The Temptation of Living only for Today The almost universal temptation of our time, is to be living only for the present moment. We want to enjoy ourselves now, relax and be comfortable now, have it all now. Our focus is, consequently, on a tiny slice of eternity. By focusing
My friend, Koshin Cain, Abbot of the Puget Sound Zen Center, joined us for his first Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Kazan Icon The Link between Repentance and Humility In an age when “self-focus” is the rule of the day, and where the ego seems to reign, it
The Christian Response to Poverty Americans are witnessing the widest gap between the highest and lowest income families since officials began tracking the data a decade ago. As many conservative members of Congress continue to press for cutbacks in programs, such as food stamps, medical coverage, and housings subsidies, all
The Meaning of Salvation in the Ancient Church According to Protopresbyter George Metallinos, Dean of the Athens University School of Theology, “For we Orthodox the unique and absolute goal of life in Christ is theosis, our union with God, so that man – through his participation in God’s uncreated energy
Entering into the Silence All Orthodox Christians are aware of the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, in our journey to God. These three practices are at the heart of the Great Lenten Fast. Prayer is our way of communicating with God on a daily basis, and fasting days (Wednesday
Metaphysical Philosophy and Pure Theology There are only a few Orthodox saints who’ve been given the honor of being called, “theologians”. Saint John the Theologian, and Saint Symeon the New Theologian, to give two examples, were declared Theologians by the Church, because their theology was the result of their having
The Original Men in Black The monastic vocation is a special calling from God that is all about relationships. It is a relationship that involves community (the monastic brotherhood), but primarily revolves around the monk’s relationship with God. Monks are not holy men who are living lives set apart from
First Responders to First Responders Chaplains are called to be for police officers, medics, and fire fighters, what these officers cannot be for themselves. Chaplains must be advocates for their police officers, before their chiefs, and with the community. Police Officers, by their vary nature, have to be tough, often
Federation of Fire Chaplains I’m two days into a four day Federation of Fire Chaplains International Conference, being held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Seattle. Last night we held a memorial service at St. James Catholic Cathedral, honoring the fallen fire fighters and chaplains who lost their lives in
Just Whose Recipe is it, Anyway? One of the most powerful reasons for embracing Orthodoxy is to be found in the Church’s insistence that she holds to the evangelical and apostolic doctrine of the Ancient Church. In an age when everything is up for change, there is a certain security