Search faith resources and communities

35+ min ago (295+ words) A Reflection on Prophecy, Hope, and the Faithfulness of God One of the most beautiful threads woven throughout Scripture is this: God keeps His promises. From Genesis to Revelation, every chapter, every symbol, every whisper of hope points toward a Savior who would rescue the world from darkness. And when Jesus stepped into Bethlehem's humble night, prophecy didn't just come true'it came alive. Hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, the prophets were already telling His story: These were not vague predictions or poetic hopes. They were specific promises'clear signposts that pointed to the One who would come. When Jesus was born, the impossible became reality. The Word became flesh. The Messiah foretold became the Messiah revealed. Every fulfilled prophecy reminds us that God's timing is never late, His plan is never uncertain, and His love is always intentional. The birth…...

47+ min ago (288+ words) Serbian Patriarch Porfirije visited the holy site of Al-Maghtas, where, according to Tradition, Saint John the Baptist preached and baptized our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The visit was made at the personal invitation of Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor to King Abdullah II on Religious and Cultural Affairs. Prince Ghazi personally guided the [] Serbian Patriarch Porfirije visited the holy site of Al-Maghtas, where, according to Tradition, Saint John the Baptist preached and baptized our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The visit was made at the personal invitation of Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor to King Abdullah II on Religious and Cultural Affairs. Prince Ghazi personally guided the Patriarch and the accompanying delegation along the Path of John the Baptist, showing them Elijah's Hill and the Spring of Saint John the Baptist " the places associated with the Dormition…...

48+ min ago (311+ words) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As... "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you Abide in Me, and I in you As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless…...

1+ hour, 3+ min ago (424+ words) Metropolitan Church of Saint Minas, Crete An informal " yet highly significant " synodal meeting of the Church of Crete begins today, aiming to find a way out of the impasse that has developed in its relationship with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, local media outlets paint a discouraging picture of what lies ahead, as unity appears to be a "distant dream" for the Church of Crete. According to reports, three Metropolitans appear unwilling to attend today's informal meeting. These are the hierarchs who have been leading the effort to prevent Metropolitan Irenaios from resigning. It is also likely that Metropolitan Irenaios himself may not attend. Such a scenario is expected to further test the patience of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who appears unwilling to allow the issue of vacant Metropolises to drag on any longer. Also in a difficult position is Archbishop Eugenios…...

1+ hour, 27+ min ago (507+ words) There were 849 incidents of theft and vandalism against churches and chapels in the German state of Baden-W'rttemberg last year, official figures reveal. Incidents against chapels rose by 26% on the previous year. The cost of the damage to both churches and chapels runs into hundreds of thousands of euros,Evangelical Focus reports. The stats were collated by the state's interior ministry in response to a request from the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Despite the numbers, the ministry said that the situation was "stable overall" and that "there are no indications of a general loss of social respect for religious symbols and cultural assets in the state". The FDP were less relaxed about the situation, however. The group's spokesperson for churches, Tim Kern, said, "Churches are not only sacred to many people, they are places of protection, peace, comfort and community.Vandalismin…...

1+ hour, 30+ min ago (914+ words) In India, between January and October alone more than 600 incidents of violence were documented " averaging more than two attacks per day " including mob assaults, public humiliation, church disruption, and demolition of homes, said Tehmina Arora, director of Advocacy Asia for ADF International, citing India's United Christians Forum. "Twelve Indian states now enforce anti-conversion laws, often used to intimidate and criminalize peaceful religious activity. This year, 123 criminal complaints'have been filed against Christians, and several believers remain in prison across the country," Arora said. "Christians in India are punished not for wrongdoing but for simply gathering, praying, or helping their neighbors." She presented documented testimonies from across India's most affected regions. "Even the Supreme Court of India recently noted how the "anti-conversion laws' are misused to wrongly prosecute Christians," she added. "False accusations of blasphemy continue to spark mob violence," John said....

1+ hour, 31+ min ago (530+ words) Around 2,000 Christians in India have gathered in the nation's capital to protest the increasingly hostile environment they face from discriminatory laws and neighbours. The treatment of Christians in the country has become of increasing concern. This year alone has seen Hindu mobs attempt to prevent the burial of a Christian man in his home town, missionaries attacked and Christian shops boycotted, and people driven out of their villages and refused access to basic services. The situation is such that democratic India is currently ranked by Open Doors as the 11th worst persecutor of Christians in the world, worse than Islamic autocracy Saudi Arabia (12th) and Communist China (15th). On 29 November the National Christian Convention took place, bringing together 2,000 believers from over 200 denominations. Speakers told of the plight of Christians in vulnerable areas of the country and also said the situation had deteriorated significantly....

1+ hour, 32+ min ago (550+ words) Where does a young person find hope when everything feels uncertain, pressured, and performative? Today's teenagers are growing up in a world of fragmentation with post-pandemic changes, always-on social media, global instability, and deep personal questions many adults never hear them ask out loud." Sometimes, it's not just about what's going on around them, but within. Teenagers have unspoken questions about identity, purpose, belief. What's the point? Why does anything matter? Is there anything out there to find hope in?" For them, hope can seem like a distant and fragile concept. In my work with young people and as a parent myself, I've seen these struggles often. I've come to believe that our role as adults isn't to provide instant answers to every question, but to gently walk alongside them and point them to Jesus." Whether you're a parent, mentor,…...

1+ hour, 46+ min ago (173+ words) A choir of Byzantine psaltes, led by the Revd Protopresbyter Joseph Paliouras, offered beautiful and prayerful chanting throughout the Liturgy, uplifting the celebration of the feast. In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the life of St Nicholas, his humility, love, and steadfast defence of truth and encouraged the faithful to seek his intercessions. His Eminence also invited the congregation to prepare their hearts for the approaching Great Feast of the Nativity. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Nikitas elevated Hrisovalandis Gkirkis, and Christos and Andreas Liberos to the order of Readers. Among the distinguished guests were His Excellency Mr Odysseas Odysseos, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, and Her Excellency Mrs Maria Kriari, Head of the Consular Service of the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, together with her esteemed husband. Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and…...

1+ hour, 49+ min ago (235+ words) Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She married Saint Joachim (September 9), who was a native of Galilee. For a long time Saint Anna was childless, but after twenty years, through the fervent prayer of both spouses, an angel of the Lord announced to them that they would be the parents of a daughter, Who would bring blessings to the whole human race. The Conception of the Virgin Mary by Saint Anna took place at Jerusalem. The many icons depicting the Conception by Saint Anna show the Most Holy Theotokos trampling the serpent underfoot. "In the icon Saints Joachim and Anna are usually depicted with hands folded in prayer; their eyes are also directed upward and they contemplate the Mother of God, Who…...