573. Second Sunday of Pre-Lent: 1) Advice about Fasting. 2)The Prodigal Son (and his faithful stupid Elder Brother)

This Post is based on one I wrote some years ago, which was based on a sermon I delivered many years ago. Each version has become progressively longer. Every time I review my old work I think of more I should have said. Next time (if I’m still around, God willing) it will probably turn […]

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569. Theophany: The Blessing of the Waters. The Redemption of the World.

Before we get to the subject of the day: In this war of Russian aggression, endorsed by the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Ukraine is now being attacked by super-sonic missiles. This is American composer Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei, sung by the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir.   The Theophany of Our Lord God and […]

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568. That Little Baby is Almighty GOD? Really?

The Jews don’t often say it, but they think we’re idolaters: that we worship a man, Jesus of Nazareth. For there is only one God. The Muslims say we’re polytheists: that we worship three Gods, Father Son and Holy Spirit. For there is only one God. He looks like any other child. What ever would […]

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567. Orthodox Music for the Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

I’m sorry this Post is two days late. A nasty Virus laid me low, and I missed all the beautiful Christmas services. Bah! Humbug!  Nevertheless: Christ is born. Glorify Him. I don’t like to begin with this, but it’s important: January 7 is Christmas (old Julian calendar) in Russia. The great majority of Orthodox jurisdictions […]

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565. Many things: 1. Orthodox “Advent”, 2. Santa Claus, 3. Once Upon a Time, 4. Pope Leo, 6. Let’s feast! Let’s fast? 5. Ortho-bros and on-line sectarian “Orthodoxy”, 7. A Peoples’ Church

Here are some shorter items I’ve been saving up. 1. Orthodox “Advent” I put “Advent” in quotes, because it is nowhere found in Orthodox texts, though it is sometimes used as a popular nickname. I loved Anglican Advent. It begins with a flourish on the fourth Sunday before Christmas: the vestments go violet or blue, […]

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