A friend of mine is a priest in a special Greek Church named after Mother and Son Saints: Helen and Constantine. When I say this is a special Greek Church, I don’t mean just a big temple, parking lot, annual festival and gymnasium. Of course they have all that … But, I mean they’ve got something really special … way down in the basement. I never would have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes …... Read more

My youngest is now in Kindergarten. This morning, as she sat at table finishing her breakfast, she said: “I’ve got a secret … I’ve got a secret and I can’t tell you!” Her mother said: “You’ve got a secret? Is this something happening at school?” The 5-year old daughter said, “Yes, everybody’s doing it. But they told us not to tell!” I asked: “Is it smoking Crack?” She laughed and said, “Dad! No! It’s way more fun than that!” 🙂 Read more

The new “Liturgical Service,” as they call it, has become the most popular service even among young people. After the “standard” evangelical service at 9:30 a.m., workers decorate the platform with candles, non-specific iconography and other religious-looking items. Fitzgerald wears generic vestments and adopts a more somber manner. He reads from a liturgical book and the congregation responds by reading words on the screens. “I like the reverence and the mood,” says one girl, 16. “It feels more spiritual.” “I... Read more

St Elizabeth was from the lineage of Aaron and was the sister of St Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. She and her husband Zachariah, walking in all the commandments of the Lord (Luke 1:6), suffered barrenness, which in those times was considered a punishment from God. When Elizabeth gave birth to a son, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she announced that his name would be John, although no one in their family had this name.... Read more

The University of Michigan Wolverines learned a valuable lesson on September 1, 2007: “No matter your future expectations, today ya gotta play the game.” As an Appalachian Alum, I am obviously biased. Actually that should read: “As an App Alum, I am naturally optimistic.” Look. There ain’t many spoilt rich kids at ASU. And those that think they are, compared to places like UM, just think they are. Appalachian State University is a special place, first and foremost — hideous... Read more

That’s What I’m Talkin’ Bout ! Read more

Dear Fr Joseph, Last week I finally decided to visit an Orthodox Church. You know what? I couldn’t understand A WORD they were saying. What gives? — Confused in CarolinaDear Confused … Tune in to the Orthodixie Podcast on AFR. Dear Fr Joseph, I’m thinking of joining the Orthodox Church … which Jurisdiction should I join? Sincerely seeking, Jan. Dear Jan … Tune in to the Orthodixie Podcast on AFR. Fr Joseph, Ever since my husband heard your Podcast about... Read more

The Rev. Tracey Lind, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, has accepted a nomination to become the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago because she wants to follow God’s call. ”I believe that accepting this nomination is what God is asking of me, and I, in turn, ask your prayers for me and for our church as I strive to respond faithfully and with grace,” Lind wrote in a letter to the Trinity congregation. Trinity is the cathedral... Read more

And to think, the Beheading of St John the Baptist old style is September 11th … It was on this day in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near New Orleans. Before it reached land, it was the strongest hurricane ever measured in the Gulf of Mexico, with winds of up to 175 miles per hour. But by the time it hit New Orleans on this day, it had lost some of its strength. The wind damage was... Read more

In response to the fires raging in Greece, considered the worst the country has suffered in over 100 years, the U.S. based humanitarian aid organization International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has announced an immediate emergency response to provide relief supplies and technical assistance for the thousands of displaced villagers affected by this national tragedy … You can help IOCC. Read more