“Thoughts in Christ”

by Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky

Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky

In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day

Here for the first time we find a reference to the most precious day of the week, the day we in English call Sunday—the Lord’s Day. Many wrongly speak of Sunday as the Sabbath; but Saturday is the Sabbath. The day of rest,...

The Lamb of God

Do you wonder what happens before your arrival for the Divine Liturgy? I recite some two dozen prayers for a start, followed by more prayers, one for each article of vestments donned by the priest, and another for the...

Enron and Lazarus

The present Enron scandal expresses the shadow side of capitalism. In this time of our nation’s healing from the disasters of 9/11, we have come together as a nation to demonstrate to others and to ourselves the best in our...

St. Paul’s Valentines

St. Paul was sending valentines long before there was a word for it. That most brilliant of apostles loved instinctively and unstintedly. The Holy Spirit directed him to do the loving, kind and helpful things that would...

With Your Whole Heart

Where can you go in America and avoid the symbol of the heart? On Valentine’s Day we send notes of affection to family, friends and in schools, even near strangers. Bumper stickers proclaim “I V [NY, favorite pet, favorite...

St. John’s Credentials: A Right to Write

Here appear the credentials of the writer of Revelation, St. John. He addresses those who will read and hear his writings as their brother and companion in: a) Tribulation (thlipsis); b) Kingdom (vasilia); c) Patience, or...

A Peaceful Death

Painless:

To die as a Christian is both privilege and duty. The insight that comes only after deep meditation is to grasp the gift which Christ brings us, by allowing us to share His sacred and unique heritage. He made His...

The Family Reunion

“Your mother and her sisters know where my best dress, the black one, is hanging in the closet. I told them that’s what I’ll wear in my coffin. Nothing else. No jewelry, and I hope they won’t put makeup on me.”

“Oh, Baba,...

Our God, Our Heavenly Father

Imagine what a transformation in understanding St. Peter and the other apostles had felt when they would begin their daily prayers as Christians. From childhood they had begun: “Blessed art Thou, O God.” The essence of...