My predecessor of Thrice-Blessed Memory, Metropolitan ANTONY, told me the following story: A restless and impatient priest came to him one day and said: “Your Eminence, Why don’t you assign me to a peaceful parish?” The bishop said to him: “Son, I have assigned you to so many parishes, but it seems that you cannot last in any parish. I am going to give you a new parish. Take this address, go to Third Avenue, grab a cab and give... Read more

This week’s edition of the Orthodixie Podcast is a little different — I have a guest! Fr Danoslav Gregorio, pastor of St Swithun’s by the Swamp in Appleton, Indiana, joins me to talk about his new book: “An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church.” Don’t miss it! (Oh, and don’t be late!) The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. Read more

Why are you astonished since the Holy Spirit is simultaneously with us and in the heavens, and the Body of Christ is in the heavens and with us? Heaven gained a Holy Body, and the earth received the Holy Spirit. Christ came down to earth and brought here the Holy Spirit, and ascended into heaven taking with Him our Body. — St John Chrysostom Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham. Read more

Y‘all’ve no doubt heard about the new kids’ fantasy movie coming out just in time for Shoppermas: The Golden Compass. It’s based on a best selling (though not in the US) trilogy by Philip Pullman. It’s a good versus bad story … with God being the bad Guy. (My mind swims to an unbelievable island where God, lonely and needing work, remembers how Denzel Washington, the good guy’s good guy, surprised everyone by being so very bad in Training Day.... Read more

Fr. Joseph: I wanted to both congratulate you and personally thank you for the book you wrote. There are countless truths in love … thank God, throughout the book. However, the message, over and over, to come to one’s senses, confess, receive forgiveness, and struggle to repent is overwhelming. But, even more so … there is but one choice: Obedience. True blessing lies not in passions but in learning to surrender even our God-Given desires over to Him. Finally, that... Read more

An Episcopal church invites a Jewish Rabbi, who also happens to be a homosexual, to help them better understand the Bible. With a bit of characterization and Jewish witticism, Rabbi Steven Greenberg made his point clear: You shouldn’t use the Bible to pass judgment on others. Greenberg shared this belief during a sermon yesterday at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the campus of Ohio State University. Greenberg, who was raised in Bexley and is in Columbus for five days, is... Read more

DEFEATING SIN – Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever, like its author Fr Joseph Huneycutt, is a fantastic combination of Holy Orthodoxy and wit in 21st century clothing. I recommend it highly for those who seek a primer on how to deepen their own repentance. — Archpriest Josiah Trenham, PhD, St Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, California You can order a signed copy of DEFEATING SIN through PayPal in the side margin (at left) or — unsigned, multiple copies — through... Read more

An excerpt from this week’s AFR Podcast, already in progress … Our Lord, truly God and truly Man, chose the 12, the 70, and the many women disciples. He was visited in the Garden of Gethsemene and comforted by an Angel. Aided by Simon of Cyrene, He did not bear His Cross alone. No, our Lord does not appoint us to this work individually, but collectively. He gives us family, friends, co-workers — in the Church. Let us, fishers of... Read more

No matter how much I have labored and no matter how much grief I have endured, I consider myself only to have done what was my duty as a Priest. Is it not to the well-being and salvation of our neighbors that we servants of God and spiritual shepherds have dedicated our entire lives? — St Raphael of Brooklyn Rejoice, O Father Raphael, adornment of the holy Church! Thou art champion of the True Faith, seeker of the lost, consolation... Read more

If one studies a great deal in order to acquire knowledge and to teach others, without living the things he teaches, he does no more than fill his head with hot air. At most, he will manage to ascend to the moon using machines. The goal of the Christian is to rise to God without machines.— Elder Paisios the Athonite Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham. Read more