The Orthodox Church does not change along with the world. We resist passing fads, and we are not innovators when it comes to matters of faith, dogma, and worship. Our heads and hearts are not easily turned. We stand firm and do not make concessions to the world. But we do accommodate ourselves to the world.  Just […]

What does it mean to bless and to be blessed?  The Greek verb meaning “bless” is εὐλογέω (eulogeo), from the words eu, meaning “well” or “good” and λογώ (logo) meaning “a word”; so a literal meaning of εὐλογέω would be “to say a good word upon” something or someone.    But εὐλογέω takes on additional meanings within Christian worship: To bless is to reveal, as Jesus says […]

When St. John the Beloved Disciple says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8), he makes it clear that the love he has in mind is “of God” (1 John 4:7). Not all that passes for love is of God, and not all that we humans take for God is love. St. John knows this. And he knows that the […]

The Berrien County Clergy Association consists of Protestant ministers who meet from time to time. I haven’t been free to attend these meetings, but I like to stay connected. Last year during Western Holy Week, I was asked to address that passage in the Gospel of John where Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Christ. […]