-
Orthodoxy and the Christ-Haunted Culture of the South
Read more: Orthodoxy and the Christ-Haunted Culture of the SouthOne of my favorite priests in the Diocese of the South is Fr. Paul Yerger who serves Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton, Mississippi. His gentle demeanor and kind words are what I have always associated with the South, though it is rarely witnessed today. I had a chance to visit with him this week […]
-
The Boundary of Death
Read more: The Boundary of DeathThis was posted originally last Spring. I have posted again for re-reading and for its assurance that Christ is the only guarantee of our dignity. Having spent two-and-a-half years as a Hospice Chaplain, I had opportunity to be present to over 200 deaths (that does not include the many I have witnessed in my years […]
-
Christ the Only Assurance of the Dignity of Man
Read more: Christ the Only Assurance of the Dignity of ManI am in Miami attending the annual Diocesan Assembly for the South. This first evening was primarily time with with our Archbishop DMITRI, and my brother clergy in the Diocese. I have known His Eminence since around 1994 and have, on occasion, spent a extended periods with him. I have heard him speak at […]
-
Can The World Be Changed?
Read more: Can The World Be Changed?In a recent exchange on one of my postings I was congratulated for my advocacy of attention to small things, and told that thereby we will change the world. I wrote a light-hearted response in which I demurred from such a lofty goal – but have thought much of it since – and have decided […]
-
Before the Feast
Read more: Before the FeastI will not likely get a chance to post until after the weekend – the wedding is coming soon upon us and it’s not local. Bags are being packed – last minute details that seem to be endless are all coming to an end that lack of time alone can bring. When it’s all said […]
-
The Unity of the Faith
Read more: The Unity of the FaithIt is said proverbially in Orthodoxy that “one who prays is a theologian and a theologian is one who prays.” This intends fully to say that an unlettered peasant may be a greater theologian than someone who holds many degrees and can offer page after page of published articles. There is only one reason this […]
-
I’m Glad We Cleared That Up!
Read more: I’m Glad We Cleared That Up!Pope Benedict XVI has just released a clarification on the documents of Vatican II where he explains what is meant by calling the Orthodox “Churches” while still maintaining that they are “defective.” In a major problem that exists between Orthodox understandings of the nature of the Church and Roman Catholic understandings of the nature of […]
-
The Fire of Pentecost in Orthodoxy
Read more: The Fire of Pentecost in OrthodoxyNo one, of course, can describe the fire that fell on the Apostles at Holy Pentecost. At most we are told that the Spirit appeared “like tongues of flame lighting upon the heads of the Apostles.” Not much a description. Other times in Scripture we are told of a Pillar of Fire and of the […]
-
Some Things Have to Be Posted
Read more: Some Things Have to Be PostedMy house is quickly being swallowed up by impending nuptials. Tomorrow my oldest daughter and my second’s daughter’s husband arrive. News continues to reach us of family the will be joining us in S.C. for my son’s wedding. He is marrying an Orthodox girl who delights our heart. Indeed our hearts are very full. But […]
Simon: Additionally, unless Fr. Stephen corrects me, “whatever” we do inherit from Adam’s fall , we derive through our fathers’…