Orthodixie

DEFEATING SIN – Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever, like its author Fr Joseph Huneycutt, is a fantastic combination of Holy Orthodoxy and wit in 21st century clothing. I recommend it highly for those who seek a primer on how to deepen their own repentance.

— Archpriest Josiah Trenham, PhD, St Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, California

You can order a signed copy of DEFEATING SIN through PayPal in the side margin (at left) or — unsigned, multiple copies — through the publisher at Regina Orthodox Press.

An excerpt from this week’s AFR Podcast, already in progress …

Our Lord, truly God and truly Man, chose the 12, the 70, and the many women disciples. He was visited in the Garden of Gethsemene and comforted by an Angel. Aided by Simon of Cyrene, He did not bear His Cross alone.

No, our Lord does not appoint us to this work individually, but collectively. He gives us family, friends, co-workers — in the Church.

Let us, fishers of men, labour together for the increase of the Kingdom. When, at times, there seems to be something wrong — no light; when we have laboured all night and caught nothing — Let us be mindful of the Good God Who provides the increase to those who love Him, answering His call to do His holy will.

We shouldn’t deny reality. And the reality is … people are seeking the Truth.

I heard about a conference speaker who’d announced that the days of the great wave of Episcopalians converting to Orthodoxy are past. In other words, Time’s Up. This brought a contrary reaction from a member of the audience: “I beg to differ. Many people are leaving their watered-down feel-good church communities and finding Anglicanism. For them, they believe they have found the Apostolic Faith. The day may come when they grow toward the Truth to the point of making their way to Orthodoxy.”

Though seeking the Truth and wishing others to journey with us, we must be based in reality. And the reality is that some things just “is what they is.” You can’t change people. It’s like the old saying …

Listen to the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

No matter how much I have labored and no matter how much grief I have endured, I consider myself only to have done what was my duty as a Priest. Is it not to the well-being and salvation of our neighbors that we servants of God and spiritual shepherds have dedicated our entire lives?

— St Raphael of Brooklyn

Rejoice, O Father Raphael, adornment of the holy Church! Thou art champion of the True Faith, seeker of the lost, consolation of the oppressed, father to orphans and friend of the poor, peacemaker and good shepherd, joy of all the Orthodox, son of Antioch, boast of America. Intercede with Christ God for us and for all who honor thee.

Lover of the holy prayers and divine services of the Church, who can tell of the countless hours spent in their translation for the sake of thy flock? Thou didst gather pearls from the Greek and Slavonic tongues, and fashioned them into pearls of Arabic. Thou didst also teach us to pray in the language of the new world. Now standing at the throne of God, beseech Him to save our souls.

Rising from the east like a brilliant sun, thou, O holy hierarch, dost enlighten and comfort all who with faith flee unto thy paternal lovingkindness. Do thou now intercede for us, O good shepherd Raphael.

NOTE: The major commemoration of Saint Raphael is observed on the Saturday before the Synaxis of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven (November 8), which means that it may fall between November 1 and 7. It is celebrated as a Vigil Rank commemoration.

Source

If one studies a great deal in order to acquire knowledge and to teach others, without living the things he teaches, he does no more than fill his head with hot air. At most, he will manage to ascend to the moon using machines. The goal of the Christian is to rise to God without machines.

— Elder Paisios the Athonite

Thanks to FWD from Fr Josiah Trenham.

While all about on October 31st is spooky …

One may find annual refuge at St George, Houston.

Wait! There’s the priest now!
What? You don’t recognize him? (More will be revealed.)

Arrgh! We don’t wear no scary costumes!
Get me, Mate?

Yes, it’s true, on this night, I’m fairy certain you can dress up however you wish: Yes – fairy, No – Scary.

Here’s Jack … without the box.

… and dual smiles — here …

… and there!

Uh oh! Identity crisis. This seems to be Batman carrying a Spidey pail … being attacked by a ferocious pink Boa.

AFLAC!

Oh no! The time change is not till this weekend … and yet he’s already turned into a pumpkin!

… no problem, his angel will take care of him!

See what I mean? No one’s afraid of a tiger who sucks his thumb!

A princess and a turtle …

Two more princesses …

REAL princesses …

The Super Hero formerly known as M. Salem.

Who you lookin at? You lookin at me?

Huh?

The adults await the costume pageant parade …

Just in time … all the way from Asia?

From Paris … with Bling.

Snow White regales her real life sis about little short men with beards.

Not this little short man … he’s a Mouse!

This turtle has outgrown his shell!

Miss Susie spins Miss White (whose hair is normally not black!)

Wait! Did someone call for a Princess?

Ladies & Gentlemen … Do not be afraid!

He will not MELT in her hand!

Who you calling a princess? That’s PIRATE to you, Mate!

(I kept trying to take a picture of her hand, but from some reason she kept trying to get her face in the picture!)

Okay. Despite the blonde hair color that resulted in green …

My son went as Fr John. They say the cell phone was a dead giveaway! (Scroll up to the sepia tone pic.)

Can you guess what she’s dressed as?

Think about it.

No?

Okay … a clue …

This is, of course, Moses. Now look back at the picture above.

Did you get it?

Okay … I’ll tell you. She’s the …

RED C!

Oops! The boss is here!

Everybody back to work!

🙂