On a recent hike, I took this photo of a small mountain and cloudy sky reflected in a lake. It is a beautiful scene, but if you look closely at the reflection, you would note that it is not a perfect reflection by any means. In fact, you might say, “Father, why did you use […]
Have you ever been out on a walk and seen some old giant rock or tree? On such occasions, I have often said something along the lines of: “Oh, if this rock could talk or this tree could talk, what a story it could tell.” Take a close look at the photo of this tree. […]
Good day to you my brothers and sisters in Christ. Many Christians want to start using the Jesus Prayer in their lives. This is the prayer that uses the example from the story of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in the temple: The humility of the Publican is clear as he prays: “Lord Jesus […]
Sunday July 25, 2021 PDF Version “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name.” (Psalm 142:7) To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Pious Faithful of our Holy Orthodox Church in the United States: Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings and blessings to you all! The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of […]
For those of us living in freedom, it is all too easy to forget the more than two million men and women imprisoned in the US. Out of sight, out of mind. And yet, the United States has the highest prison population in the world. Chances are, you or someone you know has been touched […]
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops have blessed the Sunday before the feast of St. Silas, the patron saint of prison ministry, as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. This year we remember this sacred ministry on July 25, 2021. This is a crucial day to spread the word that Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, the national prison […]
And so, it comes to a close…Great Lent for 2021 is ending. As we look over our journey, it is important to do a self-evaluation. Did I draw closer to the Lord during these 6 weeks? How disciplined was my prayer life? Was my fasting truly unto the Lord? Did I spend time in God’s […]
In our reading from the Holy Prophet Isaiah today (Isaiah 58:1-11), God reminds us of what He really wants during a fast…to also stop doing bad things and do good by helping those in need. He says if we will do this during our fasting: “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your […]
Greg is a former prisoner who was recently released to perform his parole in a small town in California. Like all prisoners, freedom and reintegration into society was disorienting. Nevertheless, one of the first things he did in freedom was look for an Orthodox parish. “I was still unfamiliar with the bus routes and schedules […]
“I am the LORD your God…Who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had hearkened to My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea!” (Isaiah 48:18) The Lord gives us lots of great suggestions on how we should live this […]