Orthodox Portal

In this video presented by the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America), Bishop Michael offers a brief talk about the Virgin Mary ~ the Theotokos. By way of answering seven common questions, His Grace provides much needed teaching so Orthodox Christians will be able to answer questions that often arise from those outside of the Church. This is the first in what is hoped to be a series of teaching videos from the diocese.

Listen to the Audio of the Lesson
Download the Lesson Outline

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America) presents this video as part of its “Lessons in Our Faith” series. In this installment, Bishop Michael discusses an approach to Christian stewardship and the support of the local parish community.

Listen to the Audio of the Lesson
Download the Lesson Outline

This video is produced by the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America) as part of an educational series: “Lessons in Our Faith.” In this installment, Bishop Michael discusses “Fasting” by offering seven common questions and seven concise answers based on the life of the Church and the Bible.

Listen to the Audio of the Lesson
Download the Lesson Outline

There is no problem of “faith and good works” in the spirituality of the Church. The relationship between faith and good works becomes a “problem” only when justification is understood as an outward legal process between God and man. In that case people either fear that good deeds will come between the soul and Christ or, on the contrary, they regard deeds as merits in the eyes of God. In the Orthodox view deeds are not an end in themselves for the doer, but are more like a saving instrument in the transformation of man’s corrupted nature into a “new creation.” (2 Cor 5; 17) Therefore Christ’s gospel commandments are not law but grace and mercy. They are like medicine given for our use, without which we cannot get well. Let us think of any virtue recommended to us in the Gospel: humility, for instance. How else could we grow in humility except by really humbling ourselves in practice? A prayer from Psalm 118 is often repeated in church services: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord; teach my Thy statutes!”
Ream more »

The glorious and most wonderful life of Martinian is worthwhile to read in its entirety. What did he not endure just to fulfill the commandments of the Lord? At age eighteen, Martinian retreated to a mountain in Cappadocia called the Place of the Ark, where he lived for twenty five years in fasting, vigils and prayer, struggling with many temptations. When a woman came to tempt him, Martinian, perceiving that he would succumb to sin with her, leapt into the fire barefoot and remained in the fire, until the pain brought tears to his eyes and subdued all lust within himself. When another temptation erupted, Martinian fled to an isolated rock in the sea and lived there. Following a shipwreck, a young woman swam to this rock. Martinian jumped into the sea to avoid any further temptation, but a dolphin rescued him on its back and by God’s providence brought him to shore. Martinian then decided never to make any place his permanent home but to continually travel. In two years, he passed through 164 towns, correcting and counseling the people. He finally reached Athens, where he reposed in the year 422.