DOCSLIB.ORG

Alive in Christ the Magazine of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America Volume XXI, No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Alive in Christ the Magazine of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America Volume XXI, No Special 100t Anniversary Issue Your Diocese h Alive in Christ The Magazine of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America Volume XXI, No. 2 Summer, 2005 New bells ring in a new century at St. Tikhon’s Monastery Paul Chernay Donates $500,000 to the Bethlehem Parish! BETHLEHEM, PA -- Mr. Paul Chernay, longtime parishioner and very active member of St. Nicholas Church in Bethlehem, recently donated $500,000 to the parish here. The gift was earmarked toward the mortgage of the parish’s educational and recreational center. The all-purpose facility for church activities in Bethlehem is named in honor of Mr. Chernay and his late wife Betty Jo. In her loving memory, Paul generously offered the contribution towards the more than $1 million cost of the parish facility. This donation was presented by Mr. Chernay to the Very Rev. Archpriest Eugene Vansuch, who was the rector of St. Nicholas Church until recently. Father Eugene and Paul, along with other committee members, worked together tirelessly in the planning and the building of the parish center. Mr. Chernay is also very much involved in the life of St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery. A longtime member of the board of trustees of the theological school and a lifelong benefactor of both the seminary and the monastery, Paul has worked closely with His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN when he was seminary rector, in both STS development and publications. Mr. Chernay is also donating $50,000 each year for 20 years to St. Tikhon’s Seminary from a $1 million charitable trust that he established. Your Diocese Alive in Christ Volume XXI Number 2 Summer 2005 The Offi cial Magazine of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania Orthodox Church in America Election of Bishop Tikhon — see In This Issue: page 3 Bishop Tikhon Elected Diocesan Hierarch ..................................... 2 Monastery Observes Joyful Centennial ....................................... 5 Historical Refl ections on the Monastery ..................................... 9 We Believe: Symbol of the Faith - Part VI ..................................... 16 Barbecue, Flea Market Benefi t Seminary ..................................... 17 14th All-American Council in Toronto .......................................... 18 Student-Alumni Fellowship Picnic .............................................. 24 St. Cyril’s Commentary on St John’s Gospel - Pt. XX ..................... 25 “From Earth to Heaven” - 2005 Camp.......................................... 32 Valaam Icon Graces Monastery Teen Campers Achieve a Huge Success! ...................................... 40 Anniversary — see page 49 Alaskan Camper Refl ects on Camp .............................................. 41 Obedience: the Orthodox Concept ............................................... 48 Your Diocese Alive in Christ Produced by the Publications Department of Monastery Anniversary Graced by Icon ....................................... 49 the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Russian Little Leaguers Welcomed ............................................... 52 Church in America (Diocesan Center, South Canaan, Pennsylvania 18459 (570-937-4686), under Holy Ascension Church Marks 90th Year ....................................... 53 the direction of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN. Sister Anna Retreat Leader ......................................................... 56 Editor ................................... Fr. John Kowalczyk Photography ............................... Martin Paluch Origen: the Denier of Human Freedom - Part I ............................. 58 Staff ....................................... Fr. David Mahaff ey St. Michael’s Center Benefi ts Robert Muchal ................................ 64 Circulation ...................................... Fr. Leo Poore 8th Annual Golf Tournament ........................................................ 66 Editorial and Subscription Offi ce: Alive in Christ, Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, South Wilkes-Barre Deanery Youth Activities ......................................... 80 Canaan, Pennsylvania 18459 Phone (res.): 570- 876-1241. Departments Alive in Christ is distributed free of charge within the Diocese. Those living in other areas All in the Diocesan Family ........................................................... 73 may subscribe for $12 per year. Daily Devotions ........................................................................... 65 Deadline for the next issue of Your Diocese Alive in Christ is November 22, 2005. Please submit Graduates ................................................................................... 42 all articles (typed) pictures, parish news, etc., Education Bulletin ...................................................................... 56 on disc to Alive in Christ, Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Box 130, South Canaan, PA 18459, or e-mail to [email protected]. 1 Bishop Tikhon Elected Ruling Hierarch of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania Celebration of the Divine Liturgy t a special session of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Ortho- Adox Church in America held at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery here Friday, May 27, 2005, His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of South Canaan and auxiliary to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, was elected Bishop of the Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. Bishop Tikhon’s election followed a special assembly of the Diocese of Phila- Service of intercession delphia and Eastern Pennsylvania held at the monastery two days earlier, during 29, 2005 at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, fol- two decades. He continued to oversee its which he was nominated to the vacant lowed by a reception at the nearby Philm- life after his election as OCA Primate in episcopal see by parish clergy and lay ont Country Club. July 2002. The see was declared vacant at delegates. Metropolitan Herman, who chaired the the Holy Synod’s spring 2005 session, at The new diocesan bishop’s installa- Holy Synod’s special session, had headed which it was announced that Metropoli- tion will take place on Saturday, October the Eastern Pennsylvania diocese for over tan Herman would assume duties as rul- 2 Bishop Tikhon Elected Registration of delegates A prayer is off ered before the election Fr. John Onofrey explains process of voting ing, Pa., where he graduated from Wyo- following year he entered Saint Tikhon’s missing High School in 1984. In 1988 Monastery as a novice. he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in After receiving his Master of Divin- ing bishop of the newly formed Diocese French and Sociology from Franklin and ity degree from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary of Washington and New York on May 1. Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., after in 1993, he was appointed instructor in Bishop Tikhon was born in Boston, which he moved to Chicago. Old Testament at the seminary. He sub- Mass. on July 15, 1966, the son of Francis In 1989 he was received into the Or- sequently served as senior lecturer in Old and Elizabeth Mollard. After brief periods thodox faith from Episcopalianism and, Testament and taught master level courses living in Connecticut, France, and Mis- in the fall of the same year, he began in the prophets, the psalms, and wisdom souri, he and his family settled in Read- studies at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. The Continued on page 4 3 Bishop Tikhon Elected Continued from page 3 literature. He also served as an instructor in the seminary’s extension studies pro- gram, offering a number of courses re- lated to the Old Testament. Archimandrite Tikhon collaborated with Igumen Alexander [Golitzin] in the publication of The Living Witness of the Holy Mountain, published by Saint Tik- hon’s Seminary Press, by illustrating this classic book about Mount Athos. In 1995 he was tonsured to the lesser schema and given the name Tikhon, in honor of Saint Tikhon, Enlightener of North America and Patriarch of Mos- cow. Later that year he was ordained to the holy diaconate and priesthood at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. In 1998 he was el- evated to the rank of igumen, and in 2000 uty abbot. session. His consecration was celebrated to the rank of archimandrite. In December Archimandrite Tikhon was elected to on February 14, 2004 at Saint Tikhon’s 2002, he was appointed by Metropolitan the episcopacy by members of the Holy Monastery. Herman to serve as the monastery’s dep- Synod of Bishops at their October 2003 —OCA Communications The results are tallied Metropolitan Herman announces the election results Offi cial Appointed Archpriest John Kowalczyk — Chancellor of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pa. Priest Victor Gorodenchuk — Priest-at-Large to represent the Philadelphia Deanery on the Diocesan Council Assigned Priest Victor Gorodenchuk — Acting Rector of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Philadelphia, Pa. Priest Timothy Hojnicki — Acting Rector of Holy Apostles Church, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Priest Miroslaw Kulik — Acting Rector of St. John the Baptist Church in Edwardsville, Pa. Priest Barnabas Fravel — Rector of Holy Ascension Church in Frackville, Pa. 4 St. Tikhon’s Monastery Observes Joyful, Prayerful Centennial New Centennial Bells, cast in Voronezh, Russia in 2005 is Beatitude, Metropolitan Her- On Saturday morning, following the man, the Holy Synod of Bishops, On Saturday morning, Divine Liturgy during which Bishop- Hand thousands of Orthodox clergy following the Divine elect Alejo was consecrated to the epis- and faithful, including a 200-voice choir copacy, a set of new bells was blessed in under the direction of Archpriest Sergei Liturgy during which commemoration of the monastery’s
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Archdiocesan History FINAL
    A History of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Kristie Bosko Mertz, Ph.D. “…the more I study the history of the Orthodox Church in this land, the more convinced I become that our task here is God’s task, that God Himself helps us.” 1 — St. Patriarch Tikhon, Farewell Address, March 7, 1907 Introduction The history of our archdiocese is inextricably bound to the larger history of Orthodoxy in America. What is now known as the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania began in 1916 with the tonsuring and consecration of Fr. Alexander Dzubay as Bishop Stephen, within the former North American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. His situation, in terms of being an immigrant of Carpatho-Russian ethnicity and a convert to Orthodoxy from the Byzantine Catholic (Greek Catholic) faith, was in no way unique at that time. However, it provides us with a glimpse of the evolving religious landscape and the foundation that was laid for the creation of the archdiocese and for its subsequent development. The Beginning of Orthodoxy in America Orthodoxy in America began in 1794, when Russian missionaries from Valaam Monastery arrived at Kodiak Island in the Aleutian Islands.1 The beginning of Orthodoxy in this country was found mainly in the future state of Alaska (which was a part of Russia) and in California, but very quickly grew up in the industrial areas of the United States such as Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, and West Virginia. The entirety of North America and Canada was one large diocese with very scattered Orthodox communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Music at Seminary
    sn 0 SPRING 2006 music at seminary Message from the Metropolitan Dearly Beloved in Christ, Every year, Orthodox Christian men and women hear the Lord’s call to study theology at our seminaries. The student of theology must hear and obey the Lord’s words: Whoever would be first among you must be your slave (Matthew 20:27). Faithful service as a choir director, teacher, deacon, priest, or bishop requires emulation of the Lord and study of His Word. The life of the sn Church through history provides many lessons for Christians of the twenty-first century.To faithfully serve Christ today requires that we study the lives of our fathers in the faith, the per- secutions the Church has endured in the name of Christ, and the triumphs of the truth of the Gospel in the face of great resistance. Martin Paluch The Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary has been guiding our seminarians through the study of the Church’s his- tory as a lay professor for many years. I am grateful to the Lord that I was able to ordain John Erickson to the Holy Diaconate on the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, the patrons of the seminary’s chapel, and to the Holy Priesthood on May 7, 2006. Father John is now called to renewed service to God’s people at the Holy Table. Please join me in fervent prayer for Father John in his ministry as a professor, as Dean of St Vladimir’s, and as a servant of the Lord. With love in Christ, +HERMAN Archbishop of Washington and New York Metropolitan of All America and Canada President, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary 2 • SPRING 2006 sn 0 contents spotlight at the seminary Robert Lisak MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPUS CHRONICLE ON THE COVER METROPOLITAN Seminary activities from April 2005 through February 2006 Students, such as Gregory Ealy and Ksenia Words of congratulations from Danylevich, study theories of chant as well Metropolitan Herman of the OCA to the 8 as practice singing and conducting for dean on the occasion of his ordination DOWN THE ROAD chapel services all in preparation for service Events calendar to the Church.
    [Show full text]
  • Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries
    Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Atlas of Whether used as a scholarly introduction into Eastern Christian monasticism or researcher’s directory or a travel guide, Alexei Krindatch brings together a fascinating collection of articles, facts, and statistics to comprehensively describe Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States. The careful examina- Atlas of American Orthodox tion of the key features of Orthodox monasteries provides solid academic frame for this book. With enticing verbal and photographic renderings, twenty-three Orthodox monastic communities scattered throughout the United States are brought to life for the reader. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to sample, explore or just better understand Orthodox Christian monastic life. Christian Monasteries Scott Thumma, Ph.D. Director Hartford Institute for Religion Research A truly delightful insight into Orthodox monasticism in the United States. The chapters on the history and tradition of Orthodox monasticism are carefully written to provide the reader with a solid theological understanding. They are then followed by a very human and personal description of the individual US Orthodox monasteries. A good resource for scholars, but also an excellent ‘tour guide’ for those seeking a more personal and intimate experience of monasticism. Thomas Gaunt, S.J., Ph.D. Executive Director Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) This is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to a small but important sector of American religious life. Whether you want to know about the history and theology of Orthodox monasticism or you just want to know what to expect if you visit, the stories, maps, and directories here are invaluable.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eastern Orthodox Church in New Zealand
    THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requ i r·ements for 'the Degree of Master of Arts in Religious Studies in the University of Canterbury by S .A. Threadgi 11 University of Canterbury April 1987 I l ',; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I iJ \ I express thanks to Mr. Colin Brown for his excellent su~ervision and constant encouragement; Mr. C. Goodrich for his assistance in designing the Interview Schedules; the staff of the Anglican Diocesan Church Offices in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin; the librarian of the College .of Saint John the Evangelist, Auckland; the staff of National Archives, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington; the staff of the National Council of Churches, Christchurch, for allowing me access to their files; Archbishop Dionysios, Fr. Speranta, Fr's Ambrose and Nicholi, Fr. Witbrock, and all the Orthodox laity who were either interviewed or informally spoken with. Thanks also to: Miss Lucia Randall for her help with typing and statistics and Mrs. Glenys Lamb for typing the final draft. Finally and most important, thanks to my mother Annie Sheridan, without whose support this thesis would not have been completed. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i i. TABLE OF CONTENTS i i; ABSTRACT v INTRODUCTION 1 1 HISTORY 5 1. Foundation 5 2. Schism 6 3. Occupation: East/West Relations (1453-1800) 7 4. 19th Century Nationalism 10 2 THE JURISDICTIONS 14 1. Introduction 14 2. The Ecumenical Patriarchte 16 3, The Greek Orthodox Church 18 4. The Romanian Orthodox Church 21 5. The Serbian Orthodox Church 24 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Saints of North America
    SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA An Activity Book for Orthodox Children and Parents Department of Christian Education • Orthodox Church in America AINTS SOF NORTH AMERICA An Activity Book for Orthodox Children and Parents Department of Christian Education • Orthodox Church in America Contributors Maria Proch Alexandra Lobas Safchuk Jewelann Y. Stefanar Valerie Zahirsky Nicholas W. Zebrun Christine Kaniuk Zebrun Activities Kathryn Kessler Myra Kovalak Webmaster John E. Pusey Illustrations Christine Kaniuk Zebrun Permission is granted to duplicate for parish or personal use. All other rights reserved. Copyright © 2007 Orthodox Church in America P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11781 All rights reserved. 2 Contents 4 Introduction 5 St. Alexander Hotovitsky Missionary of America 9 St. Alexis Toth Confessor and Defender of Orthodoxy 24 St. Herman of Alaska Wonderworker of All America 36 St. Innocent Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to America 30 St. Jacob Netsvetov Enlightener of the Native People of Alaska 34 St. John Kochurov Missionary to America 39 St. John Maximovitch St. John of San Francisco and Shanghai 43 St. Juvenaly Hieromartyr of Iliamna 47 St. Nicholas of Ochrid & Zicha St. Nicholas of South Canaan 52 St. Peter the Aleut Holy Martyr of San Francisco 56 St. Raphael Hawaweeny Bishop of Brooklyn 61 St. Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America 62 Glossary 63 Answer Keys 70 Additional Activities Copyright © Orthodox Church in America 3 Introduction to Parents and Teachers Dear Parents and Teachers, This activity book was created with the intention of providing information and creative activities featuring twelve North American Saints who are widely recognized as shining examples of our Orthodox faith on this continent.
    [Show full text]
  • A 21St-Century Confessor
    A 21st-Century Confessor HIS EMINENCE JOVAN, ARCHBISHOP OF OHRID AND METROPOLITAN OF SKOPJE: A PRISONER FOR THE FAITH By the St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood When they strike the shepherd they expect the sheep to scatter, but Church history is paradoxical—the more the Church is persecuted, the more followers it gets. —Archbishop Jovan1 1. Introduction On July 26, 2005, His Eminence Jovan, Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje, began serving a two-and-a-half year prison sentence in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).2 A month earlier a court of appeals had upheld a lower court ruling that had found him guilty of “inciting national, racial and religious hatred, schism and intolerance.” In reality the government has imprisoned him for entering into communion with the Orthodox Church. According to the Orthodox Archbishopric of Ohrid website, Archbishop Jovan is “the only confessor of the faith who, in modern Europe, has been convicted and put in prison because of his religious beliefs.” 2. The Region of Macedonia The present Republic of Macedonia covers about a third of the historical region of Macedonia. Situated in the south central part of the Balkan Peninsula, the historical region extends into Greece, Albania and Bulgaria. A number of ancient kingdoms and former empires controlled the lands now known as the Republic of Macedonia. These included the realm of Paionia, the ancient Macedonian kingdom, the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Serbia, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. In the fourth century BC, the region came to dominate the Greek city states and, eventually, an area that reached Persia, Egypt and India.
    [Show full text]
  • Akathist to St. Tikhon of Moscow, Enlightener of North America
    Akathist Hymn to St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow Akathist Hymn to St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow Benediction…Amen…O Heavenly King... (Sung)…Trisagion…Psalm 50 Kontakion 1 To you, the steadfast champion of the Holy Orthodox Faith, do we, your spiritual children, offer hymns of praise and thanksgiving, mindful of the many benefactions you have bestowed on us. As you have great boldness before the throne of the Most High, pray earnestly in behalf of all who truly honor your holy memory and cry out to you with love: Rejoice, O humble Tikhon, steadfast confessor of the Faith // and fervent intercessor for our souls! Ikos 1 Called by God to His holy priesthood from your mother's womb, for all the faithful you were an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity. You fought well the good fight, and finished difficult course of your life, and kept the Faith, in nowise failing to hold fast to your vows. Wherefore, full of gratitude for your love and sacrifice, we say: Rejoice, you who preached the word of God with fervor; Rejoice, you who were watchful in all things! Rejoice, who made full proof of your ministry; Rejoice, you who as an evangelist proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation! Rejoice, you who reproved those who rejected the truth of the Christian Faith; Rejoice, you who rebuked those who embraced the modern fables of materialism and progress! 1 Rejoice, you who, when the time of your departure was at hand, made provision for the Church; Rejoice, you who have therefore received from God a twofold crown for your righteousness
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Herman Press Catalog
    Saint Herman Press Catalog Spiritual Counsels, Lives of Saints, and Theology in the Orthodox Christian Tradition Contents St. Herman Press ............................................................3 St. Herman Press New Releases ..................................................................4 The Writings of Fr. Seraphim Rose ...................8 or almost fifty years, the St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood has Orthodox Theology .................................................14 Fbeen publishing Orthodox Christian literature. In 1965, with the In the Steps of St. Herman .................................... 16 blessing of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, the brotherhood Lives of Saints and Righteous Ones .............. 19 began its mission to bring the truths of Orthodoxy Christianity to the Optina Elder Series ................................................. 24 English-speaking world. Its beginnings were simple: only a storefront and The Sunrise of the East ..........................................26 a small, hand-operated printing press. Dedicated to the humble Russian Spiritual Counsels ....................................................27 Little Russian Philokalia Series .....................32 monk Herman—who, in 1794, was one of the first to bring the Orthodox Elder Paisios of Mount Athos ............................33 Gospel of Christ to North America—the St. Herman Brotherhood seeks For Young People .........................................................35 to combine the monastic life with the spread of spiritual
    [Show full text]
  • Download May 2021 Pastoral Changes
    PASTORAL CHANGES Official No. 646 May 2021 EPISCOPAL CONSECRATIONS (ELIEL), Archimandrite Gerasim was elected by the Holy Synod of Bishops as Bishop of Fort Worth on May 18, 2021. Bishop-elect Gerasim will be ordained on June 29, 2020, at St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX. RECEPTIONS ČIŽMÁR, Priest Ján was canonically received by vesting into the ranks of the clergy of the Orthodox Church in America effective May 5, 2021 by Archbishop Paul, on behalf of Metropolitan Tikhon. He was transferred to the omophorion of Archbishop Paul and is attached to the Diocese of the Midwest. (Diocese of the Midwest) ORDINATIONS ANDERSON, Curtis Christopher was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on May 3, 2021 by Archbishop Alexander at St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX. He is under the omophorion of Archbishop Alexander and attached to the Diocese of the South. (Diocese of the South) ASSIGNMENTS ANDERSON, Deacon Christopher was attached to St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX, effective May 3, 2021. (Diocese of the South) ČIŽMÁR, Priest Ján was assigned Priest-in-Charge of St. Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland, OH, effective May 5, 2021. (Diocese of the Midwest) (DURANT), Igumen Cyprian was released from his duties at St. Mary of Egypt Church, Norcross, GA, and was attached to St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX, effective May 6, 2021. (Diocese of the South) FONSECA, Priest Elias was released from The Sign of the Theotokos Church, Montréal, QC, and assigned Priest-in-Charge of St. Benoît de Nursie Church, Verdun, QC, effective May 14, 2021. (Archdiocese of Canada) HODGES, Archpriest Mark had his suspension lifted, effective May 13, 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • 1994-2014 20Th Anniversary of the Glorification of Bishop St
    CHURCH OF ALL RUSSIAN SAINTS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2 NUMBER 4 JULY/AUGUST 2014 1994-2014 20th Anniversary of the Glorification of Bishop St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco MESSAGE FROM FATHER STEFAN 7th) and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (July 12th). The latter is the patronal Feast Day of the Santa Rosa Church. If you are in the wine country on that date, be sure to attend. e are in the midst of summer vacation with children home from school and families taking time off from W In addition, there are services for the Holy Royal Martyrs work to relax, spend time together and travel. Recently, we (July 17th) and Saint Sergius of Radonezh (July 18th) at the celebrated Pentecost (Troitsa), followed by our Church Feast Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco. Our Diocesan Kazan Day. Then, many of us attended Holy Virgin Cathedral to Summer Church on the Russian River located at Vacation commemorate the 20th anniversary of the glorification of Beach near Guerneville celebrates its Feast Day commemorating Bishop Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco. The Holy Kazan Icon of the Theotokos(July 21st). We should also not forget Equal to the Apostles Saint Vladimir After so many important Church holidays, there’s a tendency Enlightener of the Russian Lands (July 28th). to start skipping church during the summer months. I urge everyone to try their best to avoid this “summer slacking”. The Monterey/Seaside Church celebrates its Feast Day of Saint Summertime is rich with Feast Days commemorating important Seraphim of Sarov (Aug. 1st).
    [Show full text]
  • Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches A
    Atlas cover:Layout 1 4/19/11 11:08 PM Page 1 Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches Assembling a mass of recently generated data, the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches provides an authoritative overview of a most important but often neglected segment of the American Christian community. Protestant and Catholic Christians especially will value editor Alexei Krindatchʼs survey of both Eastern Orthodoxy as a whole and its multiple denominational expressions. J. Gordon Melton Distinguished Professor of American Religious History Baylor University, Waco, Texas Why are pictures worth a thousand words? Because they engage multiple senses and ways of knowing that stretch and deepen our understanding. Good pictures also tell compelling stories. Good maps are good pictures, and this makes the Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches, with its alternation and synthesis of picture and story, a persuasive way of presenting a rich historical journey of Orthodox Christianity on American soil. The telling is persuasive for both scholars and adherents. It is also provocative and suggestive for the American public as we continue to struggle with two issues, in particular, that have been at the center of the Orthodox experience in the United States: how to create and maintain unity across vast terrains of cultural and ethnic difference; and how to negotiate American culture as a religious other without losing oneʼs soul. David Roozen, Director Hartford Institute for Religion Research Hartford Seminary Orthodox Christianity in America has been both visible and invisible for more than 200 years. Visible to its neighbors, but usually not well understood; invisible, especially among demographers, sociologists, and students of American religious life.
    [Show full text]
  • October 2020 Holy Fathers on Illnesses
    St. Xenia Parish News 170 North Lowell Street, Methuen, MA 01844 September - October 2020 Holy Fathers on Illnesses Sicknesses are sent by God for the health of the Sicknessess come from the enfeeblement of the soul.—St. Isaac the Syrian. body through satiety.—St. John Chrysostom. Spiritual wisdom teaches that sicknesses and other Confess your infirmity to God, so that the possibil- sorrows that God sends to people are sent out of ity for grace would shine forth for you… God’s special mercy as bitter medicine. Healing cures —St. Nilos of Sinai. for the sick, they cooperate in our salvation, our eter- nal well-being, much more surely than miraculous In sickness, before the doctors and medicines we healings.—St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) use prayer.—St. Nilos of Sinai. Although sickness enfeebles the body, it strength- If you feel that your soul is troubled by your ill- ens the soul. It mortifies the body but enlivens the ness, then say to it: Isn’t this illness easier than soul; it weakens the outer man but renews the inner. Gehenna, where you’ll go if you are not steadfast and But though our outward man perish, yet the inward constant in patience?.—Abba Isaiah of Sketis. man is renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). How is it re- newed? It learns humility, patience, and remembrance of death and from it heartfelt repentance, prayer, dis- Just as we should not completely avoid the medi- dain for the world and worldly vanity. Who will want cal arts, so also should we not place all our hope in to be proud while sick? Seeing his end approaching them.
    [Show full text]