Podcast: Gospel Commentary: The Feeding of the 5000

Listen to “Gospel Commentary – Luke 9:12-18: The Feeding of the 5000” on Spreaker. Fr. Irineos reads the well known passage telling of the miraculous feeding of the 5000. Looking more closely at this passage, this podcast discusses both the Old Testament foreshadowing of this miracle and the Great and Holy Mystery is presages. It's Read more about Podcast: Gospel Commentary: The Feeding of the 5000[…]

Orthopraxy – The Proskomedia Service

From the weekly bulletin of St. Andrew Orthodox Church  If you ever arrive particularly early for the Liturgy, you will hear a service being conducted in the sanctuary.  This service, known as the Proskomedia, or Office of Oblation is a preparatory rite for the Divine Liturgy where the bread and wine are prepared for the Read more about Orthopraxy – The Proskomedia Service[…]

Troublesome “Christian” Memes

Evangelicals are quite adept at using social media to push their incomplete theology across multiple media.  Whether with videos of “preachers”, songs by praise bands, or the ubiquitous meme, multiple pieces of evangelical social media cross the screens of their friends or others daily.  And some of it is fine.  Some of it is not Read more about Troublesome “Christian” Memes[…]

Conciliarity, Obedience and the Egoism of Sola Scriptura

It is perhaps a sad commentary on how much time I spend on the internet, that many of the ideas I have for this blog stem from things I read on Facebook or other social media or internet forum communities.  Today, while reading some commentary on the Nativity of the Theotokos, I watched the discussion Read more about Conciliarity, Obedience and the Egoism of Sola Scriptura[…]

Homily on the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

Today we have appointed for the Gospel reading another parable.  But unlike many of the parables, which contain a readily discernable moral to them, the parable today is less a moral tale and more a prophecy.  Indeed, when we read that the householder sends his son, who is rejected and killed, we know right away Read more about Homily on the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers[…]

Orthopraxy – Approaching the Chalice

A short note from the Weekly Bulletin of St. Andrew Orthodox Church When we serve the Holy Eucharist, there are certain practices and that come from various traditions and certain customs that exist toward the end of assuring the sanctity of the Holy Gifts.  Remembering that Orthodox theology recognizes that the Eucharist is the true Read more about Orthopraxy – Approaching the Chalice[…]

Are You Being Saved? – A Reflection on Today’s Epistle

The Epistle for August 30 (August 17 OS) Monday of the 11th Week after Pentecost 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among Read more about Are You Being Saved? – A Reflection on Today’s Epistle[…]

Inquirer Question: What do the Orthodox say about having a personal relationship with Christ?

An inquirer into Orthodoxy recently posted this question, seeking to see how the Orthodox respond to the evangelical concept of having a personal relationship with Christ.  This was my response: I think every Orthodox faithful would tell you they have a personal relationship with Christ. I am not sure that any evangelical protestant would recognize Read more about Inquirer Question: What do the Orthodox say about having a personal relationship with Christ?[…]

9th Sunday after Pentecost – Reflection on Matthew 14:22-34

9th Sunday after Pentecost A Reflection on Today’s Gospel Matthew 14:22-34      22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart Read more about 9th Sunday after Pentecost – Reflection on Matthew 14:22-34[…]