I just finished watching the latest of the Star Trek Movies. I did not get to see it in the theaters and now I am sorry I was not able to see it on the big screen. If you have not seen this movie you need to it is awesome. Even if you are not a fan of the genre you will like this movie.
21 November ~ The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Today is the prelude of God’s pleasure and the proclamation of man’s salvation. The Virgin is clearly made manifest in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also cry out to her with mighty voice, “Hail, fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.”
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
From www.goarch.org
Online Church
Fr. Z has an interesting conversation going on his blog about online church. I am a big supporter of online stuff and think the Church needs to use the technology to reach out. We used to stream our services from here and then the wireless got all hinky on me so I was not doing it as much. I am thinking about going back to it.
Community is important and I don’t think you can be a Christian and not be in a worshiping community but what if you cannot get to a church service. What about our men and women in the military. There are only 8 Orthodox priests presently serving in the Army and that includes active, reserve, and National Guard. Only 2 serve on active duty. So how to we reach them. We can use the internet and stream our liturgies. It is not hard and we will reach people. Let people know you are doing it and they will tune in.
This does not replace the real thing, but if you cannot get there then at least you have something.
Police State
This morning I was reading the local paper, not usually anything worth reading in there, but I came across this story that really got me going, all this before my first cup of coffee!
It would seem that in Templeton, Massachusetts a man has decided to build a small shack if you will on land he says no one owns. He had gone to the proper authorities and researched the land and it appears that no one owns the land. The police chief says the Town owns the land and he has to leave.
I am not a lawyer but how can you trespass on public land isn’t that what public means in public land? He is building his dwelling at 119 square feet because anything over that would require a building permit. So they have given him until Tuesday to move or he will be forced out and his home torn down. I did not know we lived in a police state. Happy Thanksgiving from the Town of Templeton.
I have just sent an email to the police chief and told him that this was not right. If you feel the same way you should email him. policechief@templeton1.org
I respect the police and I understand the hard job they have to do but in this case I think they can come to some kind of solution short of forcing this guy out. The Economy is difficult for everyone and this guy is just trying to survive.
The Manhattan Declaration
A declaration signed by Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant leaders released a document today affirming the traditional Christian teachings on abortion, same sex marriage, and religious freedom. It pledges not to cooperate with the government on any of these issues.
Met. Jonah of the OCA has once again show his leadership on these issue and was the highest ranking Orthodox Bishop to sign the declaration.
Other Orthodox signatories
His Grace, The Right Reverend Bishop Basil Essey The Right Reverend Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (Wichita, KS)
Fr. Chad Hatfield Chancellor, CEO. And Archpriest, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Yonkers, NY)
Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse President, American Orthodox Institute and Editor, OrthodoxyToday.org (Naples, FL)
Fr. Patrick Reardon Pastor, All Saints’ Antiochian Orthodox Church (Chicago, IL)
Alexander F. C. Webster Archpriest, Orthodox Church in America and Associate Professorial Lecturer, The George Washington University (Ft. Belvoir, VA)
Please read to the entire document here
h/t AOI Blog
Monastery
For some years now I have been praying about a monastic foundation here in Central Massachusetts. Before my conversion to Holy Orthodoxy I was a professed member of Our Lady of Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts a Benedictine Community.
A few weeks back I had lunch with Fr. Ken from Emmanuel Orthodox Church in Warren, Massachusetts and I shared with him my desire to bring monasticism here. We chatted for some time and then we discovered a wonder piece of land that might be available. So we have been praying and writing and working on a plan to bring a monastery here to Central Massachusetts.
The patron of this Monastery is St. Columba of Iona. We choose St. Columba because of his missionary zeal and because he was the founder of a great monastery on the Isle of Iona of the coast of Scotland. Part of this monastic foundation will be a school if you will or a Center of Church Growth and Evangelism. We hope to train clergy and lay people on how to grow and plant churches and we intend to found mission parishes all over New England.
Although we do not have the property yet we have established a website with out vision and we are looking for folks to partner with us either as monastics or prayer partners. We are also looking for some financial help.
If you are interested in exploring the monastic life email me or leave some feedback here and I will get back to you as well as if you wish to partner with us in prayer or financial help. you may view the monastery website here.
We do have a vision and mission document that I would be happy to send you if you wish just email me from this link.
Community Meal
Last night our parish hosted it’s monthly Community Meal. We started this outreach ministry about 8 months ago and we provide a meal to the Community free of charge. The idea is to reach out to those who might go hungry or might be alone in our midst. We also have people who come and just celebrate being Community.
The meal is prepared and served by members of the Parish and we have a great time working on these meals. Last night we served a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all the fixins! What a long and exhausting day but we served 80 meals in a matter of a few hours and had some wonderful fellowship with folks in the Community.
Thanks to Laura and John, Vic and Linda, Paul and Carol, Nicky and Sue, Sandra, and Spiro and of course all of those who came.
Where are You From?
Here is a little snap shot of where some of you dear readers come from. Thanks for reading these pages.
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Dallas, Texas
Worcester, Massachusetts
Washington, District of Columbia
Blackstock, South Carolina
Connersville, Indiana
Pasadena, Texas
Washington, District of Columbia
Mountain View, California
East Haddam, Connecticut
Tarrytown, New York
San Francisco, California
Mountain View, California
Ashford, Connecticut
Westborough, Massachusetts
United Kingdom
Baltimore, Maryland
Fall River, Massachusetts
Mattoon, Illinois
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Jacksonville, Florida
Winchester, Massachusetts
Clarksville, Tennessee
Columbia, South Carolina
Southborough, Massachusetts
Silver Spring, Maryland
Romania, Iasi
Warren, New Jersey
Oxford, Massachusetts
Blackstock, South Carolina
Prescott, Arizona
Windsor, Connecticut
Madison, Wisconsin
Chicago, Illinois
Honea Path, South Carolina
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Pasadena, Texas
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Tonawanda, New York
Birmingham, Alabama
Mexico, Guaymas, Sonora
Winchester, New Hampshire
West Ossipee, New Hampshire
Branson, Missouri
Moline, Illinois
San Francisco, California
Lynn Haven, Florida
Cote D’Ivoire
Redding, Connecticut
Mountain View, California
Plano, Texas
Hong Kong, Central District
Fort Worth, Texas
Augusta, Georgia
Oak Park, Illinois
Seattle, Washington
Katy, Texas
Baytown, Texas
East Norwich, New York
Matthew 15:16-20
So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come form the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
The Orthodox Church is now in the period called the Nativity Fast. Some call it Christmas Lent and it is designed as a period of preparation for Christmas. It is not as strict as the Lenten fast period but we are to abstain from meat, fish, and dairy products as well as wine and oil. Fish, wine, and oil can be used on Sunday but the rest of time it is not to be used.
I am willing to say that I get more questions regarding the fast then anything else. People are so hung up on the fact that they can’t eat this and they can’t eat that. People say it is unhealthy to fast and I say that is rubbish. People have been fasting for years and it is rather healthy if it is done correctly. However there is more to it than that.
Let us just look at the above passage of Scripture. It is not what goes in but what comes out. If you strict fast all time but are a rotten person and never have a nice thing to say to anyone then I have to ask why do you fast? What is the reason the Church asks us to do this. It is after all a spiritual discipline that we should follow as best we can. If you cannot strict fast, don’t if you can great! But this time of year should be different then other times of the year.
Maybe skip a meal each day or give some money to the poor or do something for someone. Buy some food for the food pantry or a gift for the Toys for Tots program. Or just be nicer to people. If you are the same rotten person at the end of the fast then you were at the beginning then it did not work.
It’s not what goes in your mouth that is important it is what comes out. Eat meat, and be nice, fast and be nice, the bottom line is Christians show love to one another and to others.
Condelance Letter to Metropolitain Christopher
November 17, 2009
His Eminence Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER
Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada
Your Eminence,
It is with deep sadness that we heard about the passing away of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church. We were aware of his long illness and struggle. The Almighty God called His servant Pavle to eternal repose in the kingdom of heaven.
Patriarch Pavle was a remarkable hierarch, a wonderful Shepherd, a holy man who worked so hard for peace and reconciliation. He was a great friend of our Romanian Orthodox Church and our Romanian people. We share with all the hierarchs, priests and faithful of your Archdiocese and the Serbian people from all around the world the feelings of regret and sorrow.
On behalf of the priests and faithful of our Archdiocese, please accept our sincere condolences. We pray our Lord Jesus Christ to establish his soul where the righteous repose. We assure you of our prayers for the soul of His departed servant Patriarch Pavle.
May God rest his soul in peace!
† Archbishop N i c o l a e
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas