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...]
Choosing Between Marriage and Monasticism
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 … [Read more...]
How Serious Are Orthodox Bishops About The Eucharist?
GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF DENVER May 1, 2018 Teleturgical Encyclical 29 The Pious Priests The Faithful Parish Members Holy Metropolis of Denver Beloved in the Lord, It has come to my attention that there are an increasing number of parishioners in some of our parishes who come forth to receive Holy Communion, but insist that the priest not give to them of the Body of Christ but only of His Blood. Those parishioners explain to their priests that their doctors -- obviously not Orthodox Christians — tell them not to eat any kind of bread because it will harm them. If there are Orthodox Christians in our parishes who believe that, after the Holy Spirit consecrates the Bread and … [Read more...]
The Baptism of Infants
How long have Christians been baptizing infants? From the beginning. For more information, see Articles on Infant Baptism at Preachers Institute … [Read more...]
Lent, Holy Week, Pascha at ASONA 2018
As a new mission of the Orthodox Church, we have been striving to do what we can for a full spiritual and liturgical life in our midst and for our people. What a glorious season! Here are some pictures from our journey. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Baptisms on Lazarus Saturday: A Joyous Event in the Life of Arizona Orthodoxy
Good news from the new parish in Arizona! The first baptisms at the All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Arizona took place today in the city of Buckeye, AZ. Fr. John A. Peck baptized into the Church on Lazarus Saturday the family of Paul and Amy Jones, who were surrounded not only by their godparents/sponsors, but also parishioners and non-Church family members who came to celebrate the event. “It was a glorious event,” said Fr. John “So much joy! So much wonder. So much love.” A picnic luncheon was served afterwards. The gallery of photos is below. The newly illumined members of All Saints of North America will be wearing their baptismal robes for the next 8 days, … [Read more...]
The Blessing of the Good Fellas Grill
Thursday, March 22 was the occasion of the blessing of a local restaurant. The Good Fellas Grill at 15414 N 19th Ave in Phoenix, opened its doors at 9 am for the special blessing. Photos of the event are in the gallery below. Thank you Antonio and Pres. Deborah for taking such good photos! … [Read more...]
Sacrament or Symbol?
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...]
