It’s that time again. Though this blog has been honored in the past, I mention the awards not for my sake or your vote — Lord knows, other than podcast updates, I’ve not posted much lately … Rather, there are many worthy “new media” types working the virtual vineyard these days. Why not nominate your favorites?Go HERE. Read more

The ways people say Goodbye are various and sundry; some ways of saying Goodbye can seem just plain odd. There are times when – as Christians, let’s face it – Goodbye doesn’t really mean Goodbye. When my wife and I moved to Wisconsin, back in 1989, we were shocked when, after serving our guests a fabulous dinner and having had great conversation, the man, a life-long Wisconsinite said: “Welp, gotta go!” And within moments, he and his wife were out... Read more

If you’re local, available, willing and/or able — hope to see you! On Saturday, October 16th, I’ll be speaking at the 13th Annual Orthodox Christian Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Walsingham — in Mesquite, Texas. BTW – In 1993, the Texas Legislature named Mesquite the “Rodeo Capital of Texas.”His Grace, Bishop BASIL will lead the pilgrimage. I’ll be speaking on Mary in the Life of Christ, in the Life of the Church, and in the Life of the... Read more

First off, let me just say: I am not a Redneck. At least, I don’t think so (not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course!). But the title of this podcast comes from a quip I made a few years back upon entering the St George – Houston parish hall after Liturgy and a woman came up to me and said, “So, what’s your next book gonna be about?” I looked around the parish hall and said, “I’m thinking... Read more

A note from Fr John Whiteford … “If you’ve wondered why I have not posted much lately, it is because I have been finishing up work on the 2011 St. Innocent Liturgical Calendar. This calendar is based on the Jordanville Calendar, though it will of course be in English. Now that I’m done, I can relax for a week or so before starting on the 2012 calendar.” Visit St Innocent Press – HERE. Read more

This quote from Mollie: A few years ago, I attended a worship service at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I went so that I could witness the congregation’s interfaith Eucharistic prayer. The sermon text was Mark 7 and the priest told us that it showed how Jesus was xenophobic, racist and sexist. The next day I ran into another priest from the church at an interfaith event in a suburb. I told her I had been at the previous day’s... Read more

On my final Sunday (9/26/10) at St George – Houston, I’d thought that fashioning my farewell remarks around previous clergy would prevent my succumbing to side-swiping emotions. I was wrong; it was difficult. Below — sans quiver, tear and lump — is the text of the address. Click on the “Son of St George” links for more info. This is my last Sunday as a priest at St George, however I shall always be a Son of St George. With... Read more

WARNING: The gist of this podcast concerns the startling quote of famous scientist Stephen Hawking that, concerning the creation of the universe, God is not necessary. Please note, I do not mean to demean all science … just the fictional kind which passes itself off as, uh, too smart for its own good. Listen, if you’re a scientist and you believe in God, God bless you – this episode ain’t about you. Whatever you do, please don’t email me about... Read more

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop George, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Damascene Gallery, a supplier of fine antique icons, newly painted icons, and high quality mounted icons, opened on August 29 (the feast of the Translation of the Icon of the Savior “Not Made by Hands” from Edessa to Constantinople, Old Calendar). The web store features a wide selection of antique and new hand-painted icons, as well as... Read more

By nature, man is changeable. Therefore, just as one who has fallen into the depths of vice and is enslaved to sin can turn to the good, so one who has been sealed with the Holy Spirit and filled with heavenly gifts is free to return to evil. When some people who have tasted of God’s grace and become communicants of the Holy Spirit can still become careless and not watchful, they grow spiritually feeble and their spiritual light dims,... Read more