by Terry Mattingly The second wave of influenza in the fall of 1918 was the worst yet. By the time Father Nicola Yanney reached Wichita, Kansas, a citywide quarantine was in effect. A 16-year-old girl had already died, creating a sense of panic. The missionary priest -- his territory reached from Missouri to Colorado and from Oklahoma to North Dakota -- couldn’t even hold her funeral in the city’s new Orthodox sanctuary. As he traveled back to his home church in Kearney, Nebraska, he kept anointing the sick, hearing confessions and taking Holy Communion to those stricken by the infamous “Spanish flu.” After days of door-to-door ministry in the snow, Yanney collapsed and called his … [Read more...]
ASONA Parish Pandemic Preparedness
The CDC has called for businesses, hospitals, schools, and individuals to begin preparing to respond to a possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and pandemic. This means churches also. Should a pandemic event occur, it would require an immediate, measured, and coordinated parish response. Our parish is small, so it will be less of a burden than it would be on larger communities. It's not a time for panic, but for careful, measured preparation. While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat. The CDC is recommending that everyone make … [Read more...]
Teachings on the Interior Life
As we prepare for the spiritual work of Great Lent, take some time to listen to these wonderful teachings by Fr. Serafim Gascoigne of Seattle, WA on interior life, the Jesus Prayer, and how not to be overwhelmed and enslaved by your thoughts. … [Read more...]
“A Christian Ending” Lenten Retreat Led by Fr. Andre Paez
You are invited to attend an important and informative Lenten Retreat presented by Father Andre Paez on Saturday, March 28th, 2020. He will cover the Orthodox understanding of death & burial, how to save thousands on funeral costs and properly prepare for the end of life according to ancient Christian tradition. He will use Deacon Mark Barna's excellent book, "A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition" updated second edition as a primer for the retreat. Saturday 3-28-2020 Orthodox Lenten Retreat: 09:00-09:30 am: Registration & Coffee/Refreshments 09:30-10:45 am: Session 1: Overview- A Christian Ending with Q&A 10:45-11:00 am: Break … [Read more...]
About Closed Communion
by Abbot Tryphon Closed communion protects those who do not hold to the Church's teachings regarding the Holy Mysteries When a stranger approaches the Holy Gifts during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy it is the norm in the Orthodox Church for the priest to ask the person to "kiss the chalice". Not knowing if the person is Orthodox, or whether they are in good standing with the Church, the priest can not give them communion. This "closed communion" is not meant as a way of separating ourselves from visitors as though we were better than them, but as our way of guarding the Holy Mysteries from being received by someone who is not part of the Church and who may hold to views concerning … [Read more...]
How Can We Know When Christ Was Born?
Why do we celebrate the Nativity of Christ on December 25th? There's a lot of myth and distortion, as well as outright deception, regarding why Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Much of it is borne of ignorance, but Christians especially should be aware that the Church is a reliable and authentic bearer of truth, and a faithful witness of God's interactions with man in history. You've probably seen many of the strange claims about it - that pagan figures such as Horus, or Mithra, or Dionysius, or some other pagan deity had 12 disciples, was born of a virgin, etc. They are all completely false, and even a cursory examination into these claims reveals their … [Read more...]
Parishes Targeted by Phishing Scams
Cyber crime has been infiltrating our lives and our homes for years. It is now knocking at the door of Orthodox parishes. Parishes and religious communities are being targeted by a phishing scam where the attacker poses falsely as the priest and asks the recipient for money. It often begins like this. An email arrives in an unsuspecting person's inbox from an email address that is similar to but different than the priest's email address, something like orthodoxpreist@gmail.com (notice the typo!) or frpeter.stgeorgenh@gmail.com. The email might read something like: Have you got a minute? I need you to complete a task for me discreetly. P.S: I'm going into a meeting now and can't talk, so … [Read more...]
Get Your Christmas Spirit On Early!
ASONA this year is participating in the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox program. Parishioners are encouraged to attend the November 9th Packing Party at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church 7950 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Peoria, AZ 85383 To volunteer, please contact Judy Morley at ASONA. To make a donation click HERE, select Designated Gift, and add "Shoebox" in the memo section. … [Read more...]
IOCC: “Storm Season Serves As Reminder To Prepare For Emergencies”
If you can help yourself, you can help others – if you can’t, you can’t. You can’t be too prepared. Recent weather-related tragedies across the U.S. including floods triggered by tornadoes and violent storms in the Midwest, wildfires in California, and the onset of the Atlantic hurricane season are grave reminders of the threat of natural disasters and the need for disaster preparedness. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which has been delivering emergency relief to disaster survivors around the world since 1992, offers a four-point emergency checklist to help provide for the safety and security of you and your loved ones. The plan includes action steps to prepare … [Read more...]
If You’re Prepared For A Zombie Apocalypse…
then you’re prepared for any emergency. by Fr. John Peck At least, that’s what the Center for Disease Control is saying in some of their ads. This month, September, is National Preparedness Month, and it is this month which our federal government uses to heighten awareness of personal preparedness in anticipation of many different kinds of disasters. There’s nothing strange about this – Americans have always been a self-reliant people, and preparedness is a force multiplier for relief efforts during any emergency or disaster – natural or man-made. I thought since we are in the midst of political convention season, the Zombie Apocalypse was an appropriate vehicle for a preparedness … [Read more...]
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