• The Promise Newsletter

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    An interview with Metropolitan Elpidophoros Lambriniadis of Bursa

    H    is Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros recently spent some time in the Metropolis of New Jersey. He is a Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Throne. In this most interesting interview on Krista Tippett’s show On Being, he describes the state of the Orthodox Church in Turkey and his personal aspirations for his Metropolis. He is creating what he calls a “dialogue of life” as a religious minority in this crucible of the ancient church. He is currently abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery on Halki. Click Here for the Interview

    A Poem to the Virgin Mary

    To many, the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, is a source of many blessings. The Church’s love and devotion to her, as the greatest of all the saints, is shown in the many hymns written and chanted during the divine services. She, having given birth to Christ God, allowed salvation, Jesus, into the world. She is the mother of us all.

    St. Nektarios, a saint of the 20th Century was a very pious hierarch of the Church. He loved the Theotokos and constantly called upon her intercessions. In the attempt to deepen his prayer life, the Theotokos herself appeared before him and requested  that he record on paper a particular poem the angelic choirs were about to sing. Through this inspiration, he wrote a beautiful hymn to the Virgin Mary simply called, O Pure Virgin.  The original script of this hymn "Agni Parthene" can still be viewed on St. Nektarios’ prayer table in his bedroom at his monastery in Aegina.

    Having read this tremendous poem and comprehending its spiritual beauty, monks on Mount Athos set it to music. This hymn can be heard by clicking here.

                                 

    True Christian Stewardship
    A Spiritual Dimension

    If I believe that God is the Giver and the Owner and I the manager, then it follows that a Steward trusts the Bible’s direc­tions on  how to manage God’s gifts. God expects us to give Him thanks by managing our gifts of time, talents and treasures according to His will.
    Click here to read more.