For the Prayers of Parents Make Firm the Foundation of Households

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Title taken from the Orthodox Marriage Service By Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div. The prayers and hymns of the Orthodox Church are ancient and revered, but also replete with references from the Scriptures and the historical life of the Church. Let’s take a closer look at the Marriage Service, particularly the second prayer before the crowning of the Bride and Groom. … Read More

How Lenten Disciplines Work Together

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Lent is always a challenge when it comes to observing the fast, getting to more church services, and increasing or improving upon the quality of one’s prayer life. These words from Peter Chrysologus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are wonderful thoughts to live by. This excerpt is taken from the 4th Sunday of Lent after the Synaxarion on St. John … Read More

The Victory of the Cross

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Ode 1 Triodion Canon Verse, Sunday of the Cross Mighty Cross of the Lord, manifest yourself, showing me the divine vision of your beauty! Grant that I may worthily venerate you, for I speak to you and embrace you as alive! Last Sunday and this week we place the Holy Cross in our churches to remind us where we are … Read More

Children during Lent: Ideas for Parents

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Taken from: http://www.orthodoxmotherhood.com/children-during-lent-ideas-for-parents/  I remember my first ever Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha in the Orthodox Church.  The reflection and anticipation of Lent, with its dogged mission to bring my sins and need for repentance to the forefront of my mind each day; the solemnity of Holy Week, with its invitation to completely enter into the cosmic events that changed … Read More

Desire and Climbing the Tree

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The five Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent are important for helping us get ready to observe and participate in the Great Fast. We got started with the Sunday of Zacchaeus a few days ago. As many may know, Fr. Alexander Schmemann identified the theme of Zacchaeus Sunday as “desire.” Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He faced several obstacles. … Read More

Who Is God?

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This Sunday evening, we will be doing our livestream on this question. I am looking forward to it. I wanted to share a few preliminary thoughts on this, as unworthy as I am to do so. In August of 1993, my father passed away. I had completed my second year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. I was at the funeral home … Read More