Introduction: thinking about the radical atheism of the Soviet Communists The Soviet Communists were atheist totalitarians. They tried to create a system that would make both faith and the religious institutions that foster it seem silly and superfluous. Given the strength of Orthodoxy in the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, they had to be very intentional about […]
On Newsweek’s Religious Case for Gay Marriage
December 9, 2008 By
I warned my parishioners that the only thing that the Fathers spent more time preaching on than money was sex. I’m sure they rather I talked about their budgets! Advocacy Journalism – and Bible Study – at their Worst The December 15th (2008) edition of Newsweek contains an article by their Religion editor Lisa Miller […]
Just another update
December 8, 2008 By
This past week was another busy week. Monday: After updating the website and publishing the podcast, I headed to New Britain for Ihumen Gregory’s memorial service (Panakhida). We carried his casket from the hearse, up the stairs, then into the narthex of his parish of St. Mary’s. After Fr. Stephen (the dean of our New […]
Mumbai attack – connecting the dots
December 1, 2008 By
Islamist terrorists conducted coordinated attacks against pre-selected targets in Mombai last week. This kind of attack requires a network consisting of well-developed recruiting, training, intelligence, operations, and command & control cells. While India has enough aggrieved Islamists to fill the ranks for such an attack, the Islamist networks operating out of Pakistan have a competitive […]
How many cars do we need?
November 29, 2008 By
Our economy continues to “correct” itself after decades of being artificially inflated by easy credit, poor saving habits, and superfluous spending. The government is attempting to ease the effects of this correction by replacing the suddenly prudent (i.e. risk-averse) credit market with its own. In this way, it forces more money into a system in […]
The Holodomor – not just bureaucratic excess
November 24, 2008 By
A letter to the editor entitled “Stalin didn’t purposely starve Ukrainians” recently appeared in the local paper. The author attempts to dispel the “myth”, “tall tale”, and “legend” of the Ukrainian Holodomor in 1932-33. Sifting through his hyperbole, his argument relies on the following “facts”; I will briefly address each in turn: The Holodomor serves […]
The Orthodox Witness of Peace and the Repose of +Ihumen Gregory
November 23, 2008 By
It is with a “profound depth of sadness and prayer” that I share the news that the servant of God, Ihumen (abbot) Gregory fell asleep in the Lord this past Thursday evening. You will remember that I have asked all of you to pray for him: please continue to do so. Those of us with […]
Remembering the Holodomor
November 17, 2008 By
It was another busy week here at St. Michael’s. Here are some highlights: Monday While I spent most of Monday on administrivia, the highlight came in the evening with the opening of the Holodomor exhibit at the Rhode Island Community College (Knight Campus) Art Gallery. As part of the commemoration, Professor Cheryl Madden (who teaches […]
Thoughts on a Busy Week
November 10, 2008 By
This was another busy week here at St. Michael’s, culminating with the visit of our archpastor, His Eminence Archbishop Antony. While much of the business was pretty mundane, there were some things you might be interested in. Tuesday was election day, one of my favorite times. I love election day not just because it means […]
Gadget Updates – more that I like
November 5, 2008 By
About three weeks ago, the budget committee passed a resolution allowing for the purchase of a couple of fairly major items: a projector and and a Roku device. I recommend them both. We’ve also tested some light bulbs and a new thing to help me lose weight. We were able to find a projector for […]
