Reworking and organizing ecclesiastical mission for the benefit of future generations A presentation given at the 2nd International Conference on Digital Media and Pastoral Care at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, Kolymbari by Fr. John A. Peck In the name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Esteemed hierarchs, fathers and brothers, guests, and fellow Christians, As the 21st century since our Lord's incarnation has shown, contemporary man is in an existential crisis. Confusion over simple, scientifically verifiable facts (life, marriage, gender identity) and their place in the Orthodox Tradition has plagued many, including some otherwise noteworthy Orthodox clergy. These attacks on traditional values, … [Read more...]

The inaugural feast of All Saints of North America was celebrated this past weekend with great joy. A festal luncheon at the local Papadeaux's Seafood Kitchen kicked off the celebration. Gifts were given to visiting clergy, and everyone had a great time! The meal and service was amazing, and the fun was contageous. If you missed it, you missed a really good time. A good sign for the weekend and for the future of our mission. Saturday evening, Great Vespers was followed by a meet-and-greet for parishioners and Academy students with Fr. Damaskinos Alazrai and Fr. Thaddaeus Hardenbrook, both professors at the GreatMartyr Euphemia Orthodox Theological Academy. Sunday Divine Liturgy began with the reception of the relics of three North America … [Read more...]

Cursed is the man that doeth the work of the Lord carelessly. (Jer. 48:10) You have begun to sing in the choir; therefore, you glorify the Lord in the image of the heavenly hosts, who ceaselessly sing praise to the glory of their Creator and Lord. How fortunate you are! But do you acknowledge the full sacredness and importance of this godly work, which incomparably more than any other work is worthy to be called godly work? If not, then it is not superfluous to remind you of the threatening and terrible words of the Prophet: Cursed is the man that doeth the work of the Lord carelessly (Jer. 48:10). You see to what a terrible accountability those are liable who negligently and carelessly perform the work of serving God. The chanter (or … [Read more...]

Thursday, May 24 was the day of a special homestead blessing in remote Pinetop, AZ. Adam and Deepa Hague welcomed Fr. John to their homestead for a blessing of the home, confession, and communion. The beautiful setting was idyllic! Gardens, ponds, grottos, goat pens, trampolines, containers, vehicles, appliances, and a hand-built home - everything needed for a functioning, off-grid homestead was blessed, and then some. "Lots of questions from the children about Church, the priesthood, and even my own family! Truly, I felt welcomed as an honored guest as soon as I arrived," said Fr. John. Enjoy this little photo gallery of our visit. We'll be visiting again in July!     … [Read more...]

The Church in Southern California is growing! Saturday morning was a cool cloudy morning in LaVerne, CA, but many hearts were warmed by the glory of God and the joy of the growing Orthodox faith. Fr. Damaskinos Alazrai, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, and Fr. John A. Peck, rector of All Saints of North America in Sun City, AZ gathered with family members for the baptism of Jeffrey Hutson, 37, of North Hollywood, CA after several months of catechism. Mr. Hutson works as an air traffic controller, and must regularly and often travel back and forth from both coasts, making his catechism more difficult. Fr Damaskinos asked Fr John, who has decades of experience in teaching and catechizing people who wish to become Orthodox, to take … [Read more...]

On Friday May 11, His Eminence Demetrios, Geron of America, arrived in California for his historic visit to the Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Orthodox Christian Communities in the US. Over the busy weekend, he met with Vicariate clergy, visited three Vicariate parishes, and culminated his visit with the Door Opening ceremony and hierarchical liturgy at St. George Cathedral in Daly City. View More Pictures Here … [Read more...]

Most young people don’t know how to discover their calling in the life. Whether to dedicate themselves to monasticism or select the marriage path. Some have the feeling that monasticism is a more superior choice than marriage and that marriage represents a lower situation. Others believe that any young man who chooses to become a monk is a coward who avoids the responsibilities of citizenship. Bishop of Nafpaktos, Hierotheos provides a warm insight and a clear view of the essence of both marriage and monastic life, based on the teaching of the Eastern Church Fathers. “Both marriage and monasticism are powerful symbolic ways of straining toward the ultimate goal of love. Celibacy and marriage are not contrasted with each other; instead, … [Read more...]