Orthodixie

You know how, every year, there’s always that certain someone on your gift-giving list – someone that either has everything (and why should you have to buy them something) – or they’re just so difficult to buy for (I mean, not like you’re a hater or anything) – or, well, let’s face it:

Christmas is just a snowball’s throw away and you just thought SHA-ZAM! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT WHO-ZEE-WAT! Now what am I gonna do?!

Well, have no fear. That’s what I’m here for …

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

For details on how you can win a free copy of the audio version of We Came, We Saw, We Converted – The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America … go HERE!

Thanks to the good folks at Conciliar Press, I have some more free downloads of the audio book, We Came, We Saw, We Converted – The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America to give away.

Send me, via email, your funniest Christmas Story!

All stories chosen will be included in a special episode of the Orthodixie Podcast to be aired on Ancient Faith Radio beginning Christmas Eve!

The audio version of the book, WC, WS, WC will make the perfect addition to the “stocking” of that special someone (you know, the one who’s hard to buy for … and you might as well get them something for free!).

Entries must be received by Noon, Wednesday – December 22nd. Those wishing to remain anonymous should so indicate. (You may, of course, change the names to protect the foolish, including your own.) Make it short, make it long — just make sure it’s appropriate and humorous for the AFR audience.

Send your funniest Christmas Story to:

orthodixie at aol dot com

And be sure to tune in to the Orthodixie Podcast beginning December 24th on Ancient Faith Radio.

Authors of stories included in the podcast will be sent a free download code for the audio book, We Came, We Saw, We Converted – The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America via return email on Christmas Adam (December 23rd) — just in time for last minute Christmas giving!

Oh — and if you enjoy Ancient Faith Radio, please take a moment to say thanks!

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America (formerly known as the Episcopal Assembly of North and Central America) is one of twelve bishops’ assemblies which have been established in different geographical regions throughout the world. It is made up of all the active, canonical Orthodox bishops of North and Central America, of every jurisdiction.

Check out the new site.

Updates and additions will continue to be made to the several web pages which comprise the site, so check back frequently!

I’ve been holding on to this one for a while; thanks to tmatt for the notice.

In the words of Sarah:

My dress was a wonderful, and sanity preserving, find at a local thrift store. My first (any only!) time in a bridal salon I was wearing an old sweater and pants covered in paint (I was on my way back from work when I spotted the place and thought I could just sneak in and look around. But I’m self employed as an interior painter and thus was not really dressed for a ‘salon’…). I walked in the door, felt immediately judged for my lack of shamncy apparel, took one loop around the room looking for ANYTHING under $1000, found not even one, and left in a hurry. Thrift stores here I come! A bit of looking and$30 (!!!) later I had a lovely simple dress with no frills, and straps, which I accented with a jacket I found online, and a belt I made to showcase the beautiful broach given to my by mother-in-law (old and blue at the same time).

* * *

Our cake was a gift from a lady who, in a previous career, worked at a bakery. She is a master, as the enormous confection she created proves. Notice the strange writing on it? That would be Elvish, yes as in the fictional language Tolkien invented for his Elves in Lord of the Rings …

Read it all, with pics, here.

Former Evangelicals who convert to Orthodoxy are often painted with such a broad brush — seen as such peculiar fruit — that even the likes of a St Herman of Alaska (Happy Feast) might not understand.

For those painted with such baggage (even a small “checked” bag), Community of Grace – An Orthodox Christian Year in Alaska serves to vividly remind of the how & why many Americans found and, through it all, stay in the Church.

Having been a part, temporarily, of the Antiochian Orthodox Evangelical Mission when first received into the Church, and having later visited Alaska, I found many personal connections with this story. For American Orthodox Converts with a somewhat similar story, Community of Grace should prove refreshingly poignant. For those without such history, the book provides an educational snapshot of the sometimes peculiarly pious beings that populate Orthodox churches in America.

But it is the shared struggles, joys and pains of Orthodox Christians in intentional community that only those who have been there can write and, thanks to Mary Alice Cook, all of us may reap. Paint it as fruit, put it in your bag.

Life in Alaska is hard; living in [Christian] community is harder.

Yet, Grace abounds!