Metropolitan Saba Isper

The Word Magazine is now on Substack. We are extending the ministry of The Word beyond the printed page while continuing to support the growth of the print edition. May God, through the prayers of our father among the saints Raphael of Brooklyn, bless this effort. Read, subscribe, and share: open.substack.com/pub/thewordmag…

Read the full teaching: open.substack.com/pub/sabaisper/…

God did not speak to Elijah in the fire, nor in the storm, but in the gentle breeze. May we make room for the Lord of the Church to speak, rather than drowning out His voice with our fears, our passions, and our certainties.

How should the Church respond to artificial intelligence, social media, rapid cultural change, and growing confusion about truth and identity? Many of the challenges we face today are new. And the responses often divide us.

The challenge before us is not merely to preserve the Church's structures, but to remain rooted in the Kingdom she is called to reveal. open.substack.com/pub/sabaisper/…

When prayer and repentance diminish, worldliness quietly gains influence. When prayer deepens, discernment grows, and we become more attentive to the purpose for which Christ has called us.

Can the Church become secularized while still appearing religious? This question deserves careful reflection.

The Spirit of Antioch is not a slogan. It is a vision. A vision of Christian identity, unity, and witness that transcends ethnicity, politics, and ideology. Written nearly thirty years ago, Fr. Richard's reflections may be more relevant today than ever. open.substack.com/pub/sabaisper/…

It is a spirit of self-sacrifice and witness. A spirit that calls us to place Christ above ourselves.

For the past several years, I have often spoken about "the Spirit of Antioch." Some have found the phrase unfamiliar. Others have wondered what it means. Yet it is not a new idea at all.