Consecration

Church altar with crucifix and candles.

Today the Church commemorates the consecration of the most glorious church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. Built by Saints Constantine and Helen in the 4th Century, this Church stands as a reminder to the world that God was resurrected from the dead. Although the building has seen changes and…

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Dating and Marriage

Two rings on top of a book

When it comes to matters of the heart, many of us ignore the Church. We think, wrongly, that who we date is of no consequence. Then one morning we awake in love with someone the Church says we cannot marry. Instead of accepting that we may have fallen in love with the wrong person, we…

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We Need More Soft Hearts

Hands exchanging a red heart symbol.

Comfortably in my 50’s I realize it has become too easy for my heart to grow cold and hard. The more I am cheated and taken advantage of, the more difficult it is to remain open. I’m not alone. I hear many confessions of people who suffer the same reality. Just how much can one…

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For the Sake of the Elect

Priest giving communion to a child.

It is a common line of thought on this blog that the world is against the Christ and His Church. We often talk about how we are called to endure to the end. We often talk about persecution being a real thing not only in the lives of the martyrs, but in the lives of…

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Losing the Church

Eviction order document on a clipboard.

What does it mean to lose the Church? What does it mean to have the Church taken away from you? We live in a society which believes the church belongs to us. Our parents started the church. Our ancestors built the church. Parish councils over the years hire and fire clergy. With such a strong…

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Guilt by Association

Group sitting in a circle on grass.

When I was young, I was spending time with a friend when we found ourselves in a bit of trouble. We were walking past a swimming pool where a group of people had jumped the fence for a night swim. We knew the group of people, so we were chatting with them when we were…

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Share the Secret

A boy whispering secrets to another boy

There is a saying that really disturbs me. People say, “The Orthodox Church is the best kept secret.” If this is true, it is quite unfortunate. A secret is something that should be kept private. The Church is the Body of Christ and has come for all. It is time to share the secret. The…

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The Church is Our Family

Paper cut-out family holding hands casting shadows on a sunlit surface.

When I visit the parish where I grew up, we greet each other with kisses and stories about the past. We introduce each other to new faces. We begin new relationships that last over time. What binds us together is the past we spend together, knowing there will also be a future together. Each trip…

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Why we Need the Church

Ornate church interior with chandeliers and frescoes.

It is no secret we live in a self-oriented and self-justified society. We are the masters of our own destiny, or so we think. I hear it all the time. “I don’t need anyone to tell me what the Bible means.” This very phrase is totally without meaning. If you are reading the letters of…

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2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 17

A golden abstract artwork of the Jesus

Some days are easier than others when the storm approaches. Here in Florida we call the days leading up to the storm the “Cone of Uncertainty” and the closer the storm gets, the more accurate the plan must be. If the storm shifts, plans change. Those in the path of a storm are foolish to…

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