(This post originally appeared in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald on May 7th, 2016. You may view the original post here.) For Orthodox Christians around the world, today represents the last day of “Bright Week,” which is the week of Christian Passover
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LEARNING TO LOVE BY GOD’S EXAMPLE
The Children of Abraham Discover the Cross
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 RSV)
Read moreThe Surprising End of the Sabbath!
Many Christians speak of the Sabbath as an opportunity to rest from work. However, if we enter deeper into the Bible and the mystery, it becomes clear that the Sabbath was when God rested BEFORE FINISHING creation, from on the
Read moreWHEN JESUS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY
It is common to say that Jesus lived and died as a Jew, but did he? Perhaps we’re missing a part of the story? Come and enter deeper into the mystery of Theophany and learn how Jesus became “Christian.”
Read moreFrom Water to Words!
For 300-million Christians, the feast of Epiphany is about Christ’s baptism, but what is the deeper meaning of this feast? Why do the Orthodox drench everything with water? What’s up with that?
Read moreWHEN THE VIRGIN WAS ON FIRE!
The Christmas hymns talk about the Three Youths in the fiery furnace, but what does that story have to do with Christmas? How does it illuminate the Mystery of God becoming man? Let’s find out!
Read moreTHE ESSENTIAL CAVE, OR WHY THE STABLE MAY BE HERETICAL?
Right now in America there’s a cultural war happening. One battlefield is the Feast of the Nativity – commonly called Christmas. Slogans such as, “Keep ‘Christ’ is Christmas,” or “Keep the ‘Mass’ in Christmas” permeate social media. However, has the
Read moreWhy Is the Christmas Icon so Busy?
In my last post, I spoke about how the meaning of Christmas is intimately related to the Eucharist, as the Orthodox Church celebrates it. (Click here to read it). In this post, I want to turn to the icon of
Read moreWhy Christmas Isn’t Complete without the Eucharist
Sorry for my absence lately. I was traveling all over the country for over a month, largely for church-related actives. At any rate, it’s good to be back. I think I’ll start with some thoughts on Christmas – after all,
Read moreApproaching the Awesome Eucharist, part 3
In part 1 (click here to read it) I encouraged active preparation to receive Christ in the Eucharist. However, it’s very easy to misunderstand the rules for communion preparation. Some ways people have misunderstood the rules include: A question of power A question
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