Byzantine, Texas

( Orthodox Servant Leaders ) - The wife of a clergyman, respectfully called Preoteasă, Matushka, Khouria, Presbytera, or Popadija in various Orthodox traditions, serves a unique supporting role in a parish community. Preoteasă Lillian Lupu, author of Helpful Hints for Orthodox Clergy Wives  (PDF), explores the tremendous responsibility the wife of a clergyman carries in supporting her husband, their family, and the extended church community.  The episode's title conveys a double meaning. "Supporting" describes the clergy wife in her role, and it explores how the lait y can support these women who are constantly called upon to serve and sacrifice for the sake of the community. Rather than offering suggestions and critique, support is better offered by extending the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ​Read the full episode transcript here .​

( UOC-USA ) - On February 8, 2022, the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine was visited by Archbishop Daniel (Zelinksy) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States of America.  His Eminence is also the Academic Dean of the St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, located at the Metropolia Center of the UOC of the USA, in South Bound Brook, New Jersey. Archbishop Daniel was accompanied by the Dean of Students of the seminary who holds a Master of Theology, Father Vasyl Pasakas. The esteemed delegation was met at the Academy by Rector Archpriest Oleksandr Trofimlyuk; Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Master's Educational Program Archpriest Yaroslav Romanchuk, and the Head of the Department of Practical-Church Disciplines of the Bachelor's Degree Program Sviatoslav Mykhailovych Chokalyuk. During the meeting discussions were held deliberating various ways the two Educational Institutes of Theology might cooperate and work tog...

( SVOTS ) - Seminary graduate Philip McClanahan and his family have begun building support for their ministry in Indonesia. Philip and Kristiana, along with their three children Irene (7), Simon (2), and Miriam (2 months), are preparing to travel to the city of Medan through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). There Philip will lecture at the St. Paul Theological School and teach youth at local Orthodox schools under His Eminence, Metropolitan Konstantinos of Singapore. "Having OCMC missionaries on the ground will greatly contribute to the efforts of the growing Church in Indonesia," read a statement about the McClanahan family from OCMC. "His education and skills will make him a great asset for the St. Paul Theological School in Medan and the local Church." The McClanahans will become the first missionaries sent by OCMC to Indonesia. "Before I was Orthodox I did some mission work in the Middle East," Philip said in an interview during his studie...

SYOSSET, NY ( OCA-MW ) – Deacon Anthony Stokes, choir director, teacher, and chair of the Diocese of the South Liturgical Music Committee, will lead three webinars on the services of the All-Night Vigil (Vespers and Matins), focusing on the liturgical and musical aspects for choir directors, singers, and readers. Each session will cover a different topic as outlined below: 1) Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 1:00 pm ET – All-Night Vigil: Basic Liturgics (Calendars; Ranks of Feasts; Liturgical Books; Intro to Rubrics; Daily  Cycle; All-Night Vigil Introduction) 2) Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 7:00 pm ET – All-Night Vigil: Vespers (Daily and Great Vespers; Vespers as part of Vigil; Lenten Vespers) 3) Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm ET – All-Night Vigil: Matins (Daily Matins Variations; Festal Matins; Matins as part of Vigil, Lenten Matins) Each 2-hour webinar will include: a discussion of the order of the services, with references to rubrics on the OCA site when available wher...

( Antiochian.org ) - The life of St. Nektarios of Aegina is coming to 800 movie theaters across the U.S. for one night only: Monday, March 21, 2022. “Man of God” has received rave reviews in preview screenings across the globe. A bishop of the common people, the popularity of St. Nektarios provoked the jealousy of the clergy in Alexandria, Egypt and as a result, he was expelled. In contrast to his religious “superiors,” St. Nektarios cared for the poor, taught peasant girls to read and write, and performed miracles. In spite of the unjust hatred of his enemies, he still loved all, living the Word of God. Additionally, St. Nektarios composed the famous hymn “O Pure Virgin.” Find the movie theater closest to you and book your tickets before they’re gone.

I've received a few emails asking why my posting frequency has gone down a bit of late. There are a few reasons. My new rectory has no Internet yet. While the providers (plural: I signed up for more than one to see who gets here first) have promised many dates, those dates keep slipping. A lot of what has been posted in recent months has been about COVID. I think most people can discern my opinions on the topic from previous posts, but I really have no interest in seeing the comment box littered with coronal artillery shells.  I'm pondering a new project that will either take this blog in a new direction or augment what it's doing. More on that soon. So, if you believe the Internet Service Providers, I'll have service "any day now." Expect a marked uptick in posting soon and I appreciate your patience. I'm sure Ukraine, Russia, Africa, Constantinopolitan intrigues, and the bevy of outlandish heterodox takes on foundational Orthodox beliefs couched in pseud...

There is quite a bit of this not in English, but there is a translator. If you are interested in Orthodoxy in Africa, you'll enjoy this conversation and not be bothered by the translation delays at all.