Christ's Family—Our Family

Christ wasn’t born into a perfect family but, rather, a fallen one—as we all are. His entry into the world was neither cute nor pretty—he was born in a cave filled with smelly animals and, shortly after, his family fled the country because of a jealous, murderous king. So the Christmas story indicates all sorts of imperfection and turmoil. Ultimately, it says that in the midst of our own brands of chaos, we should really be focused on the One born in a manger for our salvation. Read More
Christmas Hope

Fellow pilgrim of life, do not lose heart if you are missing and longing for family to celebrate life with. Just follow His Star, and you will find a Holy Family. Do not give up if you get sidetracked and become isolated, for deep within you something is telling your soul that there is a Light and a love waiting to be embraced and nurtured. Read More
Giving and Receiving

We are an indulgent society. If we want something, we get it. So, how do we teach our children to give generously and receive humbly in an age of materialism? How do we let them experience the grace that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ described when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)? Read More
Let's Celebrate: The 12 Days of Christmas

The presents have been opened, the food has been eaten, and the Christmas tree is really starting to shed—yes, your house is showing the effects of Christmas Day. But while the “holiday season” may be winding down—for Christians the Christmas season is just getting started. You’ve heard of the 12 days of Christmas, right? This is when they begin! Read More
Nativity Message of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros 2019

In the joy of the Nativity, I greet you with the song of the angels, 'Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace and good will among people.' When the Son of God entered into creation as one of us, the healing of the whole universe was begun. It was the good pleasure of the Father to bring all things together in Heaven and on Earth into unity in Christ. Read More
2018 Nativity Message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offers reflections on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read More
Gifts in Silence

It must have been unimaginable for Mary and Joseph, preparing to give birth to the Son of God. There were no baby showers, decorating nurseries or registering for gifts, just a long donkey ride to Bethlehem to register for King Herod’s census. They were alone in that cave in Bethlehem, except for a few simple animals and the far away star to tell of His birth. Sometimes God’s greatest gifts come initially with relative silence and little fanfare. Read More
Is There Room in Your Inn?

In the Mexican culture there is a Christmas-time tradition called Las Posadas. In this tradition, a couple dressed up as Mary and Joseph go from home to home, asking if there is any room at "the inn." Each home takes on the role of an inn in Bethlehem. They are rebuffed each time until they reach the home that has been designated as "the inn;' at which point they are allowed in and a celebration ensues. Read More
I Have No Gift to Bring! Wait. There is Exactly ONE Gift I CAN Bring!

As we run around purchasing, wrapping, and delivering gifts for other people this Christmas, we must ask ourselves seriously and soberly, "What gift am I offering to Him this Christmas?" As we are now in the home stretch heading towards the Feast of the Nativity as we count down now the hours until we are at the manger, we have to consider what gift we will bring to Christ at the Nativity. Read More
What is the Good News?

What is the good news? In the Nativity story, the Angels gave the message, "For to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2: 11 )." What does that mean to us? Read More
Preparing for Our Lord's Nativity

Learn the history and hymns of the feast of our Lord's nativity and how a family can prepare to celebrate the feast. Read More
What are the 12 Days of Christmas?

With the selection of Dec 25 to commemorate the Nativity of Christ, there was a 12-day period from the one major celebration to the next major observance. Thus, we have the '12 days of Christmas' that bridge the birth with the baptism and it became a festal period of time of great joy and celebration. Read More
2017 Nativity Message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offers reflections on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read More
Patriarchal Proclamation for Christmas 2017

We welcome the “all-perfect God,” who “brought love into the world,” who becomes “closer to us than we to ourselves.” Through kenosis, the divine Word condescends to the created beings in “a condescension inexplicable and incomprehensible.” He “whom nothing can contain” is contained in the womb of the Virgin; the greatest exists in the least. This great chapter of our faith, of how the transcendent God “became human for humankind,” while remaining an “inexpressible” mystery. “The great mystery of divine Incarnation ever remains a mystery.” Read More
2017 Byzantine Christmas Concert in Honor of Archbishop Demetrios

A Byzantine Christmas Concert Honoring Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, Celebrating his 50 Years as a Bishop at Merkin Concert Hall, NYC on December 2, 2017. Performers included the Archdiocesan Women's Byzantine Choir of St. Kassiani, the Archdiocesan Youth Choir, and the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir. Read More
Our Journey to Bethlehem

We are about to take a journey. Whether one is a devout Christian or doesn’t know Christ at all, we are all about to take a journey that will see Christmas decorations go up, lines at the malls get long, and stress levels go up. Such is the modern celebration of Christmas. Read More
In the Beginning: Reflections on the Nativity Fast

Unlike our American culture, which celebrates from now until Christmas, with celebrations ending promptly on December 26, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity throughout the year. Our joyful part of the celebration in this season is supposed to be from December 25 through January 7. November 15 through December 24 is a period of fasting and reflective preparation. The focus is neither shopping nor decorating, but meditating on the awesome miracle of the Son of God taking on flesh and becoming one of us. Read More
Christmas - Exploring the Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church

In this video, we explore the significance of Christ’s birth, as God becomes flesh. We also explore the various traditions through which the Orthodox Church continues to celebrate the great event. Read More
The Icon of the Nativity: Images Foretold by the Prophets

These resources explain the theology and symbolism depicted in icon of the Nativity of Christ. Read More
Patriarchal Encyclical for Christmas 2016

The holy Church is celebrating with fullness of joy, for Christ “assumed flesh” through His incarnation and rendered the Church “an adornment for the world.” Indeed, the entire human race, and even “all of creation,” rejoices over this divine blessing. “All of creation is today filled with joy because Christ is born of a Virgin.” Read More