Saint Iakovos (James), the Holy Apostle of the Lord, was the son of Alphaeus and brother of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, who was formerly a tax collector. When our Lord Jesus Christ, abiding on earth in the flesh, chose simple and pious men for the dignity of the apostolate, to sent them forth to preach the Gospel throughout the whole world, He also chose this Iakovos (James) and numbered him among the choir of the Apostles as one worthy. Iakovos (James) became one of the Twelve Apostles, an eyewitness, and minister of Christ, the preacher of His mysteries and His follower.

"Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

The first long-term Orthodox Christian missionary priest from America to East Africa was sent by Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory in mid-1980s. As he gradually assimilated into the local culture, he found the local concept of time to be a most difficult adjustment, and upon his return to the America, liked to quote the Kenyan who loved to tell him, "White men have watches. We have time."

The person wishing to become Orthodox of their own free volition, without any direct or indirect pressure from anyone, should first meet with the priest of the church.  

The Holy Chrism is consecrated on Holy Thursday by the Ecumenical Patriarch for use in holy churches for the celebration of the Mysterion (Sacrament) of Holy Chrismation. The Mystery (or Mysterion or Sacrament) of Holy Chrismation is the visible sign of the transmission of gifts of the Holy Spirit upon those entering Orthodoxy. The Holy Chrism is thus a bond that unites all true Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

The Mystery (Sacrament of Chrismation is performed usually immediately after the Mystery (Sacrament) of Baptism, comprising together with it a single Church rite. The performer of the Sacrament, the bishop or priest, "anoints the one who has been baptized with the Holy Myrrh, making the sign of the Cross on the various members of the body , while signing each part of the body he pronounces the words, 'the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit."

he whole of our earthly life, from birth to our last breath, in its final conclusion will appear as a single act without duration in time. Its content and quality will be seen at a glance. Imagine an absolutely clear glass filled with water. One look will tell whether the water is clean or not and if dirty, how dirty. So will it be with us when we cross into the other world. Every impulse, however transient, of our heat, every thought, leaves its mark on the general sum of our life. Suppose that just once during the whole course of my earthly existence an evil thought crossed my mind - murder, for instance (cf., St. Matthew 15:19). This single thought will leave a black spot on the body of my life unless it be wiped out by repentant self-condemnation. Nothing can be hidden.