In working with catechumens and seekers, even old dogs willing to learn new tricks, it’s a good think to revisit the basics … such as basic Church Etiquette. In this episode of the Orthodixie Podcast — helped by everyone from The Rooftop Singers to Carole King; Debbie Boone to Aretha Franklin; Paul McCartney to Paul Stanly … (not to mention Bill Gaither Elvis and Willie Nelson!) … we review a few of the dos and don’ts of temple worship. The... Read more

It’s a justification commonly heard during the Great Fast: “What? Beer? Why, that’s just liquid bread!” This is followed by a few chuckles — maybe a judgmental glance at the speaker’s bread belly. But beer’s status as “daily bread” may be getting an overhaul in Russia … The beverage is technically classified as a foodstuff for now, an anomaly that has allowed producers to avoid a sweeping new crackdown on alcohol advertising and night-time sales. But a new Kremlin-backed bill... Read more

As we prepare to enter “Cheese Week” progressing toward the Great Fast of the Church, here follows a repost from years past to aid in the struggle. Here’s some items that can help stock a Lenten Pantry … + dried fruits (raisins, currants, apples, cranberries, apricots, prunes, coconut flakes)+ fresh fruits and vegetables+ candied peels, mixed+ dried beans (black beans, soy beans, navy beans, red kidney beans, great northern beans, mung beans, etc)+ dried legumes (red lentils, green lentils, brown... Read more

GREENSBORO, NC [OCA] — His Grace, Bishop Mark will deliver a lecture titled “Stillness in a Frenzied World: Wisdom from the Ancient Church” at New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Rd., Greensboro, on on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. According to Priest Christopher Foley, rector of Holy Cross Church, High Point, NC, which is cosponsoring the lecture, the parish choir will also present a selection of Orthodox hymns in conjunction with the lecture. On Saturday, February 26,... Read more

“When are we going to stop making Christianity politically correct and all-inclusive?” “Why do we insist on accommodating every possible alternative to the centuries-old Christian tradition? Where is the limit, or is there no limit at all?” “Many Christians worldwide look to Christian leaders in the hope that they will defend Christianity against the challenges that it faces. … Our holy mission is to preach what Christ preached, to teach what the apostles taught, and to propagate what the holy... Read more

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While working on a presentation for Illumination Learning titled Funny Moments Can be Teachable Things, I was also participating in the annual clergy retreat for the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America in Wichita, Kansas. So, I recruited my brother clergy to help me with my “homework” — as in this episode of the Orthodixie Podcast, which includes: Fr Aidan Wilcoxson: sleepin’, prayin’, drinkin’ poison, and manhandlin’ serpents. Fr John Bethancourt‘s young parishioner breeches the Church – State wall. Hierodeacon Mark... Read more

So says Mollie … For a religion reporter editor of a major magazine, Lisa Miller of Newsweek can be woefully undereducated about some religion basics. Such as the Old and New Testaments. The unintentionally hilarious headline of her recent piece is “What the Bible Really Says About Sex.” In it she writes that the Bible is a jumbled mess of patriarchy and contradictions but that it approves of premarital sex and so you should feel free to engage in that.... Read more

Years ago, my spiritual father and I were leaving his cell, headed for the monastery’s chapel for confession, when his old rotary phone rang. Anyone who knew him knew this to be true: “Never stand between Archimandrite Damian and a ringing telephone.” He answered: “He-ll-oooo … WHO? Oh no, he died! Uh-huh, you’re welcome … please do. Bye bye.” As he hung up, I asked: “Who died?” “I did,” he said, “it was some salesperson … now they’ll take my... Read more

Just the other day,on my way to work,amid the wet and damp of Houston winterMust have had my window cracked —enough, that is, to hear I thank God for them.By the 20s, the 50s,hundreds or more,they sit on the power lines and sing. Image Source To A Bird At Dawn O bird that somewhere yonder sings,In the dim hour ‘twixt dreams and dawn,Lone in the hush of sleeping things,In some sky sanctuary withdrawn;Your perfect song is too like pain,And will... Read more