Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Feb 3, 2012, 2:43 pm
Visiting Paris, the city of lights, is a wonderful experience, anytime of the year. The boulevards, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and even more so the great cathedrals: Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Saint Sulpice and so on, attract visitors like flies. From a tourism perspective it is wonderful t...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Dec 31, 2011, 6:08 pm
As the New Year is just around the corner, for many people also comes the time for setting their New Year resolutions. This year I will reach my ideal weight, this year I’ll take better care of my health, this year I’ll finish the college that I always wanted and so on. The first weeks of the ye...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Dec 1, 2011, 6:12 pm

Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Nov 10, 2011, 12:13 pm
I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.(Ps 146:2) Like with any of the other arts employed by the Orthodox Church in its worship, the music does not serve a purpose in itself. Once used in Church the music drops its role as simply embellishing the servic...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Nov 4, 2011, 4:26 pm
The recent overthrowing of the authoritarian governments from the Middle East countries has brought up again the importance of freedom as an essential human value. The notion of freedom however is not as easy to define as one would think. In general we understand that freedom means the capacity to a...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Oct 3, 2011, 12:41 pm
Reposting this older article as we get closer to the 30th Greek Festival in Eules, October 7,8,9 2011. Festival page here We just closed the doors of another Greek Festival at Saint John's. We are all happy, but tired, and some may think, and we cannot blame them, why we do this every year? A ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Sep 30, 2011, 3:24 pm

Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Sep 14, 2011, 4:47 pm
Many people would agree that the September 11 terrorist attacks changed not only New York, not only America, but most of the world in many ways. We are involved in a 10 years war in which countless people have lost their lives, soldiers and civilians together; our travel experience hase deteriorated...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Aug 31, 2011, 4:25 pm
"Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" (1Cor 15:54-55) As a parish priest one has the privilege to face all aspects of human life from birth until the final departure. In the eyes of a priest, humanity is exposed in its most glorious and ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Aug 13, 2011, 6:05 pm
The holy and miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary was brought to the Vatopedi monastery by the blessed elder Joseph from Nea Skete. The Monastery of Vatopedi is one of twenty monasteries on the Mount Athos peninsula (Greece) and is located on the northeastern side of the peninsula. It...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Aug 3, 2011, 5:09 pm
The veneration of the Virgin Mary has long been point of contention among Christians. Although it may be difficult to delineate a uniform position among the plethora of Protestant denominations, it is generally recognized that most of the Reformed Churches have no particular place of honor for the V...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jul 15, 2011, 5:01 pm
One of the issues that philosophy has spent a lot of ink on is the answer to the question: who we are? Many thinkers have tried to give a proper answer to this basic question, and yet , despite their efforts, the world is confronted with a huge identity crisis with profound effects at all levels of ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jul 1, 2011, 4:19 pm
Time is a very precious asset. As a priest, in Confession one of the most common sins I hear is the lack of time for prayer. The majority of the people realize that their prayer life lacks the breadth and the depth it should have and yet over and over they repeat the same mistake. I know very well o...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jun 1, 2011, 4:55 pm
A friend of mine died yesterday. He made a public announcement about it and then he committed suicide. Not physically, spare the thought, but for all practical purposes he is now dead to the world. How did it happen? Well, he officially announced that he is quitting Facebook for good, and, with this...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - May 3, 2011, 3:26 pm
Last year there were rumors that the tomb of Jesus was found. The other day some claimed to have found the nails that were used to crucify Christ. More and more news like this surface today and, although most of them prove to be untrue, the people avidly read them because we, even as Christians, are...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Apr 27, 2011, 3:32 pm
Continue reading
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Apr 4, 2011, 4:11 pm
We live in a world with blazing speed internet that renders TV, radio and newspapers obsolete, we have access to rapid  couriers that can bring to our doors anything from around the world in 24 hours, we even have churches that promise instant  salvation with a simple declaration of faith.  If th...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Mar 23, 2011, 3:26 pm
I just decided to publish my photos from the pilgrimage to Mount Athos I took last October. Take a look at it. If you like it you can have your own copy by following the link. Athos Reflections by Vasile Tudora | Make Your Own Book Continue reading
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Mar 5, 2011, 11:05 pm
But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit. (2Co 3:18) Coming back home the other day, I observed with great joy that some trees on my street started to blo...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Feb 23, 2011, 4:42 pm
As the Great Lent is about to start, and Fr. X speaks again on Confession, Nick begins to realize that Confession should be part of his regular Christian life as a divine given tool that is indispensable for his continuing spiritual growth and the strengthening of His relationship with God. Overcomi...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Feb 11, 2011, 4:57 pm
Valentine’s Day is a big deal in America and I am not going to try to diminish that. Even though trying to trace back the roots of this tradition is a very convoluted task, at this point in time it really doesn’t matter to any one where it all started it doesn’t matter if the real St. Valentin...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Feb 3, 2011, 12:12 pm
This week I was stuck in an airport due to inclement weather and had to spend a few hours waiting for my flight to arrive. After the initial commotion you find yourself restrained in a waiting room with not much to do. Looking around for a past time I realized that the only things I had with me were...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 27, 2011, 11:59 am
There is no secret that I could loose some weight. I’ll admit it. Getting back into my ideal measurements is as much of a challenge for me as for anyone despite the claims of the insatiable industry that has developed behind this apparently simple goal. From the classical low calorie diet to the l...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 26, 2011, 2:43 pm
The daughter of a certain rich man in Alexandria was suddenly seized by a wicked spirit and was tormented severely. Her father spent much money in order to make her well. But fruitlessly. The condition of the young girl became worse all the time. Somehow the Father learned that a hermit, who lived a...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 18, 2011, 11:21 am
As a follow up on my last post regarding the 10 lepers found this article on another blog and it moved me to tears. How many things like a simple human touch we take for granted...I also understand more how absurd was for the 9 ungrateful lepers not to come and thank Christ for their healing. Her...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 17, 2011, 3:24 pm
The miracle of healing of the ten lepers, is generally perceived as an exposition of the importance of gratitude in our lives. There is however another aspect I would like to stress today. The essential piece for its understanding lays in Christ’s words addressed to the cured Samaritan returning t...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 12, 2011, 12:03 am
I’ve often seen people reacting strongly to a certain message delivered from the pulpit. Some identify themselves with the circumstances brought into discussion in the sermon and feel exposed, as if the priest purposely reveals their secret to the entire congregation. Others respond negatively to ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 6, 2011, 12:05 pm
Reading yesterday a Romanian Akathist Hymn dedicated to Epiphany (You can read it here in Romanian) I was moved by the following verse “Glory to you cause with Your body You broke down the dividing wall of hostility, so even us, who are far of upon the sea, will get closer to you. “ Doing a bi...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jan 4, 2011, 6:12 pm
One year ends another one starts, second after second, since the beginning of the world, the clock is ticking. What is the significance of time? Why are we so obsessed with it and why we celebrate again and again the passing of another year with parties and fireworks? One explanation may be that the...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Dec 20, 2010, 4:01 pm
“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” (Mt. 13:33) Christ came into the world as one of us, to change us from within. He is the leaven of a new world, and although born as a little babe, in
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Dec 10, 2010, 5:27 pm
The  slogan “Work hard, play hard” has been in iconic standard for corporate culture for years. It initially meant to be as involved in your daily work as you are in your extra-curricular activities, but was rapidly transformed into a great excuse for irrational and destructive behavior in the ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Dec 1, 2010, 11:29 pm
I recently found this quote on humility from Elder Paisios from Sihla (A skete in the North of Romania close to the Sihastria Monastery where Elder Cleopas lived) “It’s best for a man to become a clay vessel, which is useful to all people and for all kinds of daily work, for food, water, and
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Nov 19, 2010, 12:09 am
The theme of our discussion last Wednesday was the hesychast spirituality of Mount Athos. Please find bellow a number of links pertaining to the subject. Gregory Palamas A short exposition of the Palamite controversy by Clark Carlton St. Gregory Palamas and the tradition of the Fathers by George Flo...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Nov 15, 2010, 10:44 am
All Gladsome Dialogues Readers, our blog has been nominated for the Eastern Christian New Media Awards – 2010. If you like our blog please go HERE and vote and give our blog more exposure. You can find it under the Most Visually Attractive Blog section at the bottom of the page. Vote now ! !!
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Oct 25, 2010, 10:35 am
I just returned from a pilgrimage to Mount Athos and as much as I would like to share what one feels in such a spiritual journey, it is difficult to put into words. Everything is so impressive and so divine that you can’t choose what to say. One may tell stories about the historical buildings,
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Sep 28, 2010, 5:11 pm
There came to the abbot Lucius in Enna certain monks of the kind called Euchitae, that is, the Men of Prayer: and the old man asked them, saying, “What kind of handiwork do ye do?” And they said, “We touch no kind of handiwork, but as the Apostle says, we pray without ceasing.” The old
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Sep 1, 2010, 5:37 pm
When I was still living in Romania I was going for confession to a hieromonk in a monastery not very far from my hometown. One day I took Maria, my daughter, with me. We participated in the services, got a blessing from the elder and on our way home she asked me, after being very
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Sep 1, 2010, 2:06 pm
Abba Poemen said of Abba John the Dwarf that he had prayed God to take his passions away from him so that he might become free from care. He went and told an old man this: ‘I find myself in peace, without an enemy,’ he said. The old man said to him, ‘Go, beseech God
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Aug 30, 2010, 11:12 pm
At the very Beginning of the service of Orthros (Matins) the Typicon prescribes the reading   of the “Six Psalms,”  or “Hexapsalm” i.e. Psalms 3, 37, 62, 87, 102, and 142, read in that order, and combined into a single whole. The faithful should be aware of the fact that the reading of the...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Aug 24, 2010, 12:27 pm
Reading the news can be a source of inspiration and sometimes even an enlightening experience. For instance a recent news flash from Spain, about a bull that jumped 10 yards into the audience of a Spanish bullring injuring 40 people, curiously made me think that life, in a way, is like a bullfight, ...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jul 30, 2010, 2:29 pm
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine” (Mat 7:6) When I was a kid I had a pet, a cat, and loved it dearly.  It slept with me every night and in my teenage years felt at times as my only true friend. But there was no
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jun 24, 2010, 3:59 pm
“When carried into the realm of the intellect, the industrial ideal of efficiency poses, a potentially mortal threat to the pastoral ideal of contemplative thought” Nicholas Carr, The shallows There is a lot of commotion in the teaching industry around generational learning.  The premise lays i...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Jun 3, 2010, 2:35 pm
I’ve recently stumbled upon two blog posts addressing the donor artificial insemination from a perspective that goes against the grain of the society trends, acknowledging a  problem that is often dismissed. Here are the links: Orphaned at conception: http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - May 27, 2010, 5:33 pm
Then a second time they called the man who was blind and said to him, Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that being blind, now I see.” (Joh 9:24-25) I would
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Apr 23, 2010, 4:11 pm
For what has man from all his labor, and from the troubling of his heart, in which he has labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his labor sadness; yea, his heart does not take rest in the night. (Ecc 2:22-23) North European airports are still fighting with the giant cloud
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Apr 7, 2010, 2:54 pm
O Jerusalem, be exultant, dance and leap for joy, for you have witnessed Christ the King coming forth as a Bridegroom from the sepulcher (Stichera of Pascha) It is magnificent to participate in the Church services on Pascha night, to be part of the joyful festival of light that the Resurrection of C...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Mar 25, 2010, 12:23 pm
 O pure Maid, you eluded nature’s laws, conceiving God in ways past understanding. You evaded things proper to mothers in childbirth, even if by nature you were prone to change.[1] We are again in deep awe at the profound yet simple events that happen at Annunciation. But the most important thing...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Mar 25, 2010, 12:09 pm
The expression “Hitting the wall” refers to an athlete, usually a marathon runner or cyclists that during a race they deplete their muscles glycogen reserves and they experience sudden loss of energy and extreme fatigue. In other words they can’t go on with the race, they’re stuck. T...
Comment - Like

Catalin Tudora posted an article on Gladsome Light Dialogues - Mar 11, 2010, 2:09 pm
// < ![CDATA[//
Comment - Like