The following is a very informative article by His Grace Bishop Alexei of the Diocese of Alaska (OCA). Our parish encourages the traditional use of head coverings for women, but neither enforces nor demands it. Humility, chastity, and modesty are virtues that especially adorn the Most-Pure Virgin Mother of our God. Modesty is itself one […]
Category: Article
No, Christmas is Not Pagan. Just Stop.
By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick Well, it’s time for a good Christmas rant. This requires a rant, because every year, we see the same ignorant silliness. (Sorry, but it’s just true.) Supposedly, Christmas is secretly pagan, secretly syncretist, secretly a co-opting of pagan stuff and ignorantly claiming it to be Christian. But the truth about […]
Acedia: The Two-Faced Demon
This article is originally written by Fr. Jeremy McKemy. Most of us struggle with “acedia” without knowing it. This sinful passion quietly contributes to both spiritual and mental unwellness. There are two opposite ways in which it acts, either through activity or inactivity. That is, either through vain, restless movement or slothfulness and sadness. What Is Acedia? The […]
The Four Stages of Orthodox Life
I am reposting an article here, written by Dn. Jeremiah McKemy, from St. Tikhon’s Seminary. The original post can be found here. I think this will provide a helpful perspective for many people in our convert-heavy church today. In C.S. Lewis’ essay “Talking about Bicycles,” there is a useful illustration of the four ages (or […]
Meet the Everetts
As childhood friends we became high school sweethearts, got married early after high school and began our lives together in downtown Portland. We took turns completing college as we grew our family with four children: James, Mary (Haydee), Maximus (Ron), and Isaiah. After several years growing tired of the rain in northern Oregon, we pursued […]
The History of the “Christmas Tree”
The history of the Christmas tree goes back to St. Boniface of Germany (AD 675-754). Although the account below draws from Western sources, they are not contradictory to what has come down to us in our own Orthodox tradition regarding St. Boniface (who is commemorated in the Orthodox Church on June 5). The story of […]
What Does the Chant “Eternal Memory” Mean at Memorial Services?
By John Sanidopoulos (Source) When we chant “eternal memory” (“αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη”) at the end of Memorial Services and Funerals, it is often falsely assumed that this memory of the departed be preserved on earth not only in the minds of loved ones, but even for many generations after. In fact, however, this hymn is not […]
Insights into Marriage from the Saints through the Ages
Here is the recording of the talk “Insights into Marriage from the Saints through the Ages” by Dr. David Ford (June 20, 2017).
Saint Demetrius Saturday
In the spiritual experience of the Russian Church, veneration of the holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is closely linked with the memory of the defense of the nation and Church by the Great Prince of Moscow, Demetrius of the Don (May 19). St Demetrius of the Don smashed the military might of the Golden […]
Why Do We Address the Cross in Prayer?
By Archpriest Andrei Nikolaidi For many Orthodox Christians, beginning to explore the treasury of Christian prayer and trying to delve into the meaning of the prayers, upon reading the prayers to the Cross the question may arise: “Why do we address the Cross, the Wood, in prayer directly as if to a person?” Indeed, in the […]