One of the most interesting sides to the story of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been the obvious deep friendship that there was between the most conservative justice on the Supreme Court and the most liberal Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Each of them has been considered one of the premier practitioners […]

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He […]

“Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice.” – G.K. Chesterton I wrote on this phrase back in 2014, when the conversational climate was not […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 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 […]

“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 […]