Author Archives: jaygresh

Call No Man Father?

Visitors to my YouTube channel may be put off by the title Father Deacon John Gresham. In the Orthodox Church, I am officially Father Deacon, Reverend Deacon, and since I was ordained in the Arabic speaking Antiochian Archdiocese, Abouna Shamas. I don’t fly off the handle when people only refer to me as “Deacon” sinceContinue reading “Call No Man Father?”

What Are We Seeking?!

It’s been too long since I have written on this platform. With my right hand not back to normal from last year’s surgery, teaching with the St. Athanasius Academy, and struggling to establish some sort of Orthodox mission in inner city Richmond, I’ve ignored my once heavily written All Saints of West Point blog. IContinue reading “What Are We Seeking?!”

Judas: The Insider Enemy

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! (In case I probably don’t greet you on Pascha) Have you ever noticed that none of the enemies of Christ were able to seize and kill Him without Judas? Herod massacred thousands of children but couldn’t find that One born in Bethlehem. The Sadducees tried a trick questionContinue reading “Judas: The Insider Enemy”

To Carry Your Cross

We are about halfway through the Great Lenten journey. Orthodox churches mark this point with the Veneration of the Holy Cross at the end of the Divine Liturgy. The Church Fathers saw it was good for Christians to have a special commemoration to remind us of why we endure this time of fasting, almsgiving, repentance,Continue reading “To Carry Your Cross”

Seek The Desert

January 17th is the feast day of the man recognized as the father of Christian monasticism, St. Anthony the Great. During the last Roman persecution under Diocletian, Anthony visited Alexandria in the hopes that he would be martyred for his faith. To have the courage to be killed for declaring oneself a Christian was theContinue reading “Seek The Desert”

Theophany: Transition to the Fullness of God

When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father didst bear witness unto Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, didst confirm the truthfulness of His word. O Christ our God Who hastContinue reading “Theophany: Transition to the Fullness of God”

Christmas: Lessons from the Nativity Fast

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! CHRIST HAS COME FROM HEAVEN! RECEIVE HIM! CHRIST IS ON EARTH! BE YE EXALTED! Nativity of the Lord Jesus from St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt The tradition in Orthodoxy is to spend the 40 days before Christmas fasting from meats and dairy products, with fish, wine, and olive oil permittedContinue reading “Christmas: Lessons from the Nativity Fast”

Tertullian: Teaching the Truth of Ancient African Christianity

“Be in the world, but not of the world,” is a familiar phrase among Christians. But, where is it written explicitly in the Bible? What is the book, chapter, and verse? Answer: It isn’t explicitly written in the Bible. This is a maxim that is attributed to one of the earliest and best known teachersContinue reading “Tertullian: Teaching the Truth of Ancient African Christianity”