"Today the Word of God the Father, the co-eternal Son, Whose throne is heaven and Whose footstool is earth, humbles Himself and comes from Bethany, riding on a dumb beast, the foal of a donkey; the children of the Hebrews hold branches in their hands. They praise Him crying out: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He Who comes, the King of Israel ( Read more... )

"This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits" (St. Isaac of Syria ( Read more... )

Self-love. All of what I just wrote (and deleted) was oriented around me and the me-centered universe I let myself live in ( Read more... )

'Cause of my pre-spring break laziness, this week I get to complete my midterms for Dr. Eells, go to this week's Lenten services (Presanctified Divine Liturgy on Wednesday and the 3-hour (?) long complete Canon of St. Andrew on Thursday), do an extra shift at work, go down to Taylor to meet up with the Messiah road trippers from my class at RVA, ( Read more... )

We live in a very strange world. I was just looking at pictures from a wedding of an acquaintance of mine and I really don't understand. It's kind of hypocritical of me all things considered, but I really don't get it. Anyway ( Read more... )

I'm back in Spring Arbor. The train was only 20 minutes late getting in ( Read more... )

We had a very interesting chapel today. I must confess I was also very much taken with the book I was reading during the performances, but the speaker was good nonetheless. He was from Exodus Ministries and spoke about how to love people struggling (or not struggling) with homosexuality while also challenging them to live a pure life devoted to God ( Read more... )

I have a test at 2pm that I need to study for, so of course I'm being irresponsible and posting here instead :-/. (Heaven help me!) When I woke up this morning my whole body ached. A clear sign that I need to be more generally fit if I'm going to continue being an Orthodox Christian :-). It's not healthy to be unhealthy ('well, duh Jonathan' you're ( Read more... )

It's hard to believe that Lent is already here! It seems like yesterday that it was the Nativity, and now we've already begun Clean Week with its cycle of services. Tonight was our first night of the Canon of St. Andrew, and it was welcome and needed. Sinner though I am, I love the Lenten services. It's wonderful to be gathering so frequently and ( Read more... )

I was reading Proverbs 13 earlier and was struck by the profoundness of what was really a very logical and straightforward verse (verse 4). Isn't it ironic that it's the lazy who want to live the lifestyle of the wealthy and even try to without the means to do so? It's also the lazy who dream of reaching great spiritual heights without the death to ( Read more... )