Category: The Morning Offering

There is no room for abusive husbands, tyrannical bishops, or clericalist priests Misty Isle Farms, the largest privately owned property on Vashon Island, with more than three hundred acres, sponsors an annual Sheep Dog Trials, every autumn. The dogs are judged according to their ability to quickly herd sheep through

Taking Orthodoxy Beyond The Self-Congratulatory We must guard against noticing when another parishioner seems careless in the making of the sign of the cross, while we go about demonstrating for all around us, the proper way. Making sweeping signs of the cross that are done in such a way as

The Saints Are Alive In Christ Jesus Vigil lights are placed before the icons of the saints, according to Saint Symeon the New Theologian, as a way of showing that without the Light, Who is Christ, the saints are nothing. It is only as the light of Christ shines on

Encountering The Precious, Ageless, And Sacred The very first time I entered an Orthodox church, I felt drawn to Her. There was a tangible, inner tug, and an overwhelming sense of peace, holiness, and awe, emanating from the very walls of the temple. The serving clergy were not the focus

God Is With Us In The Intimacy Of Grief There are those moments that bring together whole communities in need of mourning together. During such times like these, we need to mourn. One of the most tremendously rewarding and challenging aspects of the priesthood is comforting people in their darkest

Neither Self-esteem or Self-loathing Humility does not require we think poorly of ourselves, nor be given over to self-loathing. Just as we must not be over-lauding ourselves, we must not sink to a state of self-loathing, for both states have their basis in the ego. I would be the last

We Must Allow God to Create Harmony Out Of Chaos The briefness of life has become more evident to me as I’ve faced heart issues that have come with age. It has not been a fearful experience for I believe with all my heart that God is there, especially when

The Restoration of Our True Self The Lord Jesus Christ was humble, meek and good, and with the help of the Lord we too can be humble. Fasting and prayer are the means by which God can change our hearts, but we must approach both with humility and purpose. Saying

The Limits of Human Reason and the Knowledge of God There is the seen, and there is the unseen, the material and the immaterial. That which is material can be scientifically examined and experienced, the immaterial can only be seen and experienced spiritually. These are two worlds that are only