October 6/19 20th Holy Apostle Thomas, 20th Monday after Pentecost I did not know much about life skills back then, but I got one right at least! At college, about 1980, on Valentine’s Day. This picture is still in my bible from back then. Lets us be perfectly honest with one-another; we do… Continue reading Christian Life Skills – The Four Bows. Give the first fruits of your day to the Lord
Category: Pastoral Journal
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 “What are Christians? Christians are Christ-bearers, and by virtue of this bearers and possessors of eternal life, and this according to the measure of faith and according to the measure of holiness which is from faith. The Saints… Continue reading What is a Christian? What is a Saint?
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
This parable is one of the most important in all of Scripture, and a proper understanding of it is crucial. The interpreter par-excellence of this Gospel is my Patron, St Seraphim of Sarov. His ?Conversation with Motovilov? (also here) contains pearls regarding this parable.
This is worth spending some time on. If you are skimming, at least read St Seraphim?s comments, which follow the Gospel selection.
Christian Life Skills – Being on time
Oct 1/Oct 14 2009 19th Wednesday after Pentecost. Protection of the Theotokos I am starting a series of articles on “Life Skills”. This term is used regarding simple and necessary skills needed to succeed in modern life, raise a baby, etc. For instance, young mothers may be taught to not put their baby to bed… Continue reading Christian Life Skills – Being on time
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. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; (10) That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be… Continue reading Christian Love is not the same as the World’s love.
Iconostasis Design Meeting, with pictures and altar/iconostasis design sketch
This post looks better at: http://www.orthodox.net/journal/2009-10-12_iconostasis-design-meeting.html. It is hard to get some graphics right on the blog. Sep 29/ Oct 12 2009 Today, Michael Daum (right) our resident point man for the building project, Reader Nicholas Park, and yours truly (Priest Seraphim, the head delegator) met with Fr Michael Storozuk, rector of St Paul… Continue reading Iconostasis Design Meeting, with pictures and altar/iconostasis design sketch
Everything MUST have meaning! Sickness Drug Addiction Priorities
Sept 26/ Oct 8 2009. Repose Of The Holy Apostle And Evangelist John The Theologian Being sick this week has made me a little philosophical, with the extra and welcome downtime. Normally, I try to write about the service texts and scripture, because these things are at the core of our faith, and… Continue reading Everything MUST have meaning! Sickness Drug Addiction Priorities
Raising the Dead Influencing the belief of the dead. St John Chrysostom, Homily 3 on Ephesians
A useful perspective for the pastor, and anyone who cares. Sep 19/ Oct 2 2009 2009 17th Friday after Pentecost Today, in reading St John Chrysostom’s homilies on Ephesians, I came across a startling “attitude adjustment”, that is a different and better way to look at a vexing problem. We all have… Continue reading Raising the Dead Influencing the belief of the dead. St John Chrysostom, Homily 3 on Ephesians
Construction Photos – The walls are almost done.
Photos taken before our Thursday Evening Moleben. Sep 18 / Oct 1 2009 Looking out of a southern window Southern wall – almost done. Same window, one different girl It is fun to scream in standing in a window! I can do it all by… Continue reading Construction Photos – The walls are almost done.
Classic Chrysostom. How to read St John Chrysostom.
Psychology and Theology. Refuting all our excuses for sins. In my study of Ephesians for our Sunday adult class, besides reading the scripture, and related scriptures, I read the homilies of St John Chrysostom. He has a habit of ending his homilies with a lofty moral admonition, that often, somewhat confusingly, has little or… Continue reading Classic Chrysostom. How to read St John Chrysostom.