Orthodixie

The 2010 contest deadline has been extended. Send your ideas in now, regarding THIS, before it’s too late. Meanwhile, here’s last year’s “listener supported” Orthodixie Thanksgiving Podcast.

Enjoy!

Most stories about the history of Thanksgiving concern the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Indians that took place way back in the autumn of 1621.

The one I’m revisiting concerns the Thanksgiving of 2012.

It involves a Russian deacon, an Antiochian priest, a Greek layman, an Episcopalian laywoman, a Roman Catholic priest, and a Baptist.

It all took place in the rolling hills of Southern Oklahoma just before Thanksgiving in the year 2012. The Catholic priest, Fr O’Malley, was traveling alone on his way north, to Norman, to see his mother for the holiday.

The Episcopalian woman was dating a nice looking Baptist fellow and was traveling to Stillwater to introduce him to the family. They were hoping to get married just before she entered seminary in 2013 to study toward the priesthood.

The Russian deacon had befriended the Antiochian priest and the Greek layman on Facebook, and they were traveling to a clandestine meeting of “traditional-minded Orthodox Christians” in Oklahoma City.

You never know who you might meet on the highway, especially in an early ice storm the day before Thanksgiving. That’s right, believe it or not, Interstate 35 was covered with ice. The highway patrol had put out a bulletin advising folks not to travel unless absolutely necessary. But, as you might imagine, the Episcopalian gal and her Baptist beau were on a mission – as were the Greek, Antiochian, and Russian churchmen!

Fr O’Malley? He’d not seen his mother in two years and her health was failing.

Needless to say, these people were heedless. They all, in one way or another, believed they were on a Mission from God.

Well, friends, at first glance it might seem that God had other plans. The roads were slick, the travel hazardous and …

… then there was the “Good Sam” who didn’t believe in God.

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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Thanks to all who have participated thus far in the annual Orthodixie Podcast writing exercise!

But, while traveling in San Francisco today, I accidentally hit a button on my BlackBerry which deleted several emails for the contest.

Pics and thoughts of trip to San Francisco — Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral (ROCOR), Holy Trinity Cathedral (OCA), Holy Trinity Church (GOA), St John’s Academy Gala, and St Tikhon’s Chapel / St John Maximovitch’s Apartment — forthcoming.

BUT:

Please, if you have sent an “entry” — resend it!

Forgive me.

Last year around Thanksgiving, the Orthodixie Podcast took a serious turn with:

Thanksgiving: The Eighth Ecumenical Campfire.

The Blurb: “A Roman Catholic Priest, two Orthodox clergymen, a Baptist boy and an Episcopalian gal, along with a Greek layman — unexpectedly — share a Thanksgiving campfire. What do you think happens?”

Having set the storyline, I solicited listeners’ ideas for the follow-up:

Thanksgiving: The Eighth Ecumenical Campfire – Part 2.

That episode, Part 2, was written almost entirely by AFR listeners. (And, boy howdy, is it ever worth another hearing!)

Listener participation has helped script other Orthodixie episodes, namely:

Ortho-Man & the Riddle of the Psssssst!
included in We Came, We Saw, We Converted

and

SmallTown Heroes, Orthodox Evangelism and You
participants were sent a free copy of the excellent CD, Lo the Hard Times

With the release of the audio version of We Came, We Saw, We Converted – The Lighter Side of Orthodoxy in America, here’s the deal:

A seasoned priest, married with children, quits.

He just walks away from parochial ministry.

Why?

Your input can be funny or serious, long or short, spell-checked or not — whatever — but it must be sent to me by the end of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25th, at:

orthodixie at aol dot com

(Do not send your suggestions via the ComBox of this blog.)

All participants whose entries are used in the podcast will be notified and sent a free download of the new audio book, We Came, We Saw, We Converted – available from Conciliar Press.

DEADLINE: Thanksgiving Day.

Oh, and …

Thanks!

On Sunday, November 14th, His Grace, Bishop BASIL visited St Joseph Church, Houston.

Uh oh.
Sayidna’s mitre is missing and, in hopes of jogging the memories of the gathered faithful, he says: “It’s like a Byzantine Crown, making me look about yay high.”

The bishop points toward the north door of the altar and asks the congregation if they have seen anyone leave that door with his mitre?

Alas. No one fesses up.

The clergy in the altar go into hiding.

He said, “Please! As there is no outside door into the altar, whoever has the mitre must come out of that door. Be vigilant!”

As I tried to calm things down, asking folks to please look everywhere, a communal gasp was heard from the nave; fingers were pointed toward the north side of the altar.

“Aha!”

That being settled, as I stared at the floor and Fr James stared at the ceiling, the service began.

Later in the service, it seemed we carried everything but the Bishop’s mitre out for the Entrance.

As the newly installed members of the Parish Council reverenced the Gospel Book, Fr James could be seen staring at the bishop’s mitre.

The ever vigilant Deacon Meletios whispered to me, “I think Fr James is up to something.”

Unbelievable!

So as not to scandalize the faithful, it was necessary to close the doors — to settle this matter once and for all.

The choir, oblivious to the mitre heist, continued to sing beautifully.

Whew!
Looks like things worked out.

What?! Can you believe it?!

Not wanting to accuse anyone, I again pleaded for the return of the mitre. (Does Fr James look like he’s up to something in this pic?)

He’s quick; the slight of hand: amazing.

I just hope these guys — especially the one in the middle, and the accused — are good sports!

Forgive me.

From the your left: Deacon Meletios Marx, me, Bishop BASIL, Fr James Early, and the newly ordained Deacon Michael Fulton (Holy Cross seminarian).

For more pics of the bishop’s visit, go here.

Images courtesy of Hatem “Steve” Khalaf – here.