Psalm 73 is one of my favorites. I will briefly comment on the different parts of this Psalm in order to explain why I like it so much. (I'm quoting the standard RSV translation.) 73:1 Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost …
Theology, our last hope
A few weeks ago I wrote an article here titled, "Ecology is an Orthodox word." Today I came across an amazing little quote: The proposed solution to our environmental problems are no longer a matter of saving a few watts, using less plastic or stopping an oil pipeline... It is our entire industrialized lifestyle that is …
Stop Ignoring the Extermination of Middle East Christians!
A recent column by Ross Douthat, a usually conservative columnist for the New York Times, brought to the fore a topic that is generally ignored by American media and politicians: the evolving extermination of Christians in the Middle East. Ross Douthat's column refers to the Middle East's "friendless Christians." And that's exactly what they are. One would …
Continue reading "Stop Ignoring the Extermination of Middle East Christians!"
Elevation of the Cross
The feast of the Universal Elevation of the Holy Cross was originally an immensely political feast-day in Byzantium. It is clearly seen in the Apolytikion of the day: Σῶσον Κύριε τὸν λαόν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοῖς Βασιλεῦσι κατὰ βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καὶ τὸ σὸν φυλάττων διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου πολίτευμα. This is a …
A courageous little girl
A belated happy birthday to Ruby Bridges, 60 years old this week (Sept. 8th). As today, Sept. 11th, has become a day dedicated to hatred, it's good to remember how a little girl overcame hatred 54 years ago. It should be our own mission as Orthodox Christians to oppose hatred and prejudice wherever we find it, …
Family Values
Today, September 8th, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos. A beautiful feast, celebrating the birth of the future birth-giver of God. There's nothing in the Bible about the birth of Mary, so the church has relied on sources outside the Bible. Joachim and Anna, the parents of Mary, were …
Which church will survive?
I came across a provocative article, A Church for Exiles, by Carl Trueman in the August issue of First Things, a periodical of conservative Christian thought. The author of this article sees Christianity overwhelmed by secularism and entering a period of "exile" in the United States. He asks the question as to which church (or Christian tradition) …
Be a Sail, not an Anchor
A few years ago I received a post-Thanksgiving email from a good friend. I read it again tonight as I sit in the balcony of my mother's home in Patra, Greece, where I've come to spend a little time with her as she is nearing the end of her beautiful life. As I read again this …
Ecology is an Orthodox word
The Greek word oikos (house, home, dwelling) has fallen on hard times. It is now a brand of Greek-style yo-gurt. I guess it could be worse; it could have become the name for a house-shaped bucket of KFC artery-clogging grease! Even in modern Greek, people say spiti instead of oikos. But thank God the …
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