By Fr. John Breck From the website of the Orthodox Church in America, from October 1, 2009 Change the date of publication, and ‘H1N1’ to ‘COVID 19’ and this could have been published this morning. A huge amount of controversy has arisen recently over the way Christians receive Holy Communion, particularly in the wake of … Continue reading Regarding Disease and Holy Communion
Orthodoxy
Wednesday Collage
Growing things I’ve never had a rose bush before. I discovered that there was a small, barely alive one mostly hidden by the front shrubs and I decided to see if it could be coaxed back to health. I aerated the soil and added some rose fertilizer but as the weeks went by nothing really … Continue reading Wednesday Collage
Tying a prayer rope 1
Well, I’ve wanted to try this for a while so I got some parachute cord, sat down with a YouTube instruction video, and started alternately pressing play, pause, and rewind. This was not very successful. I will give myself a little grace and add that I also had a preschooler sticking her head over my … Continue reading Tying a prayer rope 1
The past week
My heart is heavy and I couldn’t get past it to write any blog posts. Just now I decided to face up to it and just post and get it over with. Friday we lost Smokey. He was hit by a car. I found out through a neighborhood post about a grey and white cat … Continue reading The past week
It’s for Real
I was just updating my calendar and making a note in all caps for February 2: WEBSITE MUST BE READY AND STOCKED because a cool new thing is beginning that week on Monday. This is a bit harrowing because we are literally moving the previous week. Anyway, more on that event (much more) later. Argh. … Continue reading It’s for Real
Review: Spyridon’s Shoes
This new book by Kh. Christine Rogers was wonderful! I had so enjoyed her book, The Road to Golgotha, last year and was delighted to learn she had a new book being published. The first thing I noticed when beginning this story was how easy it was to engage with the characters. They are wholly … Continue reading Review: Spyridon’s Shoes
Path to Pascha Tabletop Garden
During Cheese Week we got our tabletop garden ready to use along with the readings from Tending the Garden of Our Hearts. [See my review and links here.] It's very simple, actually. I used a plastic tray and covered it with packaged sheet moss. We planted a few tiny pots with grass seed and also … Continue reading Path to Pascha Tabletop Garden
Succulents
Last week I purchased a small succulent to use in our Lenten tabletop garden. (I will post more on that when I'm a bit farther along.) I set it in the kitchen windowsill and see it every time I'm in front of the sink, which is to say, frequently. I worried a little when I … Continue reading Succulents
Review: Tending the Garden of Our Hearts
I was excited to receive my long-anticipated copy of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts in the mail yesterday afternoon. So excited that I have already finished it! During the last Advent fast my youngest children were old enough to participate in Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent. I found it helpful as well, … Continue reading Review: Tending the Garden of Our Hearts
Theophany
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan the worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, and called Thee his Beloved Son. And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of his Word. O Christ our God, who hast revealed … Continue reading Theophany
