by Hieromonk Gregorios - an excerpt.
Published by Newrome Press, this book is available in the St. Mary of Egypt Bookstore.

Those who observe the Julian calendar Christmas can find themselves in a quandary when they want to have a festive New Year without breaking the Nativity fast.

This Sunday commemorates all the ancestors of Christ - the holy patriarchs from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed; together with the holy prophets - from Samuel to John the Baptist, and all those in the Old Testament who were righteous in the faith of the coming of the Messiah. 

Luke 14:16-24
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke
by Blessed Theophylact

On December 24, 2003, Protopriest Michel Artzimovich, departed to the Lord. He was the Rector of Resurrection Church in Meudon, France. In 2001, Russky Pastyr interviewed Fr Michel, who was devoted to the Russian Church Abroad for his entire life. 

How Did the Church Determine Christ Was Born on December 25th?

"...let us give a vow to ourselves, that from this day, from this hour, from this minute, we shall strive above all else to love God and to do His Holy Will!"
- Saint Herman

By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Luke 17:12-19
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke
by Blessed Theophylact

- passed down orally in the family of Archpriest Pavel Ilarionovich Milovanov (1923-1991), rector of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city of Alma-Ata, and father confessor of the Kazakhstan metropolia.

Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov, spiritual father of Alexeevsky Monastery, describes what life is like in parishes and monasteries here in America.

What are we still missing in the abundance that surrounds us?

The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty.

Many faithful come to venerate this icon which day after day becomes brighter.

Conversation with Bishop Maxim on Sebastian Press Publications

Luke 18:18-27
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke
by Blessed Theophylact

St. Clement of Alexandria

from Orthodox America

Read at the End of Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, the Feast Day of the Kursk-Root Icon.

Rejoice at every opportunity of showing kindness to your neighbour as a true Christian who strives to store up as many good works as possible, especially the treasures of love.

From: Teachings and sayings in Kostroma in 1897 by Bishop Vissarion (Moscow: University printers, 1899)

Testimony from Mount Athos
Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi

Luke 13:10-17
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke
by Blessed Theophylact

What should we be reading during these days of the Nativity Fast?

An article by Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, Ph.D.
Protopresbyter at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Marietta, GA

Humility and industriousness characterized Hieromartyr Gregory throughout his life. In difficult moments he often repeated the words of St. John Chrysostom: “Glory be to God for all things!”

Homily on the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
by St. John of Kronstadt

A homily by St. Gregory Palamas

A homily on the foolish rich man by Bishop Mitrophan (Znosko-Borovsky) of Boston (+2002)

Luke 12:16-21
From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke
by Blessed Theophylact