St. George Orthodox Military Association (SGOMA)

You will notice that I have just made an addition to my link list. It is for a new organization that I just became aware of through a certain blog to which I am a somewhat frequent visitor.

The St. George Orthodox Military Association began last October and their mission is to "find new opportunities to support and assist our Orthodox Military Members serving in the US Armed Forces Stateside and around the World, because the spiritual wellness of our Orthodox Troops matter."


Grammatical concerns aside, it looks like a good organization and is certainly a worthy cause.

Which is more Christian...

...the "Christian Nation" of the United States, or "Godless" Russia?

I have engaged in many (many, many...too many) discussions with people who insist that the U.S. is a Christian nation.

Sorry. I'm just not convinced. Yes, the U.S. is a nation in which the majority of people claim to be Christians. Yet, that majority is declining. And I truly do not think anyone will argue that we as a nation don't condone and celebrate some very un-Christian behavior.

Was our country, as some like to claim, "founded on Judeo-Christian principles"? Official documents seem to say otherwise.

Most of the Founding Fathers were not Christians, but were deists (i.e. they believed in a God of the universe, the "Divine Author," "Providence," though not necessarily the Christian God). And some of them had some less-than-flattering things to say about Christianity.

No, our nation was not founded on Judeo-Christian principles (compare the 1st Amendment to the Consititution, which prohibits the official recognition of any one religion, with the First Commandment, which requires it), but rather on the principles of the Enlightenment, to which our founders were firmly committed.

It is not unpatriotic or anti-American to say that the U.S. is not a Christian nation...it's just being honest.

The following is part of an article from MinistryValues.com:

Is Russian leadership more Christian than the United States? Is the Russian Government more Christian than George Bush ever hoped the United States to be? The answer is yes, and not only is it true, but thanks to born again Christians, Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin, Christian influence in matters of State is rapidly on the rise. Let's look at the facts.

A couple of weeks ago Barack Obama skipped Church on Christmas Day while the President of Russia, Dimitry Medvedev, on January 6, 2010, attended mid-night mass services celebrating the Russian Orthodox Christmas in grand splendor in the traditional Vigil liturgy in Saint Christ the Saviour Cathedral in the presence of 4,000 people, including Patriarch Kirill. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas following the old Julian calendar, which is 13 days "behind" the Gregorian calendar.

While Russian leaders were attending Church services, half way around the world in America, Chicago Tribune, writing about Obama's troubles finding a Church for his family, said "But as his (Obama) fellow Christians around the world attended Christmas services on Wednesday and Thursday, the president-elect and his family remained sequestered at their vacation compound on the windward coast of Oahu. His lack of attendance at formal religious services showcased a dilemma faced by Obama, who is between churches and often expresses concern about bringing the disruption of his security detail into the lives of others." According to the same report President Barack Obama has not attended a public church service since before being elected.

So what you say? Well, today Russia is investing $100 million to rebuild Christian churches throughout the country. Money to rebuild theses churches is coming from Russian tax payers. This would be impossible in the US of course. Imagine the US Media's reaction if President Obama decided to invest $100 million dollars of US tax payer dollars to rebuild Catholic Churches. In the US there would be outrage yet Russia citizens are supportive of the investment.

[...]

Russia's turn to Christianity is a virtually unknown phenomenon in the United States. Most Christian leaders are oblivious to what is happening in Russia. Pastor Robertson or Pastor Hagee still believe Russia is an atheist and communist country and these prominent End-Times Christian pastors are rasing [sic] money and rattling their sabers to go to war against the Godless state.

[...]

Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedeve go to Church frequently, kiss precious icons of the Virgin Mary and seek political and moral counsel from the Russian Orthodox Clergy. Furthermore, to the surprise of many Americans, particularly Evangelical Christians, Vladimir Putin wears a Christian cross with him at all times.

[...]

Funding to restore Christian sites and the return of properties seized from the Church in Soviet times are but the latest gift of the Kremlin to the Patriarchate. This year, the Russia Justice Ministry will present plans to amend the laws on "Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations", which, if approved, would severely restrict the activities of certain religious communities, like Evangelical Christians. In addition, the authorities plan to add religious education in public schools as well as chaplains paid by the state to the armed forces. It also appears possible that the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow will be granted the right to vet parliamentary bills before they go to the Duma.

Is the Russian Government building a more Christian society? Perhaps. But try telling that to your buddies at Church this Sunday.


Read the rest here

St. Benedict Biscop, abbot of Wearmouth

He came from a noble Northumbrian family in Britain, and was tonsured a monk in 653 at Lerins in Gaul. In 669 he was made Abbot of the Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury. He traveled to Rome in 671 to be instructed in monastic practice according to the Rule of Saint Benedict (of Nursia). Returning to Northumbria he established two new monasteries, the first to follow St Benedict's Rule in the British Isles. He went to Rome once again in 678-679, this time bringing back the archcantor of St Peter's, who taught the monks of St Benedict's monasteries the chant and liturgical practices used in Rome. Under the holy abbot's guidance, these monasteries became flourishing centers of Christian worship, scholarship and art. The Venerable Bede (May 26) was one of his disciples. Saint Benedict reposed in peace in 689 or 690, having greatly strengthened the Church and the Christian faith in Britain.

From Holy Trinity Church, Baltimore, MD

Writing the NT

Office of Prayer and Supplication for the Victims of Abortion (excerpt)

Deacon:
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will not remember the transgressions of His people, but will turn away all His righteous wrath which He has stirred up against us, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will bless the good intentions of His servants who strive to rescue His children from violent death, and allow them to begin successfully and to finish without obstacle, through the power and grace of the most Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will guide the hands of His servants to complete their work successfully, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will bless His servants with the grace of the most Holy Spirit, and make their efforts well pleasing in His sight, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That He will assign a guardian angel to banish from this effort every enemy and obstacle, whether visible or invisible, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
That this work may be ordered in wisdom and may end in perfection, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

People:
Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our life unto Christ, our God.

People:
To Thee, O Lord.

Priest:
For unto Thee is due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God who strive against the evil of abortion, and for the pardon and remission of their sins.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Again we beg Thee, O Lord, to hear our prayer, and have mercy on Thy servants who strive to save the lives of Thy innocent children. In Thy grace and bounty, fulfill their petitions and forgive all their transgressions, whether voluntary or involuntary. Accept their sacrifice of praise upon Thy heavenly altar; protect them from every visible and invisible enemy; deliver them from all misery, sickness, and affliction; grant them health and length of days, we pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for the children of God condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men: that the Lord our God would soften the hearts of those who seek their violent destruction, and rescue those who are being led forth to the slaughter, we diligently pray Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

+++

Deacon:
Again we pray for all who have fallen into the hands of the godless civil authority for the sake of God's children, and who languish in courts and prisons: that the Lord our God may look upon them with compassion; that He may comfort, strengthen and preserve them; and that He may deliver them speedily from bondage and oppression, let us all say: O Lord, hearken and have mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
By Thine infinite power, O Lord, our God, move to compassion and mercy the hearts of those who hold Thy servants in cruel captivity; restrain them from doing harm or permitting evil to befall Thy servants, but rather cause them to relent and to release them; free the captives whole and unharmed, O Lord, and bestow Thy mercy upon them, let us all say: hearken quickly and graciously have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Thy vile enemies, O Lord, have annihilated Thy children and defiled Thy churches, and have imprisoned Thy faithful servants. Look down from heaven, therefore, and behold, and forsake us not utterly, but quickly cleanse the land of Thy people of the wickedness of those who oppose Thee, with humble heart we entreat Thee, our God Who art mighty in strength and wondrous in wisdom: O Compassionate One, hearken and have mercy!

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Deacon:
Again we pray for all those here present, who await from Thee Thy great and abundant mercy.

People:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Priest:
For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.

+++

Priest:
O most merciful, all gracious and compassionate Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, Son of God: we entreat Thee, most gracious Master: look with compassion upon Thy children who have been condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men. And as Thou hast promised to bestow the heavenly kingdom on them born of water and the Spirit, and who in blamelessness of life have been translated unto Thee; and Who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven" - we humbly pray, according to Thy unfailing promise: grant the inheritance of Thy kingdom to the multitude of spotless infants who have been cruelly murdered in the abortuaries of this land; for Thou art the resurrection and the life and the repose of all Thy servants and of these innocents, O Christ our God.
Turn the hearts of those who seek to destroy Thy little ones. We beseech Thee to pour forth Thy healing grace upon them, that they may be convicted in their hearts and turn from their evil ways. Remember all of them that kill our children as on the altars of Moloch, and render not unto them according to their deeds, but according to Thy great mercy convert them: the unbelieving to true faith and piety, and the believing that they may turn from evil and do good.

O Holy Master, Almighty Father and pre-eternal God, Who alone made and directs all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; who, by providence, teaches Thy people preservation of justice and the obliteration of evil on earth; Who condescends to raise up warriors for the protection of the people of God: we entreat Thee with compunction, that as Thou didst give David power to defeat Goliath, and as Thou didst condescend through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Thy Name; so too, grant protection to us, Thy servants against the enemies rising against us as we go forth to do spiritual battle against the evil one and those who do his will rather than Thine.

For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

People:
Amen.


From ocf.org

Archpastoral Message of his Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah for Sanctity of Life Sunday 2010

January 24, 2010
Sanctity of Life Sunday

To the Venerable Hierarchs, Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America

Dearly Beloved in Christ:

As Orthodox Christians, we strongly affirm the value and sanctity of all human life, from the moment of conception to the final breath one takes. This affirmation is theologically based, in that each person bears within him or her self the image of God, and has the potential to fulfill that image by likening him/herself to God. To artificially terminate life is to transgress on that which is holy; it is unthinkable, a grave sin.

Every one of our churches and our homes bear the image of the infant Christ cradled in the arms of His Mother, an image that is supremely human, and supremely divine. It is the image of divine Motherhood, that the Son of God was conceived, borne and nurtured by His Most Pure Mother. God is thus revealed in the Motherhood of the Virgin; bearing us in Her holy embrace of love. This image also reveals God's love for us, that he became like us in every way--a fetus in His Mother's womb, an infant in Her arms, a little child. God has sanctified every aspect of human life, becoming what we are that He might make us like Himself.

As Orthodox, every aspect of our lives is iconic. Every child is an image of the Christ Child, every person an image of God. Each bears infinite potential to attain to the Likeness, to sainthood, to holiness. Marriage also is an icon, as the union of man and woman in the flesh blessed by God, and bringing forth the fruit of children, is an image of our union with one another in Christ in the Kingdom.

Christian marriage and family are the sacred context not only for the rearing of children, but as the basic core of our identity and reference point of stability. The family is the place where we are nurtured and accepted, find solace and consolation, and thus the faithful family becomes the place where these very human emotions and feelings are filled with grace and sanctified. Whether we are very young or very old, the family is the context of our life, in which we work out our salvation. We experience God's Fatherhood, and divine Motherhood; we experience the nurturing love which becomes a participation in divine communion. And as we breathe our last, should we not remember the image of the crucified Christ, carried in the arms of his mother, in her grief, the grief of every mother for her child?

We affirm the sanctity of life, made holy by the incarnation of the Christ. We affirm that every stage of our life has been sanctified. We affirm marriage of one man and one woman as the foundation of the family, the image of our union with God, and the means of sanctifying the lives of all members of that family by the grace of love and divine communion.

These are desperate times. Our society is in despair. It is a despair that manifests itself in the breakdown of essential relationships, of marriage and family. Continued unemployment leads to hopelessness, and the breakdown of trust that one is able to provide; this leads to the breakdown of marriages, and the bitterness that goes with it. Returning soldiers, with posttraumatic stress just below the surface, enter into relationships that often turn brutal and abusive. Marriage, and the very family itself are in question, with the issue of homosexual unions. The majority of marriages end in divorce, and the majority of children grow up without fathers or mothers; and how many pregnancies end in abortion? Despair is the primary context which could make it even possible for a mother to destroy her unborn child.

We offer, always, the way to healing and reconciliation for those who have fallen short and fallen into sin, in an embrace of love. We offer hope to those who have lost hope through the guilt of sin. We offer consolation to those in sorrow. We offer support and guidance to build families that work out their salvation together, and become the rock and foundation of our culture. Through these things, re-incarnating Christ's love and redemption in hearts, in real faces, in institutions of concrete service and healing, we offer hope to our people, our culture, our society, and through that hope, joy as we see God reborn in our lives and in those of all around us.

Yours in Christ,

+JONAH
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada


SANCTITY OF LIFE PETITIONS AND PRAYERS

These petitions are to be inserted into the Litany of Fervent Supplication as part of the annual commemoration of Sanctity of Life Sunday.

--Again we pray that You will grant to the people of this nation the will to do good, to flee from evil, and to practice all righteousness, making us respectful of life and sharers of Your blessings, caring for one another in mercy and truth.

--Again we pray that You will banish all evil from our hearts and wickedness from our laws, enabling us to be servants of Your holy will and performers of Your love.

--Again we pray that You will kindle in our hearts the will to care for the needy, to show kindness to the poor, to aid the homeless and help the helpless.

The following prayer is to be read after the singing of "Blessed be the Name of the Lord" for the second time.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, Who are in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who came into the world to enlighten it: You were pleased to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of our souls by the power of Your All-Holy Spirit. O Master, Who came that we might have life more abundantly, we ask You to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception and that the unborn in the womb are already adorned with Your image and likeness; enable us to guard, cherish, and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For You are the Giver of Life, bringing each person from non-being into being, sealing each person with divine and infinite love. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through ignorance or willfulness, affront Your divine goodness and providence through the evil act of abortion. May they, and all of us, come to the life of Your Truth and glorify You, the Giver of Life, together with Your Father, and Your All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

"Blessed be the Name of the Lord" is then sung for the third time, followed by the usual dismissal.

From oca.org

Celebrating Theophany in Ukraine

Forty Christians killed in Nigeria

From Independent Catholic News:

More than 40 people have been killed in the Nigerian city of Jos, Plateau State, after around 200 Muslim youths attacked Christians near a Catholic church in Nasarawa Jos, yesterday, sparking retaliatory violence.

According to local sources, the Muslim youths claimed to have gathered to renovate a house next to St Michael’s Catholic Church, owned by a Muslim man, who had allegedly murdered three Christians during violence in Jos North in November 2008. However, instead of renovating the house, the youths are reported to have launched an unprovoked assault on a female passer-by before attacking St Michael’s Church, killing and injuring several members. They also set fire to a score of local houses and businesses and churches...

Read the rest here.

There's some good contemporary Christian music out there, and there's some, ah...not-so-good contemporary Christian music. (I'd put the majority of it in the second category, but that's just me.) When I was in college a friend introduced me to the music of Caedmon's Call, who I still enjoy to this day. Their music was kinda rock/folk. Lots of acoustic guitars and bongos, an occasional banjo. (I haven't heard their more recent material, so I don't know if they're still any good, but they were) I wouldn't necesarily call them a Christian band. But they are certainly a band made up of Christians, with some decidedly Christian themes to their music (like U2, P.O.D., Johnny Cash, Van Morrison).

Not that I've really been searching, but I have not heard any contemporary Christian music that I would compare to (or that is anywhere near as good as) Caedmon's Call. Until now.

I just became aware of an Orthodox Christian country band (yes, you read that right) from Lafayette, IN called the SmallTown Heroes. They claim that they are "not a band," but "friends who play music," and supposedly describe themselves as "Byzantine Bluegrass." I'm not sure what that means, but, having listened to a few snippets of their songs [here], I would definitely not classify them as "bluegrass." Nor is there really anything in their lyrics or music that is overtly Orthodox per se (except for maybe: "I want to be a picture on your Sanctuary wall..."); I mean, they're not singing in Greek or anything.

But they're good. There's something about them that makes me think of Caedmon's Call. Maybe it's the acoustic guitars, maybe it's the occasional female voice. Maybe it's that moody quality that appeals to twenty-somethings. It may not bring you to the foot of the Throne the way the monks of Valaam will, but it seems like something worth listening to. Their CD is available from Saint Romanos Records (which has a lot of non-traditional Orthodox music). And, according to their website, they will be performing live at Sacred Grounds Coffee in Lafayette on Jan 16.


Note: Since I wrote this, I went ahead and bought their CD on iTunes, and I definitely recommend it. It is reminiscent of Caedmon's Call: folksy, with some rock-n-roll, a couple of sappy love songs, country-ish in a few places, with some Christian-themed lyrics. You won't hear any of it sung in church (ever), but it is a good CD.

The Blessing of the Electronics

Ummm...okay, why not?

From TimesOnline:
Great efforts have been made to modernise the Church of England, but its liturgy dates from before the arrival of the Nokia 6310, and until yesterday, none had been brave enough to adapt its ceremonies to address the modern mysteries of 3G network coverage, iPhone apps and variable battery life.

But if anyone can, [Rev Canon David Parrott] can.

Yesterday, in the church of the City of London Corporation, he presented an updated version of Plow Monday, an observance that dates from medieval times. On this day, the first Monday after Twelfth Night, farm labourers would bring a plough to the door of the church to be blessed.

Men and women coming to his church no longer used ploughs; their tools were their laptops, their iPhones and their BlackBerries.

...the congregation held their phones in the air, and Canon Parrott addressed the Almighty. “By your blessing, may these phones and computers, symbols of all the technology and communication in our daily lives, be a reminder to us that you are a God who communicates with us and who speaks by your Word. Amen.”

Read the rest here

(CNN) -- Two more churches in Malaysia were firebombed Sunday, bringing the total to six since a court ruled that non-Muslims can use the word "Allah" as a term for God. [so, the government is determining which words may be included in the Church's liturgy??]

No one has been hurt in the attacks, which began Friday. They follow a high court's ruling that Christians can use the word "Allah" in literature printed in the country's official language, Malay.

In Malay, the word for God is "Allah," as it is in Arabic.

But many in the predominantly Muslim country, including the government, believe the word should be exclusive to Islam.

Read the rest here.

The Holy Protomartyr Stephen the Archdeacon

Stephen was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul and one of those Jews who lived in the Hellenic provinces. Stephen was the first of the seven deacons whom the holy apostles ordained and appointed to the service of assisting the poor in Jerusalem. For this, he is called the archdeacon. By the power of his faith, Stephen worked great miracles among the people. The wicked Jews disputed with him, but they were always defeated by his wisdom and the power of the Spirit, Who acted through him. Then the shameful Jews, accustomed to calumnies and slander, incited the people and the elders of the people against the innocent Stephen, slandering him as though he had blasphemed against God and against Moses. False witnesses were quickly found who confirmed this. Stephen then stood before the people, and all saw his face as it had been the face of an angel (Acts 6:15), that is, his face was illumined with the light of grace as was once the face of Moses when he spoke with God. Stephen opened his mouth and enumerated the many good works and miracles that God had performed in the past for the people of Israel, as well as the many crimes and opposition to God on the part of this people. He especially rebuked them for the killing of Christ the Lord, calling them betrayers and murderers (Acts 7:52). And while they gnashed their teeth, Stephen beheld and saw the heavens open and the glory of God. That which he saw, he declared to the Jews: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God! (Acts 7:56). Then the malicious men took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Among his persecutors was his kinsman Saul, later the Apostle Paul. At that time, the Most-holy Theotokos, standing on a rock at a distance with St. John the Theologian, witnessed the martyrdom of this first martyr for the truth of her Son and God, and she prayed to God for Stephen. This occurred one year after the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Gamaliel, a prince of the Jews and a secret Christian, clandestinely took St. Stephen's body and buried it on his own estate. Thus, this first among the Christian martyrs gloriously reposed and took up his habitation in the Kingdom of Christ God.

From the Prologue of Ohrid

Bad Vestments

This really has nothing to do with anything, but I thought I'd throw this out.

One of the blogs I visit when I need a good laugh is called Bad Vestments, which is committed to "subjecting particularly awful Christian liturgical vestments to the ridicule they so richly deserve." Most of the targets of ridicule seems to be Episcopalian (in fact, I'd guess around 90%), but, believe it or not, there is one Orthodox priest in there. See if you can find him...

LXX v. Masoretic

This is an interesting video, but he speaks very fast so be prepared to listen fast...

Chaplain article

The following is an article I found in the Joint Task Force newsletter called The Wire:

I assemble the chalice like I used to assemble my M-16 when I was enlisted. Piece by piece clicks into place and I extract an altar’s worth of furnishings from a couple of green weatherproof cases. My vestments are lightweight, small enough to be folded into a tight package. I’ve got my censer, and I’ve tucked incense and charcoal away in medicine bottles and metal cases. My gospel book is smaller than my appointment book. You could say that I haul all the altars of ancient Christendom on my back.

That’s what it’s like being an Orthodox Christian chaplain. You carry your religion with you, all 2,000 years of it. In a religion where an element of tradition that’s only 800 or 900 years old is still considered “new,” the events that played out in history books are as vital to you as things that happened to you yesterday. There are a lot of labels that we attach to our names – Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Coptic, Ethiopian, etc. – but they all boil down to the same traditional approach to Christianity.

Coming to GTMO, even on a short-term basis, has been a wonderful experience so far. One of the challenges for any smaller religious community is that you may only get your services a few times a year. That’s why priests like me, who are currently assigned to other installations, make a point of visiting the more isolated American service members, flung out into the world at bases and posts that cling to the edges of countries everywhere on the globe. It may be someone else’s country, but we carry our nation in our heart. For small religious communities, worship is a part of your identity that links you to God, your family and your past. It is my honor and privilege to be able to feed that hunger for God through the ministry and the military allows me to do this for the sake of religious freedom.

I get surprised, too. Somebody I’d never met before hugged me yesterday. That’s what ministry boils down to – that bit of human contact that reminds us that we love each other. We’re often tired and miss family and can begin to view the day as a list of things to “get over” or “get through” but a community of strength and love surrounds us that we often forget about. I bring that care and concern in a chalice, in sermons or in counseling sessions. Other people bring it in a hug. How do you bring it?

As an Orthodox priest, I’ve served communities of countless ethnicities. The thing that binds us all is our common faith, a thing that cuts through time and circumstance to unite us. Through it all, our common dedication to justice, freedom and, most of all, love for one another, unite us as a nation.

The author of the article, Fr Matthew Streett, is the former assistant priest at Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore. He is now an Air Force chaplain and will be visiting our base here in Baghdad and serving the Divine Liturgy on the feast of Theophany (new calendar) on Wednesday.

St Maximos Orthodox Church, Owego, NY

This is one of the coolest things I've seen online in a long time.