Posts Tagged ‘Church History’
The Battle Over Language
It isn’t enough that the various Orthodox jurisdictions in America argue over their ‘native’ language vs English in worship. In America we even argue over which English is best. I’ve heard it all my life. Do we call God, You or Thee? It might be hard to believe, but the fight over language is not…
Read MoreDon’t Stop Sharing the Good News
Christ is Risen! There is an old saying. Don’t talk about politics or religion in polite conversation. You may want to keep the peace among friends, but there is a negative impact on taking this advice. First, you’ll never know what your friends believe. Second, you’ll never preach Christ raised from the dead. Neither is…
Read MoreA Fasting Refresher
Christ is Risen! Today the Greek Orthodox Church returns to what I would call a ‘normal fasting’ schedule. From now until Holy Pentecost we will return to fasting every Wednesday and Friday. So, I thought it would be a good day to have a refresher about fasting. Refresher One: One thing is clear. Fasting is…
Read MoreGod Won’t be Kept Down
Christ is Risen! In more than one way, life can seem to be a rollercoaster of great joy and great depression. Economically our finances grow and decrease. Physically we grow strong only to eventually get weak and frail. Even spiritually we have our ups and downs. This week, because of Pascha, we are having a…
Read More2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 34
Living in America is a gift some don’t fully appreciate. For the most part, even with the recent violence and financial struggles, we live in basic safety. The ancient world was not so lucky. Societies were often overtaken by conquerors, only to change hands again by other conquerors. Throughout Christian history, the people of God…
Read More2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 27
In the middle of Great Lent, we encounter a totally different experience. The Feast of the Annunciation is the only day a ‘regular’ Liturgy is celebrated during the week. It is a day when fasting is lessoned. It is a day when the Church celebrates, not matter when it occurs. Growing up Greek in America…
Read More2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 24
Many do not know the original practice of Holy Confession was public in the Church. That meant that people would publicly admit to each other their sins. This was important because of our union in the Church. When we sin, we bring sin into the body of the Church. Of course, pretty quickly this practice…
Read More2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 7
The Sunday of Orthodox is a day of grand celebration. The Church goes back to her roots with a (often public) procession of icons to commemorate the historic restoration of the Holy Icons by the Empress Irene in the 8th Century. Sunday School children line up with Altar servers and chanters, and proudly display their…
Read More2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 6
By now, if you’re like the typical Orthodox Christian, you attended at least one ‘extra’ service this week for Great Lent. Churches throughout the world this week had people attending services they may not have ever attended. At least, they haven’t attended the ‘extra’ service since last year. You may be surprised to know the…
Read MoreThe Struggle Within
Saint Paul understood it well when he said, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (Romans 7.15) We all ‘want’ to follow Christ, but we struggle to put in place those guarantees that would lead…
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