Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross In today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus says that if someone wants to follow him, that person must forget themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. The cross, at the time of Jesus, was
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Embracing the Shameful Cross
Whose Side Is God On?
Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year Today is the beginning of the Church New Year and so we are reminded of the “Year of the Lord’s favor,” which is to bring good news to the poor, proclaim the release of
Read moreClimbing the Ladder
Do you remember being 2 years old? Probably not, but I bet you’ve known some two-year-olds. What happens when they are trying to do something and you offer to help? If your interactions with two-year-olds are the same as mine,
Read moreBecome Fully Human
As many of you know, I’m fairly active in many different community activities. One of them is something called “New World Brewing.” This is an intentional conversation. Each month, there’s a selected topic. Two “conversation starters” get the ball rolling
Read moreSo Many Services
“Fr. Dustin, aren’t all those extra services (feast days, Vespers, Matins) just for monks and retired people?” Here’s my brief response.
Read moreForgetting the Liturgy
One time, while I was serving Liturgy, I turned around to say a prayer, but I couldn’t remember what to say for the life of me! How could this happen?
Read moreFrom King’s Bread (Vasilopita) to Peace Bread
Every year in January, Orthodox Christians gather to cut the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s or King’s Bread). Typically, we think of ourselves, hoping to find the coin hidden in the dough. But, if we stop to consider the story behind the
Read moreDeacons and Iconography
A friend sent me a photo of an icon he recently bought. It was an icon of St. Stephen, an early deacon in the Church. I recognized some of the attributes that marked him out as a deacon, but not
Read moreOur Sports Season Has Arrived!
If the Orthodox Church were a sports team (or a ballet or musical group!), we would say that we’ve entered into our season!
Read moreThe Consecration of an Altar
How is an Orthodox altar installed? Are there really relics in them? What’s the symbolism of the altar? All that and more!
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