn to God, perhaps we come to church, light a candle, say a prayer and hope for a change and divine intervention. But then sometimes time passes without us seeing […]

The lectionary reading for this Sunday is the Gospel of St. John, chapter three. A very familiar and well-known passage. It also includes a peculiar Old Testament reference and symbolism that might not be well known or understood. “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man […]

This year the Academy Award for a Best 2020 Picture was awarded to ‘Nomadland’. Such selection for 2020 was somewhat ironic. We all spent the entire year in isolation, seclusion and loneliness – realities that strongly resemble the life of Nomadland’s main character. Fern was a widow in her 60s who lived in a van, […]

In the Bible, the tense and dynamic narrative is sometimes interrupted by  interesting and also funny animal stories. In the Old Testament, we have Balaam’s talking donkey and ravens that befriended and fed prophet Elijah, Tobit’s dog, Noah’s dove, Aaron’s staff that could transform into a live serpent. In the New Testament, things appear to […]

The repertoires of classical concerts and performances sometimes include sacred music. They can be performed professionally and perfectly, but there is always something missing, and we never quite get to experience them the way they were intended to. The reason for this is that much of such works are liturgical. Liturgy is complex and requires […]

One of the main characters in John Milton’s Paradise Lost is Satan. And he has a problem that needs to be addressed. He needs a plan and strategy that would allow him to maintain control over Hell. Eventually, Satan comes up with the most brilliant plan. He manages to convince everyone in Hell that they […]

Today’s Gospel reading – The Parable of the Weeds depicts a grim picture. The farmer who worked tirelessly on his field and perhaps invested all his time and money in it, learns that the enemy sowed weeds in his field. For a modern mind it is hard to grasp the true scope of the danger. […]

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2 In today’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 12, we hear about some religious leaders who came to Jesus and requested to show a sign that would prove that He […]

In his 2012 highly acclaimed bestseller “Why Nations Fail” Turkish-born Armenian-American author, MIT professor and one of the most prominent economists in the world Daron Acemoğlu explores why some nations are rich and others poor, why nations are divided by food and famine, prosperity and poverty, health and sickness. He dives deep into these questions […]