The Way.

“I am the Way.” The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to give us a religion but a way of life. He did not leave us a book but a Church. He himself lived this life and taught it to his disciples and the early Church. A life of prayer, fasting, good works, love, humility, obedience, self-denial and self-sacrifice for the sake of the love of the Heavenly Father and all that He created. A way on which we experience the love of God and are wounded by it (Song of Solomon 2:5), which compels us to repent of our sins for the sake of that divine love and the fear of being deprived of it. (Matthew 25:10). A way of life that makes it possible to attain the purpose of life which is nothing else but to become holy, (1 Peter 1:15) growing in the fullness of the stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Christ is the only way to the Father and this way and path of salvation has been treasured and lived in the Orthodox Church since it was taught to us by Christ himself.

The Life.

“I am the Life” Through the Holy Spirit, this Life, centered in Jesus Christ, has been preserved and practiced within that same historical Church established by Christ for over 2000 years. This same faith, manner of life and worship we call the Holy Tradition. It was taught by Christ himself to his apostles and through them passed down the faithful. (1 Corinthians 11:23). It is to live in this world but not be of the world. (John 17:11). It is to die to the self in order to live for God. (1 Corinthians 15:31). It is to worship God in the correct way and to acquire the Holy Spirit (John 4:24). It is to receive the immortal life of Jesus Christ into ourselves through the Holy Eucharist so that we might be forgiven and also have eternal life. (John 6). It is to experience the Heavenly Kingdom within our own bodies and souls while still on earth (Luke 17:20).