ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.

The buzz for One Flew Over the Onion Dome: American Orthodox Converts, Retreads & Reverts has been, for me personally, too cool. There's nothing quite like signing parties where you sell out of books.

(I assume that's much better than signing parties where you're packing books back in your trunk with ink-a-plenty to spare!)

I've added the PayPal feature to the margin of this blog. This is particularly handy for those who wish to have a personalized copy and/or support my wife & children. :)

My interview with John Maddex of the excellent Ancient Faith Radio will most likely air, Central Time, thusly:

Sat June 24 at 10:30am CT
Sun June 25 at 3:00pm CT
Tue Jun 27 at 7:30pm CT
Thu Jun 29 at 9:30am CT

My appearance on the wonderful program Come Receive the Light will most likely air in late July.

Both programs, Ancient Faith & Come Receive the Light, may be accessed using the buttons in this blog's margin -- where you can also order multiple copies of One Flew through Regina Orthodox Press.

THANKS ... to tmatt (aka Terry Mattingly) who has been a great help ...

Buy his book (too)!

AND to my boss, Fr John Salem, who not only tolerates my foolishness, but is a most gifted priest (PR Agent & Cheerleader)!

NOTE: I shall be away at Camp St Raphael in Oklahoma until July 1st. Most likely, no blogging; certainly, no comment approval. All the same, prayers coveted.

Ya Boy!
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From the LA Times.

In Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a ... different vision. As mayor of Tehran in 2004, he spent millions on improvements to make the city more welcoming for the return of a Muslim messiah known as the Mahdi, according to a recent report by the American Foreign Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank.

Conversely, some Jewish groups in Jerusalem hope to clear the path for their own messiah by rebuilding a temple on a site now occupied by one of Islam's holiest shrines.

Artisans have re-created priestly robes of white linen, gem-studded breastplates, silver trumpets and solid-gold menorahs to be used in the Holy Temple — along with two 6½-ton marble cornerstones for the building's foundation.

Then there is Clyde Lott, a Mississippi revivalist preacher and cattle rancher. He is trying to raise a unique herd of red heifers to satisfy an obscure injunction in the Book of Numbers: the sacrifice of a blemish-free red heifer for purification rituals needed to pave the way for the messiah.

Like it or not: a must read.

HT: Drudge
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Ya gotta love it!

Metropolitan PHILIP visits St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral in New York, meets with Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the United States
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Today is the birthday of Anna Akhmatova.

From The Voice of Another

Don't torment your heart with earthly joys,
Don't cling to your wife or your home,
Take the bread from your child
To give to a stranger.
And be the humblest servant of the one
Who was your bitterest foe,
And call the beast of the forest your brother,
And don't ask God for anything, ever.

December 1921, Petersburg, p.262.



From Lamentation

You are worshipping the Lord
In his holy courtyard.
God's fool sleeps on the church porch,
And a star looks down at him.
And touched by an angel's wing,
A bell begins to speak,
Not with alarm, with a voice of terror,
But saying farewell forever.
And the saints and miracle workers,
Leaving their ancient icon frames,
Come out of the cloister
Leaning on crutches.
Seraphim -- to the woods of Sarov,
To shepherd the rural flocks,
Anna -- no longer a princess,
To Kashin, to pull the prickly flax.
With them goes the Mother of God,
Wrapping her son in a shawl
Dropped by an old beggar woman
On the front steps of the Lord.

May 24, 1922, Petersburg, pp.275-276.


REQUIEM

No, not under the vault of alien skies,
And not under the shelter of alien wings --
I was with my people then,
There, where my people, unfortunately, were.

1961, p.384.


The Muse

How can I live with this burden?
And yet they call it the Muse.
They say: "You and she are in a meadow ..."
They say: "The divine babble ..."
More savagely than fever she attacks you,
Then for a whole year, not a syllable.

Summer, 1959, p.414.


From the First Notebook [Fragment]

In my room lives a beautiful
Slow black snake;
It is like me, just as lazy,
Just as cold.

In the evening I compose marvelous tales
On the rug by the fire's red glow,
And with emerald eyes
It gazes at me indifferently.

At night the dead, mute icons hear
Resisting moans ...
It's true, I would desire another
Were it not for the serpent eyes.

But in the morning, submissive once more, I
Melt, like a slender candle ...
And then from my bare shoulder
A black ribbon slides.

(1910), pp.621-622.


I'm not embarrassed by offensive remarks,
I don't blame anyone for anything.
Just don't give me a shameful ending
To my shameful life.

Decade of the 1910's, p.635.


to A.A.Blok

From you came uneasiness
And the ability to write verse.

Spring, 1914, p.639.


Fragment

............................................
O God, for myself I could forgive everything,
But I would rather be a hawk clawing a lamb,
Or a serpent biting someone sleeping in the field,
Than to be a human and be forced to see
What people do, and from putrid shame,
Not dare to raise my eyes to the heavens on high.

(1916), p.647.


In this church I heard the Canon
Of Andrey Krutsky one bleak day,
And from then on the Great Lent tolling,
All seven weeks, right up to Easter midnight,
Merged with chaotic shooting,
Everyone parted provisionally,
Never to meet again ...

1917, Petersburg, p.650.


From the Cycle "Secrets of the Craft"

Don't repeat -- your soul is rich --
That which has been said before,
But perhaps poetry itself --
Is a single splendid quotation.

September 4, 1956, p.703.

These verses come from The Complete Poems of Anna Akhmatova (Expanded Edition), Translated by Judith Hemschemeyer, edited by Roberta Feeder; Zephyr Press, 1997.


Finally, her last recorded verse ...

Necessity herself has finally submitted,
And has stepped pensively aside.

February, 1966, p.769.

May her memory, and that of all artists who suffered under the Godless Authorities, be eternal!

Originally posted April 2005.
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Funny that Dawn should mention this hymn -- and include the fullness thereof -- as my old pal, Roxanne, had just mentioned the same in a comment to this story. It's a big-ol' small and wonderful world!

Remember the story on the Presbyterians -- wherein they'd thought about changing the name of the Trinity to Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod? Well, if you've not done so already, check out Mollie's article -- especially the comments.


Oh gosh, that movie seems so, so Yesterday. Remember?

HT: THUNDERSTRUCK


If you've been captivated by the week's whack-nuttery ... If you just can't get enough of those Crazy Episcopalians ... If reading the whoopingly insane ravings of a group of lost souls trying to invent a new religion is your cup of tea ...

Yes, the new female Presiding Bishop referred to her "Mother Jesus" in her first address;

AND ...

They voted the more the merrier (or something like that) ...


You can find it all H E R E.


Better yet, read about BEAUTY ... here, Here, and HERE.

Finally, it is my Christian duty to post the following plug:

I just returned from an Orthodox Church conference where a great number of folks -- clergy and laity -- are Former Episcopalians. It can be done. There is hope.

Trust God. Be faithful. Persevere ... Buy my book!

;)

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We must renew our commitment to personal prayer and liturgical participation, to keeping the fasts of the Church, to giving our time and financial resources to the ministries of the Church, and, most especially, to being healed through self-examination and Confession.


-- His Grace, JOSEPH, Bishop of Los Angeles and the West

Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham.
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Derek and I were bench warmers on the football team our freshman year in high school. One day, as often happens in August when you're 14, we were bored. The big game with our archrival, the Albemarle Bulldogs, was coming up and, as already stated, we weren't going to see action.

So. We got into a little mischief. (I'm sure this was my idea; or, just in case my mom's reading, it may have been Derek's.)

Before practice one day, we called up all the starters on our own team -- the North Stanly Comets -- and pretended we were players for the Albemarle Bulldogs. We talked ... what is it they call it these days? Smack? Anyway, we talked junk to our own players and got them all hoppin' & cussin' mad.

We would hang up from each call and laugh ourselves silly rehashing our hijinks.

A couple days later, even Coach Cullivan got in on the act. He soothed the egos of the big ol' boys by saying that although our opponent may act unsportsmanlike, we would not reciprocate. (Ouch!) We would do our boasting on the field.

And ya know, I don't wanna give myself and Derek all the credit but, our team won! Wait. Change that. He and I, though bench warmers, knew that we'd secretly done our part for the team. In a way, we'd forced the issue.

You gotta guess that this is exactly what happened when the bishops voted to elect a woman as the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Conservatives switched sides -- at least pretended to -- and chose to push the envelope WAY forward.

In the end, which only God knows, this shocking invention may yet bear good and plentiful fruit.

Practice is over.
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The Rev'd Alice Linsley to leave the Episcopal Church for Antioch ...

Some have feared that ECUSA would become the gay and feminist liturgical church of America. That fear is now substantiated. Doubtless many who were hanging in there hoping that there might be a change of heart, will leave for other branches of Christianity. I am one of them. I will join the Antiochian Orthodox Church. It will come as a great relief to worship and fellowship once again in Christian peace and dignity in the catholic tradition.

HT: Conservative Blog for Peace
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The divine Trinity - "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" - could also be known as "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend" at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church's national assembly ...

More smashing whack-nuttery!

Thanks to FWD from Fr Basil Biberdorf.


UPDATE: MereComments
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Just in case you missed it, most Orthodox are in a seasonal fast in honour of the Holy Apostles. Those on the so-called New Calendar will celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter & Paul (thus, end the fast) on June 29th. Those on the so-called Old Calendar will fast for 13 days more, till July 12th.

To read about the Apostles' Fast (though not 100% accurate), go H E R E.

You can read about Orthodox fasting H E R E.

For notes on "allowances" go H E R E.

Western Rite differences are HERE.

Whatever you do, remember to PRAY.
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Fr John Whiteford has posted some pics from February's ICON EXHIBIT at the Mission of St Jonah of Manchuria. There's even a pic of me (35 pounds heavier).

:)
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My wife said: "Honey, that's not even demonic -- that's just stupid!"

(Yes, she said I could quote her.)

She said: "I mean, that's not crafty or anything. The devil's probably ashamed of them."

I am not making this up:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman to lead any church in the global Anglican Communion when she was elected Sunday to be the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

The choice of Jefferts Schori may worsen — and could even splinter — the already difficult relations between the American denomination and its fellow Anglicans. Episcopalians have been sparing with many in the other 37 Anglican provinces over homosexuality, but a female leader adds a new layer of complexity to the already troubled relationship.

THE STORY.
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My interview with John Maddox of Ancient Faith Radio is highlighted

H E R E.
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Reflecting on my vision of an Orthodox Tent Revival, Subdeacon Seraphim gets a little hallucinogenic!

For the life of the Coptic Saint pictured here, go here.

For something completely different, go here.

A more ancient form of snake handling is seen H E R E.
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The Church’s view of human nature is: God created Man in His image and likeness to be in communion with Him. Man has free will to respond to this relationship. Although created in the image and after the likeness of God, humanity does not sustain communion with God (p.15). While humanity is still a creature, fashioned after God’s image, the likeness has been lost and, through sin, the image tarnished.

What is this “image?” St Gregory Palamas claims the “image” resides in man’s intellect. “For that which is in the image resides not in the body but in the intellect, which is the highest aspect of human nature. If there was something else still higher, that which is in the image would reside in that” (p.17).

One of the “truths” of Orthodoxy that has meant a great deal to me is the Fathers’ understanding of the parable of the Prodigal Son. Here I speak specifically of the understanding of what it means to say that he “came to himself” (Luke 15:17a). Georgios Mantzaridis writes:

Developing the parable of the prodigal son, and speaking of the dissipation of the father’s fortune by the younger son, Palamas gives the following allegorical interpretation: man’s chief wealth is his inborn intellect. While he keeps to the path of salvation, he keeps his intellect concentrated in itself and on the first and highest Intellect, God. If, however, he is led astray into misuse, then his intellect is dispersed and adheres to earthly things, and to the pleasures of the flesh. Man is required to fight against this pathological deviation through his return to himself and elevation towards God (p.82).

I have found this to be a valuable tool during periods of personal discernment. For, as Mantzaridis states, “If there exists something that man can and must seek and find within himself, it is not the self which deviated but the new man in Christ, born through baptismal grace and the other church sacraments” (p.83).

Thus, we do not come to our base nature which is corrupted by sin. Rather, we come to that which is good, beautiful and true. We come to that which Adam was before the Fall -- we come to Christ, Who is within us.

We are called to “put on Christ.” We are to become like God -- thereby regaining the “likeness” that we have lost by transgression. The first step in this process is the we “come to ourselves.” This coming to oneself is the first step toward repentance and reconciliation that leads to communion with God and neighbor. This is true when “man, ‘having entered wholly within himself’, becomes aware of himself and awaits within himself the coming of God and the divine transformation” (p.85).

Over the years, I’ve become aware of these moments of “coming to self” in my own life and ministry. It is an enlightening moment. It is a sober moment. It is a “reality” moment. Most often, it is a sudden moment -- one which was seemingly long in coming.


This reflection, and page numbers referenced, is based on Georgios Mantzaridis's book, The Deification of Man: St Gregory Palamas and the Orthodox Tradition.


Originally posted January 2005.
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Back in 1997, in the Mountains of Western North Carolina, plans were in place for the first Appalachian Orthodox Tent Revival.

Kinda.

Here's what was planned: BBQ, a bluegrass band and/or barbershop quartet, a guest Orthodox "preacher" ...

... and a big ol' tent.

The idea was to bring the locals into a familiar setting -- even offer familiar old hymns -- and mix in Orthodox hymnody with, of course, a spirited evangelical, but Orthodox, message.

It's a long story, but the event never happened.

It's my fault that it didn't; but I now wish it had.

I wish SOMETHING similar would happen SOMEWHERE in the South.

Now, for those of you who are still reading this (after, perhaps, suffering a visceral reaction early on), let me expound ...

There's nothing that prevents we Orthodox from reaching out within the culture wherein we find ourselves in order to help bring people to the True Faith.

Believe me, a tent revival has never -- EVER -- been a draw for me. But, an Orthodox one would certainly be enough of a novelty to attract. Even me.

And, for those who like good Southern BBQ and down home hymns and tunes, why not introduce these people to Orthodoxy?
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The first openly gay Episcopal bishop said Wednesday that the church's top policymaking body should not heed a request from Anglicans worldwide to place a moratorium on electing gay or lesbian bishops.

"Jesus is the 'homosexual agenda' in the Episcopal church, I believe that with my whole heart," Robinson said. "My agenda is to speak the witness that I know of this living, loving God, who loves me for all I am and all that I was created to be."

Episcopal leaders have never apologized for confirming Robinson; those who support ordaining gays contend the Bible does not bar monogamous same-gender relationships. But the denomination's leaders have repeatedly expressed regret for the turmoil his 2003 election caused.

For some reason, forgive me here, I'm reminded of the Bay City Rollers.

Of course, you know the ol' joke ... where you find FOUR you'll probably find a ...

FIFTH.

Sorry. But ... do you really want to hurt me?

Okay. Okay! I'd better stop. Now back to the Convention as Gene sees it:

HERE.
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I'm headed to El Paso for our Diocesan Parish Life Conference, so postings here may be sparse, or re-runs, till Monday.

The realization that I had blunted my emotions for the sake of physical pleasure helped me gain the strength to resist casual sex.

Healing the damage takes time—but there are some fun surprises along the way. The biggest surprise for me has been discovering how much there is to like about men ...

MORE

Menwhile [sic] ...

Seeking to better her life, Irina, 18, answers a newspaper advertisement for a training course in Berlin. Using a falsified passport, she travels from her native Ukraine to Germany. There she is told the school is closed and sent to Belgium for a “job.” Upon arrival, Irina learns she owes those in charge $10,000 and must repay the debt by prostitution. Irina’s handlers take her documents, beat and rape her, and make her a prostitute. Eventually they turn her over to another pimp in Brussels’ red-light district. Watching for a chance at freedom, Irina escapes one day—only to be jailed by the police because she has no documentation ...

The Story.

HT Orthodoxy Today


For those who give a hoot, there's this:

The Gospel of Judas says that the God you think is God isn’t God, that Jesus did not die for your sins, and that Judas was not the worst guy who ever lived for betraying the best guy who ever lived (to put it in the Sunday school vernacular most of us remember). In fact, Judas was not The Betrayer at all, but Jesus’ best friend and confidant, who was actually in cahoots with Jesus to have him crucified because His death was the only way to get Jesus back home to heaven and the Great Spirit from whence he came ...

If you must: More.

HT: THUNDERSTRUCK

If you'd rather not, there's THIS.


tmatt the MAGNIFICENT !!

Or at least precise and prescient "Doing that Episcopal media thang" ...

“Why in the world does the Episcopal Church get so much media coverage?”
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... and other right-believing Anglicans.


'Piscopalian. Meet the Anglicans.

They’re the modern stoned age family.

From the World of Vicky Gene, they’re a page right out of history.

Let’s ride with the family down the street.

Through the courtesy of 815.

When you’re 'Piscopalian you’ll have a yabba dabba doo time.

A dabba doo time.

You’ll have a gay old time!

Comment & Pic stolen from GetReligion:

I can’t fathom how the “in-your-face” attitude of the liberal side of that denomination has been moving anything “ahead.” It’s literally torn the denomination apart. As for self-congratulations, I have never met more self-congratulatory people than those on the leftward fringe of the Episcopal church. They believe they are LEADING the world to a Jesus-centered model of religion by accepting gay sexuality, and are very proud of it, to the point of messianic zeal ...

The STORY.

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In the Orthodox Church, most every service ...

In the Orthodox Home, most every time of prayer ...

Begins ...

O heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth
Who art everywhere present and fillest all things
Treasury of good things
And giver of Life
Come and dwell in us
And cleanse us from all impurity
And save our souls, O Good One.
Various translations, this one from memory

EXCEPT ...

We do not say this prayer from Pascha (Easter) until Pentecost -- when we "relive" the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples.

Grace reflects on this.

Seraphim on the season.
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The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America has a revamped webpage.

H E R E.
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I had wondered the same thing when I originally posted THIS on the former Archbishop's remarks.

David Mills hones in ...

"Carey really shouldn't complain about his disciples. A man who has driven his car off a cliff and boasts of his success ought not to condemn the man who in imitation gets in the car and drives it off the same cliff.

And oddly enough, that thoughtfulness is revealed in the treatment of homosexuality to which both I and George Carey object. Williams wrote at the end of an essay titled "The Body's Grace," collected in Theology and Sexuality (edited by Eugene Rogers and published by Blackwells in 2002) that:

In a church that accepts the legitimacy of contraception, the absolute condemnation of same-sex relations of intimacy must rely either on an abstract fundamentalist deployment of a number of very ambiguous biblical texts, or on a problematic and nonscriptural theory about natural complementarity, applied narrowly and crudely to physical differentiation without regard to psychological structures." Source

Now that's profound! Anyone accepting the legitimacy of contraception is on the slippery slope (very sorry, there) toward approving of all manner of sexual deviance. Hello Dawn?

But, returning to the topic at hand, last week I asked: What should non-Episcopalians hope for in the upcoming General Convention?

When it comes to those still struggling within the Episcopal Church, it may all just boil down to lyrics from another Kansas song ...

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see ...
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by Fr Victor Potapov

TODAY the Orthodox Church commemorated a great event in human history – the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, an event the Church celebrates on the day of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost).

The tenth day following the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ was the fiftieth day following Christ’s Resurrection. Following the Lord’s direct instruction, all of the Apostles, the Mother of God, other disciples of Christ, and other faithful were together, of one accord, in Jerusalem. It was the third hour of the day – in our terms, 9:00 AM. Suddenly there was a sound from the Heavens, like unto a mighty rushing wind, filling the entire house in which Christ’s disciples were. Then, tongues of fire appeared and came to rest upon ... each of them, a single tongue of fire upon each. This is the manner in which that great event is depicted upon icons of the Feast of the Holy Trinity – the assembled Apostles and the Mother of God, their eyes gazing up to Heaven, and symbols of the Divine Fire above their heads.

All of those assembled in the Upper Room in Jerusalem were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God in various tongues hitherto unknown to them. Thus, as promised by the Savior, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, in the form of tongues of fire, in token of the fact that the Holy Spirit had given the Apostles the ability and power to preach Christ’s teachings to all nations. It descended in the form of fire in token of the fact that it had the power to burn up sins and to cleanse, to sanctify, and to comfort and inspire the soul.

On the occasion of the Pentecost, there were at that time many people in Jerusalem who had come from various foreign countries; of course they were conversant in the languages of those countries. Hearing the noise, an enormous crowd gathered near the house in which Christ’s disciples were. Everyone in the crowd was astounded and asked one another, “…are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? How do we ... hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God?” Many of them suggested that the disciples were drunk.

Then the Apostle Peter, standing up with the eleven disciples, said that they were not intoxicated, but that, as prophesied by the Prophet Joel, the Holy Spirit had descended upon them, and that Jesus Christ, Whom the Jews had crucified, had risen from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and poured out the Holy Spirit upon them. Concluding his homily on Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter said, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2: 36).

Peter’s preaching so affected his listeners that quite a multitude came to believe on Jesus Christ. They began to ask Peter and the other Apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) Those who believed on Christ eagerly received Holy Baptism; that day, their number was about three thousand. In this manner, the Holy Church of Christ began to become established on earth.

Preceding the Feast of the Holy Trinity is a special commemoration of the departed – Holy Trinity Ancestral Saturday (this year, 2006: June 10).

Thus, three Feast Days – Holy Trinity Ancestral Saturday, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, and the Day of the Holy Spirit (the Monday following Pentecost) are days of intensified prayer both for the living and the dead, days of commemoration and salvation for all of us. That is why it is so important on those days to be together with our children, our entire families, in the Church of God, so that we might be one in prayer and in the sure hope of acquiring true treasure, the grace of the Holy Spirit, that was given first to the Apostles, and then to all of us Orthodox people. According to St. John Chrysostom, the Holy Spirit comes to us during prayer. Prayer is a means always available to us, but it is especially important to put it to use on Feast Days.

On Trinity Sunday, it is customary to decorate churches and homes with tree branches, grass and flowers. That is how the Old Testament Church celebrated Pentecost, and in all probability, it was how the upper room on Mt. Zion was decorated on that blessed day. The custom may also have been influenced by the appearance, in the form of three strangers, of God to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre, the site of the patriarch’s tent.

The New Testament Church retained that custom, but gave it a new meaning: Now the young greenery and flowers symbolize not only the bringing to God of the first fruits of the renewing Spring season, but also the Church of Christ itself, the Church which had, as it says in the liturgical chant, blossomed like a flower; likewise, it symbolizes people’s renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This post stolen (and revised) from St John Baptist Cathedral webpage. The image, The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Detail), is from the Monastery of Sopocani, found on the webpage of the Serbian Unity Congress.

For more on the Holy Spirit, go H E R E.
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Today, the Great Feast of PENTECOST, marks my 12th anniversary as an Orthodox priest.

What I wrote two years ago, though mucho melancholy, still rings true.

But this year has brought new challenges, struggles, and adventures. The words found under "Acknowledgments" in One Flew Over the Onion Dome may say it best ...

I must express my deep and humble appreciation to Metropolitan PHILIP and all Orthodox Hierarchs who not only welcome American Converts into their "families," under their domes, but paternally tolerate our tics, tantrums, and often misguided zeal. Eis polla, eti Despota!

I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the parishioners who have tolerated my many mistakes over the years, they are wonderful teachers. May God grant them good health, long life, and many years!

They say that one year to a dog is akin to seven for humans. Priests, thus, must be kin to dogs. For, when I was ordained 12 years ago by Metropolitan PHILIP in Jackson, Mississippi, I knew so, so very much. But, it was only a matter of time, say, 3 or 4 years, till, much like a 17 year old human, I knew everything. Now, knocking on the door of Teenaged Priesthood, I really am just happy to be here. I know that God is good. I know that Love is the most important thing. I know that I am unworthy. Somehow, everything else I know must fit into that knowledge or, well ... then there's Repentance.

It's all good.
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Lord Carey, the former archbishop of Canterbury, has delivered a damning critique of the Anglican communion, claiming that it has fallen apart since he was succeeded by Rowan Williams.

In a speech that will be seen as a direct attack on Dr Williams's ability to maintain unity in the Church, Lord Carey accused liberals of devastating the communion "that we once loved".

HT: NewsForum

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Charles Krauthammer writes...

Polygamy used to be stereotyped as the province of secretive Mormons, primitive Africans and profligate Arabs. With “Big Love” it moves to suburbia as a mere alternative lifestyle.

In an essay 10 years ago, I pointed out that it is utterly logical for polygamy rights to follow gay rights. After all, if traditional marriage is defined as the union of (1) two people of (2) opposite gender, and if, as advocates of gay marriage insist, the gender requirement is nothing but prejudice, exclusion and an arbitrary denial of one’s autonomous choices in love, then the first requirement–the number restriction (two and only two)–is a similarly arbitrary, discriminatory and indefensible denial of individual choice.

This line of argument makes gay activists furious. I can understand why they do not want to be in the same room as polygamists. But I’m not the one who put them there. Their argument does. Blogger and author Andrew Sullivan, who had the courage to advocate gay marriage at a time when it was considered pretty crazy, has called this the “polygamy diversion,” arguing that homosexuality and polygamy are categorically different because polygamy is a mere “activity” while homosexuality is an intrinsic state that “occupies a deeper level of human consciousness.”

But this distinction between higher and lower orders of love is precisely what gay rights activists so vigorously protest when ...

Click H E R E and scroll down.

Thanks to FWD from blog reader, Paul.
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Thanks to FWD from Stolzi.
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What should non-Episcopalians hope for in the upcoming General Convention?

Though I often pick on Episcopalians -- or rather, simply report their self-undoings (here's a retired bishop getting "married") -- I ask this question in all honesty.

I remember being at the 1991 General Convention in Phoenix. The event began with Native Americans in ceremonial dress "blessing" the altar by praying to Father Sky and Mother Earth. Though I kid you not, that sounds almost traditional compared to what's happened since.

Having converted to Orthodox Christianity a couple years later, I know that it takes a long time to be rid of the scars and baggage accumulated from years of infighting over outright heresy, time consuming whack-nuttery, and downright sickness. In my opinion, such struggles are absolutely fruitless and of the devil. It is a distraction -- as if Satan himself has set the agenda for a once great Communion. But, being so conditioned, Episcopalians fight on -- devouring each other and mirroring insanity for the world. It's not as if PECUSA has caved into worldly decadence. Rather, for decades now, Episcopalians have served as the envelope pushers -- making a mockery of themselves and revealed Truth in the process.

Souls are lost.

This is not the way.

So, tell me, What is?

Official site of the Convention.

Other sites of interest ...

Classical Anglican

A Prayer by Dr Peter Toon

Anglican TK

Oh! And ... PS: If anyone knows a Vendor headed for Convention, I've got a book to sell! Have them contact me ASAP.

:)
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Whoops! For those of you visiting here from Anglican TK ... here's the correct link.

Subdeacon Seraphim has put out a casting call! He writes:

Whether justified or not I have become pretty excited about the idea of trying to gather up some representative samples of orthodox writing that reflect our lives in this day and age. Of course, Frederica M-G is the prototype for that kind of writing, but I think a lot of people are writing about life in these times. I hope that people will submit some items for inclusion.

All you Eastern Orthodox Artistes are invited to contact Seraphim at Ancient Church or at:

seraphim at evlogeite dot com
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... Dawn Discovers:

"Evolution is the official state religion. Although it is possible to believe in God and evolution, it is not possible to not believe in God without believing in evolution -- otherwise, atheists have no explanation for why we are here. Thus, it's very important for the liberal clergy to force small school children to believe in a discredited mystery religion from the 19th century -- evolution -- in order to prepare them to believe in the nonexistence of God, one of the main goals of the American public education system."

-- The A. C.

View Comments H E R E.
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"In the Bible it is said that Moses heard the voice of the Lord saying to him, 'Moses, Moses, tell thy brother Aaron to light a lamp before Me day and night, for this is pleasing in My sight and is an acceptable sacrifice to Me.' That is why the Holy Church of God has adopted the custom of lighting lamps and candles before the holy icons of the Lord, of the Mother of God, and of the holy Angels and holy men who pleased God."

-- St. Seraphim of Sarov

Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham who goes on to write:
Toward this end candles are provided in the narthex of the church for those who wish to make this special offering. The action of purchasing the candle, and then offering it with a special prayer is a holy action. Candles are not to be taken without purchase like a church bulletin. Nor should parents allow children to take candles and play with them like play-dough in the church.

Let us attend!
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The conservative politics of the Bush administration forced me to have an abortion I didn't want. Well, not literally, but let me explain.

What Happens When There Is No Plan B?

Thanks to FWD from Theodora Elizabeth

Did you know that the Planned Parenthood Abortion Business made nearly $900 million last year?

It's H E R E.

Thanks to FWD from Paul in SC.
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I saw him in concert; it was 1973. It was Big Ways Birthday Ball, the old Charlotte Coliseum. The headliner was Black Oak Arkansas. (Not my pre-teen cup of tea.)

Also on slate: Charlie Daniels Band (pro-hippy & pre-Jesus) and the Four Tops. I can't remember the other acts. But, I'll never forget that big ol' Billy P hair. He came running out on stage in a shiny suit, swinging the jacket around over his head. He tore up the ivories ... "Will it go round in circles!"

Another thing I remember? I remember Black Oak taking the stage in big ol' whiteboy frizzy hair (pre-conditioner, combs & brushes, too), dressed only in spandex pants. (Unfortunately, that part at least: unforgettable.)

Then, Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas said -- growled -- after their first incomprehensible number: "People call us animals! We're not animals! Are we?" (The crowd, hippies nearly all, yelled back in the negative.)

Dandy continued: "WE'RE ALL ALIKE!"

That's when my Dad said, "Come on, let's get out o' here ... I ain't like him."

I realize I'm showing my age when, thank God, some are asking: "Black Oak What?"

Showing my age, too, by thinking ... 59? Whoa. That's way too soon to go.

May God rest his soul.
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June 6, 2006 (6/6/6)

For many of you this would be a good day to start that New Exercise Program.

And, after a tiring workout, what could be better than a little needle work?

Sigh. Ours might just be the first generation to bore the ol' devil.

Then again, what a spoiler this is, perhaps we should just check it off as another day.

SIXSIXSIX UPDATE: Know your enemy!
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I recently took my occasional detour into the world of the World. I bought a book by Steve Berry -- who'd done such a cool job with The Romanov Prophecy -- entitled The Third Secret. I know, I know. I KNOW! Okay?

Really ... I know.

But, I bought it. I tried to read it. The presentation of matters theological was poorly done, totally illogical. But, I'd paid for the book, I was going to read it.

Y'all, I got about 30 pages from the end and tore it up. Literally. It was paperback, I'm a man. Rocks, Paper, Scissors ... I won! I even tore the cover into little giblets and deposited them atop about twenty severed gum sided sections already in the trash can.

Let me spoil it for you: The real third secret of Our Lady of Fatima?

(Caution: It has been suppressed by the evil Roman Catholic Church.)

The "Virgin Mary" claims that God is not happy, pretty P-O'd in fact, because ... women should have freedom of choice (as she did!) in carrying babies to "full term" ... you should be able to love and marry whomever you wish (even same sex) ... celibacy is not required of clergy ... women should be ordained.

Okay, maybe the celibacy part needs to be revisited. But that's no secret, really.

Now, I'm fully aware that in the few remaining pages I dissed there might have been some sort of correction. I doubt it. In fact, to sew the seeds of doubt in the hearts and minds of the faithful is a biggie.

I promise: No more Steve Berry.

Now, for something completely different (but a whole lot alike), here's Subdeacon Seraphim writing in the style of Dave Barry about Dracula and an Icon.
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The priest had prepared a wonder-filled lecture on Iconography for the growing Adult Ed Class. He’d done his research – looking through books, magazines, and the internet. His goal was to not only teach how icons were painted (or written) but also their history, including a brief synopsis of the Iconoclastic controversy of the 8th century, etc. He'd made charts, graphs & timelines.

Most of the participants in the class were Converts – who eat this sort of thing up – and Reverts, those Cradle Orthodox who had “rediscovered” their faith and were hoping to delve deeper. The class had been steadily growing.

In fact, there was a newcomer on this particular evening. It was his first visit to an Orthodox Church. He claimed he’d read some things about Orthodoxy on the internet.

During the presentation, the priest used his charts and graphs to explain the controversy over icons (Iconoclasm). He also spoke of the symbolic nature of the colors used in iconography and the meaning behind the distorted shadows and depth as portrayed in iconography.

Throughout the class period he’d appreciated the smiling and nodding faces of the regulars. Their questions and comments exemplified their great interest in Holy Orthodoxy and the subject at hand. He’d only scheduled one hour for the class, but their interest had encouraged him. Now, 90 minutes into the Class on Iconography, he asked: “Any questions?”

Slowly, reluctantly, a hand went up catching the priest’s attention. He looked to the back of the room, everyone looked toward the newcomer. “Yes?” said the priest.

The country boy said: “What’s an icon?”

After the laughter died down, the priest realized he’d been too smart by half. All the preparation, all the zeal, the accumulation of knowledge ... was lost on the newcomer. (And, truth be known, probably on half the smiling – seemingly attentive – faces.) With all that preparation, the priest had forgotten to start with the basics, the fundamentals.

Quickly, everyone joined in in helping the newcomer to catch up to one of the “staples” of Orthodoxy: icons.

A few months later ... PASCHA.

Let me tell you some backstage info about PASCHA for priests:

1) they’re tired ... services, services, services ... fasting, fasting, fasting ... preparation of the church, etc.

2) priests want the liturgical experience of PASCHA to be special, awe-filled, in a word: miraculous

3) he desires this wonderment not only for himself and his family, but for the regulars, some-timers, one-timers, and even for the CEO crowd (Christmas, Easter & Other)

3) suffice it to say: TENSION IS HIGH

That night, the priest stood before the unusually packed church and cried out:

Christ is Risen!

The people responded:

Indeed, He is Risen!


Christos anesti!
Alithos anesti!

But over the crowd everyone heard a delayed:

-- Haleleuia!

(Some nervous laughter.)

Khristos voskrese!
Voistinu voskrese!

-- Praise the Lord!


El Messieh kahm!
Hakken kahm!

-- Yeeeee – Haaaa!!!!


Amid the excitement, most probably didn’t notice but, the priest’s face had become as white as his vestments. (Or ... okay, maybe as red as the eggs.) All that preparation ... all the expectation ... all the year long ... waiting for this one moment.

He decided he would remedy this immediately. Discreetly, he sent a Server out to tell the man just to reply “Christ is Risen!” -- "No matter what we say, just say 'Christ is Risen!'"

Later, as folks shared their feasting foods in the hall, the man approached the priest and said:

“Sorry ‘bout that. But, I didn’t know what y’all were saying. I’m just happy to be here!”


Today, the Sunday after the Great Feast of the Ascension, the Sunday before the Great Feast of Pentecost, we remember the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.

Why? It’s simple ... really.

There was confusion in St Constantine’s empire over the basic truth of the Catholic Faith:

Was the Son of God co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father?

Or, was the Son of God created later?

A great teacher at the time, Arius, claimed the latter. He taught that there was “a time when the Son of God was not” – thereby making God the Son a creature and not the Creator.

By now, most of you veteran-Orthodox know that Arius was condemned, even slapped by St Nicholas for his blasphemy, and the Council consisting of 318 Fathers were united in the Holy Spirit in proclaiming that the Son is co-equal, co-eternal with God the Father. To this end, they developed a sort of “Mission Statement” about the True Faith at the Council of Nicea.

What you may not know is that the heresy, known as Arianism, remained all the rage for over a hundred years after the First Great Council. In fact, the Fathers never intended for their Mission Statement to become part of the worship services of the Church. But, since the heresy persisted, it became necessary to define the communities of True Worship by inserting the Mission Statement – or, the Creed – into the service of the Divine Liturgy. In other words, just before Communion, “I believe in one God ...”

In essence, it’s simple ... what we believe. This Creed, the first part of which was fashioned in the year 325 in Nicea, though full of mystery and majesty, is a simple statement of belief. THIS is what we believe.

In today’s Gospel lesson (John 17:1-13) we once again hear our Lord’s high priestly prayer for unity – that all may be one – even as He and the Father are one. This, brothers and sisters, is simple. Our Lord prayed that his gathered disciples would be one as He and the Father are one.

Though hard for us to comprehend: God is simple.

As we enter this new phase of the Church Year, approaching the Great Feast of Pentecost, let us be mindful of the basics, the fundamentals, of our Faith. When we talk to others about Orthodoxy, let us be mindful to keep it simple.

We often hear reports and rumours of union -- between Rome and Orthodoxy; among the American Orthodox jurisdictions; between the separated Russian Orthodox, etc. But such talk and possible union is bound for failure if not based on the fundamentals, the essentials, the basics.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: God is one. Love God, love your neighbor. God is simple.

Keep it simple.

After all, even heretics can make it all complicated.
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Much is made these days when Catholics and Orthodox agree or even play nice.

Some may ask: What happened to the unity of the Church? Was it ever united?

There are currently over 2,600 Christian groups in North America -- all claiming, in one way or another, to be "the Church." So, instead of studying the "Church of What's Happening Now," we must look back to the "Church of What Actually Happened" for clues, answers, the truth.

The Church originated with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Lord's Resurrection, some 3000 souls were baptized into the Kingdom. The Faith soon spread throughout Judea, to Samaria, Antioch and the Gentiles. Within a few years after the Resurrection, there were Christian communities sprouting up all over the Roman Empire. This period of the Church's history is recorded in the Acts and Epistles of the Apostles.

Then what? What happened to the Church after it leapt off the pages of Holy Scripture into the second century and beyond?

Persecution. For nearly 300 years the early Christians were seen as a threat to the religion and politics of the Empire. Thousands were murdered -- martyred -- for the Faith.

In the year 313, the Emporer Constantine granted Christians freedom of worship. Not only did this signal the end of the persecutions, it showed that the Church had survived to become, and continue to be, a significant force in the Empire.

During the next six centuries the Church determined and authorized the content of the New Testament, formalized the framework of the worship services, saw the development of theology and doctrine by great pastors and theologians known as the "Fathers" of the Church. It was also during this period that Saints Cyril and Methodius exported the Faith -- which eventually made its way to the Slavs (Russia).

The fourth through the tenth centuries were also a time of struggle. The Byzantine Empire was on continual "red alert" against the Persians and Muslims. There were also many grave heresies within the Church. The greatest of these was the heresy of Arianism which taught that Christ was not truly God. This wind of error swept through the Church for centuries and is even present in some "denominations" to this day.

To battle such erroneous teachings, the Church convened councils. It was during what's known as the Seven Ecumenical Councils that the Church, by way of refuting the heretics, also proclaimed and defended the fundamental doctrines of the Faith. Bishops from around the world gathered at these councils to affirm the authentic teachings on the Incarnation and the Holy Trinity. Instead of creating new teachings, these gatherings proclaimed what the Church always believed and taught. The conciliar spirit and collegiality expressed within these authoritative gatherings are an important aspect of Orthodoxy. Five cities were sanctioned as centers of Church organization: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Each center had its own theological style, customs, and liturgical traditions. Yet they all shared in the unity of the Faith.

THE GREAT SCHISM

The splitting of the Church into Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) which took place in the year 1054 is known as the "Great Schism". There were many factors -- political, doctrinal, economic and cultural -- that fueled the division. However, two issues emerged above all others: Papal supremacy and an addition to the Creed.

The addition to the Creed, known as the Filioque (Latin for "and the Son") affirms that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Unlike the Creed which was authenticated and affirmed by two Ecumenical Councils (Nicea in 325 & Constantinople in 381), the Filioque was added at a local council in Spain in the year 589. The King, Reccared, claimed that "the Holy Spirit also should be confessed by us and taught to proceed from the Father and the Son". Although Kind Reccared may have meant well, his addition was not in accord with the Apostolic teaching about the Holy Spirit. The local Spanish council unfortunately agreed with his erroneous proposal.

For the East, this unilateral action (noted above and over the centuries repeated in various regions) was seen as a flagrant violation of the conciliar collegiality that was manifest and maintained by the Ecumenical Councils. It represented a major departure from the Orthodox doctrine of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. [For more on the Filoque controversy go HERE.]

The other major issue that finally brought about the Great Schism was the superior claims of control and power by the bishop of Rome. Although the bishop of Rome had always been viewed as "first among equals," he began to assert more and more unilateral and authoritarian control upon the rest of the Church. The ultimate "slap in the face" came in the year 1054 when a Cardinal, sent by the Pope, slapped a document of excommunication on the altar of the Church of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople during the Sunday worship. From then on the Western Church, centered about the Pope of Rome, and the Eastern Church, centered about the Patriarch of Constantinople, went their separate ways.

Although attempts were made in the years 1274 and 1439 to restore unity, no lasting communion was achieved. For certain, there are many factors -- political, cultural, and emotional -- that are involved in the continued separation of the East and West. However, the Orthodox Church believes that the two main reasons for the continued schism are the papal claims of universal jurisdiction and infallibility, as well as the addition and meaning of the Filioque to the Creed.

The centuries that followed the Great Schism saw the Western Church embroiled in the Protestant Reformation and the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Church of Rome became increasingly bogged down in political and theological problems. Martin Luther inadvertently ushered in the Reformation with his famous Ninety-Five Thesis. Though not his intention, his actions ultimately resulted in the Protestant body known as Lutherans. Hundreds of others across Western Europe also sought reform with the Church of Rome. The Reformation soon spread like a wild fire throughout the West. The Western Church's artificial unity was replaced by massive division.

There was also trouble raging across the way in England. Henry the VIII, in the midst of marital problems, decided to replace the Pope of Rome with himself as the head of the Church. Soon, the English Church would also be torn apart by division.

Some of these Protestant bodies, such as the Lutherans and Anglicans, held on to basic forms of Liturgy and Sacraments. Others, such as the Anabaptists and their descendents rejected many biblical ideas of hierarchy, sacrament, historic tradition, and other elements of Christian practice -- regardless of when and where they appeared in history -- thinking that in so doing they were freeing themselves from Roman Catholicism.

Thus, even though Protestantism and Roman Catholicism can each claim to have retained portions of foundational Christianity, neither group can lay historic claim to being the one true Church of the New Testament. [No doubt, some might say similar things about the Orthodox ... on their own blogs.]

We should all rejoice that steps are being made to reconcile differences and to heal this breach. Yet we must also be realistic. After centuries of separation, the way toward unity will not be an easy one. I am reminded of an old Anglican prayer: "Lord, revive Thy Church ...beginning with me." If each of us start there -- with ourselves, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling -- the path toward unity will be more God-pleasing. There's much good we can all do together in the meantime. The rest is on God's time.

For a timeline of Church History, go H E R E.

For further views on Primacy, Unity & Ecclesiology, go H E R E.


Revised from June 2005; not intended as exhaustive, nuanced, or final. Comments are moderated :)
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Quite possibly the wittiest thing you'll read today ...

H E R E.

Save, maybe, this:

My wife heard someone say that a co-worker had gone to see The Da Vinci Code and is now totally confused about Jesus marrying Mona Lisa.
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I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for -- but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.


I had posted this prayer back in March, 2005, from an email. Yet, today, I googled the first line and find a timely [Orthodox] reference here.

Also worth a look: Prayers for Enemies.
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Is ours the first (only) age when actively promoting the End of Time is in vogue? One would think that in ages past there may have been a mix of fear, superstition, and prayerful struggle to offset such nonsense. Not now.

I remember when the original 70's series of Omen books, then movies, came out. I devoured them. It did me absolutely, positively, No. Good.

Get ready.

Sensitivity to 666 has increased in recent years, possibly because of the 1976 movie "The Omen" in which Damien, a boy with a birthmark in the shape of the number in his scalp, turns out to be the Antichrist.

In 1988, after 50 years as 666 N. Lake Shore Dr., the former Furniture Mart, newly converted into a condominium building, was re-numbered 680. In the mid-1990s, after four decades at 666 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove Village, the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit got an entirely new address, 150 Lions Dr., without having to move.

Three years ago, federal officials changed the number of U.S. Highway 666 ("The Devil's Highway") through New Mexico, Utah and Colorado to 491.

In anticipation of June 6, T-shirts are being sold at one Web site with the logo "06.06.06/Date of the Beast." Source

Back when I worked in a fast food restaurant, people would add something else to their order -- a taco or chips -- if the original total equaled $6.66. But, times have changed. Here's a few upcoming "devil day" events:

- "Omen 666," a remake of the 1976 movie, will open.

- The Church of Satan will host a satanic high mass, already sold out, at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles.

- For unexplained reasons, at least 17 couples in the Dutch city of Enschede -- more than five times the usual number -- are planning to get married that day. Source

Yet, some are still spooked by the sequence. The above article mentions one woman who will be induced, another to have C-section, to prevent their babies being born on June 6, 2006.

Oh, and I love this USA Today piece where the author uses "Revelations" (instead of Revelation). That's what really makes all this stuff authentic. Holy typos.

Just in case it soon gets edited, here tis: "As in 666, the "number of the beast" or Anti-christ in the Bible's Book of Revelations. But that link to the agent of Lucifer certainly isn't scaring marketers."

Yet, this gal doesn't even capitalize the book's title: "Turns out, an ancient Greek scroll may have had a typo of epic proportions. Translated from Greek, the book of revelation may have actually said the sign of the beast was 616, which would make the demonic date tomorrow." Source

She wrote that yesterday ... meaning that today is


BOO!

Actually, of course, for Orthodox Christians, today (this year) is:


A Great Feast.
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