During the week of the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, his grace, James, Bishop of Sonora visited Arizona and made an historic tour of the state's northern satellite missions.  Beginning at ASONA/Christ the Savior Church in Youngtown, AZ, Bishop James celebrated the hierarchical liturgy on the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul with the local clergy and laity. Celebrants were Fr. Christopher Horsley, Fr. John A. Peck, and Dcn. Joseph Peck.  Once Liturgy was done, His Grace immediately began the journey to Show Low in the White Mountains, where was welcomed with parish girls throwing flower petals before his path up to, and into, the church building.  Fr. Michael and Mka. Georgia Vallecillo with … [Read more...]

by Fr. Geoffrey Korz A well-known and esteemed American priest recently spoke on the topic of the use of appropriate terminology for describing Orthodox clergy, both priests and bishops. Since many issues from secular society present themselves in the life of the Church, it has also become common to use secular labels (all too familiar in political discourse) to describe views expressed by the clergy. This priest was pointing out, quite wisely, that while it is certainly appropriate and necessary for the Church and Her clergy to speak to many political issues which face Orthodox faithful, the political labels of “conservative” and “liberal” do not in fact have any meaning in the Orthodox … [Read more...]

Tomorrow, my children, you do not know what laws will be enacted—in a few years who knows what kind of laws will be passed? There might be laws which will make it illegal for us to go to Church. What will we do then? Will we start to take into account the laws of the state when the impinge upon our faith? Do not forget the martyrs, most importantly the ones who were soldiers, who fought on behalf of the Emperor. Whenever the Emperor’s decrees impinged upon their faith they said: “The first in order is the Heavenly King, and then the earthly.” [...] That is why I am telling you always to be ready and on guard, for we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I will only tell you this, the … [Read more...]