So we’re getting in the car, my son and I, to go to the church for the Friday night Akathist Hymn. My girls, mom to boot, were headed to Huntsville for DOWAMA Winter Camp (Texas Style). Before he goes to close and lock the gate, my son throws into the car his DSI and one cowboy boot. I back the car up; he shuts, locks, and joins me in the car. Knowing he was probably planning to serve as altar... Read more

In my daydreaming I saw myself walking down a long white hallway and asking a doctor if he’d be willing to give me a tour of the facility … “Sure,” he said, “this way.” Our first stop was at the room of a man who was obviously suffering some sort of mouth wound. The doctor motioned for me to enter and, as I did so, I said: “Hello, I’m Fr Joseph …” “Kleesed to eat you; ny nay’yin is k-hjon.”... Read more

His Grace, MARK, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest (Antiochian Archdiocese), was in Houston for the First Sunday of the Great Fast. My plan was to feature many pics from the day’s events; I had all the women in my house bring their cameras … As it turned out, a new computer program (which, I might add, stinks) and I did not play well together. Which leaves only the three shots seen here … … even a... Read more

I‘ve posted this before, but the wife brought the dish to last week’s Post-Pre-Sanctified-Potluck and it was, as usual, a hit. Enjoy! 2 lbs. shrimp (raw)worcestershire sauce2 c. chopped celery1 c. chopped green onion, stems and all1 c. green pepper, optional2 c. uncooked riceadd black pepper to taste2 packets Goya Ham flavored concentrate (Lenten)or crumbled bacon when not fasting Peel shrimp and soak in worcestershire sauce (enough to cover) for 1-3 hoursCook 2 c. rice in 4 c. water until... Read more

At the invitation of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Southeast Texas and with the blessing of Bishop BASIL of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America … His Grace, MARK, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest will be in Houston February 19-21, 2010. SCHEDULE FRIDAY, Feb 19 – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos at St George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 6:30 PM; His Grace will speak following the service. SATURDAY, Feb 20 – Soul Saturday Liturgy at St... Read more

One of my youngest daughter’s chores on Thursday is gathering all the individual trash bags from the bedrooms and bathrooms and depositing them in a larger bag to be carted down to the curb. This morning, bearing a half dozen plump former grocery bags, she came over to me and whispered: “Dad, look what I found on the top of the trash in one of the waste baskets.” I looked down to see her holding up a candy wrapper and,... Read more

On Clean Monday, I noted in my morning journal: “I can’t believe it’s finally here. Lent. Lent 2010. Fifty days for me to torment myself with discipline and guilt. I usually have little problem with the food fast part – but the struggle toward dispassion, repentance and alms giving … that’s where I fall. I not only fall, I then judge myself harshly; would that I judged myself lovingly toward repentance, confession, and amendment of life! But, oftentimes I just... Read more

Just as a reminder [in other words, there’s no need to stone the messenger in the ComBox (hence, the cartoon at left)], here’s “The Rules of Fasting” — beginning with the first day of the Fast, Clean Monday — from The Lenten Triodion, translated by Mother Mary and Bishop Kallistos (Ware).On weekdays (Monday to Friday inclusive) during the seven weeks of Lent, there are restrictions both on the number of meals taken daily and on the types of food permitted;... 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 4, 2010). — Unworthy Priest Joseph Read more

Q: What do grits, Greeks, and Elvis have in common? A: Fr. Joseph Huneycutt and his new book We Came, We Saw, We Converted. Fr. Huneycutt has filled this book with humorous observations on Eastern Orthodoxy and Southern living, often combining and interweaving the two in a way that makes one think he was raised Southern Orthodox instead of Southern Baptist. Taken from his weekly podcast Orthodixie on Ancient Faith Radio, this light-hearted priest pokes fun at US southern culture... Read more