For those of you who are regulars to the Orthodixie Podcast, please forgive my recent absence and dearth of new episodes. I could offer multiple excuses but … The truth is: Ladies and Gentlemen, my microphone – “Big Mic” – took to cussing and, as you can imagine, this is not allowed on Ancient Faith Radio. So, obviously, I had to wait until I received a new microphone. What’s that you say? You don’t believe that a microphone can cuss?... Read more

Here are some shots from last night’s service … This year’s annual Pan-Orthodox Vespers for the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy was served in the new temple dedicated to St Basil the Great. These icons, newly installed, were seen — pre-install — here. Fr Anthony Baba (St Anthony) & Fr John Salem (St George) chant. The clergy gathers for entrance into the altar … Dr Bill Attra directs the Pan-Orthodox St Romanos Chorale … The Procession … Me, watching... Read more

JOHNSTOWN, PA – His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, 75, spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A., reposed in the Lord today, March 13, 2011 after waging a courageous battle with cancer. All Diocesan Clergy and Faithful are asked at this time to remember the Newly Reposed +Metropolitan Nicholas as well as his brothers George and Michael and the entire Smisko Family in their prayers. May Almighty God rest His Newly Departed Servant, Our God-Loving Metropolitan Nicholas in... Read more

It was on this day in 1876 that Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call. Bell’s first successful telephone used a liquid transmitter: a diaphragm that caused a needle to vibrate in water, similar to the way sound waves vibrate in air. He spoke to his assistant, electrical designer Thomas Watson, who was in the next room. He said, “Mr. Watson — come here — I want to see you.” Later that day, he wrote an excited letter... Read more

St George, Houston is the site of Saturday’s Lenten Retreat titled “Our Father…” with Retreat Master: Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko SCHEDULE March 12, 20119:00 – Soul Saturday Liturgy10:15 – Registration & Light Breakfast10:45 – Session 112:00 – Coffee Break12:15 – Session 21:30 – Lunch2:30 – Session 33:30 – Question & Answer4:00 – Great Vespers $15 per person$25 per couple$5 per child, child careRegistration Deadline: TODAY! Call the church office – 713-665-5252 Retreat hosted by St George Ladies Altar Society and The... Read more

The following helpful hints are excerpted from an email from Matushka Elizabeth Perdomo (with gratitude). After Forgiveness Sunday, which falls on March 6th this year, the Great Fast Begins. From Monday, March 7th until AFTER the midnight services for Holy Pascha, no meat or dairy or egg products are eaten. A strictly VEGAN diet is adopted by Orthodox Christians throughout the world. That means grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, etc. There are some exceptions to the rule during the Great Fast.... Read more

Clean Monday is a public holiday in Greece, a day of great celebration and traditions. Families take to the beach or countryside for picnics and kite-flying. Children make “Kyra Sarakosti,” (Lady Lent), a paper doll with seven legs to represent the seven weeks of Lent. Every week, a leg is cut off to show how many weeks remain until Easter … More here. Image Source Read more

On this Sunday of Forgiveness, I beg you — faithful readers, lurkers, and surfers — to forgive my many sins, failings, and shortcomings. Prayers coveted and assured, for you and yours, as we prepare, during this holy season of the Great Fast, to meet the Lord in the Bright and Glorious Day of Resurrection (Pascha – April 24, 2011). — Unworthy Priest Joseph Read more

With all the fanfare [last year] surrounding the return of Jay Leno to The Tonight Show – and earlier, the drama around hosts and ratings, I was remembering my own visit to The Tonight Show, as a member of the studio audience, back when Johnny Carson was host. I was a college kid selling Cable TV in Southern California – and a coworker’s mom just happened to be on the editorial staff of The Tonight Show. So, a friend and... Read more

Yesterday’s regular meeting of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Southeast Texas was hosted by St Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church. The following images were captured with my cell phone – click to enlarge. St Basil’s, having just completed a huge building project, is now in the icon installation phase. Cut-out images, ready for install, were laid out on the tiled floors throughout the temple. Fr Anastasios Raptis, parish priest of St Basil’s, is pictured above (to your left) showing... Read more