The Christian Education Department of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese has made the Book of Exodus the focus of our Sunday School year 2025-26 and the summer’s Bible Bowl. Brainstorming ideas of teaching the Teen SOYO class, my partner advisor, Philip Riske, brought up “The Life of Moses” by St. Gregory of Nyssa as a goodContinue reading “Rethinking Exodus: A Forgotten Pursuit of Virtue?”
Category Archives: spiritual living
The Need for Spiritual Fatherhood
I was recently asked, “Why do you call yourself, ‘Father’ Deacon?” Growing up in the Baptist church, only a male parent (or stepparent) was to be called ‘father.” I have no children by birth or adoption. So, who am I to be called such? No one seems to question my role as a teacher eitherContinue reading “The Need for Spiritual Fatherhood”
Keep Christmas? Keep Christ Through the Hours!
I love the Royal Hours services of the Orthodox Church. Among the Akathist Prayers, Liturgies, and other worship services, this one is like icing on a cake to my spiritual life. I practice the Hours of Prayer every Monday through Saturday (Sunday I have pre-Eucharistic prayers, the Divine Liturgy, and I try to pray NinthContinue reading “Keep Christmas? Keep Christ Through the Hours!”
Advent Two: Hope in Restoration
Human nature is good. According to Genesis, God created us in His image and likeness, breathed His breath of life in us and we became living souls. On the final day of creation, He made us and said it was very good. Satan didn’t create or give life to humanity. God did that. So weContinue reading “Advent Two: Hope in Restoration”
Advent One: The Need for Realignment
We are nibbling on our Thanksgiving Day leftovers as we walk into the Advent Season. Many non-Denominational congregations as well as mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics will have special candle lightings, prayers, and scriptures readings to prepare hearts and minds to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (Feast of the Lord’s Nativity). New calendar EasternContinue reading “Advent One: The Need for Realignment”
First Hour Rule of Prayer: My Call
I’ve been in the storm so long. I’ve been in the storm so long children. I’ve been in the storm so long. Lord, give me a little time to pray. My call to prayer does not come from any Eastern or Oriental prayer book. They are the words of a Negro spiritual. Bishop Dimitri ofContinue reading “First Hour Rule of Prayer: My Call”
Three Reasons for a Prayer Rule
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?!”
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”
West Point Orthodox Christian Chapel 