by Max Massell | Aug 29, 2021 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
The Gospels depict St John the Baptist as the “forerunner” or herald announcing the imminent coming of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Mark, for example, we read, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy...
by Max Massell | Aug 15, 2021 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
An increasing number of Byzantine churches are observing the Feast of the Dormition by conducting the Burial Service of the Theotokos. This observance comes to us from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the traditional site of her death and burial. On the morning of...
by Max Massell | Aug 1, 2021 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
Towards the end of Jesus’ public ministry He began preparing His disciples for His approaching death and resurrection of Lyons, and Clement of Alexandria all taught that Christ had descended into Hades. We find the . In Matthew 16 this scene concludes with the...
by Max Massell | Aug 9, 2020 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” (John 8:12). These familiar words of the Lord Jesus reflect one of the most popular images in the Scriptures, but what do they mean? How is Jesus the Light of the world? The rest of this verse sheds light on what is meant...
by Max Massell | Aug 2, 2020 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
SUMMER, IN OUR WORLD AT LEAST, is traditionally a time for sun and fun: cookouts, the beach, pool parties and the like. Yet in the midst of summer – in the week which has been compared to the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning – we are called...
by Max Massell | Aug 18, 2019 | Faith, Sunday Scriptures, August, Feast Days
IN BYZANTINE CHURCHERS the first Great Feast in the liturgical calendar is the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8). The feast of her Holy Dormition (August 15), coming at the end of the Church year, brings this cycle to a close. Like a musical masterwork, our...
