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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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 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[…]
from the weekly bulletin of St. Andrew Orthodox Church If there is a distinct smell that one notices when they enter an Orthodox Church, it is the smell of incense lingering from whatever the last service was. It is in the walls, the carpets, the vestments. The sweet smelling savor fills the temple and Read more about Orthopraxy – Let My Prayer Arise as Incense[…]
–by Archbishop Gavrilo “The sick one who is acquainted with his sickness is easily to be cured; and he who confesses his pain is near to health.” + St. Isaac the Syrian, Mystic Treatises My dear brothers and sisters, this is a very brief and rather pragmatic treatise on the importance of Holy Confession in Read more about A Brief Pastoral Treastise on the Importance of Holy Confession[…]
Brothers and sisters, please forgive my lack of postings over the past two weeks. The demands of my secular employment have been pressing during these times and it has been all I can do to serve the liturgy at the mission while trying to keep my head above water! The Lord’s prayer, said Read more about Prayer at Mealtime (Part 3)[…]
From our weekly bulletin at St. Andrew Orthodox Church Last week we looked at the prayers before our evening meal. This week, we’ll look at the prayers for the mid-day meal. Our mid-day meal should be preceded by the Lord’s prayer. Prayer: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Read more about Orthopraxy – Prayer At Mealtime (Part 2)[…]
From our weekly bulletin at St. Andrew Orthodox Church Prayer is the constant companion of the Orthodox, alone, in community during worship in the church, and of course, with family. Although you may have a family prayer, did you know that there are also separate prayers that the Church prescribes for each meal of Read more about Orthopraxy – Prayer At Mealtime (Part 1)[…]