“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 »
“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 »
“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 »
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 »
“We assemble not in the church to pass away the time, but to gain some great benefit for our souls.”
Saint John Chrysostom
Can there ever be an experience absent of rules that does not lead to anarchy? Without borders to individual and societal action, the combination of multiple agendas,... read on »
“...we ask You, Lord: Remember all Orthodox Bishops who rightly teach the word of Your Truth, all presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, all priestly and monastic orders. ...those in public service; grant them O Lord, to serve and govern in peace, that through the faithful conduct of their... read on »
As a child, one of my favorite occasions was a trip to the Baskin & Robbins ice cream store. Whether with the entire family or simply ‘running in’ while my mom or dad waited in the car — the mere vision of 31 flavors was a beautiful thing, and warranted my full attention! For myself, I was... read on »
“Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:12 . . . included in the Doxology Hymn
At the conclusion of the morning Orthros (Matins) service, a powerful and beautiful hymn is prayed, offering glory to God; the Doxology hymn. Amidst numerous recognitions of the glorious,... read on »
The journey began over two and one-half years ago, and the culmination took place last month, when Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco officially gifted the holy relic of Saint Basil the Great to the Saint Basil community. In honor of this historic Christian event, the gifting was preceded by... read on »
It is truly humbling and awe-inspiring to be a part of something that is bigger than the individu- als involved, and will serve for a period of time that is greater than our life! This is the experi- ence a priest feels each Divine Liturgy, the experience that each Christian feels when receiving... read on »
Remember—Kids Like to Stay Up Late!
prior to 7:00 pm Day Full of Anticipation (fueled and supported by parents)
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Nap Time
9:00 pm - 10:15 pm Preparation Time
10:15 pm - 11:00 pm Commute
11:00 pm Early Arrival at Church
This is the schedule I remember from childhood, on... read on »
Over two years ago, when the process of locating a relic of Saint Basil the Great began, the prospect of receiving a relic of our Patron Saint seemed distant and perhaps even theoretical. As the journey progressed, the theory declined, and the reality of this historic blessing began to seem... read on »
Christianity offers experience which extends beyond commonplace or common understanding. This experience is easily understood when recognizing Christianity as the offering of something beyond our grasp, or even comprehension – Christianity offers the experience of God! Christian traditions are... read on »
Need To Turn Over A New Leaf?
The year 2009 starts at 12:00 am, on January 1, 2009.
The Stockton Unified School District begins High School classes at 7:25 am.
The New York Stock Exchange begins trading at 6:30 am PST.
The 2009 NFL Super Bowl begins at 3:00 pm PST.
The Michael Savage Radio... read on »
The celebration of our Lord’s Nativity appropriately calls us to recognize and appreciate the great number of blessings in our lives; our health, families, friends, church communities, etc. Although the blessings are worthy of recognition and appreciation through out the year, the Nativity... read on »
After arriving early to San Francisco for a set of clergy meetings, I spent some time sitting in a local coffee shop, located in the Mission District. The majority of the patrons and employees would be the object of conversation and recipient of stares in most districts of ‘Anytown, USA.’ Yet in... read on »
“Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art the good steward, who redeemed Adam and Eve of their failed stewardship by offering Thyself for the life of the world. Thou didst teach us in the feeding of the multitudes…
Prayer of Stewardship
“Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art the good steward, who redeemed Adam and... read on »
The 2008 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Clergy-Laity Congress uttered a profound and urgent theme: “Gather My People Home.”The 2008 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Clergy-Laity Congress uttered a profound and urgent theme: “Gather My People Home.” The impact of this... read on »
