A work of pious fiction which details the earthly life of Our Lord through the eyes of His mother. Incarnating the Mother of God as more than icon, more than statue, more than pious emotion, author Karen S. Woods treads where few have dared, wrapping the story of Christ and His Mother within our very taste, touch, and feel. It’s a bit unsettling. The struggle for the author was staying true to the story; the difficulty for the reader is... Read more

A while back — HERE — I mentioned the Antiochian Archdiocese’s Department of Missions and Evangelism was sponsoring a contest to see who could write the best 30-second explanation of what the Orthodox Church is, essentially an Orthodox “elevator speech”. Courtesy of the Department of Missions and Evangelism, here’s the Winner (at top) and some honorable mentions: The winner, as chosen by plurality in an on-line poll: Orthodox Christianity is the authentic and original Christian Faith founded by Jesus Christ.... Read more

The following pics (click to enlarge) were taken during my visit to Alaska in March of 2006. First, the “Mother Church of North America,” Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Kodiak: This is the back side of the Cathedral looking toward the water. The icon of St Herman which adorns the iconostasis just above his holy relics. This is where the body of St Herman rests. You can read about St Herman of Alaska … H E R E. Standing before St Herman’s... Read more

Recently, at Church Camp, it became clear, especially in the “Ask Abouna” sessions, that young people have questions about sexuality. Nothing new here, I suppose it has always been; but just not so poignant (or pornographic) – but more on that in part two of this two-part series. Usually on this podcast, I attempt to be funny. Which is not to say gay; I mean, who wants to be gay, right? Aren’t you born that way? Well, I can tell... Read more

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on the Great Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Mount Tabor, the priest blesses grapes … Why?Here follows some answers … The blessing of grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables on this day is the most beautiful and adequate sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of God’s unending Kingdom of Life where... Read more

“I’m Orthodox … My Friends Are Not” September 23-25, 2011 – Houston, Texas Discussion/Workshops ledby Rev Fr James Shadid& Rev Fr Symeon Kees Bar Social Houston Astros Baseball Orthodox Trivia Game Registration Cost of $30 – due by September 12, 2011 Four Points by Sheraton Hotel713.942.2111$75 per night“St George Church” – Group Discount Code For more information, please contact:Paul Fuller – Youth & Young Adult DirectorSt. George Houston, TXPhone: 713.665.5252 or 502.592.9981E-mail: [email protected] Sponsors: DOWAMA 20/40 Fellowship & Young Adult... Read more

A while back I was plugging this conference; here’s the Orthodox rep: Totally stole this from Fr Symeon Kees Read more

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, July 30, at the 50th Convention of the Antiochian Archdiocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip announced that the Synod had elected three archimandrites of the Archdiocese for elevation to the episcopacy. They are: Rt. Rev. Archimandrite John Abdalah, who will serve as the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England; Rt. Rev. Archmandrite Anthony Michaels, who will serve as the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the... Read more

Freshly home form the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention; throwing up this old piece up that I’ve been sitting on a while: (Newser) – Other states might be green with envy, but it’s only North Carolina that can claim its very own “miraculous” Kudzu Jesus. The mass of runaway weeds growing up a power utility pole and wires near the town of Kinston looks remarkably like Jesus Christ on the cross, say several witnesses. “I thought I was crazy the first time... Read more

The day my copy arrived, my 9-year old looked through it for about an hour — Enough to make an old DJ Dad proud! She came up to me and exclaimed: “Dad! It says ‘On this day Elvis and Priscilla Presley had a baby exactly nine months after their wedding day!’ Then, I looked back nine months — and that was the day they got married!'” (Dontcha know tongues wagged back in the day?) Ron’s book, and I say this... Read more