Q. I’m Greek Orthodox but I’ve never heard of the “Old Calendar.” Could you please explain what this means? A. All Orthodox in the world used the Julian Calendar, which is currently thirteen days behind our modern civil calendar, until March 1924. At that time, the bishops of the Church in Greece unilaterally converted their… Continue reading Old vs. New Calendar: Frequently Asked Questions
Category: Holy Theotokos Greenville
Posts originally appearing on the website of Nativity of the Holy Theotokos Orthodox Church in Greenville, North Carolina.
September 2012 Bulletin Message
Please Note: This is something I wrote over a year and a half ago, which I never published online. I am posting it now for posterity. – Anastasios Dear Friends in Christ, I am happy to inform you that our Church in America continues to grow, paralleling our parish in Greenville’s growth over the past… Continue reading September 2012 Bulletin Message
August 2012 Bulletin Message
Please Note: This is something I wrote over a year and a half ago, which I never published online. I am posting it now for posterity. – Anastasios Dear Friends in Christ, September marks our fourth anniversary, and as in previous years, I’d like to take a moment to recap some of what has happened… Continue reading August 2012 Bulletin Message
Keeping the End in Mind
Dear Friends in Christ, Last Friday, there was a rare “Derecho” storm which pounded the East Coast, knocking out power in the DC area, parts of North Carolina, and places even further away. I had been working in the Northern Virginia area for my secular profession and left the Falls Church area around 8:00 pm… Continue reading Keeping the End in Mind
Heavenly King
Dear Friends in Christ, Most prayers of the Orthodox Church begin with the following prayer: Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who Art everywhere present and fillest all things, O Treasury of blessings and Bestower of life, come and dwell within us, and cleanse us from all stain, and save our souls, O… Continue reading Heavenly King
Christ Preached in Hades
Dear Friends in Christ, Christ Is Risen! Χριστός ανέστη! We had a blessed Pascha here in Greenville, North Carolina. Those of you who were able to make it joined me in witnessing our largest turnout to date. Seeing this steady growth of our parish is encouraging and gives us the energy needed to keep going… Continue reading Christ Preached in Hades
Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh
Dear Friends in Christ, Holy Week is fast approaching, and Great Lent 2012 will conclude before we know it. This year, we began celebrating the Akathist to the Theotokos (Hairetismi) each Friday night. When I was not able to make it to Greenville, the parishioners came together and prayed it as a lay-led service, which… Continue reading Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh
The Value of Lay-Led Services
Last Sunday, fourteen people gathered together in worship and fellowship at our parish on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. They prayed the Service of the Typica, also known as the Reader’s Service, which is what Orthodox Christians do when there is no priest available to serve liturgy. As most know, since our… Continue reading The Value of Lay-Led Services
Fr. Anastasios’s 2012 Pastoral Challenge!
Dear Friends in Christ, 2011 drew to a close here in Greenville, and on a very positive note as we welcomed several new people who have begun to attend regularly. This builds upon the growth we had already experienced this year, making 2011 our best year yet! It’s a testament to all of your dedication,… Continue reading Fr. Anastasios’s 2012 Pastoral Challenge!
Peace on Earth
Dear Friends in Christ, Over the Thanksgiving break, I heard about fights breaking out in stores as shoppers vied to get the best deals on merchandise on so-called “Black Friday.” Below are two excerpts, one locally in the Kinston area of Eastern Carolina, and the other from across the country in California: Kinston, North Carolina,… Continue reading Peace on Earth