Orthodox Journey

In Part 2 of The Neomartyrs we explore why there were Neomartyrs in the Ottoman Empire, looking at the rise of Islam and the Ottoman Empire. We also examine the pressures faced by Christians in the Ottoman Empire to convert to Islam, and how the Neomartyrs faced those pressures

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In Part 1 of a new miniseries on the Neomartyrs, we explore the importance of the Neomartyrs through the life of St Kosmas of Aetolia. We also reflect on the virtues they displayed throughout their lives and how it is possible to witness for Christ in the contemporary world.

Today, the Sunday after Pentecost, our Orthodox Church celebrates the Sunday of All Saints - both those who are known to us and those who are not. These Saints include martyrs, prophets, monks, bishops, lay-people, apostles, priests.

In this podcast, we are joined by Mrs Anna Dimitriou of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Group to commemorate All Saints who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives.

Χριστος Ανεστη! Christ Is Risen!

On this HOLY and GREAT Sunday of Pascha we celebrate the life bearing Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We read the Paschal Message of Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

On GREAT and HOLY SATURDAY the CHURCH contemplates the mystery of the Lord's descent into Hades, the place of the dead. Death, our ultimate enemy, is defeated from within.

On this day, GREAT SATURDAY our focus is on the Tomb of Christ. This is no ordinary grave of corruption, decay and defeat. It is life-giving, a source of power, victory and liberation.

On this day, GREAT SATURDAY is the day between Jesus' death and His resurrection. It is the day of watchful expectation, in which mourning is being transformed into joy.

On this day, Holy and Great Friday, we celebrate the awesome, holy, and saving Passion of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ—the spitting, the blows with the palm of the hand, the buffeting, the mockery, the reviling, the wearing of the purple robe, the reed, the sponge, the vinegar, the nailing, the lance, and above all, the Crucifixion and Death which He condescended to endure willingly for our sake's—and also the saving confession of the grateful thief upon the cross.

On this Great and Holy Thursday, we hear the Twelve Passion Gospels.

We commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist – where Christ identified Himself with the bread and wine and said: “Take, eat; this is my Body. Drink of it all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant”.

We are joined by Mrs Kathryn Stavropoulos who will reflect upon this and the Last Supper.

We also remember the agony of the events leading to the Passion and the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We commemorate the washing of the disciples’ feet, and in through that, the revelation of Christ’s profound humility and the manifestation of His perfect love.

We remember Judas’ betrayal of Christ with a kiss – the sign of friendship and love.

On Holy Wednesday, we commemorate the sinful woman who anointed the head of Jesus shortly before the passion.

The Repentance of the sinful woman is juxtaposed with the tragic fall of the disciple Judas – not so that we may recount the betrayal of Judas in self-righteousness – but so that we too can recognise that these words apply not to others, but to ourselves – for how many times have we betrayed our Saviour and Crucified Him in our hearts?

Mrs Helen Magdas joins us to reflect on the repentance of the sinful woman.

On Holy Tuesday, the Hymn of Saint Kassiani is chanted.

On Holy Monday we commemorate Joseph the All Good who stands as a prototype of Christ.