Author: Fr. Barnabas Powell

Fr. Barnabas is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, Georgia. He is also host of Faith Encouraged Live on Ancient Faith Radio and author of the Faith Encouraged podcast.
· Fr. Barnabas Powell
 Listen to St. Mark, the Ascetic: “If you wish to remember God unceasingly, do not reject as undeserved what happens to you, but patiently accept it as your due. For patient acceptance of whatever happens kindles the remembrance of God, whereas refusal to accept weakens the spiritual purpose of the heart and so makes it forgetful.” A powerful tool of the evil one to throw you from the Ladder of Di…vine Ascent…

St. John of the Ladder

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Tomorrow we remember St. John of the Ladder. You’ve all seen the icon of ASt. John’s vision. The faithful are climbing to Christ, while the angels are assisting their climb, the demons are trying to pull the faithful from the ladder. It is no mistake that the Church calls us to remember this powerful image on this 4th Sunday of Great Lent. We are, by now, facing the weariness of the spiritual…

St. Anthony – Wisdom is a Hard Won Virtue

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Wisdom is a hard won virtue. But the valuable lessons earned are absolutely filled with life and peace! Notice a section of our readings from Proverbs this morning: “The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going. A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is careless. A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion …is…

The Prophet Isaiah

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
Listen to today’s reading from the Prophet Isaiah: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place….'” Isaiah 28:16-17 The Prophet…

Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts

· Fr. Barnabas Powell
During Great Lent, the Church calls us to celebrate the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts on Wednesdays and Fridays. So, today we are preparing our hearts to receive the Pre-sanctified Gifts this evening. Besides being a spiritual “boost” for us during the rigorous spiritual labors of Great Lent, the Pre-sanctified liturgy does something else. It calls us to remember the catechumens (those lear…ning and converting to the faith) and to pray for…