Books by Fr Stavros N Akrotirianakis

I pray that this book will help each of us in not only understanding the Scriptures, but will empower each of us to share our understanding with others. Indeed, this book is titled "Let Us Be Attentive" because in being attentive to the Scriptures, we receive the spiritual nourishment that keeps our personal faith dynamic and enables and empowers us to spread the gospel truth in our church communities and far beyond. His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston What is the Bible trying to tell us? The Bible is the most significant and most widely read book in world history. Both Christians and non-Christians are familiar with its name: everyone knows what the Bible is. However, many Christians struggle to read the Bible. For many, the book is even too intimidating to start. Others struggle to understand what they are reading or to apply it to their lives. The answers, though, are right before you. Every time a word of Scripture is read in the Orthodox Church, it is preceded by the phrase "Let us be attentive." Two thoughts come to mind as we contemplate these words. First, we are reminded to pay attention to what we are about to hear. Second, we realize that we need to attend to and act on the information we hear. If the scriptures tell us, as an example, to forgive our neighbor "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22), then we need to be attentive in our lives and make sure that we are more forgiving towards others, including those who hurt us or are our enemies. May God open your hearts as you read this book so you can better comprehend the messages provided in Scripture and apply them throughout your life's daily journey to salvation.

The Road Back to Christ: Reflections on Lent, Holy Week and the Resurrection is a series of short daily reflections on the scripture readings of Holy Week and the accounts of the Resurrection and post-Resurrection appearances of Christ. Designed to guide its readers through the journey, it will both inspire and reinvigorate your faith through meditation, prayer, and a deeper understanding of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

HEAR THE CHRISTMAS STORY AS YOU''VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFOREMAKE THE JOURNEY TO THE MANGER ALONG WITHMARY AND JOSEPH, THE SHEPHERDS AND THE MAGIHas the Christmas season become the most stressful time of the year instead of the most wonderful time?  Do you struggle to keep Christ in Christmas?The story of the Nativity is told in a mere 40 verses of scripture-19 in the Gospel of Matthew, 20 in the Gospel of Luke and 1 in the Gospel of John.  Yet nearly each word of every verse is packed with meaning. We are all familiar with holiday words like "joy" and "glory."  Have you ever wondered about their deeper meaning?  The glory of the Lord (Luke 2:9) is not just part of the Christmas story but something we can experience in our own lives.  Joy reminds us of the child-like innocence we used to have and can recapture.In Luke 2:20 we read "And the shepherds returned."  The shepherds were still shepherds; witnessing the miracle of the Incarnation of Christ didn''t change their status. It changed their hearts. Let All Creation Rejoice: Reflections for Advent, the Nativity and Epiphany is a series of short daily reflections on the scripture readings of the season, to be read during the Orthodox Christian Advent and Nativity season between November 15 and January 7.Spending a few minutes each day reading and reflecting on these scriptures will not change your status either.  It will change your heart.  You will better understand the "good news of a great joy," and why "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  AND AS YOU PREPARE TO AGAIN CELEBRATE GOD''SGREATEST GIFT TO US, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER WITHA MORE GRATEFUL HEART YOUR GIFTS TO HIM. Father Stavros N. Akrotirianakis is a Greek Orthodox Priest who serves St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, Florida.