Per Huw Raphael’s mention of the article entitled “EDUCATION: The End of Faith,” in the January issue of The WORD, here follows an excerpt from Tom Wolf’s latest novel, “I Am Charlotte Simmons,” which speaks to the moral/ethical struggle of college life. [Charlotte’s friend, Laurie, is attending NC State; Charlotte, Dupont. They both hail from a small town in the mountains of Western North Carolina. By phone, Laurie is making an apology for cutting loose.] “I guess what I really... Read more

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Statement/Appeal Regarding the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean Basin December 29, 2004 Venerable Hierarchs, Esteemed Members of the Board of Trustees, and Beloved Clergy and Faithful of this God-Protected Archdiocese: We hope and trust that you have had a most blessed and joyful Nativity celebration. We are writing to you on the threshold of a New Year which we pray will be filled with peace and tranquility throughout the world. It is in... Read more

Remember all the archeological news about the ossuary of James, the brother of our Lord? It may be a H O A X. Read more

Tsunami: A Japanese term which has been universally adopted to describe a large seismically generated sea wave which is capable of considerable destruction in certain coastal areas, especially where underwater earthquakes occur. Current news reports put the death toll at around 60,000 … with more to come. A special Tsunami Blog has been established to aid in news & relief efforts. Pictures of the destruction and videos of the Tsunami itself are available HERE. Thanks to Classical Anglican. I’d originally... Read more

No advantages do you offer those who love you, O world, you dwelling-place of sorrows. All who draw near to you do you seduce with your treasures and with all your delights, but in the day of death both the fair countenance of the beautiful and the might of the strong will be cast down into the grave. Woe to him who loves you and is loved by you, for his joy will be transformed into cries. In the world... Read more

Jan Bear nails it. Read more

My pal, and son’s Godfather, Priest John Whiteford, now has a B-L-O-G. He also has a handy typicon resource for Readers, et al. Read more

Reader boards, like Baptist Churches, are to be found all over the South. Though I thought the saying was passe, there it was this morning at a used car lot: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” I hadn’t gone two miles till a contrary message appeared at a church: “Jesus is the Gift, YOU are the Reason.” Ah, yes … Glory to God in the highest! Read more

“I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn! The angels sing! The archangels blend their voices in harmony! The cherubim resound their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead herein… on earth and man in heaven. He who is above now, for our salvation, dwells here below; and we, who were lowly, are exalted... Read more

Okay. I’m a hypocrite. At least, given what I’m about to say, some might accuse me of such. Those who know me know I ain’t much on Halloween. I never was much on Halloween, even as a kid. It seemed a bit odd to me that perfectly normal devil-hating church folks would go all out, once a year, to root for the other side. But, that’s just me. Then, I’m hip on Santa. You see, I SAW Santa. Really, I... Read more