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Pan-Orthodox Vespers in Dallas
Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 9:46 PM by Jason Barker
For readers who live in the vicinity of Dallas, TX, the bishops of the Antiochian and Greek Archdioceses and the OCA will concelebrate the first Lenten vespers (in the annual series of North Texas Pan-Orthodox vespers) at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Bishop BASIL of the Antiochian Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, Metropolitan ISAIAH of the Greek Metropolis of Denver, and Archbishop DMITRI of the OCA Diocese of the South will concelebrate Vespers on Sunday, March 16, at 6:00 PM.
Posted in Orthodox News
New Podcasts from Ancient Faith
Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM by Jason Barker
Ancient Faith Radio has announced that it has launched four new podcasts:
All coming in one weekend, four new regular podcasts debut on the Ancient Faith Radio web site. This brings us to 24 original podcasts and we are not done yet! Some new and exciting additions are just around the corner! For now, however, please subscribe to and enjoy the following new features:
- Speaking the Truth in Love with Fr. Tom Hopko. Fr. Tom will give us a substantial diet of compelling commentary on Christian belief and behavior
- Search the Scriptures with Dr. Jeannie Constantinou. Drawing from her extensive experience and education, Pres. Jeannie will help us better understand the Scriptures even in the midst of our busy lives
- Food for the Journey with Fr. William Mills. Fr. Bill will help us journey through Great Lent as a community and unpack the biblical themes that accompany the season
- Postcards From Greece with Fr. Peter Alban Heers. Fr. Peter will send back reports from the beautiful mountains of Greece giving us a glimpse of Orthodox life and spirituality.
Posted in Orthodox News
Orthodox Teen Talk Online
Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM by Jason Barker
The Orthodox Christian Network, with partners including members of Teen SOYO, is launching a new audio program called Orthodox Teen Talk Online, or OTTO. The program will involve Orthodox teens - guided by Fr. Christopher Metropulos and Emmy Louvaris - discussing issues involving contemporary teen life.
An MP3 of the first episode is available here.
Posted in OCN, Orthodox News, Youth Department
Ancient Faith Radio Stations
Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:00 AM by Jason Barker
Ancient Faith Radio now offers two Internet radio stations: Ancient Faith Music, which streams Orthodox liturgical music interspersed with short quotes from the saints, modern Orthodox writers, and liturgical services, and Ancient Faith Talk, which offers content from AFR's podcasts in addition to Orthodox music.
Posted in Online Resources, Orthodox News
Sacred Gift of Life and Share the Light Sunday
Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 8:32 AM by Jason Barker
This Sunday - January 20, 2008 - is the date for two important events.
That is the date for the annual Sacred Gift of Life Sunday, in which members of Teen SOYO lead members of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America in protecting the unborn. You can find resources here.
January 20th is also the date for the annual Share the Light Sunday to support the work of the Orthodox Christian Network. You can find resources here.
Posted in OCN, Orthodox News, Youth Department
New Book on Mark
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 at 10:18 PM by Jason Barker
I received the following press release from Fr. William Mills (whose commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke I mention here) about his new commentary on the Gospel according to St. Mark:
MOORESVILLE, NC (January 2008) Fr. William C. Mills is pleased to announce the publication of his fifth book, Let Us Attend: Reflections on the Gospel of Mark for the Lenten Season. This book is a collection of pastoral reflections on the gospel lessons from Mark that are read during Great Lent. Let Us Attend is a wonderful resource for personal and group Bible study, adult education classes, and sermon preparation.
Other books in this series include From Pascha to Pentecost: Reflections on the Gospel of John (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2005), Prepare O Bethlehem: Reflections on the Scripture Readings for Christmas-Epiphany (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2006), Baptize All Nations: Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2007), A Light to the Gentiles: Reflections on the Gospel of Luke (NY: iUniverse, 2007).
You might also be interested in a complete series of study sheets I created several years ago for Orthodox teens, Follow Me: A Study of the Gospel According to St. Mark.
Posted in Orthodox News
OCN Live Video Webcast
Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2008 at 12:37 PM by Jason Barker
The Orthodox Christian Network will host another live video webcast from 5-6 PM (EST) on Sunday, January 13th, to promote Share the Light Sunday (which occurs this year on January 20th).
Posted in OCN, Orthodox News
Support Ancient Faith Radio
Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 at 12:55 PM by Jason Barker
Ancient Faith Radio has announced a year-end campaign to support their Internet radio ministry:
To help us finish 2007 and get us started off on the right foot for 2008, we are excited to announce to you that a generous matching grant has been made available to us. An Illumined Heart listener is matching all gifts to Ancient Faith Radio up to $5000 between now and the end of the year. So when you give your year end gift to Ancient Faith Radio this month, it will be doubled up to the limit of this wonderful grant. We can't emphasize enough how important this month is to the ministry of Ancient Faith Radio. Please do not sacrifice your giving to your parish or missionaries but anything you can give at this time would be greatly appreciated.
Click here to donate to AFR.
Edited on: Friday, December 14, 2007 6:03 PMPosted in Orthodox News
Orthodoxy in Shreveport, LA
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 10:47 AM by Jason Barker
The Shreveport Times has published an article, Local Orthodox Church Follows National Growth, about the growth of the Greek Orthodox parish in Shreveport.
I mention the article, not only because I'm always pleased to read about Orthodoxy in places far removed from traditional Orthodox centers in North America, but also because the priest of St. George, Fr. Brendan Pelphrey, is a personal friend (in fact, we met at a conference of the Evangelical Theological Society shortly before my wife and I entered the catechumenate).
Posted in Orthodox News
Evangelical Converts to Orthodoxy
Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 2:15 PM by Jason Barker
The New Republic has an interesting article - one that is understandably making the rounds in Orthodox circles - about Evangelical Protestant converts to Orthodox Christianity. While the focus is primarily on Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth and Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Warrenville, IL, many of the points in the article are relevant to many converts to Orthodoxy.
Posted in Orthodox News
CrossRoad
Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 11:48 AM by Jason Barker
The Office of Vocation and Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has published on their blog an article about this year's CrossRoad, an annual summer program at Hellenic College / Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for teens either entering or leaving their senior year of high school. The program combines classes with professors at the school, ministry and outreach, and entertainment.
The Office describes the program: "Through its three stages, Wrestling with Vocation, Vocation and Christ, and Vocation and the Neighbor, CrossRoad fulfills its mission by helping the youth see for themselves that the road of the Cross only has meaning if they encounter Christ and encounter Christ in their neighbor." It is important to note that, while the program certainly encourages young men to discern whether they have a calling to the priesthood, this is far from the only focus of CrossRoad: its focus is that individuals should realize their vocation to be faithful and active Christians wherever God places them.
Several years ago one of the teens in my Church school class attended CrossRoad, and I can affirm that her commitment to God and His Church was deepened by the experience. Youth workers should encourage their older high school students to consider applying next year for the program.
Posted in Orthodox News
Our Partnership with OCN
Posted on Friday, August 03, 2007 at 6:40 PM by Jason Barker
Fr. Christopher Metropulos has announced that the Orthodox Christian Network has formed a partnership with the Department of Youth Ministry "to produce innovative programming for Orthodox youth." Now that this formal announcement has been made, I can tell you about two of the things I will be doing as part of this partnership.
First, the online Orthodox Christian Bible Studies I create will now be published as a partnership between the OCN and the Youth Department. The first study that will be created through this partnership with be "Life Together: An Interactive Study of the First Epistle to the Corinthians." This study will launch in its entirety on November 1st.
Second, I am creating a new radio program that will air on The Ark and The Rudder. This program will be a weekly Bible study with PDF handouts that can be downloaded for personal and group study.
Both the OCN and the Department of Youth Ministry invite you to join with us in this exciting new phase of our ministry to Orthodox youth!
Posted in Orthodox News, Youth Department
New Podcast Coming
Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 4:31 PM by Jason Barker
Conciliar Press and Ancient Faith Radio have announced a new montly podcast, AGAIN Audio Journal, to be launched in September. The podcast will consist of content from AGAIN Magazine.
A sample of the podcast is currently online.
Posted in Orthodox News
Archdiocese Convention Materials Online
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 10:12 AM by Jason Barker
The 48th Antiochian Archdiocese Convention is currently being held in Montreal, and you can find a number of materials from the Convention (including audio recordings from Ancient Faith Radio and video recordings from Orthodox.tv) on the Convention website.
Posted in Orthodox News
New Book on Luke
Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 at 9:28 AM by Jason Barker
Last night I received this press release from Fr. William Mills announcing his new commentary on the gospel according to St. Luke:
Press Release
New Orthodox Bible Study Resource Available!!!!
MOORESVILLE, NC (July 2007)—Fr. William C. Mills is pleased to announce the publication of his fourth book, A Light to the Gentiles: Reflections on the Gospel of Luke. This book is a collection of pastoral reflections on the gospel lessons from Luke that appear from mid-September through Christmas, including the readings for the preparatory weeks leading up to Great Lent. A Light to the Gentiles is a wonderful resource for personal and group Bible study, adult education classes, and sermon preparation. It is easy to read and provides “food for thought” for our journey to the Kingdom.
Other books in this series include From Pascha to Pentecost: Reflections on the Gospel of John (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2005), Prepare O Bethlehem: Reflections on the Scripture Readings for Christmas-Epiphany (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2006), and Baptize All Nations: Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew (Rollinsford, NH: Orthodox Research Institute, 2007). Future books in this series include reflections on the Gospel of Mark and on the Gospel readings for the major feast days.
About the Author
Fr. William Mills, Ph.D. is the rector of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church in Charlotte, NC, and an adjunct professor of religious studies at Queens University in Charlotte, NC. Fr. Mills received his Bachelor of History from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and then pursued theological studies at Saint Vladimir's Theological Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, NY where he received both a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees. He then pursued advanced theological studies at the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio where he received his doctorate in Pastoral Theology. His essays and book reviews have appeared in AGAIN magazine, The Orthodox Church of America Magazine, Cistercian Studies Quarterly, Pro Ecclesia, and Theological Studies. In the Fall, Fr. Mills will host a regular PODCAST on the new ARK radio program, a ministry of Come Receive the Light radio ministries.
Fr. Mills is available for clergy and parish retreats. For more information about his books or his speaking engagements please visit his webpage at www.wcmills.com
A Light to the Gentiles: Reflections on the Gospel of Luke by William C. Mills
Publication Date: July 2007
Trade Paperback: $13.95; 126 pages
ISBN 0-595-45078-4
1-800-AUTHORS OR www.iuniverse.com
Discounts available for bulk orders
Posted in Orthodox News
Ancient Faith Radio Offer for New Supporters
Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 2:55 PM by Jason Barker
Ancient Faith Radio is currently offering a special gift to new supporters who give any amount: a free copy of the Wisdom of the Saints: Humility CD from The Orthodox Project. Click here to make a donation to Ancient Faith Radio.
Speaking of The Orthodox Project, I just became aware that they offer a podcast featuring teaching from Dn. Michael Hyatt (who in addition to being a deacon at St. Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, TN is also CEO of Thomas Nelson).
Posted in Orthodox News
Youth Director Position
Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 at 12:20 PM by Jason Barker
St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City is looking for a Youth Director.
Posted in Orthodox News
Metropolitan SABA Visits Houston
Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2007 at 1:05 PM by Jason Barker
The Houston Chronicle has an article about the visit of Metropolitan SABA, Archbishop of Hauran, to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston. The article also discusses the Orthodox Church in Syria.
Some readers might recognize St. George as the parish at which Fr. Joseph Honeycutt, host of the Orthodixie blog and podcast, is a priest.
Posted in Orthodox News
Orthodox Radio News
Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 at 5:04 PM by Jason Barker
I am reposting this information because the original post seems to have disappeared from the blog database.
First, the Orthodox Christian Network has announced that a supporter who wishes to remain anonymous is offering to match all donations through the summer. This is an excellent opportunity to increase the effectiveness of your support for the OCN (creators of Come Receive the Light and The Ark, and soon The Rudder), particularly during the summer, when donations to most non-profit organizations drop significantly. Click here to donate to the OCN.
Second, Ancient Faith Radio has uploaded an MP3 interview by Fr. Tom Soroka (host of The Path podcast) with station founder and director John Maddex. Of particular interest is the future goal of offering two channels for Ancient Faith Radio: one playing liturgical music, and one playing Orthodox talk.
Posted in Orthodox News
Vote on the OSB Cover
Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 6:01 PM by Jason Barker
Via a newsletter from Ancient Faith Radio, I learned that Thomas Nelson is giving people the opportunity to vote on the cover for the upcoming new Orthodox Study Bible (at this point scheduled to be released in February 2008).
Posted in Orthodox News
New Programs on "The Ark"
Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 7:54 PM by Jason Barker
The Orthodox Christian Network has announced four new radio programs airing on The Ark: the "Featured Artist's Block" with Jimmy Santis, "Theologically Thinking" with Fr. Stanley Harakas, "The Jesus Story" with Fr. Antony Gabriel, and "Special Moments" with Archbishop DMITRI of the Orthodox Church in America.
Edited on: Sunday, May 27, 2007 7:54 PMPosted in Online Resources, Orthodox News
Youth Director Position
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 11:21 AM by Jason Barker
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Francisco is looking for a youth director.
Posted in Orthodox News, Youth Department
More Orthodox Podcasts from Ancient Faith Radio
Posted on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:04 PM by Jason Barker
Ancient Faith Radio continues to expand its available podcasts.
Khouria Frederica Mathewes-Green has a new podcast, Frederica Here and Now. It appears that the podcast will consist of Frederica's observations about life and the world around her. The podcast currently has a promotional announcement.
The Illumined Heart has a new feature: Ask Fr. Thomas Hopko. In this feature, Fr. Thomas will answer pre-submitted questions about Orthodoxy and the Bible on the last Sunday of each month. You can submit your questions to illuminedheart@ancientfaithradio.com.
Finally, Fr. John Oliver, author of Touching Heaven: Discovering Orthodox Christianity on the Island of Valaam, has a new podcast, Hearts and Minds. There are currently no episodes of Fr. John's podcast online, but it will apparently consist of an Orthodox perspective on modern culture.
Posted in Online Resources, Orthodox News
Lay Ministry Associate Opening
Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 12:54 PM by Jason Barker
St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Stockton, CA, is looking for a full-time lay ministry associate with an emphasis in youth ministry.
Posted in Orthodox News
Orthodox Christian Radio
Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 6:56 PM by Jason Barker
The Orthodox Christian Network has launched their new 24-hour Orthodox Internet radio station, The Ark. Based on what I have heard so far, the station plays a mixture of Orthodox talk (particularly, of course, Come Receive the Light) and music. The music includes some recordings of traditional Orthodox hymns, but also includes what might be called "Contemporary Orthodox Music" (the type of music recorded and distributed by St. Romanos Records). They also play some music by non-Orthodox musicians - the first song I heard was "Sing Your Praise to the Lord" by Rich Mullins.
In addition to The Ark, I encourage you to listen to Ancient Faith Radio. Ancient Faith Radio features a mixture of Orthodox talk programs (including Come Receive the Light, Our Life in Christ - to whose podcast I've previously mentioned listening - and recordings of sermons and lectures) and recordings of Orthodox hymns. I particularly like the fact that they offer a 128k MP3 stream.
Both Internet stations are engaging in creating localized content. The Ark has a program through which parishes can create localized streams that will play sermons and announcements from local parishes, and Ancient Faith Radio has a program helping parishes to create commercials that can air on AM/FM radio stations.
Posted in Online Resources, Orthodox News
Sacred Gift of Life Sunday
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 11:26 AM by Jason Barker
January 21, 2007, is Sacred Gift of Life Sunday in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. Our teens, as part of the celebration of January as Orthodox Education Month, are furthering their education, understanding and commitment regarding the Orthodox Church’s teaching on the sacred gift of life and abortion. In turn, they are helping to bring a greater awareness to the faithful of our parishes and throughout their local communities.
Posted in Orthodox News
Recordings from November 2006 OCL Conference
Posted on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 10:22 AM by Jason Barker
Orthodox Christian Laity held its annual conference last November at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Linthicum, MD. Audio recordings from this conference are available online in MP3 format.
I listened to two presentations on my morning walk earlier this week, and was very impressed by their content:
- So What Do the Converts Want, Anyway? - Terry Mattingly explains, with extensive anecdotes from his own experience, some of the things about Orthodox Christianity that attract inquirers into Orthodoxy. He also lists ways he believes parishes can reach out to potential inquirers.
- Working with the Orthodox Church - Andrew Natsios discusses some of the ways Christians in North America can help Orthodox Christians in parts of the world in which the Church experiences suffering and persecution.
Among other presenters are V. Rev. Fr. Peter Gillquist, Fr. Kevin Scherer, and Sdn. Robert Miclean.
Posted in Online Resources, Orthodox News
Listen to Come Receive the Light
Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2007 at 7:40 PM by Jason Barker
In an earlier post I mentioned that I listen to the podcast of the Orthodox Christian radio program Come Receive the Light .
I particularly encourage you to listen to next week's episode, which will be available online on Saturday, 1/13/07. The guest on that episode will be Fr. Lawrence Farley, who writes Orthodox Bible commentaries for Conciliar Press. Fr. Lawrence will discuss his new commentary, The Gospel of John: Beholding the Glory. Come Receive the Light describes the episode:
Fr. Lawrence will discuss the writing of the Gospel of St. John in how it vigorously witnesses to Jesus, striving to persuade the hearts and minds of the undecided that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the only source of eternal life. Be sure to tune in and see how St. John set his Gospel in a cosmic context, revealing Christ as the eternal Light of God, the Truth and voice of the Father, the divine Glory shining in the midst of men.
You might also want to listen to an interview with Fr. Thomas Hopko from early 2006, Scripture: Sword of the Spirit.
Posted in Orthodox News
More Americans Embrace Orthodoxy
Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 10:43 AM by Jason Barker
Fr. Joseph Huneycutt posted a link to this news article from the Associated Press about Americans converting to Orthodox Christianity.
Posted in Orthodox News