- Ordination to the Diaconate - Homily by Met Anthony Bloom.
The Primary task of a deacon is love
The deacon protects the prayer of the priest.
The deacon proclaims the Gospel with power and authority, but only if he himself has received the word.
- The Psalter chases the blues away. The Psalter applies to everything. The Psalter always applies to you. Weak faith.
- Avoid profane and vain babblings. Life is short. Treat each day as your last, and you will never sin. 1 Timothy 6:17-20. Nov 27/ Dec 10 27th Thursday after Pentecost
- Christian Life Skills: Praying for others. Praying for enemies. The Jesus Prayer. To pray for someone more diligently
- Priest Daniel Sysoiev. Matushka Julia Sysoieva. Collection for his family.
Nov 14/27 2009 25th Friday after Pentecost
- His Holiness, Patriarch Pavle, Another glimpse into his remarkable life.
Nov 12/25 2009 25th Wednesday after Pentecost
- Christian Life Skills: The Jesus prayer. Pray without ceasing. New Testament Challenge and the Jesus Prayer Challenge.
Nov 11/24 25th Tuesday after Pentecost
- Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Children's liturgy and children's sermon. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
The sermon in the Children's liturgy contained something for all children of God - we are children of the light - it is really THAT simple.
Nov 6/ 19 2009 24th Thursday after Pentecost
- The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8
Nov 6/ 19 2009 24th Thursday after Pentecost
The Apostle exhorts regarding the judgment, a theme that is mentioned every day in Orthodox services, and refers to darkness as sin and being in the light as the calling of all Christians.
- 30(40) days of blogging
Nov 5/18 2009 24th Wednesday after Pentecost
- Patriarch Pavle stories
Nov 4/17 2009 24th Tuesday after Pentecost.
- The cry of every pastor and shepherd: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord, For ye are our glory and joy. What is life? Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:20-3:8
Nov 3/16 2009 24th Monday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Idolatry, Honesty. Mat 5:33-37
Oct 31/Nov 13 2009 23rd Friday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - ST. BASIL THE GREAT ON THE PSALTER, from the Russian Orthodox Psalter
Oct 30/ Nov 12 2009 23rd Thursday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - THE ATHANASIAN CREED. From the Russian Orthodox Psalter. Mystery
Oct 29/ Nov 11 2009 23rd Wednesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - "Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" is only possible when there is "work of faith, and labor of love". When is the Gospel… "not … in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost"?
Oct 27/Nov 9 2009 23rd Monday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Holy Father Nicholas, pray to God for us! Summing things up in the Akathist to St Nicholas. Understanding prayer to the Saints.
Nighttime pictures of temple construction.
Oct 24/ Nov 6 2009 22nd Friday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - The Great Litany. The Litany of Peace. A short introduction.
With a great painting of a deacon.
Oct 22/Nov4 2009 22nd Wednesday after Pentecost. Holy Equal to the Apostle Abercius. Also in format
WORD - That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity… Thoughts on a petition in the Great Ectenia, the Litany of Peace
Oct 21/Nov 3 2009 22nd Tuesday after Pentecost. Monk Hilarion the Great. Also in format
WORD - St Longinus the Centurion. St Sergius of Radonezh. Children's School - ages 6-11.
Oct 15/28 2009 21st Wednesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - The Law and Sin. What is Sin? Romans 3:20
Oct 14/27 2009 21st Tuesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Twelve Meanings of Candles Based on Their Properties
by Mitred Archpriest Alexander Lebedeff, rector of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA
Oct 13/26 2009 21st Monday after Pentecost. Holy Martyr Zlata. Also in format
WORD - I count all things but loss - The knowledge of Christ Jesus - That I may win Christ - Philippians 3:8 - Biblical Exegesis
It is always about You!
Oct 10/23 2009 20th Friday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - A house upon a rock. Words to build by. Luke 6:46-7:1. Children's Liturgy.
Oct 8/21 2009 20th Wednesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Construction Photos - Building of the Apse
APSE-solutely Wonderful!
Oct 7/20 2009 20th Tuesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Christian Life Skills - The Four Bows. Give the first fruits of your day to the Lord
October 6/19 20th Holy Apostle Thomas, 20th Monday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - What is a Christian? What is a Saint? The Orthodox Dogma of sanctity, by St Justin Popovich
Oct 3/16 2009 19th Friday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Parable of the ten Virgins. The Oil is the Holy Spirit. The proper dogma regarding works
St. Seraphim of Sarov's Conversation With Nicholas Motovilov
A Wonderful Revelation to the World
Oct 2/15 2009 St Anna of Kashin Also in format
WORD - Christian Life Skills -Being on time
Oct 1/Oct 14 2009 19th Wednesday after Pentecost. Protection of the Theotokos Also in format
WORD - Christian Love is not the same as the World's love. Love without knowledge and judgment is not love. The Dogma of Love. Philippians 1:8-14
Sep 30/Oct 13 2009 19th Tuesday after Pentecost. Also in format
WORD - Iconostasis Design Meeting, with pictures and design sketch of altar and iconostasis
Sep 29/ Oct 12 2009 Also in format
WORD - Everything MUST have meaning! Sickness. Drug Addiction. Priorities.
Sept 26/ Oct 8 2009. Repose Of The Holy Apostle And Evangelist John The Theologian Also in format
WORD - Raising the Dead vs Influencing the belief of the dead, from St John Chrysostom, Homily 3 on Ephesians
A useful perspective for the pastor, and anyone who cares.
Sep 19 / Oct 2 2009 Also in format
WORD - Construction Photos - The walls are almost done.
Photos taken before our Thursday Evening Moleben.
Sep 18 / Oct 1 2009 Also in format
WORD - Classic Chrysostom.
How to read St John Chrysostom.
Psychology and Theology.
Refuting all our excuses for sins.
Sept 16/29 2009.
- The Raising of Lazarus Church, Muromansky Monastery
The Model for our new temple
Sep 14/27 2009 Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Also in format
WORD - The Church is shown to be a many-lighted heaven, Happy anniversary to us.
Construction progress with PICTURES - the walls are almost done.
Sep 13/26 2009 Saturday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Also in format
WORD - Venerable Theodora. True Repentance. False Accusation. A sinner helping other sinners not to sin.
Sep 11/24 2009 16th Thursday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Prayer of Intercession. A Prayer in Accord. Father Arseny, a Cloud of Witnesses
Sept 10/23 2009 Also in format
WORD - Nativity of the Theotokos. Grace beginneth to produce splendid fruit. The all-holy mountain.
A commentary on one of the Praises stichera for the feast.
Sept 8/21 2009 Also in format
WORD - Deliver my soul from a lying tongue (short mp3 audio reflection)
Reflection of verses in the Antiphons (Songs of Ascent) before the Matins Gospel, Tone 5, Sunday.
An important "double meaning" that we must understand.
Aug 31/ Sep 13 2009 14th Sunday after Pentecost.
- A unified Russian Church is a great Spiritual Force
Interview with Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral) of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
Aug 30 / Sep 12 2009 14th Saturday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Martyrs Adrian and Natalia, Pouring the Slab
Aug 26/ Sep 8 2009 14th Tuesday after Pentecost Also in format
WORD - Dormition hymns: The Furnace and the Theotokos
The Three Holy Children.
The Angel of the Lord.
The Best time to hear the hymns of the church.
Everything depends on our disposition.
Aug 13/26 2009 Two Days before Dormition.
- Fund-raising news. New Construction photos. Hard work man.
- What happened on the Cross? Dispassion.
Tue Vespers, Tone 8, Lord I have Cried, Sticheron 1
July 30/ Aug 12 2009 10th Wednesday after Pentecost Also in format:
WORD - July 29 / Aug 11 2009 10th Tuesday after Pentecost
Daily Readings.
Guidelines for reading, with freedom for departures.
Who are we hanging out with?
What we do IS who we are with.
EVERYTHING we do affects our intelligence. Also in format:
WORD - July 25 / Aug 7 2009 9th Friday after Pentecost
Information regarding the Establishment of English Speaking Convent in the Mid-American Diocese Also in format:
WORD - July 24/ Aug 6 2009 9th Thursday after Pentecost.
Moleben on the Land - Pictures
The littlest choir member.
Let them sing!
It should be illegal to be this cute. Also in format:
WORD - 07-14, 07/27 2009 8th Monday after Pentecost
Repentance, it's not just for Lent anymore.
A church that forgets its monastic heritage is not a church.
Nine Angelic ranks
Seven Archangels.
The Fig Tree. Also in format:
WORD - 07/10-23 2009 6th Thursday after Pentecost
REALLY believing in the resurrection.
Good manners.
Dogma is not just facts.
Thursday Matins Tone V, First Sessional Hymn Also in format:
WORD - 7/7 - 7-20 2009 7th Monday after Pentecost
The Importance of Monasticism
Poverty, obedience, chastity, stability.
We obey those whom we know love us.
Chastity is Integrity.
Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Women's Monastery Also in format:
WORD - 07/01 - 07/14 2009 6th Tuesday after Pentecost
Parish news - building progress.
Pledge letter.
Two things I ask my flock to do.
The Octoechos (Paraklitiki)
The Services are the Scriptures Explained.
Can't get enough of that true about myself stuff. Also in format:
WORD - 06/24 - 07/07 2009. Nativity of John the Baptist.
Cut to the chase.
The Angel of the Lord.
What is a Vespers "Parable"?
Comments on First Vesper reading.
Genesis 17:15-17, 19; 18:11-14; 21:1-8
Laughing.
- 06/23 - 07/06 2009. 5th Monday after Pentecost.
Future plans.
Building Permit.
Parish prayer helps everybody.
It is always about morality.
If you cannot stop sinning, at least be kind.
Romans 12:4-5, 15-21 Also in format:
WORD - June 21/ July 4 2009. 4th Saturday after Pentecost, Matins
Moments of Clarity.
Many feelings.
The importance of evening services.
The easy way to be an Evangelist.
We need quantity in order to obtain quality. Also in format:
WORD - 3rd Wednesday after Pentecost. June 11/24 2009.
More commentary on Monday's reading.
Matthew 10:5-7
To the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.
Freely you have received, freely give.
Hunters for humility. Also in format:
WORD - 3rd Monday after Pentecost. June 9/22 2009.
Freely ye have received, freely give.
A fundamental principal of priestly ministry.
Simony.
Almsgiving.
A great privilege.
The multitudes and the pastoral heart.
Laborers. Also in format:
WORD - May 28/June 10 2009. Wednesday after Pentecost
Romans 1:18-27
Two sins that lead to all others.
It's always about you.
Idolatry.
Sexual immorality.
The delusion of the age.
We must have courage. Also in format:
WORD - Monday, May 26/Jun 8 2009. Day of the Holy Spirit
Pentecost Icon Explanation.
King Cosmos Also in format:
WORD - Saturday before Pentecost. Soul Saturday. May 24/ Jun 6 2009
Lovest Thou Me?
Meekness.
Patience.
Learning things the hard (and only) way. Also in format:
WORD - Tuesday before Pentecost - John 16:2-13
What is "all truth"? How do we find it?
Campus Crusade for Christ.
Dogma is moral.
Monasticism. Also in format:
WORD - Friday after Ascension, May 16/29 2009
Prayer for the Prosperity of the Russian Church
Pastoral Zeal.
Liturgical Renovationism.
A three sided coin. Also in format:
WORD - 5th Tuesday of Pascha - May 6/19 2009
Holy Righteous Job
An Eclectic Commentary on the Book of Job
How should we read "difficult" books?
Praying for our children with the Jesus prayer Also in format:
WORD - 5th Monday of Pascha, May 5/18 2009
The Stones raised up as children to Abraham.
Christian worship is Jewish! Also in format:
WORD - 4th Saturday of Pascha. May 3/16 2009
Why do we pray facing East?
Why does the priest not face the people when he prays?
Orthodox Christian worship is prayer, not entertainment.
Some people smile too much.
The Domino Theory.
St. John of Damascus, Book IV, chapter 12. Also in format:
WORD - 3rd Friday of Pascha, Apr 25/May 8 2009
Scripture is blunt.
Slogans.
Jesus wept.
Even right brains can get things done. Also in format:
WORD - The pleasure of little things.
Pascha season fasting rules.
Difference in services in the Paschal season.
Repetition is necessary.
The safe way to sauté with Olive oil.
Rutabagas are great.
A recipe that has no name.
Friday of Thomas Week 2009 Also in format:
WORD - Prison Ministry. Hackberry trees. Serendipity. Just showing up.
2009-04-02 ns (3/20) 5th Thursday of Great Lent.
- After the Great Canon service. A happy heart.
Fasting creates simple pleasures.
Lentil Curry, & cooking oil and onions.
"Yummy" Black Cherry soda.
The Theme of the Great Canon.
St Mary of Egypt.
Irony.
2009-03-02 ns. (3/19) 5th Wednesday of Great Lent 2009.
What is the "Pastoral Journal"?Most of the day to day writing done for this website and our
blog is
commentary on scripture and the service texts. These are the most important things to understand, because both contain the "words of life" (Scripture being them, and the services par-excellence, a comprehensive commentary and explanation of scripture and our Orthodox theology).
My number one practical goal as a pastor is to induce in others a fervent desire to know and live the true Christian faith. We moderns know the scripture and service texts poorly, so that is my main concentration. I figure that if anyone, Orthodox or not, begins to perceive the beautiful intricacy and precision of the Scripture and the service texts, they will see that the Orthodox church is the perfect expression of the truth, and they will be drawn to adopting it, or living more fully and seriously in it.
As a rule, I try to follow the church calendar, and the readings for the day, or the services upcoming.Sometimes, inspiration just does not come about these things, or I just think of something else, in that never ceasing churning of my mind, and want to write something edifying that does not really fit into any category. Hence, the "Pastoral Journal", with its sporadic, sometimes "stream of consiousness" posts. Priest Seraphim.