Racism and Orthodox Christianity in America: A Modern Commentary
In light of recent tragic acts of racism and brutality — including the heinous execution of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, the murder of a black man simply for jogging in Georgia, and the weaponizing of the police against a black man in New York City, I humbly offer this blog entry, taken from a speech I presented in October 2019, which highlights racism and the Orthodox Christian Church in the USA today.
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That's a Wrap! Celebrating the Sunday Church School Year
Suggestions for ending the 2020 Church School and Parish Ministry year...
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TOWARD A SOCIAL ETHOS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH A New Document of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
In January 2020, the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved a social document crafted by a theological commission that was charged with formulating general parameters and guiding principles for the role of the Orthodox Church as well as the responsibility of Orthodox Christians in the modern world.
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Ascension and Pentecost
As we get closer to observing the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, a closer look at their origins is timely. If you like solving puzzles, the upcoming feasts of Ascension and Pentecost...
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Orthodox Perspective on the Ministry of the Church Online
Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian *
New York City is still the epicenter of the pandemic and people continue to “shelter in place.” Our churches remain closed. However, parishes of the Greek...
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What Does God Have in Store for Us?
What might the Lord have in store for us as we seek him through our prayerful rhythms in the privacy of our own homes? Be ready: we could be in for something we don’t expect.
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Isaiah the Prophet
The Orthodox Church commemorates Isaiah the Prophet on May 9. Isaiah is often considered the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Christians often refer to the Book of Isaiah as the “fifth...
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Who Were Joseph and Nicodemus
At the beginning of the Gospel lesson for the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers we hear how Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus so it could receive burial. In the Gospel of...
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The Myrrh-bearing Women: Fearless Females
The Myrrh-bearing women are my personal heroes. If I spent a lifetime praying about it and trying to follow their example, I might hope to say that I, too, carried through the most difficult moments of my life with half as much faith, duty, bravery, and good works as they did.
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Consensus Parenting
Certainly, parents carry the burden of responsibility for the decisions, consequences, and overall well-being of the family. But do we welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit in the process? Do we offer reasonable choices to even the youngest members of our family, allowing them to discern the risks and rewards of their decisions in the short run and the long term?
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Church at Home
These days of staying at home and practicing our faith at home have in some
respects given us an experience of the New Testament church. In the Acts of
the Apostles and the letters of St....
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461 Views
Palm Sunday at Home
Growing up, one of my favorite parts of my parish’s Holy Week preparations was gathering together a day or two before Palm Sunday in order to fold palm branches into palm crosses! It was...
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817 Views
Lamb of God
How do we understand the phrase, "lamb of God" when we apply it to Christ? How does the Orthodox Church use this term in its liturgical life?
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St Mary of Egypt
What can we learn about repentance and the experience of the desert from the life of St. Mary of Egypt?
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St John Climacus in 2020
In light of the stay at home orders during Great Lent, we're all monastics now. What can we learn from the life of St John Climacus, remembered on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
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A Study of the Crucifix Icon
A study of the icon of the Cross of Christ, useful for the Third Sunday of Great Lent.
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368 Views
The Gift of Life
Last night I lay down with my son at bedtime, holding his hand as is our usual routine. He had suffered a nasty virus the past week and his normal fitful sleeping pattern was even more...
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854 Views
I Surrender!...to Motherhood
It is a miraculous gift from God to be able to bring a child into this world, one that I thank Him for every single day. I never thought I was capable of this type of overwhelming love until I met...
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Theophany Reflections for the Special Need’s Parent
For much of my son’s nearly 16-year lifespan, I have begged for miracles. Many I have received, and countless have always been - though I took them for granted. His struggles often help me to see...
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1344 Views
How to Increase Oratorical Festival Participation
Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. Over 200 parishes and 1,000 participants...
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Thank Full
By Presvytera Melanie DiStefano
In my peripheral vision I noticed 5-year-old Gabriel looking in my son’s direction during Divine Liturgy. He was curiously studying some behavior...
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1395 Views
Oratorical Festival Through the Years
By: Athina Vella – St. Andrew’s Church Randolph, NJ
Every year, the host church for the St. John Chrysostom National Oratorical Festival asks previous national finalists in...
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THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVING AND STEWARDSHIP
by Fr Alexander G. Leondis
We are found in the season of Thanksgiving when we offer gratitude to God as a nation and as individuals for His...
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1508 Views
Thank You, Father
In honor of Clergy Appreciation month, this is a message of appreciation to the various priests who have served to nurture the staff members of the Center for Family Care in the Orthodox...
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1743 Views
No, Your Priest Does Not Want You To Buy Gift Cards for a Parishioner in Need
Stop! I need your attention for a moment.
...
Stop everything you are doing right now and read this article. I promise you and your parishioners will be glad you did.
Cyber...
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