From Fr. Angelo Summer’s Here! A Vacation from Church? With the completion of the Paschal season and our Greek Festival finished (and very successful) our thoughts now turn to settling in to a nice relaxing summer, whether in our backyards, Greece, Scotland, or some other place of peace and bliss…and...
From Fr. Angelo Through the witness of the Apostles (i.e. Scripture) we are assured not only of God’s infinite power in conquering death, but also His endless mercy and perfect love. The Father’s willingness to offer His only begotten Son and Christ’s obedience to His Father’s Will assure us of...
From Fr. Angelo Epikranthi (It is vexed)?! Once again, during the Saturday night Paschal service, we will hear the beautiful Easter sermon by St. John Chrysostom. You know the one, where we all respond Epikranthi! (which means “it is vexed” or “embittered”). But, have you ever paused to consider what...
From Fr. Angelo Prodigal Son or Elder Son? As we approach Great Lent, the Church prepares us by placing specific Gospel readings before us with themes of repentance, forgiveness, and love. The Triodion period will begin with the Publican and the Pharisee, with the following Sunday the parable of the...
From Fr. Angelo PROGRESS REPORT – 2023 2023 has been quite a year! Finally, we turned the corner on the COVID pandemic to the joyful return to not only our church life but also a return to a vibrant community. As I have done in previous years, I want to...
From Fr. Angelo The news today seems to be centered on two major topics; the natural disasters facing our nation, and wars that have broken out on two continents between the Ukraine and Russia and Palestine and Israel. Both conflicts have seen tremendous suffering both in the dead and wounded....
Environment and the Church While not at the top of the list of concerns for voters in the US, climate change (CC) and the related impacts to the environment do hold significant importance. (2022 Gallup poll indicates CC ranks as number 7). While most would agree that, as the photo...
The 2023-24 Church and Community Events Begin! The fall season has arrived, and another school year is beginning. Our Youth Director (Demos) has been busy this summer working with both the Sunday School and the Greek School Directors to plan out some great events for the 2023-24 school year (see...
The 2023-24 Liturgical New Year Begins – Is There a Strategy? After a very successful Greek Festival, I know that many of you are spending the summer traveling to Greece, England, Europe, or of course, Scotland (or just enjoying a “staycation”) without masks! September begins a new liturgical year and...
Self-Directed Spirituality and Failure to See a Direct Benefit In his April 2023 article, “10 Reasons Church Attendance is Declining (Even for Committed Christians),” Carey Nieuwhof listed off several very well known reasons for declining attendance, however two in particular were very pertinent and often overlooked: Self-Directed Spirituality and Failure...