“To everything there is a season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
In the baptismal service, reference is given to God’s plan of transitions — exemplified in the changes of yearly seasons, which take place for the benefit of His creation. With faith in our Lord, as has been announced, beginning October... read on »
Beyond memory, the first experience that we yearn for at the beginning of life is the embrace of our mother. By divine design we need connection to a mother who embraces, teaches, and unconditionally loves us throughout our lives. God provides us with a mother at our birth, and through multiple... read on »
Saint John Chrysostom once referred to the Church as “a hospital.” This understanding of practical spirituality is supported in prayers offered by the Church for individual health, when Jesus Christ is called upon as “The Physician of our souls and bodies…” Truly, the Orthodox Christian... read on »
The candle was blown out over a month ago. The eggs have been eaten. The taste of roast lamb has dissipated from the pallet. All beautiful traditions helping generations experience the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection from the dead.
Traditions assist our experiences of things that are... read on »
Gloriously we have recognized and celebrated the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! With a lit candle in our hands, the Church embraced us in singing the triumphant hymn, “Christ is Risen,” and then extended us the opportunity to experience the most perfect... read on »
The parental role is to love. The child’s role is to honor and respect. This formula of familial roles facilitates an experience of family that is both healthy, and fully supported by the Gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The most pronounced example of this is celebrated in God... read on »
...an older lady spoke up and asked if I would like to know the problem with our society. “The problem with our society today, is that we are no longer a patriarchal society. Furthermore, we are not even a matriarchal society… we have become a pediarchal society.” Not men, not women, but... read on »
Decisions, decisions. By design God has provided us with the capacity and ability to choose freely. By virtue of the contemporary times that we live in, we are presented with a myriad of opportunities to make decisions; from the trivial to the life-impacting. Each of us individually has a process... read on »
Unfortunately, our internet capabilities were compromised, and as a result, blog entries and pictures have been limited; however, as I am sitting on the plane headed to Sacramento—I will offer a few reflections and thoughts, from the substantive to the trivial…
Feast of the Ascension: it was... read on »
Christ is Risen!
I am sore! Today I elevated my admiration and respect for those who earn a living in construction, and those who volunteer themselves to philanthropic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. We pounded a lot of nails today… I mean, a lot of nails, and that was before I was... read on »
Christ is Risen!
Day 2: After waking up early, and immediately feeling the Louisiana humidity, we departed for the work site that IOCC has established together with Habitat for Humanity. The foundation had been already completed, and over the course of our work day, we erected all of the home’s... read on »
Christos Anesti!
First day in Lousiana, filled with debriefing, touring devastation sites, and good ol’ southern food! Visited the historic, first Orthodox community parish in ‘the lower 48,’ Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, founded in 1864. Following this blessing, we were given a tour of... read on »
“First in prominence among the Apostles, and teachers to the Universe, intercede to the Master of all for peace in the world and for our souls great mercy.”
Apolytikion of the feast of Saints Peter & Paul
Christ is Risen!
In the above hymn, we ask Saints Peter and Paul to continue the... read on »
bringthemback.org is a movement to have the multitude of national treasures returned to Greece from Great Britain, after they were stolen over 200 years ago. Please enjoy the video at the link below, and support the effort to restore to Hellenes a piece of our history and essence.
... read on »
There is an interesting blog entry at www.argo411.worpress.com, titled, “Just A Simple Question,” which reflects on the number of ‘parish board’ members at a parish that is highlighted in the most recent Orthodox Observer, and the corporate mentality of Orthodoxy in America. I am interested to... read on »
Let everyone reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ; and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father; and the presbyters as the Sanhedrin of God and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no church.
- Ignatius (c. 105)
Saint Ignatius reflects upon the... read on »
A blessed Lent to all, as we begin the 40 day pilgrimage this Clean Monday. In addition to the multiple weekday liturgical services (Monday: Compline, Wednesday: Presanctified Liturgy, Friday: Salutations to the Theotokos), each Sunday during the Lenten season has a particular theme. This... read on »
Here is an Interesting blog post, called Leading Change, relating opportunities in the Orthodox Christian Church, and principles produced by a professor in the Harvard Business School.
I have found a new blog that has been recently created, reflecting an important topic in the life of the Christian Church—Change! Argo411 Blog claims to explore Change in the Church as a form of Stewardship… very interesting! I am reading/following this new blog, and encourage anyone interested... read on »
“The Gospel is addressed to all people, and therefore the work of the Church remains incomplete as long as it is restricted to certain geographical areas or social classes. Its field of action is universal and is active in both sectors that welcome the good tidings and those which at first may... read on »
Greek Battle Over Religious Symbols
The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has warned the country’s new socialist government that it faces a major battle over removing religious symbols from schools.
The European Court in Strasbourg has ordered Italy to take down crucifixes from its classrooms,... read on »
The issue of ‘change’ is one that impacts all in this globalizing, fast-paced world—the question is weather or not we are willing to engage it! The Christian Church mustn’t ask Itself to rethink theology and tradition when addressing change, but rather follow the historical line of continued... read on »
Great article offering a Christian message in the midst of the disaster in Haiti.
University of Portland grad missing in Haiti while another survives collapse
“I did nothing to deserve to be born into such a wonderful life—none of us did,” said Prusynski, of Boise. “It was the best original... read on »
The horrific earthquake that has devastated the small island country of Haiti has been in the global media, and let left many asking the question, ‘What can I do to help?’ The magnitude of the disaster, combined with the lack of Haitian infrastructure prior to the earthquake, has created a... read on »
After the Nativity season, it is common for us to reflect on the past month, and recognize the blessings associated with it. With a minimum level of maturity, we suddenly realize that giving is much more enjoyable than receiving, and the reminiscing of Christmas offerings turn to “what we gave... read on »
