Journey to Pascha

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 reflect on the Paschal Message of Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. We are joined by Dr John Psarommatis, President of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, to reflect on the Resurrection in 2020.

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. We're joined by Father Nicholas Stavropoulos, CEO at St Basils and Professor Michael Anthony, Co-Founder and former President of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society.

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. Today, we are joined by Dr Socrates Dokos who will reflect on the Crucifixion of Christ and Mrs Helene Abouyanni who will offer some thoughts on the Burial of Christ.

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. We are also joined by Mr Pandelis Toumbelekis who will share some thoughts on the Trial of Jesus Christ.

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. Today, the Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body, and, forgiveness of sins. Fr Dimitri Kokkinos, Parish Priest of St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church at Parramatta, Sydney, explains the Mystery of Holy Unction.

On this Holy and Great Tuesday, we remember two parables related to the Second Coming: the Parable of the Ten Virgins and The Parable of the Talents. We are called, like the five wise virgins, to be watchful and alert, and to focus our attention upon the Lord. We will be joined by Mrs Panayiota Kranidiotis who will reflect on this and the rest of the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Mr Andrew Psarommatis will also share his reflection on the beautiful and inspiring Hymn of Kassiani in this episode of Journey to Pascha.

On this Holy and Great Monday, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ begins. On this day, Holy Monday, Joseph the Righteous is interpreted as a type of Christ – a prefiguration of Christ – an icon of Christ – who typified in himself through his remarkable life – the betrayal, Passion, death and glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are joined by Dr Anna Dimitriou who will share with us some thoughts on Joseph the Righteous. On this day, Holy Monday, we commemorate Christ’s encounter with the fig tree – which the Lord found adorned with leaves – but no bearing no fruit – on his return to Jersualem. On this day, Holy Monday, Mr Ulysses Coustas will also reflect on the divine Bridegroom of the Church.

On Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphant return of Jesus to Jerusalem with the reading of the Holy Gospel according to John and the Saints for the day on the 12th of April. We are also joined by Father George Liangas, Parish Priest at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Nektarios at Burwood to reflect on the Palm Sunday Epistle Reading.

Today as we come to the end of Lent we celebrate the feast day of Lazarus with the reading of the Holy Gospel according to John and the Saints of the day for the 11th April. We are joined by Dr Greg Roditis, group leader at the Greek Orthodox Christian Society to remember the extraordinary Miracle of the raising of Lazarus.

Today we bring you timeless wisdom from Proverbs together with our Saints of the day on 10 April. We also reflect on the church's beautiful hymnography to Panagia, the Theotokos and the Mother of God.

Today we bring you timeless wisdom from Proverbs and the Saints celebrated by the Church on 9 April. We also explain the tradition and significance of making palm crosses on Palm Sunday.

Today we bring you the timeless wisdom from our Scripture Reading from Proverbs and Saints celebrated on 8 April. We also look at why it's important not to judge others and provide some practical tips to avoid doing so.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture readings, lives of Saints and spiritual reflections.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a reflection on the question "What is the Kingdom of Heaven that Christ spoke of?"

Today we reflect on our daily scripture readings along with our Saints for the day. We'll also be joined by Geronda Eusebios, Abbott of Pantanassa Monastery, who will reflect on the life of Saint Mary of Egypt.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a reflection on Humility by Saint Basil the Great.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a reflection on Gluttony by Saint Seraphim on Sarov

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a special reflection by Professor Socrates, from the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, on the Great Canon of Saint Andrew.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a reflection on the importance of the Prayer Rope.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you a reflection on "Why does the Orthodox Church value asceticism?

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also bring you the homily on "recognising the Son of Man amidst overwhelming darkness" by St Nikolai Velimirovich.

On this Sunday of St John Climacus, we bring you the daily Scripture reading from the Gospel of Mark and the Saints for 29 March. We also reflect on St John Climacus on prayer with Fr Dimitri Kokkinos, Parish Priest at St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church, Parramatta.

Today we bring you the Scripture Reading from the Holy Gospel of Mark along with the Saints we celebrate on this 28th of March. We also reflect on the truths revealed in the Prayer to our Guardian Angel.

Today we reflect on our daily scripture reading from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day. We'll also reflect on fasting - true fasting - and it's purpose in our Orthodox spiritual life.

In this edition of our podcast, we reflect on our daily scripture readings from Proverbs along with our Saints for the day on this 26th of March. We also bring you spiritual reflections on repentance along with our Stories from the Desert Fathers.

In this podcast we celebrate the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the national celebration for Greek Independence Day.

In this edition of our podcast, we reflect on our daily scripture readings and Saint for the day on this 24th of March. We will also bring you Spiritual Reflections from the book The Lenten Ladder together with a piece from the Stories from the Desert Fathers. This is the Journey to Pascha.

In this edition of our podcast, we reflect on our daily scripture readings and Saint for the day. We also bring you Spiritual reflections on the Psalm "God is with us" and a small story from the Desert Fathers in today's edition of the Journey to Pascha.

Daily reflections including the Gospel reading, Saints of the Day and a Sermon