Light of the East

During her appearances to the three children at Fatima, the Blessed Mother called the world to a conversion to her Immaculate Heart. Is this a foreign concept in Eastern spirituality or a familiar one?

The two lungs of the Church east and west, differ in their perspective expressions, traditions and theological emphasis. This is particularly true when it comes to the observance of saints and feast days.

While the Eastern Christian Churches have a long and intricate history, their legacy and spirituality remain vital and relevant in confronting today's modern world.

The Eastern Churches place primary emphasis on the seven ecumenical councils which established the true belief. Of these seven councils, the last one is set aside for special observance.

Pope Francis can both inspire and leave many faithful wondering. We will wander through the thoughts of Pope Francis in light of their implication for unity between both lungs of the Church, East and West.ancis

The raging of the sea, the raging of nations, fire in the sky, just some of the warnings of the end times. Are the end times really near? The answer is both yes and we don't know.

Although the term "Icon" is being used more commonly today, Byzantine Iconography is a specific art form whose real value lies first in knowing the why behind the line, color and compostion and interior principles.

Both lungs of the Church, East and West, converge in their observance of the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross. A feast with historical significance, it is invaluable in its theological significance for the Church and for us personally.

Devotional practices between the Eastern and Western lungs of the Church are often different from each other yet they arrive at the same point. These differences are not deficits but rather, complements.

A pilgrimage is more than a journey with a destination. It is an essential aspect of prayer and spirtituality. A timely and urgent place of pilgrimage today is Fatima.

If a man made symbol, such as the flag of a nation can inspire people even in battle, how much could an image inspire which was not made with human hands.

Of all of the virtues that belonged to the desert spiritual masters of the Christian East, one virtue in particular is the most characteristic and far too scarce in our modern age - humility.

Like the Autumn season that approaches, we too have moments of dying away. Eastern Christian spirituality has something that can help us negotiate through the Autumns of our lives.

Living in the "real world" is not about living in pain and hardship. The Feast of Our Lord's Transfiguration is our immersion into the "real world" and it is a glorious one indeed.

As a child runs to Mommy for consolation, many in the Eastern lung of the Church pray the Paraklisis service, or the office of Consolation, in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

When our Lord Ascended to Heaven the Apostles were gathered in unity to witness this event. That all might be one is still the desire of our Lord, the nature of Christianity and the mission of Light of the East.

The liturgical life of the Church calls us to something that is vital to both the rhythms of our lives and to worship. It is the spirituality of preparation which even has its very own rite.

A study finds that Ecumenism is not a pressing topic for many Catholic and Orthodox Christian faithful. Could this be because perpetuating the division between them is not important to them either?

Teenagers hold a special place in salvation history and in the Church. In ministering to teens the Eastern Catholic Churches do best through their own liturgical and ascetical traditions.

Words like Perichorresis, Kenosis, Theoria Theologica sound unfamiliar but together with the liturgical monastic tradition they make up the potpourri of Eastern spirituality.

For celibate priests east or west, everyday is about fatherhood in the spirit. We will hear form Jeremiah and Eric, who have been fathered in the spirit and who provide hope for the Church.

The Sunday of All Saints occurs in the Eastern Lung of the Church on the Sunday after Pentecost. From this observance we learn that to be human is simply to become a saint. A saint is just a normal human being.

We often speak of the gifts of the Eastern Churches on this program. Today we look at some of the ways in which the Latin rite Church is a gift to the Eastern Churches.

In many Eastern Churches, the Fathers of the First Council of Nicea are celebrated between the Ascension of Our Lord and Pentecost. The Creed established by these Fathers is a gem of truth and inspiration.

When our Lord Ascended to Heaven the Apostles were gathered in unity to witness this event. That all might be one is still the desire of our Lord, the nature ofr Christianity and the mission of Light of the East.