Science

Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America

Site of Jesus’s trial may have been uncovered in Jerusalem

“And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David.
And David built round about from Millo and inward.” (2 Samuel 5:9)

Archaeologists have announced they may have uncovered the precise location of Jesus’s trial, and it’s not along the traditional Via Dolorosa path, Haaretz reported.

The oldest sundial in Serbian lands

Only preserved Serbian medieval sundial is the one on the Virgin Mary (Bogorodicna crkva) church of Studenica monastery. Of all the Serbian monasteries Studenica has always been held in the highest respect. The church of the Virgin mary was built in the last two decades of the 12th century. In architectural conception and execution it ranks among the finest examles of what is know as the Raska style of church building.

Biblical Scholar dr Aleksandar Birvis dies

Bible translator and former Vice President of the Bible Society

Aleksandar Birvis was born in Nis, Serbia, in 1928. It was in this city that he finished primary school and high school (gym). He graduated from the Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade in 1953 as well as from the Philological Faculty – Department of Oriental languages – in 1961.

The Nativity Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom

BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery.

My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed; He had the power; He descended; He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.

Seminary Offers Four Hybrid, Online Public Courses in January

In January 2015, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary will be offering four public courses, comprising an online and a residential component. Offerings include three pastoral theology courses and one liturgical music course, taught by experts in their fields: "The Therapeutic Encounter," by Dr. Daniel Hinshaw; "The Parish and Prison Ministry," by The Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Solak and The Rev. Stephen Powley, executive director, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM); "Stewardship in American Orthodoxy," by The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Holet; and "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt," with Dr. Peter Bouteneff.