Year: 2011

40 Days for Life Dallas Rally (Sat, Oct 15) with Priest Seraphim Hipsch speaking

Our parish is participating in the “40 days for life” event in Dallas, by praying at various times during a 12 hour period, October 19th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I endorse this event, and am personally participating in it.

I encourage (I am asking) everyone in my parish to try to participate in this event. We will be praying only with Orthodox Christians. I do not recommend or agree with participating in prayer with non-Orthodox, but we can share similar goals and collaborate in activities, such as this worthy cause.

Abortion is a cancer which kills much more than an unborn child. We must pray not only for mothers who are contemplating abortion, but also those who have had abortions and are suffering in many ways. The world tells them that they have a “right to choose”, but the soul tells them something is wrong.

I will try to make it to this rally, to hear Fr Seraphim speak. There may be some things there that we are not accustomed to and do not do in our Orthodox Christian way of life, and even some things that we cannot agree with but overall, supporting this event is the right thing to do.

Priest Seraphim Holland

Here is a flyer about the rally

The Rich get sick more because of self-indulgence. Saint John Chrysostom understands medicine!

St John Chrysostom many times in his sermons remonstrated against the indulgences of the rich. In the following passage, he shows great medical understanding also. In our day, with diabetes and obesity at epidemic levels, and all sorts of cancers and other maladies that are diet related, reputable doctors would certainly agree with him. Regarding the rich man who indulges himself and is beggarly concerning the poor he says:

Published
Categorized as Fasting

Electronic Newsletter September 19 / October 2

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church,  McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter September 19 / October 2 15th Sunday after Pentecost Announcements Prayer Requests Schedule of Divine Services in the Coming week Fasting in the Coming week Announcements We will be holding our annual membership and pledge drive in September. If you consider St. Nicholas your parish home, please… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter September 19 / October 2

The abyss of humility of the Greek Syrophonecian woman – Mark 7:24-30

LISTEN NOW Synopsis: The abyss of humility of the Greek syrophonecian woman is seen when she answered our Lord's curt dismissal with the words "Yeah Lord, but even the little dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." We need to acquire this kind of humility! We look at her humility and also two… Continue reading The abyss of humility of the Greek Syrophonecian woman – Mark 7:24-30

What does this mean – God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we have this treasure in earthen vessels?. Exaltation of the Cross.

On this Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, two of the epistle readings (2 Corinthians 4:6-15 and Galatians 6:11-18) relate directly to the cross. St Paul states emphatically: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What does it mean to “glory” in the cross? People glory in many things – wealth, attractiveness, popularity, political correctness, having a good marriage, job, etc. None of these things is glorying in the cross. We answer this important question, and also why we who are “new creatures” because of the cross “have this treasure in earthen vessels”.

Orthodox Christians Prayer for 40 Days for Life Vigil: October 19th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Prayer outside Southwestern Late-term Abortion Facility, 8616 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Descriptions of how to participate. I support this endeavor, which is being organized by Fr Seraphim Hipsch, of our sister parish of St Sava. Included is an EXCELLENT discussion of what sin is, a must read. Excerpt: … What is sin? This is a critical fact to bear in mind. What is sin? Sin is a parasite, thriving off the negative / death-ward choices and actions that we as mankind make. This sin, this cancer conceals the eyes of our hearts from the One who truly loves.

Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross We are saved from the poison of our passions and sin through the Cross. Exegesis of John 3:13-17. Text and Audio.

An explanation AND APPLICATION of the Gospel on the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, John 3:13-17, which has the famous verse: John 3:16. The more important part of the passage describes the standard with the serpent on it which Moses lifted up in the wilderness. The cross and the resurrection must be thought of in the same "breath;", and how we must live because of the cross. Excerpt … Our poison is sin. Our poison is passions. We are saved from our passions and sin through the Cross. Why? Because the Son of Man has the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again. And He would shortly lay down His life and take it up again. He has the authority to change our nature such that we no longer would be held by death. That is what happened after His death on the Cross. He descended into Hades of His Own will and filled Hades with His divinity and broke the gates of Hades. We sing about this in Pascha, and actually we sing about it every Saturday evening . And in breaking those bars, breaking the bonds that hold humanity when they die, He made us capable of ascending. …

Electronic Newsletter September 12/25

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church,  McKinney, Texas Electronic Newsletter September 12/25 14th Sunday after Pentecost O Lord, Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance! Grant victory over adversaries, and by Thy cross preserve Thy habitation!   Tuesday, September 27th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross. Let us come together — on Monday… Continue reading Electronic Newsletter September 12/25