What is the Lord's Supper? What is the Eucharist? Was it always understood as a Sacrament? Throughout the history of Christianity, the overwhelming majority of Christians have consistently believed that Jesus Christ, in a mystery, imparts His Body and Blood to His people though the vehicle of the Lord's Supper. Bypassing all the Biblical references, here is a small, non-exhaustive sampling of what they've had to say in every generation. If you're going to read any of them, please read them all. Ignatius of Antioch AD 35-107 "Mark ye those who hold strange doctrines touch the grace of Jesus which came to us, how they are contrary to the mind of God... They abstain from Eucharist and … [Read more...]
2nd Annual Bioethics Conference (VIDEO)
We finally have the video recordings of the 2nd Annual Orthodox Bioethics Conference held on Saturday, February , 2018 at St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church in Felton, CA. Downloadable Handouts from the Conference: Bibliography Addiction Infinite Thirst of the Passions Quotes on Addiction Stages Of Addiction Three Stages Of Addiction … [Read more...]
The Necessity of Iconography and the Idolatry of Gnosticism
by Fr. John A. Peck How Dogmatic Iconography defends the doctrine of the Incarnation against ancient Gnosticism. Harold Bloom, in his book, The American Religion, rightly comes to the startling conclusion that America is a nation of Gnostics, believers in a pre-Christian tradition of individual divinity. The American propensity to be religious iconoclasts on the one hand, and cultural idolators on the other is a stark and broken contrast with Incarnational Christianity. Despite protestations to the contrary, it is not the icon which is so offensive to Gnostics and iconoclasts, it is the message which the icon represents which cannot be tolerated. Secular Iconography Sports teams … [Read more...]
The Rite of Orthodoxy and the Anathema
by St. Theophan the Recluse Rarely does the Rite of Orthodoxy, which is now being performed, take place without censures and reproaches on somebody’s part. And no matter how many sermons are given explaining that the Church here acts wisely for the salvation of her children — still the malcontents just keep repeating their line. Either they do not listen to the sermons, or these sermons do not strike home as regards the latters’ perplexities, or perhaps they have formed their own conception of this rite and do not want to abandon it, no matter what you tell them. To some people our anathemas seem inhumane, to others constricting. Such charges might be valid in other situations, but there … [Read more...]
Proskomedia Instruction
Recently, we spent the entire sermon time going over a basic lesson on the Liturgy of Preparation, also known as the Proskomedia. This service, which is celebrated as a part of every Divine Liturgy in every Orthodox Church, comprises a host of Biblical quotations, references, and allegories. Parts 1 and 2 are below. You can also watch these on the ASONA YouTube page, and subscribe there to get notified of new videos. … [Read more...]
2018 Sunday Lenten Vespers Schedule
2018 Pan-Orthodox Lenten Vespers Please join our Brothers & Sisters at the host parishes for these Sunday Evening Lenten Vespers services. The service of Lenten Vespers is very beautiful, and we want to encourage everyone to participate in these services as much as possible. Great Lent is once a year, and this is a wonderful opportunity to meet Orthodox Christians from other parishes, see their beautiful churches, and share some Lenten food and fellowship during this time of spiritual effort. Don't miss them! All Vespers Services Begin at 6:00pm The Sunday of Orthodoxy - February 25, 2018 Host Parish: Assumption Greek Church 8202 E. Cactus Road Scottsdale, 85260 … [Read more...]
Prosphora Bread Baking Class
On Saturday, February 24th, Presvytera Deborah will be hosting a Prosphora Bread Baking Class at our home. Space is limited (our kitchen is small!), so let her know as soon as possible if you plan to attend. About Prosphora A prosphoron (Greek: πρόσφορον, offering) is a small loaf of leavened bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. The plural form is prosphora (πρόσφορα). The term originally meant any offering made to a temple, but in Orthodox Christianity it has come to mean specifically the bread offered at the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist). Prosphoro is made from only four ingredients, wheat flour (white), yeast, salt, and water. Salt was not used in early times, and is still not … [Read more...]
Sat. Feb. 10th: Bioethics Conference
Drug Abuse & the Nature of Addiction The Second Annual Orthodox Bioethics Conference sponsored by the Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Orthodox Christian Communities in the USA will be held Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church in Felton, CA. We were blessed this past weekend to have Fr. Damaskinos Alazrai, Archimandrite of Ecumenical Throne, Fr. Thaddaeus Hardenbrook, Fr. John A. Peck, deliver wonderful presentations on Drug Abuse and the Nature of Addiction. This was the second annual bioethics conference and was a wonderful success! Links to all three sessions are available to view below. Addiction:"Αn Expedited Progression To Psychological … [Read more...]
Eucharistic Bread: Leavened or Unleavened?
In the Bible, unleavened bread is called "unleavened bread," whereas leavened bread is simply called "bread." The Jews at that time would have understood this as would have the early Christians. It says that "He took bread," meaning leavened bread; and the Christians, being first instructed by the Apostles and then reading in the Gospels some time later, implemented this. At the Mystical Supper, it is obvious that our Lord was changing things, to tie the Passover meal with its fulfillment, the Eucharist. One of those changes, obviously, was using leavened bread instead of unleavened, or at least leavened in addition to unleavened. The world was empty and devoid of grace before Christ, as is … [Read more...]
Arabic Litanies
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