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We are slain all the day long: that is all

For Thy sake we are slain all the day long,we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Psalm 44:22       Quoting the foregoing epigraph from the Psalter, St. Paul brings his Epistle to the Romans (8:36) to its height as he supplants the lament of the chosen people in the Psalm with the … Continue reading We are slain all the day long: that is all →

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Review of book “The Diaconate in Christ: A First Step towards the Restoration and Renewal of the Ministerial Role of Orthodox Deacons in Modern America,” By Rev. Deacon David Rene Mascarenas

Bloomington: Westbow Press, 2017. Fr. David, a reposed OCA/Antiochian deacon (ordained by Archbishop +Dimitri of Dallas) whose Doctoral Thesis this is (may his memory be eternal), immediately sets out the issue to which he intends in this work to bring resolution: Orthodox deacons today greatly misunderstand or are ignorant of their role and function in … Continue reading Review of book “The Diaconate in Christ: A First Step towards the Restoration and Renewal of the Ministerial Role of Orthodox Deacons in Modern America,” By Rev. Deacon David Rene Mascarenas →

On Powerlessness Misconstrued: Resentment or Remembrance of Wrongs

Allow me to reflect as I consider St. Ignatius Brianchaninov’s The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism, and specifically Chapter 40 “Concerning Resentment or Remembrance of Wrongs.” My particular interest is one of my usual ones, namely, developing further into an Orthodox mindset/phronesis that which I have examined and experienced for years out of an … Continue reading On Powerlessness Misconstrued: Resentment or Remembrance of Wrongs →

Preparation for the Crown: Plague and the Wrath of God

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?The Apocalypse of St. John 6: 16-17I remember when 9-11 happened, where I was, what I was doing. It was said at the time by popular American protestant pastors that this tragedy was the wrath of God to account for various moral perversions widely in practice in … Continue reading Preparation for the Crown: Plague and the Wrath of God →

Diakonia as “service” and its spiritual direction in Holy Tradition.

It is true that Diakonia (διακονία) literally means “service,” and among its 36 mentions in Holy Scripture, we see a range of uses, from service, to ministry/administration, to attendance, to relief, to St. Paul’s own characterization of his office. In the organicity of time in the Church it has come to be used to refer … Continue reading Diakonia as “service” and its spiritual direction in Holy Tradition. →

And the Glory of Thy People Israel: Theophany and the Bond of Perfection

The “people Israel” at this closing of the Nunc Dimitis prayer of St. Symeon of the Seventy consist of those of that other portion of all people than the Gentiles before whom has been set our Lord’s salvation: those of the Temple, which at the time of the presentation were the Jews and henceforth consists … Continue reading And the Glory of Thy People Israel: Theophany and the Bond of Perfection →

Concerning How the Christian Life Begins In Us (part one of St. Theophan the Recluse’s “The Path of Salvation”)

The following consists of the first discussion prompt Ephraim wrote 02/01/2010 (Ven. Macari the Great/Meatfare Monday) for the parish bookclub he was trying to start and which concerns the beginning of The Path of Salvation text.There is so much in this book, simple and easy to read as it is...it is easy to miss something … Continue reading Concerning How the Christian Life Begins In Us (part one of St. Theophan the Recluse’s “The Path of Salvation”) →

Chief Activities of the Body, Soul, and Spirit as regards Childrearing in the Church (a reading of the first part of St. Theophan the Recluse’s “Path to Salvation”)

The following consists of a discussion prompt Ephraim wrote on 02/19/2010 (+Bucolus of Smyrna, Clean Friday) for a parish bookclub he tried to spearhead ten years ago. It did not take off due to technological constraints of the interested members. Please excuse the errors/typos. Regarding child-rearing, Vladyka Theophan says we must direct the soul and … Continue reading Chief Activities of the Body, Soul, and Spirit as regards Childrearing in the Church (a reading of the first part of St. Theophan the Recluse’s “Path to Salvation”) →