I stole this from Deacon Raphael’s site. It is absolutely unbearable. (Watch it at least to the “Zap” part.) Forgive me. (Warning: You may need counseling.) Read more

This photo is courtesy of Houston seminarian Michael Sakran who currently hangs out at St Vlad’s (when he’s not learning humility here). Fr John Peck recently published an article that has now been sent to me by a Roman Catholic layman, an Orthodox priest and a bishop. Rod Dreher has even commented on it over at BeliefNet. Here’s the article. (UPDATE: The article has been removed by the author. I have a copy but, given its removal, shall refrain from... Read more

WICHITA – If you’ve driven past St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral lately, you might have noticed some work going on. However, if you actually stop and take a look, you’ll notice this is no ordinary face lift. “It’s a tremendous sense of joy for us to see these installed,” Father Paul O’Callaghan said. For the church these mosaics are an 18 year dream. “It really proclaims our faith and our belief in a really brilliant and visual way,” Father O’Callaghan... Read more

Back in 2005, my family and I moved from our native North Carolina to Houston. My son, who was 7 at the time, was not excited about moving to Houston. He’d heard they had hurricanes. Fr John Salem, the priest at St George, encouraged me to tell him that it had been a long, long time since a hurricane had hit Houston. Not to worry. That’s what I did. I’d also found a house for us to live in with... Read more

Fr Serge Veselinovich, of Ss Constantine & Helen Serbian Orthodox Church, is hosting a blogsite hoping for information from Orthodox folks in the Galveston area. “Fr. Serge and Christopher Bolan emptied out the church on Friday, September 12th at 4:00 pm. All liturgical items, vestments, church records, icons, etc. have been removed and are being housed in a safe location. The only thing, unfortunately, that was not taken out of the church were the icons on the iconostas.” If you... Read more

Since regaining the Internet, I’ve been wanting to post pics of Hurricane Ike’s “art work.” Alas, the storm must have slowed DSL service (or some such), I cannot upload pics to Blogger. It’s just as well, with all the images of total destruction coming from the East Texas Coast my daughter’s shots of jumbled suburbia could seem petty. There was still no power at the church yesterday, so I decided to make some hospital calls. Gosh. Getting around Houston’s streets... Read more

Just an FYI for those who have tried to call or email: Our family is fine; fence sections and large branches down around the yard — but, thanks God, all is well. My cell service is sporadic (even spasmodic), home phone is out of commission. By your prayers — Read more

O Lord Jesus Christ As you saved your apostles from perishing in a storm by calming wind and waves on your command, so now keep us safe and sound in this hurricane season. Grant us favorable and benign weather. Protect us from the unpredictable elements of nature. Steer us from storm, flood, fire, illness, injury, disaster and sudden death. Preserve us from all evil and harm for we, though sinful, are nonetheless the work of Your hands. And You together... Read more

O almighty and everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, Thou Who art the unfailing Protection of the faithful and the sure Hope of all who trust in Thee: As we mourn the sudden violence and deaths occasioned by the evil and barbarous attacks on our nation of September 11th, 2001 and celebrate the selfless heroism of the first-responders, we humbly beseech Thee to reveal unto us the immense power of Thine own goodness. Come swiftly to our... Read more

Those who live in the Houston area are invited to join us for Family Nights at St George Orthodox Church beginning tonight, September 10th. We have Daily Vespers at 6:30, followed by Christian Education for all ages. I will be teaching introduction to Orthodoxy (for seekers, catechumens, and others) using The Truth of Our Faith by Elder Cleopa of Romania. [Other classes offered are listed below the image.] All are welcome! Here’s a video featuring the Elder: Adult Education with... Read more