Should we be concerned about infections or germs when receiving from a common spoon? A recent poll among Orthodox Christians reported that many voiced concern regarding the safety of receiving the Holy Gifts from a common spoon, worried it might expose them to germs, infections, or some disease. They were
A monastic as a Police and Fire Chaplain It has been a great blessing for me to have been serving as a police and fire chaplain for the past sixteen years. My interest in chaplaincy began when I was asked by a number of inmates to serve as their Orthodox
The Age of Enlightenment, and the fall of the West Without Christ, all things are permissible, to paraphrase Dostoevsky. There is the real problem this country and all ‘Western’ formerly Christian nations are facing today. As the last shreds of Christian morality and belief fall away, the reality of the
The restoration of the 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
On being a good father I’ll forever be grateful for the love and support I received from my father. My dad never let a day pass without assuring his two sons of his love and acceptance. Albert Parsons always imaged to his sons the importance of living an honest life,
Spiritual pain control or spiritual healing? Since the Church is the hospital for the soul, it is important we take full advantage of all the resources for healing found within the Church. Confession is the all important beginning for this healing process to begin. The grace imparted during a good
Complaining weakens our resolve If we are always complaining about how unfairly we are treated, we will have failed in our imitation of Christ, Who was abused by His enemies unto death. We should strive to reign with Our Lord by loving our enemies and never complain. Christ looked towards
Where God’s love consumes all According to Saint Gregory of Nyssa, heaven and hell are not about location, but about relationship. God is everywhere, and He did not create a heaven for some, and a hell for others. If we love God, His fire will be a comforting warmth, but
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), bartender in a small Irish pub (I’m one quarter Scottish),
The necessity of Christian friendships In this age where secularism is on the rise, and materialism has become a major distraction from spiritual pursuits, Christian friendship has never been more important. The pursuit of personal fulfillment, entertainment, worldly pleasure, and the acquisition of material goods, has become the dominant theme