The folks at OBL do a good job of amassing stories and photos of the Church “at large” — check out THESE from Palm Sunday. [The image here: An elderly woman leans on a cross during a Palm Sunday memorial for the departed in Frumusani, southern Romania, early Sunday, March 28, 2010. Orthodox believers in the village gather at midnight, light fires at the graves and share food in memory of their dead relatives.] For more, click HERE. Read more

As the World Turns:Orthodoxy Abroad OCF South Regional RetreatHosted by OCF in Houston, TXApril 9-11, 2010 Join College Students and Young Adults from across the South during Bright Weekend for: * Sessions with clergy about their travel and experience of Orthodoxyin foreign lands * Orthodox Coffee House and Hafli/Dance * Paschal worship and fellowship Registration: ONLY $65.00 (includes all meals and hotel accommodations at La Quinta Hotel for 2 nights, dance party, coffee house, and discussions) Registration deadline — EXTENDED... Read more

It looks like my time as Peter Gillquist has come to an end. No offense to Fr Peter but thanks God! A couple weeks ago, AMAZON, the online book selling behemoth — some how, some way — got the title and cover of the 25th anniversary edition of Becoming Orthodox mixed up with my latest book, We Came, We Saw, We Converted. Today, please forgive my crossed fingers, looks to be the day that I leave Fr Peter on his... Read more

A Liturgical Explanation Saturday of Lazarus – “Having fulfilled Forty Days … we ask to see the Holy Week of Thy Passion.” With these words sung at Vespers of Friday, Lent comes to its end and we enter into the annual commemoration of Christ’s suffering, death and Resurrection. It begins on the Saturday of Lazarus. The double feast of Lazarus’ resurrection and the Entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is described in liturgical texts as the “beginning of... Read more

Onion Dome Will Discontinue Publishing Effective Immediately From the site … After a giving it a lot of thought, we at the Onion Dome have reached the painful decision to quit publishing the OD. We’ve had a run of just over 7 years, a number of wonderful and funny writers, and one cranky priest who coined a phrase and inexplicably won hearts across Orthodoxendom. OD Terce Reporter Brigid Strait is working on a fan site, and we’ll announce details when... Read more

It was Thursday, the Feast of the Annunciation, and I was taking my daughter to high school. I said: “Wow, Holy Week.” She said, “I know, right? I can’t believe it’s already here.” “This Saturday’s Lazarus Saturday,” I said, “and everyone at church will be like Woo-hoo! – and then, Sunday is Palm Sunday and everyone will be like Woo-hoo! And then …” “And then Jesus dies,” she said. We rode along in silence for a while, till she said:... Read more

Knowing I was headed to St Vladimir’s Seminary for their public Lenten Retreat, the wife and I decided, last year, that one of my teen’s Christmas presents would be tickets to a show (and a trip with Dad). Herself, above, as we arrived at LaGuardia. First stop, the Empire State Building … Then, to Rockefeller Center (it was a remarkable 70+ degrees!) … And, Times Square … Can you guess which show we saw? It. Was. Pretty. DogGone. Wicked. Fabulous!... Read more

Recently, I had the good fortune to enjoy some warm spring days in the Northeast at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where I spent the weekend teaching, preaching, and hanging out with some wonderful young people at what’s known as The Kid’s Café. [At Liturgy’s end, one of the altar boys came back into the altar; I said: “What’s your name?” “Peter,” he said. “How old are you, Peter?” “Eight.” “Are you married?” I asked. Without a moment’s hesitation, he... Read more

It’s the birthday of Flannery O’Connor [Savannah, Georgia (1925)] who wrote two novels and 32 short stories and who said: “I come from a family where the only emotion respectable to show is irritation. In some this tendency produces hives, in others literature, in me both.” When she was six, she and a chicken that she taught to walk backward appeared on the news. She later said: “I was just there to assist the chicken but it was the high... Read more

So … I’m still Peter Gillquist. The funniest thing happened to me this past weekend in New York: upon entering “coffee hour” following Saturday’s Liturgy at St Vladimir’s Seminary … John Maddex of Ancient Faith Radio jumped up from his table, grabbed me — giving me a big hug — and said: “Fr Peter! I am so happy to finally meet you! Your book, Becoming Orthodox, played a big part in my spiritual journey!” (Now that’s funny.) Anyway, the SVS... Read more