Sunday, June 21, 2009

Re-Located

So, we are relocated to HERE

This will be the new permanent home for this blog for various reasons.

Finally back

So, after a bit of a hiatus when Father and I were in California at a Byzantine Chant workshop (which was awesome by the way, and there will be more about that at a later date), we're back. There might be some changes to the blog (change in web address, that sort of thing is in the works, and a slight change in format) so keep your eyes out for that.

I found this really cool website that I'm looking into. I think it's important that, as Orthodox christians, we need to be conscious of the world around us, and especially in the giving of alms, or charity. And it's not enough to really just be aware of it, or look to a far away country that is in need (which is important too), but we need to look within our own country, especially our own city that we live in, because like it or not, we ARE a part of that community, and we should look to see what we can do for the people in need.

So here is the website. Check it out. http://www.focusnorthamerica.org/

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Spiritual Wisdom

An old man said, "The prophets wrote books, then came our Fathers who put them into practice. Those who came after them learnt them by heart. Then came the present generation, who have written them out and put them into their window seats without using them."

The old man said, "Spiritual work is essential; it is for this we have come to the desert. It is very hard to teach with the mouth that which one does not practice in the body."

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Pentecost

Reflection on the meaning of Pentecost
Wisdom of Elder Athanasios Mitilinaios
I will ask, when Christ said, Go out and make disciples of all nations, who was He addressing? To whom was this commandment given? We do not see anything in His words that suggest, if you have spare time and if you have nothing else to do, then just go and talk to the people about the gospel. Not at all! This is a commandment, a must! For whom? For the eleven disciples? Now what would happen once the twelve disciples exited this life? Wouldn’t this commandment become irrelevant? Of course! So, the commandment of evangelizing was only seasonal? - One of a limited time, a certain epoch, necessary only way back when? - Certainly not. This commandment concerns every faithful without exception!
From 2009 Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar