A Reflection on the Second Anniversary of Roberto Rivas’s Repose (November 19, 2008) Twice now the seasons have come and gone; the sleepy Winter and the rebirth of Spring, the never-ending days of Summer, and the gradual fading away of Fall. I have always disliked Fall, with the eerie sound of the wind whipping through… Continue reading Twice Now the Seasons Have Come and Gone
The Holy Cross
Dear Friends in Christ, During September, we celebrated our parish feast day, and a few days later, we celebrated the Holy Cross. We recalled the birth of the Virgin Mary, a miracle in and of itself, as her parents had been unable to conceive until they besought God powerfully in prayer, and then in a… Continue reading The Holy Cross
Second Anniversary
Dear Friends in Christ, Fellowship After Our First Orthodox Liturgy in Greenville, NC, 2008 September 21 will mark the second year anniversary of the first liturgy at our mission parish, Nativity of the Holy Theotokos in Greenville! Eastern Carolina is a place where Orthodox Christianity is not familiar to most, and as such founding our… Continue reading Second Anniversary
The Ecumenical Councils and Us
Dear Friends in Christ, On Sunday, we commemorated the Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, all those bishops and teachers who assembled on seven occasions between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787 to debate and define precisely the Christian faith against those who were challenging it from within. This is an aspect of the Orthodox Church… Continue reading The Ecumenical Councils and Us
American Independence and Our Freedom in Christ
Dear Friends in Christ, On Sunday, we celebrated American Independence Day, our nation’s birthday, a day when we thank God for the freedom we have in this country to live where we wish, work in the profession we choose, and worship God as we choose to. In centuries past, and even today, many people have… Continue reading American Independence and Our Freedom in Christ
Holy Week in Our North Carolina Missions
Whenever I visit our parishes, or speak to fellow Orthodox Christians, the topic of the missionary work we are doing in North Carolina always generates interest. I have previously written two articles concerning our missionary endeavors in North Carolina, “Our Missions in North Carolina” and “Our One Year Anniversary,” but for some time I have… Continue reading Holy Week in Our North Carolina Missions
Holy Week in Our North Carolina Missions
Orthodox Holy Friday Services in Greenville, NC, 2009 Whenever I visit our parishes, or speak to fellow Orthodox Christians, the topic of the missionary work we are doing in North Carolina always generates interest. I have previously written two articles concerning our missionary endeavors in North Carolina, “Our Missions in North Carolina” and “Our One… Continue reading Holy Week in Our North Carolina Missions
Let the Dead Bury Their own Dead
On Saturday, June 6/19, 2010, Fr. Anastasios delivered a sermon on the theme “Let the Dead Bury Their own Dead” at our sister mission, Holy Mother of God in Charlottesville, Virginia. We thought it would be beneficial to re-post the sermon video here as well, since it touches on the concept of following through with… Continue reading Let the Dead Bury Their own Dead
Loving Our Enemies
Dear Friends in Christ, During the liturgy last Saturday morning, the Gospel appointed to be read was Matthew 5:42-48: Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But… Continue reading Loving Our Enemies
Redefining Church?
When I come to Greenville for liturgy three times a month from Raleigh, I take U.S. Route 264, which brings me right by the town of Wilson, N.C. The few times I’ve stopped there for gas or food, I’ve been impressed by its small-town charm, and have prayed that someday there will be an Orthodox… Continue reading Redefining Church?