Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Cor 13:13). By God the Father’s will, from which all gifts come, in the name […]
Vasilopita 2016
Many Orthodox have a New Year’s, or Christmas or Epiphany, custom that has to do with the baking and eating of the Vasilopita (Basilopita). So, what is it? The Vasilopita “is a New Year’s Day bread or cake in Greece and many other areas in eastern Europe and the Balkans which contains a hidden coin […]
Christmas 2015
As a priest I have all too often had to deal with parents, or spouses, or close friends, or … who have had to face a situation such as the one above. It is Christmas, but you have just lost someone. It is Christmas, but you are about to lose someone. It is Christmas, […]
Frodo failed, but good won
Frodo is a hero. He was celebrated by Aragorn, King of Gondor. He was celebrated by all the assembled hosts. He was celebrated by his friend and compatriots. But, Frodo failed to complete his mission. In fact, had it not been for Gollum, Frodo would have gone down as a traitor who betrayed all that […]
On preaching and temptation
“I do not know whether anyone has ever succeeded in not enjoying praise. And, if he enjoys it, he naturally wants to receive it. And if he wants to receive it, he cannot help but being distraught at losing it. Those who are in love with applause have their spirits starved not only when they […]
Judging and 1 Corinthians 6 & 7
A friend of mine asked me: “I would be curious as to how you understand First Corinthians 6-7 where Paul chides the Corinthians for their inability to judge. No one was mature enough. I know he is speaking to the baptized about internal church practice but then add that our Lord says that once you […]
God, judgment, and repentance
This is a small bit of a continuation from a post from yesterday. Many an Evangelical preacher would agree with the saying above that, “God does not judge Christians because they sinned, but because they do not repent,” by Saint Niphon of Constantia. But, we need to think through what that saying really means. It […]
The Desert Fathers and Judgment
“One day Abba Isaac the Theban went to a monastery. He saw a brother committing a sin and he condemned him. When he returned to the desert, an angel of the Lord… came and stood in front of the door of his cell, and said, ‘I will not let you enter.’ But he persisted saying, […]
Green Eggs and Ham, and Christianity
Do you likegreen eggs and ham? I do not like them,Sam-I-am.I do not likegreen eggs and ham. Would you like themHere or there? I would not like themhere or there.I would not like themanywhere.I do not likegreen eggs and ham.I do not like them,Sam-I-am —SNIP— Sam!If you will let me be,I will try them.You will […]
Tolkien and war
Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before […]
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