I received notice of some photos from Nativity, at Holy Protection Russian Orhtodox Chiurch, Des Plaines, IL. These are picutres relatied to theior ?Nativity celebration. Vladyka Peter, Protodeacon Vadim, and Subdeacon Andrei, who were recently at our Patronal feast, are in some of these pictures. Fr Nicholas needs to study these pictures and learn to look fierce like Fr Vadim!
How to react to evil. Sunday after Nativity. 2011
On the Sunday after Nativity, we commemorate King David, Joseph the Betrothed, and James, the Brother of the Lord. The Gospel reading is about the Flight into Egypt. It teaches us how to react to evil. This is the opposite of the way the world reacts. We must learn this way if we are to understand anything about God – this is the way of meekness, the patience of faith and humility.
Holy Prophet and King David, Joseph the Betrothed, James The Just, the Brother of the Lord. Why are these saints commemorated near to Nativity?H
A homily describing on the Eve of the Sunday after Nativity during matins, describing the Holy Prophet and King David, Joseph the Betrothed, James The Just, the Brother of the Lord. Why are these saints commemorated near to Nativity? What do they teach us about the Nativity?
The Wonder of the Incarnation St Gregory the Theologian (Nazianzen)
Read this homily of St Gregory the Theologian (Nazianzen) carefully! It is a materpiece of Christological theology and rhetoric, and while accurately declaring important dogmas, it also captures the wonder of the incarnation. We MUST feel this wonder if we are true Christians.
Nativity of the Savior. The Meaning of Christmas: Abba Father. Audio.
LISTEN NOW Synopsis: During the Advent season, the "Meaning of Christmas" is often referenced, and most of the time, it is far from the truth, and even hackneyed and shallow. This homily does an almost line by line exegesis of the Epistle Read on Nativity and one of the Epistles read the day before, explaining… Continue reading Nativity of the Savior. The Meaning of Christmas: Abba Father. Audio.
Why A Chinese Buddhist Became an Orthodox Athonite Monk Christ is born! And we are not alone. Nativity 2011
This story, about a Chines Orthodox Athonite Monk is entirely appropriate for the Nativity season. Because God became man, we are not alone. This is worth reading.
Fasting Hubbard Squash Soup
Recipe for Fasting Hubbard squash soup, served and loved at our trapeza.
Hummus – 3 Recipes
Three recipes for hummus, the first of which I have had at the 6th Annual Winter Retreat at St George the Great Martyr Orthodox Church (Pharr Texas, “down in the valley…”). It was fantastic.
I have not had not tasted the other recipes, but everything I had at the retreat was great, including a vegan posole that was incredible. When I am worthy to get that recipe I will share it.
Sunday Of The Holy Fathers, Saint John Of Kronstadt, and The Purpose Of The Incarnation, Ye shall be children of the Highest.
On this Sunday before Nativity, St John of Kronstadt is also commemorated, and the Gospel for him and his life perfectly describes the purpose of the Incarnation. This Gospel contains our Lord’s admonishments to love, using concrete examples, and concludes with the promise “And ye shall be children of the highest”. This is the purpose of the incarnation, and examining this Gospel along with St John’s life, which struggled to fulfill it illuminates this purpose for us, therefore, on this Sunday when we read the “Begats”, it is appropriate to delve into what is means to be children of the highest, and how and why we can attain this high calling. We also suggest another way to describe the “Golden Rule” and what should be our inner motivation for loving our fellow man, and doing anything that is good in this life.
Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. The Great Supper; An Invitation to Become, Not to Eat.
Today we hear a parable about the great supper, and I submit to you that this supper is not the one that we eat. It is one that we become. If you understand the supper in this way, then you will understand why it is that people didn’t want to come to the supper. Very few people are willing to turn down a free meal, right? This was not a free meal. This was the way of life that makes us free. The certain man, of course, is God. And that great supper is our becoming like Him so that we will know Him…