Why all the Acronyms (WATA)?
Are you going to SMSP or SASC tomorrow? This question likely makes no sense to you, dear reader, but to a fictional youth deciding between two fictional parishes, St. Mark and St. Peter Church (SMSP) and St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Church (SASC), the question makes perfect sense, because each parish, of course, has an acronym. Wait… acronyms? For parish names? Why? Let me suggest with all love, respect, and sincerity, that this notion of …
Fun vs. Joy
When the Founding Fathers of this country, after having been oppressed in England throughout much of their lives, sought to define the inalienable rights to which every human is entitled, they came up with this phrase found in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” We see that the pursuit of happiness was considered to be as important as life itself. Who among us doesn’t want this happiness and joy? It …
Our Relationship with Christ
He who was able to reveal this relationship with Christ is St. Paul who says: “For surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:2-4). What is the mystery of …
The Beauty of Orthodoxy II
If something is going to change in the Church, it will be changed through the prayers and decision of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the Holy Synod. This safeguard is a good thing; if we want to change things, they can be discussed and changed, but they must go through a stringent test and procedure, because these things are not just being changed for you today. They are being changed for the Church to …
The Beauty of Orthodoxy I
Our view of Orthodox faith and worship is misconstrued – we think of it as dry, constraining, even bitter. To understand it, we need to go back to the grass roots – what is Orthodoxy? What are its main characteristics? This article is the first in a series on “The Orthodox Life.”To understand Orthodoxy and its main characteristics, we need to go back even further. Orthodoxy does not survive in a vacuum; it is the …
Seeking Asceticism during the Holy and Joyful Fifty Days
Advice to those who are struggling with living an ascetic life in the Holy and Joyful Fifty Days:1. Practice breathing while praying the Jesus Prayer.2. Eat without filling yourself (no seconds!)3. Don’t be lazy and lie about in front of any type of screen (TV, phone, tablet, etc.) If you wish to rest, pick up your Holy Scripture or a spiritual book and exercise your spirit.4. Remember the day of your death constantly and the …
On Having a Resolute and Sustained Purpose
If you wish to save your soul and win eternal life, arise from your lethargy, make the sign of the Cross and say:In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Faith comes not through pondering but through action. Not words and speculation but experience teaches us what God is. To let in fresh air we have to open a window; to get tanned we must go out into …
Why Palestinians Love St. George
This article from the BBC explains the popular piety of Palestinians (and most Middle-Easterners) towards the Holy Martyr, Prince George.