And the Response of Authentic Christian Charity The Church, if she be authentic in her Christian witness, must grapple with the challenges of society starting from its most marginalized sector. If the Church does not teach with a loud voice that the Great Lenten Fast is about more than refraining from
And the Acquisition of a Humble and a Contrite Heart When the monk attempts to rely on his own strength to do battle with his fallen nature, he will be defeated. The arena, his field of battle, takes place in his own heart, and will be a life long battle.
Bishops and Priests Must Serve Their People with Simplicity and Christ-like Love Orthodoxy has traditionally avoided clericalism, yet in more recent times this very corruption of priestly service has enter the doors of the Orthodox Church. It has led some clergy to seek out, for personal gain, even the heavy
Holy Tradition Supports the Proper Interpretation of the Bible Many evangelical protestants see Holy Tradition as standing in direct contrast to Scripture, as though Tradition is always relegated to “the traditions of men”. However, there are numerous references in Holy Scripture to Holy Tradition. For example: “Many have undertaken to
Random Photos of a Missionary Journey I’ve returned, exhausted but elated, after a six day missionary journey into Northern California, where I served as a guest evangelist for Saint Elias Orthodox Mission, Diamond Springs, CA. Father James Steele, together with a committed parish council, had invited me. Along with his
The Struggle for Repentance In our struggle on the path to God, repentance must be the central theme. Only in repentance will we find the true meaning of life, for only in repentance can one enter into communion with God. This life has been given to us for one purpose,
The Similarities Between theTrainer and the Spiritual Director 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 Welsh), and
Seventh Day Adventist High School When the Light of Christ is Shrouded in Darkness Asked by Father James Steele, the kind and humble rector of Saint Elias Russian Orthodox Church in Placerville, CA., I have been speaking as part of his parish outreach program. Led by this amazing priest, and
Our Enemy is not of Flesh and Blood The Church Militant, which is the Church of Christ here on this earth, is in the midst of a battle. Our enemy is not one of flesh and blood, but one of darkness and evil. The survival of humankind is not dependent
Sharing the Truth of Orthodoxy by Our Love If you wish to share the truth of the Orthodox Faith, and Christ Who is her head, you must give witness to the love of Christ by loving everyone. Without Christ, Orthodoxy is just another religion, devoid of the power to transform