Beloved and Christ-loving Clergy, Monastics and Laity of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America: I embrace and greet you with a holy kiss in the Name of the Resurrected Theanthropos Jesus Christ, and, together with you and Orthodox Christians throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim that Christ is risen! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! ألمسيح قام Хрңстос Воскресе! Hristos a înviat! As we prepare to celebrate the most glorious Feast of feasts in our beautifully adorned church temples across the Heartland of America,... Read more

I was blessed to carry the cross for the Crucifixion re-enactment during last night’s Twelve Gospels service. (Pictured here, courtesy Greg Quartaro, heading through the narthex.) I hadn’t expected the honour, but was asked to carry it just before the procession left the altar. Having had no experience with that particular cross, I had no idea what I was getting into when I hoisted it over my shoulder and stooped to pass through the door leading out of the iconostasis.... Read more

Lots o’ bloggers have been shinin’ the light on the latest column by tmatt. I meant to, but the Church Calender had other plans. 🙂 Anyway, just in case you’ve not read it: HERE’S A COPY. Read more

As most of you know, the priest prays many prayers in secret. That’s why you’ve probably never heard the “all wobbly” part following the “Command!” at the Presanctified Liturgy. Its purpose, especially this time of year, is to make all clocks and calendars irrelevant. You only thought it was Thursday … it’s really Friday. Or, you only thought it was morning … it’s really evening. Etc. So, while you were dutifully and piously falling to your knees during service, the... Read more

From lips defiled and a vile heart,from an impure tongue and a soul defiled,receive my prayer, O my Christ,and do not despise my words,my appearance,nor my shamelessness.Grant me boldness, my Christ,to say what I desire.Even more, teach mewhat to do and say.I have sinned more than the harlotwho, on learning where Thou wast,bought myrrh and came boldly to anoint Thy feet,my God, my Master and my Christ.As Thou didst not turn her awaywhen she came with her heart,so, O Word,... Read more

O Most Merciful Master, we sing and magnify Thee, the sinless God, Who hast willingly suffered and accepted passion in the flesh for our sakes. For when the glorious Disciples were made bright at the supper and the washing of feet, then the evil Judas, afflicted with greed, was darkened; and taking the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was appraised, he betrayed Thee the Righteous Judge to the most lawless high priests and scribes. For having... Read more

I hope y’all’ll forgive me for not being too original during Holy Week. I was planning to write a piece about a man who totally abstained from the Internet … but it turned out to be only a rumour. Anyway, the following is by our Venerable Father Ephraim the Syrian. I am afraid to speakand touch with my tonguethis fearful narrativeconcerning the Saviour.For truly it is fearfulto narrate all this.Our Lordwas given up todayinto the hands of sinners!For what reason... Read more

The head of an organization of Greek Orthodox Christians in Israel said Sunday that he was planning to petition the High Court of Justice this week over Israel’s decision to allow the Greek Patriarch, who has never been recognized by Israel, to carry out the important Easter Eve ceremonies in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire is believed by Orthodox Christians to be a miracle that occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday, the... Read more

O Lord our God, Who didst accept and give ear to the weeping of the holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Martha and Mary, in Bethany, and, hearing that Lazarus was dead and buried, didst say to Thy holy Disciples and Apostles: Lazarus has died, and I rejoice for your sakes, since I go to awaken him! Thou, O Good Master, accept the prayer of those who call upon Thee with all their heart. For when the Jews believed not, Thou didst raise... Read more

One should not imagine that repentance consists of rooting around in one’s personal sins, engaging in self-flagellation, and striving to expose in oneself as much evil and darkness as possible. To truly repent is to turn from the darkness to the light, from sin to righteousness, to understand that our life has been unworthy of its high calling, to confess before God how insignificant we are, and confess that our only hope is God Himself. True repentance is when, standing... Read more