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

I hope the editors at TOUCHSTONE will forgive my lifting some lines from their latest issue ...

"The US Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from a high-school football coach who was banned from bowing his head during student-led team prayers. Without comment, the nation's highest court ended Coach Marcus Borden's efforts to overturn a township decision that, as a public employee, Borden cannot mix religion with his work as a coach. The High Court's decision leaves intact a federal appeals court's April 2008 decision that Borden's desire to bow his head and take a knee during team prayer is an endorsement of religious activity at a public school. (RNS, 3/4/09)" -- p. 41, NEWS

What's Under God

One nation under God ...

"Is this phrase from the US Pledge of Allegiance constitutional? Why should a secular state that is supposed to be neutral on religion want to include such an affirmation in its pledge?

In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus has been shipwrecked trying to get home from the Trojan War. He washes up on shore in a strange land. When he meets the inhabitants, there is a burning question in his mind: Who are these people? 'Savages are they, strangers to courtesy? Or gentle folk who know and fear the gods?'

If they recognize the gods, there are certain standards of behavior he can reasonably hope for from them, for Zeus cares for wayfarers and will 'avenge the unoffending guest' who is mistreated. But people who do not believe this might do anything. And so it plays out: The Phaiakaians, who honor the same pantheon, care for him, but the Cyclops, who 'cares not a whistle for your thundering Zeus,' devours half his men. Even a false religion may be better than no religion at all.

Individuals in our country have the right to believe in any god or no god. But is is important that the state, which upholds that right, conceive itself as under the same higher authority. If there is nothing above the state, the state becomes absolute. When the state becomes absolute, freedom is a myth. Thus, a democracy capable of guaranteeing freedom of religion --even for atheists -- is possible only if it is 'under God.' Christians should be thankful that our official documents still recognize this fact, and citizens of every faith should pray that it stays that way." -- Donald T. Williams, p. 5 - QUODLIBET

In every issue there is so, so very much more ...

I told Fr Patrick Henry Reardon last summer at the Village: "Ever since Florence King left National Review, the only back page that's truly no-miss-read-worthy is yours."

Isn't it time you subscribed?
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Christ is RISEN!

Or is it …
CHRIST is Risen!

Or, maybe …
Christ IS Risen!

Orthodox are a peculiar lot; where else would you find folks arguing over which syllable to stress in proclaiming the Lord’s Resurrection?

Christ is RISEN!

CHRIST is Risen!

Christ IS Risen!

Oh, no, it’s not heard so much in English – I mean, hey, most of us are new to this whole thing, we’ll take your word for it …

But, among Middle Easterners, if you say Al Masseh Qam! -- you’ll hear anything from stuff like: Haqqan Qam … to Hock EN Qam … to Hock-n’am.

How they say it depends on which part of the Middle East they are from. (And which part of the Middle East they're from may determine whether they'll correct you or not.)

Then there's that whole nuther accent which sorta sounds like Elvis is not home!

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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The following notice was sent to me by Matushka Elizabeth Perdomo ...

St. Peter the Aleut
Orthodox Summer Camp
Monday June 29th – Friday July 3th, 2009

UPDATE: Get it all HERE.

St. Peter the Aleut Orthodox Summer Camp (since 1993) serves the OCA Diocese of the South, Southcentral Deanery and any other Orthodox youth and their friends who would like to attend. Camp will again be held at the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce at Possum Kingdom Lake, South of Weatherford, Texas (about 2 hours S. of Ft. Worth).

Dates: Monday, June 29th (after Lunchtime) - Friday, July 3th (after Breakfast). Note: Everyone will be home on Friday afternoon, before the 4th of July weekend.

Cost: $260.00 per person (per youth, junior or senior counselors or adult chaperones) PRIOR to JUNE 1st. After June 1st: $280.00 per person. In addition to younger campers, older youth, college students and adults or parents are needed as camp staff. Note: It is recommended that another $10.00 be sent per student, for meals while traveling to and from camp.

Camper Participant Ages: About 3rd Grade through 12th Grade (Ages 8 – 18) - Children need to be of an age and maturity capable of being away from home for overnights and of caring for their basic needs.

Camp Staff: Older Teens, College Students, Young Adults and Parents are needed to serve as Junior and Senior Camp Staff.

Space Limitations: Camper Spaces are Limited, so Register SOON! You Must Register Prior to the Cut Off Date of June 22nd.

Registration Packets: Packets include: Items to Bring, Medical Information, Registration Form, Parent Release, etc. It is very important to complete and return these as soon as possible! All forms can be found online HERE. If you need camp scholarships, please speak to Fr. John Anderson to see if any are available.

Location: Go HERE for information and driving directions. Camp activities include swimming, canoeing, sailing, shooting, archery, horse back riding, crafts, fellowship, prayers, liturgical services, spiritual sessions and much, much more!

Information: For more information, send any email questions to Father Antonio Perdomo at padreantoniop@aol.com or call Father John Anderson in Dallas at: 214-528-3741. Make payment checks out to St. Seraphim Cathedral, earmarked “Summer Camp” and mail payment along with registration packet forms to Fr. John Anderson, c/o St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral, 4112 Throckmorton, Dallas, TX 75219.
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Father Andrew Damick wades into the real meat of the Paschal matter --

When someone says Christ is Risen! --

Should we respond Indeed or Truly He is Risen?

Regardless, please don't verbalize HAS.

Read it.

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Now that the Metropolitan and Bishops of the Antiochian Archdiocese have met -- statement here -- I am repeating the teaser (below) for this week's Orthodixie Podcast ...

Christ is Risen!

So, there I sat ...

I was sitting in a dark room and tied to a chair, when suddenly:

Whoooosh!

Bright lights were shining in my eyes so that I couldn’t see my surroundings.

A strange voice asked: “So, Fr Joseph, what is your opinion on the current state of affairs in Antioch?”

The wha-? I replied.

“Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about … it’s all over the Internet … it was in your parish bulletin … you’ve heard all the chatter … why have you not commented on the current controversy in the Antiochian church?”

There I sat, being interrogated by this menacing man about my opinion on the current state of affairs, when into the room burst none other than ...

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Following the Paschal Agape Vespers on Sunday afternoon, we headed out toward Chappell Hill, Texas, to take in the Bluebonnets.


Does this dress make me look fat?


She looks better in a dress anyway.


The teen is missing, but the dog subs.


Life as an eleven year old boy in Texas ...


... is probably twice as nice when you're a soon-to-be-seven girl.


Happy Bright Friday!

Christ is Risen!
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Pastfast, ME - Plans are currently underway for this year’s Lenten Superlative Awards Banquet at St Kismet in Gethsemane Falls. Last year’s gala saw a total of 13 awards being presented to the best and worst participants in the Great Fast.

“I think it’s a wonderful way to show our appreciation to those who have led the way,” said long-time member and infrequent faster, Billy Gullible. “Before coming to St Kismet’s, no one recognized my spiritual feats, perfect service attendance, swift prostrations, and longest prayer rope. Now, thanks to these awards, I have something to strive for!”

Sandy Cornfed was disappointed in last year’s Most Likely to Succeed recognition: “Early on, at the pre-Lenten Cheesefare dinner, I was voted most likely to succeed. Alas, I did horribly. I ate three cheesecakes that night … only to continue eating all through the Fast. I thought by ‘most likely to succeed’ they were speaking of my fasting! I was horrified to learn that many were actually betting on my gluttony. I mean, what kind of success is that?”

Tom Brittle, who looks like he has never eaten more than twice in his life, is currently the Ferocious Faster front runner. “Ain’t nuthin’ to it,” T-Bone says “… it’s all in the wrist.”

The wrist?

“Yup. If you abstain from using your wrist for the entire fast, no doubt about it: You tend to eat less.” (Suffice it to say no one’s seen Tom mowing his yard either.)

Betty Offded went home last year with the Humility Award. One would think that a memorable occasion. But, explains Betty, she was stripped of the award soon after: “All I did was place the award in a prominent place, on a lighted shelf, in my den … and the priest cried foul during my recent house blessing … and I lost the award.”

Ben Thurdonethat was actually arrested soon after his Alms Giving Award. The case is still pending, but sources say that the beggar that Ben kept giving money to was actually working for Mr Thurdonethat; therefore it does not count as alms giving and is actually an illegal form of tax evasion. However, Ben was commended for actually giving his award away.

Deacon Methuselah, last year's winner of the Most Graceful Prostrating in a Long Black Robe award, has finally reached the age where he is being honoured with the coveted This Side of the Grave (Life Time Achievement) award which entitles the recipient to no longer do anything strenuous other than show up for services. “It’s taken a long, long time for me to attain this state,” said the 104 year old deacon.

Not everyone is up to speed on the competition, however ...

Ernie Slack asked: “What’s a ‘prostration’ and can we eat 'em on fasting days?”

To which, Aida Walrus (always a little slow) asked: “What’s this about a fast?”

Stan Merr won last year’s Longest Lenten Confession award, but some cried foul: “Th-th-they thi-thi-thi-think that jj-j-jju-just because I stu stu stud d d d der … I c-can’t mu make a g-gu-ggood confes confes confession.”

The following will also be awarded:

Happiest Looking Faster Award

Tastes Too Good To Be Tofu Award

I Read the Rudder Religiously Award

Not to mention the most coveted --

Zero (Zilch, Nada, None) Peanut Butter Award

This year’s newest category – Favorite Fasting Song – saw some stiff competition between “Just stiffen that back if you’re a male, females get a grip” (from an old Orthodixie Podcast) … and a last minute entry called “If You Knew Sushi, Like I know Sushi”

And yet, in the end, everyone agreed that the show stopper, the top topper, the Celeb de plume! was – is – none other than ---

Bwwwp Bwwwwp ! Bwwwp!

Ladies and Gentlemen, hang on a sec … that’s a NoBrainer Alert …

Bwwwp!

Hold on … here it comes …

TA! DA!

(whisper) The God-Man.

That’s right. Though it sounds trite and sacrilegious, it amazingly occurred to everyone, at about the same time that the Fast was not about Food or Feats by Fasters Far and Wide …

Rather, it was all about God and His love and mercy.

Cause, you see, the Light of Christ – the light of the resurrection that shines from the empty tomb – does not just shine forward into the new season of PASCHA …

No.

The light of the Resurrection, this great Feast of Feasts, PASCHA, even shines BACKWARD … redeeming our poor and imperfect efforts during the Great Fast.

God, the Holy Spirit, is willing and able to take even our unworthy efforts – failures, even – and fashion them to His glory …

You can’t tell me things don’t look different on this side of the Feast!

And, no … it’s not the part about eating meat …

Honestly, come on now, though those first few bites of feasting food were heavenly … that sensation soon wanes … (believe me, it won’t be long before you’ll be missing the Fast – really!) but the glory of the Feast is the Light of Christ that shines back into our memories … in through our struggles … and washes away the gunk …

Yes, that is the glory of the Feast … the glory of Christ … the joy of the Season.

PASCHA

Redeemed.

Redeemed by the Light of Christ which shines forth from an empty tomb.
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So, there I sat ...

I was sitting in a dark room and tied to a chair, when suddenly:

Whoooosh!

Bright lights were shining in my eyes so that I couldn’t see my surroundings.

A strange voice asked: “So, Fr Joseph, what is your opinion on the current state of affairs in Antioch?”

The wha-? I replied.

“Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about … it’s all over the Internet … it was in your parish bulletin … you’ve heard all the chatter … why have you not commented on the current controversy in the Antiochian church?”

There I sat, being interrogated by this menacing man about my opinion on the current state of affairs, when into the room burst none other than ...

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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Happy Pascha from the Huneycutts!


Be on the look out for these two boys. They run under the name Pee Kays.


Oops. Looks like the Pee Kays are an equal opportunity bunch.


Wait. It seems that when the boys are alone they also run with Two Fingers D.

Christ is Risen!
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The following notes [an annual "tradition"] come courtesy of Fr Mark Mancuso of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr, Columbia, South Carolina.

Christ is Risen!

A few notes for Bright Week and the Paschal season.

• We greet one another during the entire Paschal season (which lasts 40 days) with the words: "Christ is risen!" and the response to the greeting is: "Indeed, He is risen!"

• During Bright Week, the Holy Doors and the Deacons' doors of the iconostasis remain open symbolizing the empty tomb of our Master and Savior: Christ is risen!

• During Bright Week, our prayers in church and at home are sung and not read as we sing all week the feast of the risen Christ: Christ is risen!

• During Bright Week, our morning and evening prayers are replaced by the singing of the short service of the Hours of Pascha (see your prayer books or see below): Christ is risen!

• During Bright Week, we do not read from the psalter at home or in church for the prophecies have been fulfilled: Christ is risen!

• During Bright Week, there is no fasting as we are at feast with the Bridegroom who processes forth from the tomb: Christ is risen!

• During the entire Paschal season there is no prostrating or kneeling permitted in church or at home for we stand with the resurrected Christ: Christ is risen!

• During the Paschal season we begin all of our prayers at home and in church by singing the troparion of Pascha: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"

• During the Paschal season and extending to Pentecost, we do not pray "O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth..." for the Comforter comes on Pentecost. Christ is risen!

• And most important of all: "A Pascha worthy of all honor has dawned for us. Pascha! Let us embrace each other joyously!...This is the day of resurrection. Let us be illumined by the feast. Let us embrace each other. Let us call 'Brother' even those who hate us, and forgive all by the resurrection, and so let us cry: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!" "And unto us He has given eternal life. Let us
worship His resurrection on the third day!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PASCHAL HOURS

PRIEST: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages

But a layman sayeth: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.

Amen. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life. Thrice.

Then we chant:

Having beheld the resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only Sinless One. We worship Thy cross, O Christ, and Thy holy Resurrection we hymn and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee, and we call upon Thy name. O come, all ye faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection, for behold, through the Cross joy hath come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we hymn His Resurrection; for, having endured crucifixion, He hath destroyed death by death. Thrice.

The Hypakoe, eighth tone, once:

Forestalling the dawn, the women came with Mary, and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and heard from the angel: why seek ye among the dead, as though He were a mortal, Him Who liveth in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Go quickly and proclaim to the world that the Lord is risen and hath slain death. For He is the Son of God Who saveth mankind.

The Kontakion, eighth tone, once:

Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hades. And didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! And giving peace unto Thine apostles: Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.

And these Troparia, eighth tone, once:

In the grave bodily, but in hades with Thy soul as God: in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast Thou Who fillest all things, O Christ the Inexpressible.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

How life-giving, how much more beautiful than Paradise, and truly more resplendent than any royal palace was Thy tomb shown to be, O Christ, the source of our resurrection.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O sanctified and divine tabernacle of the Most High, rejoice! For through thee, O Theotokos, joy is given to them that cry: Blessed art thou among women, O all-spotless Lady.

Lord, have mercy. Forty times.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

If a Priest Serve: In the name of the Lord, Father bless.

PRIEST: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, and of all the saints, have mercy on us.

If a Reader's service: O Lord bless.

Amen. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life. (thrice) Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

If a Priest Serve: Father bless.

PRIEST: May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, and trampled down death by death and on those in the tombs bestowed life, through the intercessions of His most Pure Mother, and of all the saints have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and the Lover of mankind.

If a Reader's service: O Lord bless!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Indeed, He is Risen!

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The [kinda] soundtrack.
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A sermon, widely circulated on the Internet, has led to an apology (or sorts) from His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH:

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- On Great, Holy and Good Friday, April 17, 2009, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, issued the following statement in response to recent commentary on his April 5, 2009 sermon, delivered at Saint Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX.

“I greet you in a spirit of repentance and forgiveness as we celebrate the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Certain comments that were made in the course of my sermon have provoked a reaction from my Orthodox brothers that I did not intend or foresee. I regret making those comments. In particular, I realize that some characterizations regarding the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarchate of Constantinople were insensitive. As the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, I am motivated only by the desire to underscore our fervent hope that future discussion about the so-called Orthodox Diaspora will include the Orthodox Church in America and other Orthodox jurisdictions in North America.

It is also my purpose to affirm our Church in the face of those who would question our presence as a local Orthodox Church in North America. “It is now clear that I made statements that were uncharitable. I do apologize to His All-Holiness as well as to others who were offended. I also hope that through personal contact and acquaintance we might be able to overcome any misunderstandings that might arise or have clouded the relationship between our Churches in the past. My hope is that we might cooperate in an attitude of mutual support in our common mission, to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the spirit of this Great and Holy Friday, I sincerely pray that as we contemplate Our Lord, Who ascended the Cross to “bring all men to Himself,” we will see in His patience and long-suffering the way to continue our work together for the witness and mission of Orthodoxy in the world and for Orthodox unity in North America.”

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I posted this as a tweet, but it needs blog magnification:

"As if normal trials were insufficient, the enemy offers a magnifying glass these last days before Pascha; may it be flipped by the Resurrection."

Lent being ended and Holy Week in swing, many feel a sense of depression brought on by dwelling on wasted time and hopes of pious preparation that never materialized.

The enemy of souls is fully aware of this, now that we've brought it to mind, and magnifies our short-comings all the more to bring us down, keep us down -- to magnify our down-ness.

Get up.

Friends, the Light of the Resurrection even shines backward. The Light of the Resurrection shines even upon our past unworthy efforts. It does so not to further humiliate but to redeem. God can take even our unworthy efforts and fashion them to His glory.

Let Him.

Unlike those rear view mirrors claiming "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear," the Light of the Resurrection helps reverse that phenomenon.

Let it.

There's a journey yet to be completed. More's to be done.

May the magnifying glass that has been used against us -- to magnify our fall -- be flipped so that the past may decrease that He may increase.

The Bridegroom cometh ...

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FeastOfFeasts.org is co-sponsored by the communications office of the Orthodox Church in America and the Department of Internet Ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Collected here are a selection of the best writing on Paschal themes available from the gifted writers and teachers of the Orthodox Church in America and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.

They've posted a piece of mine, The Light of the Resurrection, HERE.

Oh! Be sure to read Dr Maria Khoury's piece, Waiting for the Miracle (about the holy fire that descends every year in Jerusalem) -- HERE.
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Thank God Lent's over!

As we journey through Holy Week to the Great Feast of Feasts, PASCHA, let's listen in on some more of the retreat -- including PALE GAS -- which took place just north of the border in El Paso, Texas.



The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
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The St George Seniors Group made their annual spring pilgrimage to St Paraskevi Monastery yesterday. I've been blessed to join them on the past two trips; yesterday we were also joined by Fr John Salem.

(Click pics to enlarge.)


Shot from a distance, here's a pic of the newly completed Temple dedicated to Saint Paraskevi.



The housing for the female monastics.



This is a new fountain on the walkway toward the entry of the nuns' quarters.



Aha! The secondary reason for the annual trip ... the Texas Bluebonnets.



Bluebonnets are scattered throughout the monastery's property.



Here'e the entry way to the Temple ...



One of the woodcarvings portraying a scence from St Paraskevi's life, found on the doors leading from the narthex into the nave.



A view toward the iconostasis with the Akathistos icon still decorated with flowers.



Faithful pilgrims from St George joined in the prayers of the community -- a Supplicatory Service to St Paraskevi.



Fr John Salem says: "I want one of those on our church property!"



A water tower and a windmill?



... in West University?

(Nah ... I think he was referring to a bell tower.)




Our Gang.


Click here for pics from past pilgrimages.
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Forgive me but ... too funny.

Forgive me.
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An important message from Byzantine Dixie ...

As you may be aware the Southern Woman is actively discouraged from wearing white shoes after Labor Day and before Easter. I actually think this may be codified in certain city, county and state ordinances … at least one gets that idea if she tries wearing white shoes out of season!

However, please note, these ordinances were written on the basis of Western Easter dating. Therefore, it is fully acceptable for the Southern Orthodox Woman to ...

HERE.

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Bonus - Song Snippet

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As we head toward the end of the Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, the Orthodixie Podcast begins a series based on the book DEFEATING SIN - Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever -- taken from a retreat hosted by St George Church, El Paso, Texas.

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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The following is from John over at Notes from a Common-place Book.

Among American Orthodox, if you are susceptible to being twisted into knots over machinations at the top, or jurisdictional squabbles, or intra-jurisdictional infighting, then there are certainly developments out there to view with alarm.

The OCA has come through a rough patch, much better positioned going forward, but not out of the woods just yet.

The Antiochians are currently undergoing their own turmoil, the full ramifications of which, I am afraid, have not yet come to pass.

And then, if that wasn't enough, the Ecumenical Patriarch's representative just lobbed a theological grenade into the midst of American Orthodoxy -- during Great Lent, no less.

But there will be no links, here, for that stuff is easy enough to find if you are seeking it. It is not that these things don't concern me. They do. But it is like fretting about the budget deficit, there is little enough you and I can do about it, and in the meantime, life goes on. We never really "solve" anything, but we do muddle through, somehow. By focusing on these larger concerns, if we are not careful, we may miss the real news here. In my view, this is the formerly hothouse flower of American Orthodoxy beginning to take root in American soil, and -- slowly -- taking on an indigenous nature. Admittedly, we are still well under the radar screen. Our numbers are small, and will probably remain so. But Orthodoxy is patient, and takes a long view of things. The Church is digging in for the long haul. Evangelism is on-going. The webs of connectedness between far-flung parishes, missions and monasteries are in place.

I can't speak for other parts of the country, but it seems that the South is one of the most receptive regions of the country. Several bloggers I follow (religiously, in fact) have commented recently on the course of Orthodoxy in the South ...

Read it all (and comment) - H E R E.
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Check out a new podcast from an old friend of mine, Fr David Smith.


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