“I remember a road trip, now well over a decade ago. A certain Fr. Gerasimos was driving and I was in the passenger seat with his older son—my godson—cozy between us. Father began to tell us a story about a nun, a little boy and their adventures in the woods. It wasn’t about me; it […]

Kontakion (Tone 4) Today the universe dances with joy at your glorious memorial, And cries out to you, O Mother of God: “Rejoice, O Virgin, pride of Christians!” About the Icon The Theotokos is depicted upon the funeral bier. Christ, standing behind the Theotokos, is her Son, who has come to receive His Mother’s soul […]

Sermon on the Transfiguration Saint Gregory Palamas, (1296 – 1359) Archbishop of Thessalonica For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and […]

A message on receiving the Holy Spirit Saint Luke said in a parable about a rich man, “I will say to my soul ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ ”1  What an odd attitude to take toward one’s soul – “eat and drink.” […]

The earliest Christians, who lived in constant expectation of dying for their faith, found strength in the daily cycle of prayer services (which were themselves an outgrowth and fulfillment of the Jewish tradition). Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (Jn 18:36) Today, in the face of the increasing emptiness and alienation of […]

Advice to all Christian women, but especially a new bride by Saint Gregory of Nazianzus “the Theologian” – 391 AD My daughter, For your wedding, I, your spiritual father Gregory, offer you this poem as a gift. And I consider it to be the best possible advice a father could offer to his beloved daughter. […]

At the age of five, he wanted to be a nuclear physicist. Now he is the Senior Priest in a church where the Choir Director is a nuclear engineer. Keep reading! Archpriest Stevan Bauman was born in 1944 of a father who spent his early years homesteading in New Mexico, raising cattle and doing dry […]

In Christian Orthodoxy we value scripture as well as the wisdom handed down from Church Fathers who were the Disciples of the Apostles and the Fathers who learned from them. Especially appropriate for Fathers’ Day, here we share some wisdom from Church Fathers. Speak well of those who speak evil of you. Pay good for […]

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, each local Orthodox Church commemorates all the saints, known and unknown, who have shone forth in its territory. Accordingly, the Orthodox Church in America remembers the saints of North America on this day. Saints of all times, and in every country are seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise […]

On Saturday, May 19, 2018 the family and friends of Joy of All Who Sorrow gathered to install a new time capsule and install a replacement date stone in the northeast corner of our building. The time capsule had been packed with many items that had been recommended by our parishioners. There were so many […]