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, following the ancient Orthodox Christian … [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 prayer, because they allow not that the Eucharist is … [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 all have logos, pictures and posters of famous … [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 is no way they can apply to our Rite of Orthodoxy. … [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 480-991-3009 The Second Sunday of Lent - March 4, 2018 Host … [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 used in the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. Any … [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 Crisis" Addiction As Idolatry:"Looking for … [Read more...]
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