Archive for May 2025
The Return Home
Today is the Feast of Ascension, the day on which Jesus Christ returned physically to His Throne in Heaven. It has been forty days since we celebrated His Resurrection but today is no less important than Pascha. Today is the day on which we celebrate our return home to God. As we state in the…
Read MoreChrist is Always Risen
Today is the Leave-taking of Pascha. It is the last day of Pascha for this year. It is the last day on which we greet each other with Christ is Risen. That does not mean Christ is not risen. He is always risen, but today we move on to the next feast of the Church.…
Read MoreWho is Jesus?
Imagine walking down the street ‘minding your own business’ and a stranger approaches you. Something has drawn them to you. It may have been how you behaved. It may have been how you spoke. They ask, “Who is Jesus?” Do you know how you would answer? In today’s Gospel lesson we hear the crowd approach…
Read MoreSoldiers for Christ
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to remember the soldiers who died in combat. They gave their lives for those who they would never know. They went to far off lands to defend freedom and never made it home. We honor them today as Americans and Christians. IN THOSE…
Read MoreHard to Believe
I am often asked how some believe, and others refuse to believe. From our vantage point of view Jesus Christ is God. From others’, it is impossible to believe no matter what ‘evidence’ is given. To truly believe, we must use our free will. If it is not free, then belief is an obligation. The…
Read MoreNot Every Teaching is Correct
We call ourselves Orthodox Christians which has a double meaning. The word means both, upright worship and correct belief. The Orthodox Church has kept the correct teachings since the days of the Holy Apostles. No other church can claim the same reality. IN THOSE DAYS, Paul went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had…
Read MoreWho is Your King?
Proud Americans declare to the world, “We have no king!” The idea of king in America is the idea of oppression and fear, opulent wealth and greed. Throughout history kings were known by their loyalties, not their love. Americans have a king. We just don’t like to admit it. Our king is personal. Our king…
Read MoreWho is Your Father?
Of the many accusations against Christ was the claim to know what where He came from. Of course, this was a ruse because they didn’t want to admit that He was Christ. So, they kept asking Him questions. They ask us all sorts of questions too, but we never properly answer. The Lord said to…
Read MoreChristians Don’t Flaunt Freedom
There is a troubling trend in American Christianity to flaunt our freedom in front of everyone. I’m not sure what the reason is, but the desire for constant attention from ‘the opposition’ brings hatred rather than respect. If only we learned more lessons from the ancient Church. In those days, Peter went to the house…
Read MoreConversion Stories
For those of us who have been Orthodox since our birth the concept of ‘giving a testimony’ is foreign. Since we have always been in the Church, we don’t understand why anyone would need to explain their faith. We’re here because we have always been here, but not everyone. In those days, while Peter was…
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