The Church – Father Bill's Orthodox Blog – Orthodoxy from the Third Coast

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

Posted on December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 by Fr. Bill

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, […]

564. My Adventures with Saint Nicholas

Posted on December 6, 2025December 7, 2025 by Fr. Bill

Please pray for the people of Ukraine, under continual attack by the Orthodox Russian aggressors. May God have mercy on us all. Today, December 6, is the feast of : Saint Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker Did you know that after Saint Nicholas Day, we slowly begin to gain light in the evening. After about […]

558. The many Orthodox Saints of today, October 24. How many? You may be surprised.

Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by Fr. Bill

Please pray for the suffering people of Ukraine and the Palestinian people of Gaza and the West Bank. Pray for an end to these unjust and immoral wars. + + + The Orthodox Saints of October 24 Martyr Arethas (al-Haarith) and over 4,000 with him, including Martyr Syncletica and her two daughters; Blessed […]

557. Why I believe in Everlasting Life

Posted on October 18, 2025October 21, 2025 by Fr. Bill

Please pray for the suffering people of Ukraine and Palestine. Pray for peace in Gaza. This is a subject of some interest to me, now that I’m in my 88th year on earth. Maybe I’m doing it all wrong. We were told by a Methodist professor many years ago that if we go to […]

556. Saint Symeon the New Theologian

Posted on October 10, 2025October 12, 2025 by Fr. Bill

Please pray for the suffering people of Ukraine. Pray for the Palestinian people and for peace in Gaza. The first thing I want to say is that Saint Symeon makes me feel embarrassed. First, because of how little I’ve known of this great man. How have I missed him all these years? […]