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...]
Using the Fear of Epidemics to Shut Down Churches
by Fr. John Whiteford Having watched how parish churches have been shut down around the world on the basis of the Coronavirus, I had thought prior to reading the following that there must be a bunch of old Soviets kicking themselves that they hadn't thought of it first. But the fact of the matter is, they not only thought of it... they did it. I recently read the book "Red Priests," which is a book about the schismatic "Living Church," and the use that the Soviets made of them to try to undermine the real Russian Church, and I found this quote, which was speaking about various strategies the Soviets were using during the 1930's to try to eradicate the Church: "Parish churches were often … [Read more...]
“Planting and Starting a New Mission” Course Available through Midwest Pastoral School
On the heels of our Missions Development Conference, Metropolitan Jonah wanted to be sure we were all aware that he will be teaching a course on what we are doing and discussins - Planting and Starting New Orthodox Missions. The summer session runs from June 21 to August 7. The Pastoral School of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America is also offering several other courses during its summer semester that are open to the general public. The classes offered this summer are: Liturgics Intermediate/Advanced Church Slavonic Parish Management and Operations Thesis Writing Workshop New Testament Greek New Testament Latin The Pivotal … [Read more...]
2021 Arizona Missions Development Conference
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...]
Ascension and Pentecost in Fourth Century Jerusalem According to Nun Egeria
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...]
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