by Fr. John Whiteford Question: "What is the difference between the Baptism in water and the Baptism by the "Holy Spirit and Fire" in Acts 1:5?" In Acts 1:5, Christ said: "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence," which is very similar to what St. John the Baptist said himself: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11, cf. Luke 3:16). What St. John Chrysostom points out is that Christ did not say that the Apostles would be baptized with water in the … [Read more...]

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the 3rd annual AZ Missions Development Conference a successful and happy gathering for all. Attendees, both clergy and laity, gathered from all over Arizona and 3 other states to attend. Pictures of the event are below. And extra special thank you's to our speakers - Metropolitan JONAH, Fr. Hans Jacobse, and Fr. Thaddaeus Hardenbrook. More photos will be added soon! Recordings of the talks will be available on the APP only.   … [Read more...]

Egeria was a nun who authored a detailed account of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the early 380s, making it the earliest of the kind. Regarding the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost, she writes: Easter to Pentecost   Now, from Easter to the fiftieth day, that is, to Pentecost, no one fasts here, not even those who are apotactitae.* During these days, as throughout the whole year, the customary things are done at the Anastasis** from the first cockcrow until morning, and at the sixth hour and at vespers likewise. But on the Lord's Days the procession is always to the Martyrium,*** that is, to the great church, according to custom, and they go thence with hymns to the Anastasis. … [Read more...]