If we really value our youth…
If we really value our youth then it seems to me that we need to orient our service so that we do not simply teach facts about our faith, and…
What’s the point of it all?
Whenever our lives are touched, however tangentially, with the tragedy that seems to be endemic in the world, and which is presented to us almost too directly and insistently by…
Judging by Appearances
It’s easy to judge people by appearances. It saves a lot of time, and at some level it makes a bit of sense. My little dog was attacked by a…
Worship the Lord
If I say that I prefer this or that form of worship, as an Orthodox Christian, then it seems to me that I am seeking to enjoy the experience of…
Being an Orthodox Parent – Part I
I’m not an expert. I’m probably a failure. I’m a failure at most things. But being a parent is just about the most difficult vocation that we can have. And…
Catholic or not Orthodox at all
In modern times, Christian communities have become entrenched in cultural identities that were unknown to the early Christians. Indeed St Paul is clear. In Galatians 3 he says… For you…
Noisy Church – When children scream!
When I was still an Evangelical, and my first child was about a year old, my wife and I attended one of the churches in town with a view to…
One Incarnate Nature of the Word
This phrase is part of the language that we use in our Orthodox Church to explain and describe in a partial manner what we believe took place in the incomprehensible…
Are we reading the wrong Bible?
I recently presented a lecture to a group of students and others in Canada about the Orthodox understanding of Scripture. In this lecture, which is available here, I spoke about…
Finding Peace in disturbing times
During the Liturgy and other services of the Church the priest will often turn to face the congregation and will say, “Peace be with you – Irini pasi!” After the…