ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.: January 2008

Monday, January 28, 2008

Ecumenism & the Pope

House Blessings and seasonal busyness has prevented regular blog updates -- yet, this piece, sent to me a while back by Jean-Michel, is interesting: An interview of Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren to daily Danas (translated from serbian policy site).

Q: It is well-known you aren't an ecumenist. What is your opinion about the Ravenna statement adopted by members of joint theological commission of Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church.

A: Why wouldn't we say the other way – I'm against ecumenism because I think such a fashion of ecumenism is damaging the purity of Orthodox Faith and will not lead to the healthy union of Christians, than to dilution of the Orthodox Faith and weakening the piousness of the Orthodox Christians. Though Ravenna Document is available, the hierarchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church have not been officially informed by those present in Ravenna what happened there, what was signed, what the paper actually means and what competencies and to whom it offers. In any case, I think that the fashion that some representatives of Serbian Orthodox Church, regardless empowered or not, signed on our behalf something without the authorization of the Council or Synod, is not binding to anyone in Serbian Orthodox Church, as long as it didn't pass through the meeting of the Holy Council.

Q: Generally speaking, what's the attitude of SOC about the primacy of Bishop of Rome, although the Ravenna Statement isn't explicit if it was primacy of honor only, or of authority, too.

A: It is absolutely unacceptable to any Orthodox soul, not only for the entire SOC, since when we speak about Papal primacy we know it is only one of the reasons causing Roman Catholic Church to apostate from the Church of Christ in 1054. Among the other, never have the Bishop of Rome had the primacy in the Orthodox Church in the sense that's been applied by Roman Catholics today and tried to be imposed on everybody else. As the Bishop of Rome, he had the primacy of honor for the significance of the city where he resided, which was the capital of the Empire in Christ's time, the entire known world of that time. We cannot even speak about the issue of honor today, because he is not a bishop of the Church until the unity in Faith is achieved. The unity in faith between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox is still very distant.

Q: One could conclude there are various theological views within Orthodoxy about co-operation with RCC, since Orthodox theologians participated in the works of Joint-Commission while the document has been harshly criticized by their brothers.

A: There exist only those persistent in their exposition of Faith and those ready for various kinds of compromise and economia. Many Orthodox participants at those ecumenical gatherings are not confessors of their faith, accordingly, they can't represent the teaching of the Orthodox Church. If they were really representatives of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Faith, they would, above all, listen to the Apostle Paul whom says: “stay away from a heretic upon first and second approach”. How long are we going to attend those dialogues, commissions – until eternity? Are we counseling there those in heresy, in error? No, we are seeking the compromise with them. True love of a Christian is to provide eternal life to a neighbor, meaning one needs to say straightforwardly and frankly that another one is in error and try to get him back to the truth and direct him to the path towards salvation. Approving someone to remain in his error is not love, it is hatred of a man, according to St. Maximos the Confessor.

Q: If you say that the unity can be reached only if another party repents, Roman atholics say that “nobody is sinless” - how could that be solved?

A: Nobody is sinless in the sense of personal sins, but in the sense of confession of the Faith, the Orthodox Church have erred nothing. That's the Church of Apostles, Church of the Fathers, Church of Ecumenical Councils, holding the truth once delivered by Lord Christ, through the Apostles which was delivered to us unhampered, while there is no doubt that Roman Catholic Church in many segments of Faith and particular dogmas is away from the right path. Without the unity in Truth, in true Faith, is not possible to speak about the Bishop of Rome at all, even less about his primacy – either of honor or of authority.

Q: How could Orthodox know they erred nothing?

A: From the history of Church, from the teaching of the Holy Fathers, Holy Canons, Ecumenical Councils. It isn't an arbitrary allegation, than the continuity through two thousand years, proving this is the Faith preached by Lord Christ and Holy Apostles.

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

Nojoyatall

It was late one Friday when the call came in. I looked down at my cell phone and, though I didn’t recognize the number, I flipped the phone open and said: “Hello, this is Fr Joseph …”

The distraught voice on the other end came from a concerned mother, “Father, could you please come visit my son? He hasn’t left his room in days … I can hear him in there every now and then, praying or singing or whatever it is y’all do … there’s smoke coming from beneath his door … he hasn’t taken any food … he’s moping around … bitter toward one and all …

Forgive me, but is this part of your religion?”

I didn’t know the woman, but I knew the disease all too well.

Her boy was suffering … he obviously had a severe case of Nojoyatall.

It can strike at any time – anyone! God bless him. I told her I’d be over first thing in the morning.

What causes Nojoyatall?

It varies …

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

KID CHURCH: Instructional Liturgy

These pics are from our second "Instructional Liturgy" celebrated in St Elizabeth Chapel as part of our Church School curriculum. Our first experience was last fall with the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. This past Sunday, it was the Pre-K through 2nd graders' turn.

One of the highlights is performing the Proskomedia, the bread prep, in the midst of the community. This service, usually done long before parishioners arrive -- especially young children -- helps us appreciate and understand more fully the Eucharistic offering.

The children were allowed to say the names of their loved ones, living and departed, as a particle of bread for each name was placed on the diskos.

Periodically during the course of the Liturgy, the Youth Director, Michael Sakran would explain what was taking place -- and its meaning for the worshippers.

Of course, one of the most delightful segments of such a venture is the Q & A with the youngsters.

For example ...

This past week's Gospel mentioned those with leprosy.

When I asked if anyone could tell me what the Gospel reading was about, someone offered that it said something about ...

Jaguars.

Jaguars?!

"Hmmm. Jaguars ... OH! You're right! It sounded like LEOPARDS!" (So then I got to explain what a leper was.)

Another young person asked, "How did Jesus die?"

Before I could answer, someone offered: "The police did it."

Okay ... so I agreed that He was arrested ...

And then someone said it was the fault of ...

are you ready for this?

... the Germans!

:)

Another kid, quite radomly, asked: "Do you own a computer?"

Just when I was getting into all this excitement one hand shot up and a young boy asked: "Is this almost over?"

No doubt, that's a popular question among parishioners of any and every age.

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Ancient Faith ... Changes

AFR founder John Maddex announced this week, "It is a joy to introduce our second streaming station at Ancient Faith Radio called Ancient Faith Talk. Our survey results this past fall revealed a common thread of thought from our listeners, 'Please give us a second station to house all of the wonderful podcasts and keep your first station primarily music.' So starting on Saturday, January 19, you will have Ancient Faith Music, Ancient Faith Talk, and Ancient Faith Podcasts (for download)."

On Ancient Faith Talk, each hour of the day will feature several of our podcasts, interviews and lectures. Since the lengths of our features vary, some hours will have less talk than others but each hour will have ample and substantive programming with the hour filled out with English language music and readings.

Ancient Faith Music will then be preserved to showcase the wonderful music of the Church interspersed with short inspirational quotes from the Fathers, the Psalms and liturgical verses. The collection of podcasts for free download at your convenience also continues to grow. Our 18 unique features will be joined by at least a half dozen more in the next couple of months. Be looking for new and regular podcasts from people like Father Thomas Hopko, Father Michael Oleska, Father John Hainsworth, Father Hans Jacobse, and more.

Visit Ancient Faith Radio to discover Ancient Faith Music and Ancient Faith Talk!

The above News Release was stolen from the newly designed Antiochian Webpage ...

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Hello Jiddo, Hello Yaya

An Orthodox twist on Allen Sherman's famous 60's song parody, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" ...

Hello Jiddo, hello Yaya.
Here I am at Camp for Martyrs.
Camp is very entertaining,
Today they say we’ll even study icon painting.

I share my bunk with Joseph Spivy.
He snores just like my Amou and my Tye-tee.
Next you see me, I’ll be thinner ...
Because they serve lentils and rice each night for dinner.

All the counselors hate the waiters,
I swear the girls are instigators,
And the Priest he wants no sissies,
So he reads to us from ...

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
Pic from Camp St Raphael, 2006.

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Friday, January 18, 2008

ONE: Spirit & Flesh

Where the flesh is one, one is the spirit too. Together they pray, together prostrate themselves, together perform their fasts; mutually teaching, mutually exhorting, mutually sustaining. Equally are they both found in the Church of God; equally at the banquet of God; equally in straights; in persecutions, in refreshments. Neither hides from the other; neither shuns the other; neither is troublesome to the other; the sick is visited, the indigent relieved, with freedom. Alms are given without danger of torment; sacrifices without scruple; daily diligence without impediment; there is no stealthy singing, no trembling greeting, no mute benediction. Between the two echo psalms and hymns; and they mutually challenge each other which shall better chant to their Lord. Such things when Christ sees and hears, He joys. To these He sends His own peace. Where two are, there withal is He Himself. Where He is, there the evil one is not.

-- Tertullian (2nd - 3rd c.)

Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham.

Pic stolen from the website of St Elizabeth the New Martyr.

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Thursday, January 17, 2008

It's Coming ... This Saturday

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AJALAT on AFR: Toward an American Orthodox Church

Ancient Faith Radio Will Discuss Orthodox Unity in North America with Charles Ajalat on this Week’s Illumined Heart ...

Chesterton, IN—The Illumined Heart—a program of Ancient Faith Radio—invites listeners to tune in this weekend for a compelling discussion with attorney Charles Ajalat entitled Toward an American Orthodox Church: questions of unity.

In this interview Mr. Ajalat will share his insights into the unique conundrum of Orthodoxy in America—that is, multiple jurisdictions who share the same doctrine, worship, canons, and spiritual life, but who are administratively separate. Mr. Ajalat will show how such division of resources and multiplication of leadership run counter to historical precedent, canon law, and—most importantly—present a flawed and confusing picture of Orthodoxy to those around us. Possible scenarios for what jurisdictional unity might look like and how to achieve it will be discussed, as well as the role of SCOBA. The interview will also explore the idea of “diaspora,” and whether or not this is a helpful, or indeed valid, characterization of Orthodox Christians in America.

Mr. Ajalat is a powerful voice for Orthodox unity with a great deal of pan-Orthodox leadership experience. Currently chancellor and board member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, he was also the architect of the historic Ligonier Meeting of Orthodox bishops in 1994—the first meeting of all twenty-nine bishops in North America. He also founded the highly effective pan-Orthodox charitable organization International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), where he also served as chairman. An attorney by profession, Mr. Ajalat is founder of a Los Angeles law firm specializing in tax and litigation matters, and a graduate of Harvard University and the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles.

This interview will be available as a podcast on the Ancient Faith Radio website on Saturday, January 19, 2008. To listen, visit Ancient Faith Radio and follow the link to The Illumined Heart under Podcasts. This program will also air three separate times this weekend on streaming radio. Visit the website for schedule details.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Pope Turns His Back on the West

A parishioner sent the following note & accompanying link (which included the pic) ...

I thought that a new development, namely Pope Benedict celebrating the Roman Catholic Mass facing East, was a pretty important one, and I thought I would send you a link about it. Its the first time that this has been done by a Pope in public since Vatican II. Hopefully this important step the Pope made today will help with Orthodox and Roman Catholic relations in that the Pope is trying his best to bring the Western Church back to the place where it should be.

[In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, during the Rite of Baptism, Satan is rebuked while facing west; Christ is accepted while facing east. Kudos to the Pope.]

Thanks to Ian for the link.

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Monday, January 14, 2008

The Messiah Formerly Known as Jesus

Reposting this review; the book, just released, is a really funny read (especially for Net Surfers with a goodly dollop of theoknowledgey).

Dispatches from the Intersection of Christianity and Pop Culture
Tom Breen, author
Fr Joseph Huneycutt, only the reviewer

It’s high time that someone finally wrote this book, but it should have been me. I’m a bit put off that there was not a more sufficient waiting period. Scout’s honour, I’m writing just as fast as I can. Please, in the future dear publishers, be patient. In this changing world of electronic gizmos (e.g., transistor radios, electric football, night-lights, and hot air popcorn), it’s difficult to stay ahead of the curve. Now comes word that there’s such a thing as an “Internet Theologian.” Who knew? Or, to use the hip e-parlance of the day: It. Should. Have. Been. Who? That’s right. Me. (For those of you above the age of 50, try diagramming the above phrase. Weird, huh?)

Well if you’re just now grasping weird, you’ll find no better primer than this little book – especially if you like things a bit on the churchy side. But, be warned: If you believe laughing to be a sin, you may, at this very moment, be on the threshold of grave danger. Do not. I repeat. Do not read this book. Unless, of course, you’re some sort of radical that believes sin is good for the soul.¹

[NB: Scroll down for footnotes.]

As I have already mentioned – or, in case you just joined us – this book was not written by me. It was written by millions and millions of tiny words invented by Tom Breen.² Calling himself the Internet Theologian, he writes:

First, there will be times in the course of this book when you will scratch your head and say, “I never knew that before. I’d better double-check it.” However, your fact-checking efforts will come to naught, because many of the statements I use to make points in this book are “pre-facts”: that is, they are statements that sound plausible, but for which there is yet no conclusive evidence to establish their accuracy.

What a goof. Please, bear with me as I pilfer a few more of his words:

In summary, what you hold in you hands is an impassioned attempt to explain, for the confused and bewildered, the places where religion intersects with popular culture and what this means for Christianity, America, and the future of movies marketed to audiences who don’t think there should be any swearing in war films.

Seeking here to prove my original point, I not only could have written those words – I just did!³

This work is not only cutting edge, entertaining, and life-changing, it’s also downright necessary. Religion is at the forefront of public debate in America in a way it hasn’t been since the great Civil Rights Era, when the Rev. Martin “Junior” Luther issued the famous Emancipation Proclamation from the steps of Faneuil Hall, with its immortal opening phrase: “Fourscore and seven years ago, I come not to praise Caesar, but to bury him.”

As an aside, those of you who know where or what a Faneuil is, please inform me at NoFunkyWords@hadIwrittenthebook.con.

You may be thinking to yourself, “Hey! If I’d wanted to read something really witty, something on the cutting edge combining technology, theology, chronology, and [insert favorite ology word here, like, for example, blog] I would have really gotten wiki with it and read Tom Breen’s new book, The Messiah Formerly Known as Jesus – Dispatches from the Intersection of Christianity and Pop Culture. Alas, I’m afraid to say, you would be wrong.⁴

As an Orthodox Christian, I was pleasantly surprised that the author used the word Orthodox (not, mind you, the more common dinky-o “orthodox”) at least seven million times in the book.⁵ For instance,

Orthodox Christians: Until recently, most scholars agreed that Orthodox Christians didn’t really exist. Like werewolves, fairies, and Romanians, they were simply a charming Old World fable designed to delight children with outlandish details regarding the rich, luxurious beards and interminable arguments about the proper interpretation of Greek words. Upon further reflection, some scholars now cautiously hazard the guess that there are roughly 250 million Orthodox Christians in the world, with a lineage stretching back to the earliest days of the Church. As for what these strange, chanting, hirsute folk actually believe, though, no one is yet confident enough to hazard a guess.⁶

Oh, don’t fret. The author makes fun of – which means explains – your particular brand of Christianity as well. What, you think I have all day? You’ll have to write your own review! Though, trust me, there’s big words to be learnt here:

Apokatastasis: This extremely long Greek word (meaning, literally, “Dukakis-like furlough program”) basically means “everyone gets off scot-free.” It’s sort of like what would happen if God were a Democrat. Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and the awesomely-named Gregory Thaumaturge are the key early proponents of this theory. However, it fell into disfavor when Origen (or, possibly, just his backup singers, known as the Origen-ettes) suggested that even the Devil would be saved. Running into him in Heaven would be even more surprising than meeting Judas there, and marginally more of a shock than bumping into your Uncle Al.

Adult Converts to Orthodoxy are aware of the healing effects of just saying the word Apokatastasis. Oh sure, it’s a heresy all right. But only liars will say that it ain’t fun to say.⁷ Let me just add another footnote here.⁸

As I am getting fairly close to ~~plagiarism~~ – ~~copyright infringement~~ – the end of this book review, I must skip ahead through a good chunk of the Internet Theologian’s attempt at writing my book to steal the following two paragraphs:

Grown-Up Hippie Christians are important for our purposes because they have such a close and familiar relationship with popular culture. Since childhood, when TV was invented by Milton Berle, these people have thought of their lives in terms of popular culture, from the Beatles to the satisfying documentaries of the Sundance Channel.

And just as no one is better suited to explain Christianity than the Internet Theologian, no group is more skilled than the Grown-Up Hippie Christians at translating the confusing world of theology to the argot of pop culture. So why don’t they get more attention?⁹

Ah yes, here we are at the end of this review. But I shall not leave you hanging, dear reader. Closure is needed. First, a question: Do you have an Uncle Al? Me neither. So that part about not seeing him in heaven meant zippo to me. Now for the spoiler, since I was not allowed to write the book, though the blame is yet to jell in this regard, I shall leave you with – honest to goodness – the final paragraph of The Messiah Formerly Known as Jesus taken, I believe, from the book of Ezekiel:

“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary not to praise Caesar, but to bury him, two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by. We hold these truths to be self-evident: I think, therefore I am. Do unto others. I can call you Betty and Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al.”¹⁰

______________________________________

1 - Obviously, this should read: “Unless you believe that laughter is good for the soul” – but you know what I meant!

2 - For the record: Ever since I was young, I have used the word million, millions of times, to refer to “a whole lot” (i.e., way more than fourteen).

3 - The Internet Theologian’s book lies beside me on the couch, but I solemnly promise that I have typed every single word you have just read into my very own keyboard. (He merely wrote them first. And you know what the Bible says about those who are first, right? But I digress.)

4 - Facetious is a fun word, though often mispaled.

5 - Fourteen is also a big number.

6 - I hazard to say, mind you, that I would never have used hazard twice in the same paragraph. And, thinking back to the fourth grade, I seem to recall that hirsute means “close friend of Scooby-Doo.”

7 - Note: The word must be said with emphasis – at the very least – fourteen times.

8 - But don’t be fooled! Heresy may lead to icky bad things like what happened to the man Santa Claus slapped: “Arius eventually died in a bizarre bathroom incident, and really, the matter should have ended there. Who’d want to be a member of the party of the guy who exploded outside an outhouse” (p.117).

9 - That was the first time I’d ever typed the word argot and it was much easier than I would have thunk.

10 - Remember that music video with Paul Simon and Chevy Chase? Me neither. But this book is way, way too funny to miss! So, since you didn’t write it, you might as well read it. Granted, there will be some who’ll claim that I stole the writing style of the author in fashioning this book review. I say, “Prove it!” I mean, how do they know I didn’t write the review first?

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MEXICO: Winter Service Retreat (Final)

Final pics of the Winter Service Retreat sponsored by St George Church, Pharr, Texas -- again in Mexico ...
Part 1 ... Part 2 ... Part 3 ... Part 4... Part 5

As evidenced by the tree in the background, the Retreat takes place each year just after Christmas. Youth from all over the country travel down to the Rio Grande Valley for a week of worship, fellowship, spiritual sessions, and service to the poor and needy.

On this particular day, while visiting Casa Amparo Orphanage, here stands some of our group awaiting instructions on a favorite activity among teenagers ...

Lunch.

While we're waiting ... isn't this cool? It's the entry to a small prayer chapel on the grounds.

And this? This is the Orphanage/Convent dryer. (You know, like washer-n-dryer. Mr Maytag is never needed here.)

Notice the razor-wire fence tops ...

... especially the broken glass topped walls. These help prevent any residents from being abducted. Young girls, in this impoverished area, are often forced into working the streets for "survival."

You don't even want to climb this tree!

A citrus tree in the lush garden.

Some retreatants -- after lunch, wishing for a siesta ... happily awaiting the bus ride into the markets at Reynosa to do a little shopping before Friday's retreat's end.

That's Fr Antonion Perdomo speaking to me, thankfully in English; I would be lost otherwise. He and his wife, Matushka Elizabeth, do a wonderful job of putting together -- and pulling off -- this event off each year. (Yet, their parish helps to feed the poor and needy year round!)

Pray for them, help them -- join them next year in Pharr, Texas.

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

MEXICO: Winter Service Retreat (5)

More pics from the Winter Service Retreat sponsored by St George Church, Pharr, Texas -- again in Mexico ...
Part 1 ... Part 2 ... Part 3 ... Part 4

On Thursday, January 3rd, our group of helpful retreatants visited Casa Amparo Orphanage to deliver collected school supplies, clothes, food, and other items.

Teens! Working!
Working AND smiling!

(Do try this at home :)

I made them promise not to take my picture ... unless I was (also) working. I believe I actually stole that bag from one of the teens just before shutter's click. :)

After unloading our supplies, we listened to the Abbess relate (through Fr Antonio's translation) the history of the Convent/Orphanage ...

Then, it was time for a tour of the grounds ...

The monastic garden ...

... and, at every turn, Mexico's most beloved religious and cultural image, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Saturday, January 12, 2008

My Cup (of Joe) Runneth Over

So I’m filling the car with gas on my way to Vespers last Saturday when a woman approaches me … saying she’s on her way to church and asks if I can spare a few dollars.

I said, “Sure – what, you need some candle money?”

“Oh no, she replies, I’m gonna get a cup of coffee!”

As I give her the dough, I ask: “Your church charges for coffee?”

“You betcha! … we even have baristas now! It’s much better than those worldly coffee joints … what, you know … I mean, it’s like: Coffee and the Lord! ”

At this point, I got a quesy feeling and stammered:

“Uh … you wouldn’t happened to be Eastern Orthodox would you?”

“Oh no, silly!” She said. “I’m a Vanilla Jordan-Water, Spirit-infused, Forvever-with-the-Lord Frapachino Christian!

I like ‘em with a Cherry on top! Heehee!”

And, with that, she thanked me – and hurried off.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like coffee and all. But … hmmm.

Which got me thinking … Coffee AND the Lord.

Coffee and the Lord ?

This gal couldn’t wait to get to her church for the coffee.

And, knowing how Converts can be so very zealous for their newfound Faith, I was hoping she wasn’t Orthodox.

You know what would happen, dontcha? That’s right, someone being too cute by half would name the blends after Saints …

You’d have the ...

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

* For much of this week's podcast, I am indebted to THIS.
Thank you!

Image stolen from here.

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Women on Mt Athos

Associated Press - A group of female protesters locked in a land dispute with the Greek Orthodox Church defied a 1,000-year-old ban and entered the all-male Mount Athos monastic sanctuary in northern Greece, a police official said Wednesday [1/9/08].

A police spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity that the small group of nearby villagers, including at least six women, climbed over a fence Tuesday and briefly entered the self-governing peninsula, where women are strictly forbidden.

Parliament member Litsa Amanatidou Paschalidou was among the women who entered the sanctuary. She called it a "purely symbolic act," which was meant to send a message to the church to "pursue policies which serve the public and not its financial interest."

The protesters, who say the monks are making illegal claims on their property ...

The story.

Image source

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Friday, January 11, 2008

MEXICO: Winter Service Retreat (4)

Here's a few more pics -- these taken across the border in Mexico -- from the 3rd annual Winter Service Retreat hosted by St George Church (OCA), Pharr, Texas.

More pics from Mexico in Parts 5 & 6.

Part 1 ... Part 2 ... Part 3

You can't really tell, thanks to the electrical pole and bridge railing, but this is a Ha-Yuge! cemetary just over the border in Mexico.

And these, believe it or not, are nice dwellings for the living. (Believe me, down in a large garbage dump -- with "houses" built from trash, we witnessed worse.)

One of the nicer homes.

Click to enlarge -- the garbage men of this Mexican border town use horse and buggy to collect ~~construction supplies~~ junk.

Onward to deliver supplies to the orphanage ...

Hasta la vista!

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

PHARR: Winter Service Retreat (3)

The theme for the Retreat was taken from Defeating Sin and entitled: SEVEN - Two Adams, Two Eves, One Rule, Two Trees.

My purpose in being at the Winter Service Retreat was to deliver "spiritual sessions" -- or, as Reader Abraham, a seminarian at St Tikhon's joked, to facilitate nap time. But, by all observations, he was just kidding.

I think!

Part 1
Part 2

Here's a picture of him playing soccer, however, looking suspiciously refreshed following ... a spiritual session.

Oh my. They all look energized.

Hmmm. Young people. Go figure.

Amem! Uh ... Reader Abraham?

Yoohoo! Reader Abraham ...!

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Bush in Ramallah

RAMALLAH, West Bank - President Bush, summing up meetings with both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, said Thursday that a peace accord will require “painful political concessions” by each. Resolving the status of Jerusalem will be hard, he said, and he called for the end of the “occupation” of Arab land by the Israeli military.

Here's the story.

He also called for an end to the choke-hold the overseas Patriarchates have on their respective local churches in the so-called Diaspora when it comes to Orthodox Unity.

(Okay. I made that last part up.)

Photo courtesy of Drudge.

For more, in French -- though the pics are in English:) -- go HERE.

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PHARR: Winter Service Retreat (2)

CAUTION: The following pictures show teens working. These are actual teenagers and not actors brought in just to fool you. Parents, please exercise extreme care when viewing these. They may frustrate you. And, no, I cannot say as to whether these kids are available to come clean your kids' rooms.