Great Lent – All Saints West Point

To Carry Your Cross

We are about halfway through the Great Lenten journey. Orthodox churches mark this point with the Veneration of the Holy Cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy. The Church Fathers saw it was good for Christians to have a special commemoration to remind us of why we endure this time of fasting, almsgiving, repentance,Continue reading “To Carry Your Cross”

Sickness & Sin: Right Priorities

“Do not think that sickness is grievous; only sin is grievous. Sickness accompanies us only to the grave, but sin follows the sinner even after the grave.” Abba Serapion We care deeply about physical illnesses and injuries. This concern is highlighted by the recent COVID-19 outbreaks. Even before this, we have been getting vaccines forContinue reading “Sickness & Sin: Right Priorities”

Martyrdom & Monasticism: An Orthodox Life in These Times

Yes, I’m still an Orthodox Christian. If anything, I may be a little more optimistic about sharing my faith now than ever before. There is plenty to be pessimistic and worried about. The controversial split in the Ukrainian Church between the autocephalous and Moscow Patriarchate aligned congregations has been further inflamed with the current war.Continue reading “Martyrdom & Monasticism: An Orthodox Life in These Times”

Forgiveness Sunday: Fasting from Spiritual Complacency

In the Byzantine tradition of Orthodox Christianity, we begin the Great Lenten Fast with Forgiveness Sunday Vespers. After our usual evening prayers, we include the prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian with prostrations. Then, we exchange the kiss of peace asking for and receiving forgiveness from each person in the church. The next 40 daysContinue reading “Forgiveness Sunday: Fasting from Spiritual Complacency”

Sunday of Judgement: Biblical Perspectives of Why I Fast

“There is no verse in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt fast for 40 days before Holy Week and Easter and call it Lent.” But, does there have to be?”

Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Coming to Our Senses in Prayer

This past Sunday was the second of the Lenten Triodion of the Orthodox Church. The Gospel lesson was from the Lord’s parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). This upcoming Sunday is the recognition of the Final Judgement and the last day that we are to freely consume meat (Meatfare) before the great fast. ItContinue reading “Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Coming to Our Senses in Prayer”

A Day in the Orthodox Life: Pascha (Easter)

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! It’s Sunday, May 2nd 2021 and I am winding down from the greatest and oldest Christian feast day. Pascha is the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the grave having total victory over death and sin. As I said before in a previous article, the Orthodox Church calculatesContinue reading “A Day in the Orthodox Life: Pascha (Easter)”