Every time, entering a church, we are appearing not just at some place in our world. We find ourselves at the judgment of God. The Church unequivocally warns us about this in the days of preparation for Great Lent, with the parable of the Public and the Pharisee. But Holy Friday is a time of special judgment over a Christian after the arena of Holy and Great Lent. What are the fruits of these days, so important for our spiritual lives? Everyone will inform his own soul about that, when he comes to venerate the image of the solitary, naked, and wounded one. In these moments, having followed the Pharisee, our soul will praise God: “God, I thank Thee that I did not take part in this terrible crime, committed by the high priests, scribes, Pilate, and Roman soldiers!”

Or, not lift[ing] up so much as his eyes unto heaven (Lk 18:14), although standing before the incarnate One on earth, reviled, wounded, demonized, but the true God of Heaven, we can only dare to say, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

 – Homily ‘Do You Recognize Him?’

**We are pleased to include writings from modern American Monasteries from time to time as well as our traditional Elders**