Homily: Loving vs. Commodifying (St. Luke 6:31-36)

Summary of the Gospel (“The Rules”) Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Offer yourself without expecting anything in return. Love your enemies. This is the way God is (and you should be thankful for that!). Introduction: missing … [Continue reading]

Class: An Introduction to the Mysteries

Our Faith: Orthodox Christianity at St. Michael’sWoonsocket, Rhode Island The Mysteries Questions for consideration: does God just work through ideas and the heart, or does He work in the physical world, too?  How about mankind?  Is there such a … [Continue reading]

From our Parish Service Book: Twelve Things

Twelve Things I Wish I’d Known:Learning how to Live and Love Orthodox Worship Welcome to the God-protected, God-loving parish of St. Michael’s! Here are some things that we hope will increase the profundity of your worship experience here, whether … [Continue reading]

Ten Things Everyone Should Know about the Divine Liturgy: An Introduction to Orthodox Worship

Ten Things Everyone Should Know about the Divine LiturgyAn Introduction to Orthodox Worship 1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind… (St. Matthew 22:38)The most striking thing about Orthodox worship is that it is not about you; … [Continue reading]

Akathist to the Prokova of the Birthgiver of God

There is a link to this from Fr. John Whiteford's excellent Liturgical Texts site, but it is to an archive.  I figured it couldn't hurt to have it duplicated.  We'll be praying this service this Sunday evening (the eve of the Pokrova … [Continue reading]

From our Bulletin: Five Disciplines to Change Your Life

Five Orthodox disciplines that will confer quick and lasting benefits to your life: Daily private prayer for others and hesychastic meditation; takes as little as ten minutes a day - ask me how! Tithing/Orthodox Christian budgeting; … [Continue reading]

Homily: Why is it so hard to build a good marriage (and parish)?

Homily on Saint Luke 5:1-11; Fishers of Men So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing … [Continue reading]

Homily: the Cross and the Sun

The Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross The Cross: A marketer’s nightmare On the morning of the feast (Friday morning), I challenged you to think and pray on the implications of having the Cross as our standard.  It isn’t the kind of thing … [Continue reading]

Class. How did we get here?

Opening Scripture:  First General Epistle of St. John, Chapter One.  Summary of Scripture:  The invitation to Orthodoxy is an invitation to fellowship with Christians so that your joy may be full. Today’s Lesson:  How did we get here? Questions … [Continue reading]

Homily Outline – Sunday after the Nativity of the Theotokos

Yesterday we celebrated a birthday! 1. Miracle. Joachim and Anna.  We forget how great a miracle all conceptions and births are. 2. Her life (segue – her age!) We rejoice with the angels at the life of Mary. Chaste. Pure. Devoted.  3. Through her … [Continue reading]