Holding festival in our whole life, persuaded that God is present everywhere, we cultivate our fields, praising. We sail the sea, hymning. In all the rest of our life, we conduct ourselves according to discipline.
+St Clement of Alexandria
There is an interesting blog entry at http://www.argo411.worpress.com, titled, “Just A Simple Question,” which reflects on the number of ‘parish board’ members at a parish that is highlighted in the most recent Orthodox Observer, and the corporate mentality of Orthodoxy in America. I am interested to hear if anyone has an opinion on this matter, in general, or how is relates to our own Saint Basil community.
A blessed Lent to all, as we begin the 40 day pilgrimage this Clean Monday. In addition to the multiple weekday liturgical services (Monday: Compline, Wednesday: Presanctified Liturgy, Friday: Salutations to the Theotokos), each Sunday during the Lenten season has a particular theme. This Sunday, the first Sunday of Great Lent, is deemed the “The Sunday of Orthodoxy,” where the Church commemorates the restoration of icons in the Church, after decades of struggle again the iconoclast heresy. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful will process around the church building holding icons—remembering the procession which took place centuries ago, lead by the Empress, Saint Theodora.
Join us at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church this Sunday for this historic and blessed event—remember to bring an icon from your home for the procession!
Interesting blog, relating opportunities in the Orthodox Christian Church, and principles produced by a professor in the Harvard Business School.
Blog Site: http://www.argo411.wordpress.com
Specific Blog Title: “Leading Change”
Greek Battle Over Religious Symbols
The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has warned the country’s new socialist government that it faces a major battle over removing religious symbols from schools.
The European Court in Strasbourg has ordered Italy to take down crucifixes from its classrooms, and Greece’s justice minister has acknowledged that it may have to follow suit. From Lamia in Central Greece, Malcolm Brabant reports.
Great article offering a Christian message in the midst of the disaster in Haiti.
University of Portland grad missing in Haiti while another survives collapse
“I did nothing to deserve to be born into such a wonderful life—none of us did,” said Prusynski, of Boise. “It was the best original birthday gift any of us could have ever received. Never forget your original birthday gift and earn it over and over every day in whatever way you are able to give back to the world.”
The horrific earthquake that has devastated the small island country of Haiti has been in the global media, and let left many asking the question, ‘What can I do to help?’ The magnitude of the disaster, combined with the lack of Haitian infrastructure prior to the earthquake, has created a situation where the majority of physical effort aimed at responding to this disaster is most appropriately coming from foreign countries and militaries. Although the media has shown limited Non-Governmental Agencies involved in Haiti, effective opportunities are currently limited the efforts of foreign governments; however, this absolutely does not mean that you can not help the people of Haiti.
First and foremost, we must pray for the souls of all those who have lost their lives in this tragedy, and the lives of all those affected either directly or indirectly. The power of pray must not be discounted, and we must actualize the reality that this is a response that we all are able to offer!
Secondly, as initial physical responses are being actualized mainly by governments, funding is continually needed to support these efforts, and the efforts which compliment them via independent non-governmental agencies. A most worthy non-governmental agency that strongly recommend all donate to is International Orthodox Christian Charities, IOCC. IOCC has already teamed with an ecumenical partner and funded an airlift of shelters and clean water to the people of Haiti! This is only the first response anticipated by IOCC, which is continuing to gather information as to appropriate short and long-term responses to this tragedy. In whatever amount you are able prayerfully offer, donate to IOCC’s Haitian Response!
Thirdly, your local church, organization, or family may assemble Emergency Response Kits. Health Kits and Baby Kits are in greatest demand currently, however, any of the emergency kits will offer relief and support to a mother, a father, or a child who is in need. The Metropolis of San Francisco is teaming with IOCC, by supporting this vital response, and encourages all parishes to act to the best of their ability in this Christian endeavor.
Do not leave a void after you ask yourself that question, ‘What can I do to help?’ Your help is needed today—You will make a difference!
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco launches a new phase of ministerial programing, through its established Spiritual Renewal Ministry. For over 30 years the Metropolis Spiritual Renewal Ministry has offered annual retreats intent on revitalizing faith amongst the faithful; now the fruit of this ministry is available on-line through the launch of the Metropolis of San Francisco Spiritual Renewal Ministry website. By breaking out into this new media-ministry forum, the Metropolis of San Francisco offers individuals an opportunity to view the presentations of the annual retreats, and continue the ministry experience by posting and viewing comments.
The 2009 Spiritual Renewal Retreat, Christian Themes in Pop Media, is now available on-line; exploring Christian themes that can be extrapolated from popular music and movies, including: The Beatles, The Truman Show, and featured presenter, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and original member of The Byrds, Chris Hillman.
May our Lord bless this new ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco, and all those who approach an experience of spiritual renewal.
This article references a 5th Century Byzantine Christian Church that has been discovered in the United States, specifically Connecticut! I have not read any other citations to this church, and am eager to hear if others have heard anything. It is not outside of the realm of possibility that we have not heard more of it for a reason—imagine the political, social, and religious ramifications if this were indeed proven to be an Orthodox Christian Church in American soil, from the 5th Century!!! If you have heard anything else about this, please contact me, and let me know what you have heard…
In recent decades, many issues of morality have been turned political, for the benefit of a few, and detriment of many. Homosexuality is one such issue, often viewed now as a conduit to a voting demographic in election years, or the dynamic for groups, supportive and opposing, to gain exposure for their own agendas. How unfortunate that these are now part of the our society’s common perception of homosexuality, rather that actual people. As most, if not all, issues politicized, the movement is agenda driven. “Gay agendas” are commonly referred to, in support and opposition, yet very few that I have ever heard of actually support the struggles of an individual. I came across this article on http://www.orthodoxytoday.org, and felt obligated to give it some attention—as the anonymous author writes with a Christian agenda of love, manifest through repentance, honesty, and humility.
To this anonymous author, you are in my prayers as you struggle in the vineyard of the Lord!
September 11, 2001 marks a heinous event in world history—the terrorist attacks of Muslim terrorists on American soil, murdering thousands of innocent people. As Americans, our responses may vary based upon our our abilities, yet it is our universal responsibility to pray for those who were affected by such hatred and evil. At Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church, we will actualize this powerful and continual response by praying for the souls of those victims. During the weekend events of our annual Greek Food Festival, Friday, September 11, at 5:00 pm, a memorial service will be prayed at Saint Basil’s, in the church. All are welcome to attend and participate in this Christian and American response to this sad day in world history. Please join us.