The blog of a Cuban who became an Eastern Orthodox priest.
I can remember being a teenager who had just graduated from high school the summer of 1969. That fall I would start college. I would only finish one year before I would be thrown out for poor grades because I had been partying so hard. But, that … [Continue reading]
I may not fully agree with the definitions above, but I do agree with the sentiment above. All too many of us do behave different when we are alone as to when someone is watching us. In fact, I might even say that all of us are actually that way. The … [Continue reading]
"It is not one's own efforts which lead to the goal, because without grace, efforts produce little. Nor does grace without effort bring what is sought, because grace acts in us and for us through our efforts." ~ St. Theophan the Recluse It is … [Continue reading]
I watched the Olympics just about every night while they were on. I was amazed at the talent, the sportsmanship (except for the Korean and Chinese badminton teams), and the drive to win. I expected that from watching previous Olympics. What I did not … [Continue reading]
I can remember either a homiletic professor or a speech coach commenting that it is much harder to prepare a five-minute talk than a 30 minute talk. He said that in a 30 minute talk it is quite possible to ramble on into infinity and still appear to … [Continue reading]
I am often surprised at how often people do something and then come to Confession in the expectation of instant forgiveness with no consequences. They are actually wrong on both counts. Forgiveness comes with true repentance not simply from a sense … [Continue reading]
Lately there have been many calls for Presidential-candidate Mitt Romney to release his taxes. Many of you know that I have problems with various conservative proposals for what I consider to be sound Scriptural and Holy Tradition reasons. … [Continue reading]
Below is from a recent news story on Fox News: A Tulsa police officer and devout Christian is suing his department after being punished for refusing to go to a mosque for a mandatory cultural event. Police Capt. Paul Campbell Fields, a 17-year … [Continue reading]
It is common in the USA nowadays for all too many to believe that the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is of a story from a very late date. But, it is not so. There are actually several Early Church Fathers who speak to the issue of the Virgin Mary and … [Continue reading]
From The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, from a passage on the very last page of the book: "Then the prophecies of the old songs have turned out to be true, after a fashion!" said Bilbo. "Of course!" said Gandalf. "And why should not they prove true? … [Continue reading]
