The Church is a microcosm of the universe “Everything that lives and breathes is sacred and beautiful in the eyes of God. The whole world is a sacrament. The entire created cosmos is a burning bush of God’s uncreated energies. And humankind stands as a priest before the altar of
Dear Readers, Abbot Tryphon had a tumble today and hit his head while out hiking with the Salish Brotherhood of St. John the Wonderworker. He is being checked out at the hospital. A head scan came back clear, so we are very thankful for that. But he does have a
We must guard the heart As we are all filled with thoughts that flood our minds, let us consider each thought and decide whether it be our own, or those of the enemy of our salvation. If they be the latter they should be dispelled and given no room to
Cremation versus the Orthodox practice of burial The first time I ever attended a funeral service where cremation of the body of the deceased had taken place was in Portland, Oregon, many years ago. An Episcopal priest friend had died and had requested his body be cremated. Walking into the
Mourning is an ancient ritual, one in which Jesus participated One of the most tremendously rewarding and challenging aspects of the priesthood is comforting people in their darkest moments of sorrow. Do not be mistaken, and think that priests, monks and chaplains are exempt from the pain of those whom
All important for the preservation of Orthodoxy When parishes are forced to close, it is not just because the children have moved away, and the old folks have died off. The problem is much greater than this. With increased numbers of immigrants joining parishes, often with the expressed desire to
A spiritual hospital, a clinic, a hospice, a therapeutic center, and a fitness center Our Orthodox Church has always seen herself as a hospital for the soul, the place where her children can seek healing. It is within her walls that we find the medicine we need to make us
“What began in Russia will end in America.” ~(Schema-hieromonk Elder Ignatius of Harbin Manchuria, August 3/16, 1958†) As an American I have clearly seen, over these past forty years or so, a secularization of our nation, with the end result that evil is taking root. Consequently, the American people are
How do we find God in an unbelieving world? God is a merciful God, quick to forgive, quick to show mercy, quick to embrace us when we turn to Him. In all of eternity our God chose to create humankind in His image and likeness, offering His creatures the opportunity
The similarities between the trainer and the spiritual father Just after my graduation from college I moved to Portland, Oregon, where I worked at various jobs, including waiting tables in an upscale restaurant (to this day, I’m a good tipper), a bartender in a small Irish pub (I’m mostly Scotish),