This site is administered by a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church, a native of North Carolina, living in Houston, Texas. Unless otherwise noted, all views & articles published here are my own: copyright 2004 - 2008 by Joseph David Huneycutt. Thanks for stopping by.
-- Father JosephTuesday, October 30, 2007
Archimandrite Zacharias on "DEFEATING SIN"
This attractive exposition of current, yet timeless, anthropological issues is distinguished by its clarity of vision and originality of expression. As the book unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the unbroken Tradition of the Church is the sole key to understanding God’s revelation to man. Because the author has so firmly placed his trust in the holiness of this Tradition, his thinking, both creative and inspired, elucidates the charismatic character of the way of salvation which leads to the renewal of life. His doctrine is sound, and it will surely prove to be of great value in informing and convincing the heart of modern man about God’s truth.-- Archimandrite Zacharias (Zacharou) of the Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, England.
You can order signed copies of DEFEATING SIN - Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever through PayPal in the side margin (at top left) -- or (unsigned) through the publisher at Regina Orthodox Press.
For notes from Fr Zacharias's lecture on "The Hidden Man of the Heart" ...
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Or ... order the entire series of presentations HERE.
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Monday, October 29, 2007
The Monastery - The Movie
Sundance Film reviewer Ty Burr wrote:“The Monastery” ... was another surprisingly engrossing documentary in this year’s strong line-up. It’s about a very old Danish man, the redoubtable Mr. Vig (at left), who wants to deed his castle to the Russian Orthodox church. He writes to Moscow, they send out a delegation of nuns to check the place out, and so this often funny, ultimately moving story begins. The place is falling down, Mr. Vig is a human relic, and the head nun, Sister A, is a tough cookie who hammers out the best deal for the Church and God. In the process, we learn the depths of intelligence and lifelong loneliness in the old man, and get a sense of what he is reaching for with his gift. If that sounds sentimental, “The Monastery” is anything but – director Pernilla Rose Gronkjaer hovers around these two ornery spirits with curiosity and tact. I’m glad I met these people.
More -- H E R E.
The movie link again.
Still M O R E.
Somehow I missed out on this ... anyone seen it?
Thanks to a tip from blog reg, Andrew.
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Fr Nicola Yanney
TODAY is the 89th anniversary of the falling asleep in Christ of Father Nicola Yanney of St George/Kearney, NE, the first priest ordained by St Raphael of Brooklyn following his consecration to the sacred episcopacy on March 13th, 1904. Until his repose Father Nicola was the only resident priest to serve the territory which is now our Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. He was tonsured a Reader by St Raphael at St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY on March 17th, 1904, ordained Subdeacon on March 20th, Deacon on April 2nd, and Priest on April 3rd. Next October, to mark the 90th anniversary of his repose, our Diocesan Fall Gathering will take the form of a Diocesan Pilgrimage to St George Church and Father Nicola's grave in Kearney where a new gravestone, to be erected by our DOWAMA Clergy Brotherhood, will be blessed and prayers offered for the repose of his soul and that of his wife Martha, and those of all the departed clergy and their wives who have served our holy temples. May his memory be eternal, and may you be granted long life.DOWAMA = Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America.
-- Taken from the DOWAMA Clerby Brotherhood email of 10/29/07.
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Saturday, October 27, 2007
Bending the Rules Out of Love
Have you ever known a staunch rule follower? I mean someone who seems obsessed, good and bad, with following rules?Me?
Hey, I’m a lists person. I like to check things off. Did this, done that, need to do that …
Back when I did my clinical training at a state mental hospital my fellow chaplains joked that when I died, I’d check that (Life) off the list, too!
And, if you promise not to pick on me, I’ll admit I’m pretty big on the rule-following thing.
I’m fairly certain that if something tragic happened and all of you –- everyone on the planet -- was suddenly vaporized, except for me, I’d probably still stop at red lights till they turned green. (Then again, if you’ve ever driven in Houston, you know it’s true – I’d better hope I was the only one stopping at the red light, because if there was only one other driver in Houston – he’d surely rear-end me right then and there! Then, of course, I’d want to swap insurance info … even though, being the only two people left on the planet … oh well … you get the picture.)
Then there’s love … Love messes with the rules.
Love changes the rules.
But, before I get to the Love Stuff, let’s start with something I know more about ...
Listen to the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Thursday, October 25, 2007
"Defeating Sin" at Camp St Thekla
Fr Joseph Huneycutt’s book, DEFEATING SIN - Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever, provides a deep exploration of the Passions and the Virtues. It is also serves as a wonderful spiritual tool for making a good confession. Fr Joseph’s work was implemented at Camp St Thekla, where we used the concept in our Christian Education program. The campers and staff were blessed to be able to come to a deeper understanding of the Passions and Virtues and learn how to make a more meaningful and full Confession. Even the youngest of campers enjoyed this program, and especially found the Meditations in the book inspiring. I highly recommend Fr Joseph’s book to anyone looking for a spiritual aid to help them on the constant journey to Repentance.-- Ashley Kevorkian, Camp St Thekla Christian Education Director, 2005
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
MATUSHKA: The Sad Media & the "Happy" Wizard
On Stress from Work
Geronta, many people return home from work stressed out.I suggest to men that if they can, they should find an open church after work, go in, light a candle and stay inside for ten to fifteen minutes. Or go sit in a park somewhere and read a small section of the Gospel, so as to quiet down a bit. Then they can go home in peace, smiling, instead of stressed out and ready to pick a fight. They shouldn't bring work problems home with them -- leave them at the door on the way out.
-- Elder Paisios the Athonite
Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham.
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Sunday, October 21, 2007
Dumbledore is as Dumbledore ... does?
Dumbledore’s a Sissy?I don’t think that’s what she was saying.
Dumbledore just couldn’t control his urges?
That neither.
How ‘bout simply: “Dumbledore was a happy man!”
Could be, but I’m pretty sure the old school usage of the word was not intended.
Were her comments advocating sin?
I believe that would be a stretch.
What WAS she saying and does it matter?
Well, here’s what's being reported:
The big revelation of the night came when she was asked if Dumbledore had ever found love. With a sigh, she seemed on the verge of saying no, but then revealed, "my truthful answer to you... I always thought of Dumbledore as gay."
Story.
Maybe it all depends on what the word gay means.
… to you.
Wait.
What does it mean?
An old article of some relevance.
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Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Passing of Metropolitan Gabriel (Saliby)
This notice just in (French only) thanks to Jean-Michel -- click the first link for a note in English:Nous venons d’apprendre le décès du métropolite Gabriel (Saliby) «dans la nuit du 19 au 20 octobre 2007, à l'hôpital américain de Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine), des suites d'une longue maladie. Âgé de 82 ans, il était, depuis 1980, l'évêque des communautés antiochiennes en Europe occidentale, avec résidence à Paris, d'abord comme auxiliaire patriarcal, puis comme métropolite diocésain, à partir de 2000. (…) Ses obsèques devraient être célébrées dans la cathédrale grecque Saint-Etienne, à Paris, par une délégation d'évêques du patriarcat d'Antioche et les membres de l'Assemblée des évêques orthodoxes de France.», rapporte le Service orthodoxe de presse (SOP).
Pour lire le communiqué de l’Archevêché grec-orthodoxe d’Antioche en Europe occidentale et centrale, cliquez sur ce lien.
Mémoire éternelle !
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The Great Orthodox Awakening
I was on my way to a seminar having spent the night in a coffee house. Did you know that ever since the Orthodox Church bought out Starbuck’s they now have overnight rooms available?Yep.
Then …
The Orthodox Media limo arrived sporting a big Blockbuster ad on its trunk – with endorsements of various movies by popular Monks, Priests and Bishops … and there I was being whisked away to for a meeting of MMPFACF – the Media-Minded People for the Furtherance of the Ancient Christian Faith.
We had to speed, clipping a hundred miles per hour most of the way, to try to stay away from the Ecclesiastical Paparazzi. You know how it is whenever there’s an Orthodox gathering these days!
The Great American Orthodox Hall had the red carpet rolled out from the entry way to the curb … But, to keep it all in perspective, the word HUMILITY was embossed in Large white letters down the center of the runner.
As the limo pulled up to the curbside, the gathered choir of 5,000 voices began to sing ... It was hard to get out of the big black people mover – what, with one hand hand-cuffed to the brief case which I had been given by the mysterious man during last night’s secret rendezvous, but more on that later …
I understood my mission. With Orthodoxy having become so popular, so suddenly, now was the time to really excite the masses and generate much needed revenue to all the parishes. All those years of struggle … little apartment missions, garage cathedrals and such … here we were entering a new era thanks to what many were calling the Great Orthodox Awakening.
Some say it all started when Bill Gates admitted that ...
The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Friday, October 19, 2007
JK Comes Clean on HP and IC XC
Finally, the truth about Harry Potter ... click the link.
UPDATE: The Hogwarts Prof, John Granger, promises an upcoming piece on JK's most recent "revelation."
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UPDATE: The Hogwarts Prof, John Granger, promises an upcoming piece on JK's most recent "revelation."
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The St Philip's Prayer Discipline
Recently I posted a piece here and on the Orthodixie Podcast ("Developing a Rule of Prayer") at Ancient Faith Radio concerning the St Philip's Prayer Discipline. For those interested, here's the application.Those of you who have responded to the Podcast will be receiving materials next week.
Plans are currently being made to host an SPPD webpage which would allow members to post prayer requests and provide updates regarding parish participation and helpful prayer resources. We also hope to produce a biannual newsletter, available through mail, email, and on the Web -- to keep members connected.
The greatest challenge is updating our files. Due to some outdated mailing lists and "computer issues" we need each and every one of you who were previously enrolled in the Prayer Discipline to say so. If your parish has an SPPD group, let me know the contact person. If you have been a member in the past and have lapsed but would like to get back on board, let me know. If you are just now hearing about the Prayer Discipline and would like more information ... let me know.
Here's the contact info:
EMAIL: Orthodixie at aol dot com
SNAIL MAIL: Fr Joseph Huneycutt, St George Orthodox Church, 5311 Mercer, Houston, TX, 77005
Our own group, at St George - Houston, will be having an organizational meeting following Vespers on November 3rd. All are welcome.
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Wednesday, October 17, 2007
3rd Thursday at St George, Houston
Monthly Mediterranean LuncheonThursday, October 18th
St George Orthodox Church
5311 Mercer, Houston, Texas 77005
Held on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 11am — 2pm in the church hall.
Lunch plates are $8.00.
Menu
Thursday, October 18th ~ We will have piping hot beef kefta, fresh salad, homemade hummus, a scrumptious blend of rice with peas, carrots & roasted nuts, and pita!
Invite your friends, co-workers and family!
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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Flaming Infallible Fences in Yon Wilder Wood
See that guy with the chainsaw. Notice the big wood he has slain. Look closer and you will see how he crushed my fence! If a guy will do that to a fence in Texas ...
Think about it: Texas Chainsaw ______________ ...
Well, who knows what else he might try. So I took my family and we fled ...
We
Always looking back over our shoulder ...
Stopping occasionally to
Deeper and deeper into the alligator infested wood ...
We'd been here before.
Until we found the one man who could help us ...
That's right, Big Sam.
Big Sam told us to mix the metaphors --
Fences make good neighbors.
Don't go burning bridges.
He said, "Burning fences makes good neighbors."
So we burned the wounded wood of our former fence ...
And who should appear but JP II!
Okay, so I made up that last part. But, here's the story.
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Monday, October 15, 2007
UPDATE & ENDORSEMENT: Defeating Sin
UPDATE: The books have arrived and will be going out in today's mail. Thanks for your patience & support!
In the spiritual struggle in which all of us must engage on the path to salvation, one of the greatest challenges is to crucify daily the many passions that war against us from our youth. Specifically, we must replace the seven deadly passions – pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, avarice, and sloth – with the virtues that enable us to become like God.
Fr Joseph Huneycutt’s book, DEFEATING SIN, presents a detailed examination of the sinful passions and their corresponding virtues, a guide for repentance and confession, and meditations that encourage both an understanding and a realization of spiritual growth.
This text is an excellent spiritual guide for the individual Orthodox Christian who truly seeks to grow in theosis and a template for retreats and workshops that focus on this very important subject on the parish, deanery or diocesan level. A creative and inspiring approach that is both Scriptural and patristic-based, I wholeheartedly recommend this work for clergy and laypersons alike.
-- Very Rev. Michael G. Dahulich, Ph.D.
Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary
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Saturday, October 13, 2007
Just Because You're Ugly Doesn't Mean You Can't Sing!
Some of you are too young to remember … But. There was a time when what you looked like held no bearing on your popularity – your “making it” -- as a singer. It was only with the advent of MTV that we became a video obsessed world.But, face it, in reality you don’t have to be good looking to sing.
Besides, faces not only reveal a lot, they can also hide a lot!
One of my seminary instructors used to say: “By the time you’re 40, you’ve got the face you’ve earned!”
Wow.
Now that’ll make one take a double-take in the ol’ mirror … “By the time you’re 40, you’ve got the face you’ve earned.”
But …
Is that really true? I mean, hey, are you talking about my morning face? The one at mid-afternoon? Or the happy, cheesy, plastic one reserved for Olan Mills and pictures at Christmas?
Exactly WHICH face are you referring to?
I have the pleasure of serving with two wonderful priests: one younger, the other older, than myself. I mentioned to Fr Joseph the older, one Sunday morning: “You know you’re getting old when you refuse to look in the mirror for about the first hour of your day.”
He said, “Oh no ..."
Listen to the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
DEFEATING SIN: Passions & Virtues
Passions and virtues – words not generally used in everyday vocabulary in the 21st century. Yet, who of us has not seen lives ruined or exalted as a direct result of one or the other of these words and their implications. This book provides meaningful and practical insight into the significant “opposites” that affect our lives both here and hereafter. Fr. Joseph takes us to that fateful garden where the first Adam, the first Eve and the first tree set a course for death and destruction. But he also takes us to a hill where the second Adam, the second Eve and a very different tree changes that course for eternity. Read this, go to confession, and then read it again.John Maddex, General Manager, Ancient Faith Radio
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Can You Hear Me Now?
VATICAN CITY, OCT 8, 2007 (VIS) - From October 8 to 15, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox is holding its 10th plenary assembly in Ravenna, Italy, according to a communique issued by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.This session is the second to be held since the reactivation of dialogue during the 2006 plenary in Belgrade. The commission was established in 1979 by Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I, and held its first assembly in Patmos-Rhodes in 1980.
The document to be analyzed by the commission at its current gathering is entitled "the ecclesiological and canonical consequences of the sacramental nature of the Church - conciliarity and sinodality in the Church." The study of this document, the communique reads, "was part of the program agreed at Patmos-Rhodes in 1980" but was "suspended to make way for questions concerning the relationship of Orthodoxy with the Oriental Catholic Churches following the collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe. With the plenary of Belgrade, the commission reactivated its normal theological agenda."
The commission is made up of 60 members, 30 Catholics and 30 Orthodox, and is jointly presided by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Excellency Ioannis (Zizioulas), metropolitan of Pergamo. The Catholic members are cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and lay experts in various fields. The orthodox members represent - in the order indicated by Fanar - the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Moscow, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Serbia, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Romania, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Bulgaria, the Orthodox Church of Georgia, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the Orthodox Church of Greece, the Orthodox Church of Poland, the Orthodox Church of Albania, the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and of Slovakia, the Orthodox Church of Finland, and the Orthodox Church of Estonia.
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Thanks to FWD from Fr Miguel GraveDePeralta.
UPDATE: Russians Leave Ecumenical Talks in Rift with Constantinople
More here.
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Tuesday, October 09, 2007
I think that I shall never see ... a tree cry.
A Priest friend says the first question that need be asked when an icon is found to weeping is: "Okay, what did you do to make her cry?"I'll have to ask him how to word it when the subject is a tree ...
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - An acacia tree that started sprouting a foamlike substance on its branches after its owner died is drawing hundreds of people a day to see what some believe is supernatural ice.
To the naked eye, the white stuff about 20 feet up in the tree looks like ice braving the South Texas heat.
Not likely, say insect and tree experts who viewed photographs of the substance. They said the "miracle ice" is probably nothing more than a spittlebug nest.
"It looks like spit, basically," agreed Paul Johnson of the Texas Forest Service ...
Here's the story from The Dallas Morning News.
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Monday, October 08, 2007
BLANCO: On a Ring and a Dreher
The travesty and tragedy that was Christ of the Hills Monastery is, for some, an enigma; for the families of the victims: an open wound.Lord have mercy.
For those (and I've met a few) who had prayers answered, even miraculous cures, through their relationship with that monastery ... well, adding confusion to mystery rarely results in rational answers.
Rod Dreher, editorial writer and columnist for The Dallas Morning News, has his own story to tell. It's a worthy read -- though hard to read without wincing.
Caveat lector
"Monk was a fraud, yet now I am blessed" ... HERE.
HT: THUNDERSTRUCK
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Saturday, October 06, 2007
INTERVIEW: Defeating Sin
This week's Orthodixie Podcast is totally unscripted -- which means there's no script teaser here.John Maddex of Ancient Faith Radio sat down with me on Friday to chat about DEFEATING SIN - Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever.
Click H E R E to listen to the "Defeating Sin" Interview.
Click H E R E to order the book.
Or, for signed copies - and to help feed a growing family of five - click the appropriate button in the left side menu of this page.
:)
Pic courtesy of Doug N. Burns.
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Friday, October 05, 2007
ENDORSEMENT: Defeating Sin
This book is like a treasure chest filled with gems of wisdom from the Fathers and Theologians of the Church. Each of these jewels help give insight to the common reader on the Fall of man, the Passions, the Virtues, Spiritual Warfare and the way toward Repentance. Fr. Joseph, in his warm personal style, not only attempts to give us a theological understanding of the themes but provides practical helps in the form of definitions, prayers, and inspirational meditations. These tools are great assets to have for those who are seeking to apply the material in order to struggle against the Passions, aspire to the Virtues, and properly prepare for the sacrament of Repentance.A great resource for self examination!
-- Constantine Shepherd, Youth Director, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Thursday, October 04, 2007
NEW BOOK: Defeating Sin
The publisher hopes to have my new book in stock by next week, the second week of October. Order your copy from Regina Orthodox Press or through this blog (PayPal - see options in the left side margin). Thank you!
DEFEATING SIN will help readers to better understand the disease that troubles the human soul.
DEFEATING SIN will prove an invaluable aid for those engaged in spiritual warfare, helping them make that U-turn from the passions toward the virtues.
Christians of all denominational backgrounds will benefit from the ancient wisdom of the Church Fathers and the perpetual call to repentance. Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Anglicans will find the book’s helpful guides for making a good Confession memorable, indispensable — a must!
DEFEATING SIN investigates the nature of the Passions and the saving grace of the Virtues.
- What led to the fall of the Archangel Lucifer and one-third of the heavenly hosts?
- What caused the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve?
- What causes our own stumbling?
- How can we identify the traps and temptations of the enemy?
- How do we get back up once we’ve fallen?
- How can we struggle toward God-pleasing solutions – even the Kingdom of Heaven?
May you, reader, be blessed and enlightened and encouraged in your struggle by the wisdom contained in this book, to the glory of the All-Holy Trinity and the salvation of your soul.
-- Bishop BASIL
This book has evolved over several decades of reflection that is both personal and part of our Orthodox family inheritance. This is a read that will bring many back through its pages just as memories of powerful retreats and epiphanies return to us and become once again moments of grace in an hour of need. DEFEATING SIN: Overcoming our Passions and Changing Forever is a book that will be marked up and well-worn by those who own it and no doubt shared with other Christians who long for a well of renewal and a blessed retreat.
-- The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield - Chancellor, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary
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Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Sure! I’ll pray for you. Pray that I pray more!
Prayer. It’s one of the three pillars of our struggle as Orthodox Christians …Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
It’s how we work out our salvation.
And yet, for many, Prayer presents the greatest challenge of the three.
In fact, if I may be so bold to say: Without Prayer the other two, Fasting and Almsgiving, are nothing more than Dieting and Philanthropy.
First of all, what do we mean by Prayer?
I’m always amused when others say of Orthodox: “Oh! You pray out of a book?”
Yes, it’s true, unless you’ve memorized the prayers – we do!
I’m tempted to respond: “What? Your preacher preaches out of a book?”
The chief end of Prayer is to glorify God. Now, for some, that may be a no-brainer. But, believe me, for many -- it’s a new concept.
Let me state it clearly: Prayer is not simply talking to God (though it is that).
Prayer is not simply worrying in the name of Jesus. Remember? He told us not to worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)
Nope … worrying in Jesus name is not praying.
Our Prayer should give glory to God.
When the disciples came to Jesus and asked: “Master, how should we pray?”
Jesus did not respond: “Just talk to me.”
I mean, they were talking to him!
Rather, as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke: He was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of his disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
And He said to them ...
Listen to the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Monday, October 01, 2007
What's in Polamalu's locker?
Polamalu: . . . Tuesday is also our only opportunity to go to church together, so we do that.Cole: When and where do you go?
Polamalu: It starts at 8:30 (a.m.). . . . It’s the Nativity of the Theotokos monastery (in Saxonburg, Pa.).
Cole: I know you’re devoutly Christian . . . but exactly which denomination?
Polamalu: Greek Orthodox. Theotokos literally means the Mother of God.
Cole: How long are you in services?
Polamalu: They usually go to about 12:30.
Cole: That’s a four-hour service. Is that a normal service?
Polamalu: Pretty much, especially at a monastery.
Cole: Can you describe it?
Polamalu: What’s really neat about the Orthodox church is that it’s like walking back in time 2,000 years to the time of the Apostles, when they created these services. You walk into that and it’s really like living it. They have maintained the truth ever since the beginning.
So ... What's in Polamalu's locker? Click the link below.
Pic & Teaser Source
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From Hinduism to Orthodoxy in France
“I felt immediately that I should turn to Orthodoxy because I didn’t want to abandon my relationship with Jesus - who didn’t feature in Hinduism. In Orthodoxy I found both Jesus and the closeness with God that is a major part of Hinduism,” Mother Thaiss said.The monks and nuns pray twice a day. The services are unique. In the Russian Orthodox Church they are conducted in old-fashioned Russian, and the congregation always stands. Here the services are in French and the worshippers are seated.
The Story.
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