As I sit down to write this article, it’s hard to believe that Great Lent is just around the corner. It seems like only yesterday, we were in the midst of the Forty Liturgies of the Nativity Fast. I thank God for the Pre-Lenten Sundays, such as Zacchaeus, the Canaanite Woman, the Publican and the Pharisee and so on. These serve as a warm-up before the big game and also help us to sharpen our focus on the journey ahead. Great Lent is indeed a journey. It’s a journey of repentance, a journey ... [Read more]
Holy Theophany: Feast of Renewal and Re-Creation
The Feast of Epiphany in the Orthodox Church commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan by the hand of John the Baptist. It is considered one of the twelve major feasts of Jesus Christ in the Orthodox Church. This particular feast has several titles, which help tell us something about its meaning. The word ‘epiphany’ means manifestation. Most Orthodox refer to this feast as Theophany, which means “manifestation of God.” Another title for Jesus’ baptism is “The Feast of Lights.” The Orthodox ... [Read more]
All of God, All of Us
September marks the beginning of the new Ecclesiastical Year in the Orthodox Church, and I have been thinking a lot this past month about renewal and recommitment. Many of the basics of our Orthodox Faith have come to mind, and I have been setting some personal goals related to my own repentance and relationship with God. I have also been thinking about ways our parish needs to grow. One area of needed growth is in Christian Stewardship, and specifically in our monetary giving. I would like to ... [Read more]
Strengthening the Core and Reducing the Periphery
“For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them.” (Rom. 12:4-6) The members of the local church community make up the Body of Christ, and as with a human body, the Body of Christ has many different members and all the members are important. They each serve a unique and necessary role in the ... [Read more]
Coming Together for Paraklesis: We All Need Prayer
“It seems everybody needs prayer right now,” one parishioner said last week. True. When we look at the past six weeks of parish life, we see families who have negotiated interstate moves to Portland and others making or contemplating substantial moves across town. Three expectant families welcomed new little boys into the world. Others are preparing for surgeries, baptisms, weddings, graduations, beginning the job search process and making changes in their careers in an uncertain economy. ... [Read more]
