By: Fr Jonathan Cholcher, Rector of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Warren, OH. The topic of ministering to unwed mothers and their children assumes that the Church will deal with this situation if and when it arises. Such ministering presents an opportunity not only for correction of a wrong, but especially for re-direction in what is right: for … Read More
Fasting from “Being Busy” During Lent
One of the main struggles faced by families during Lent is the conflict that seems to exist between lenten expectations and the busy demands of daily family life. It seems as if we try and cram lenten practices, such as increased service attendance, charitable activity, and youth retreats, into a schedule that maintains the same level of involvement in school-related … Read More
The Prayer of St. Ephrem and its practice in daily family life.
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, and love toward your servants. Grant that I may see my own sins and not judge my brother and sister, for blessed are You unto ages of ages. Amen. How can … Read More
When the “Little Church” consists of two families coming together through Marriage
Over the last 30 years, remarriage has become a far more common experience in American family life. A man and a woman remarry, each bringing children with them from a previous marriage. They all begin to live a new life together under one roof. I have no statistics to offer on how many Orthodox Christians face this reality. How does … Read More
Divorced Single Parent Families — What about the Children?
When a divorce takes place in a family, children find themselves in an especially difficult situation. They must cope with their parents’ broken relationship. Custody issues may arise with regard to which parent the children wish to live with and whether they love one parent more than the other. And many times, children question whether they were the cause of … Read More
Single Parent Families: The Need For Communion
One of the difficult things to cope with once a marriage breaks up is the new reality that is presented to children, their parents, their relatives, and in their Church family. How does the family function without mom and dad being together? We all know life goes on and we all find ways to cope. There are tons of books … Read More
Parents who end up going at it alone
Anyone who joins the Church does so as a broken person. We come to the Church as if it were a hospital. We seek healing and rest for our souls and bodies. One of the major changes we have seen in the Church over the last 35 years deals with the question, “What is a family?” The idea of an … Read More
Marriage: The Backbone of the Family
“For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her … Read More