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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Social Saturdays (1/29/11)

It's Saturday! That means we're chatting with the living and praying for the dead.

Prayer Requests:
  • For Father Deacon Stan to be restored to full health so that he may more fully serve the Lord.
  • For the infant Gregory, and his parents and doctors, that he be restored to the fullness of health.
  • For a special intention, that the Lord bring healing and peace and His will be done in all things.
  • For Debra, that she be restored to full health.
  • In thanksgiving for the Walk for Life and all who safely and prayerfully participated.
  • For Christians in Egypt, Somalia, China, the Middle East, and around the world who are persecuted for their faith.

Continuing Prayer Requests:
  • For the souls of the reposed, especially of Kaye, Tim L., Mother Nadia Baranik, Fr. Constantine Brown, Elaine Dorko, Helen Boytim, and George Michael Ritchey.
  • For an abused woman and mother, A, who is in desperate straits and in need of many prayers.
  • For Kat's family, including their current and future children, that they be restored to health and guided in discernment and finances in their next adoption. (Kat has other prayer requests at the link.)
  • For Francisco and his mother who are surrounded by violence that the Lord protect them and give them hope and peace as well as guide them to jobs that allow them to provide for their needs and glorify Him.
  • For all of our clergy, religious, and monastics that they be directed in strength, courage, patience, and fortitude to radically live God's will for their lives.
  • For mothers, that they not abort their offspring; for infants in danger of being put to death in the womb; for a change of heart of providers of abortions and of their collaborators; for human victims of stem cell research, genetic manipulation, cloning, and euthanasia; and for all entrusted with the government of peoples, that they may promote the "Culture of Life" so as to put an end to the "culture of death."
  • For Your Word From The Wise and all who are connected to it, that it may bring glory to God.
  • For the intentions of those who are praying.
Do you have a prayer request you'd like to add? Please put it in the comment box any time this week so we can pray with you.




What's going on at Your Word From The Wise?

  • I left the project in God's hands as we faced a family medical emergency. He hasn't told me what He accomplished, but I assume it was pleasing to Him so I'm cool with whatever He did.
  • We're establishing a new norm at home and are getting back to work to bring you more Eastern Catholic wisdom straight from the horse's mouth!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Stress-free pot-luck

I asked a few ladies to share some of their favorite recipes with me so that I could pass them on to you. I got a response that I couldn't wait to tell you about because it doesn't only contain a fabulous recipe, but also a sanity-saving tip for how to arrive at church on Sunday morning stress-free and well-composed with a pot luck offering that tastes great.

Marylouise leaves home around 8:20 AM on Sunday and might not get home again until 3:30 PM, depending on her other obligations. Her parish has a sit-down style pot-luck agape meal after Divine Liturgy every Sunday, which provides a great way to fellowship as they break their Eucharistic fast. It also means she needs to have her own dish ready to go early Sunday morning, which could translate to Saturday evening stress for many of us.

While individual adherence to the fasts varies from one household to the next, her parish's public meals have an expectation that the food will conform to the strictest fasting guidelines which are distributed to parishioners on a calendar each year. During non-fasting times, their priest generously brings meat and shellfish to the potluck, which will take the form of a Chinese dim sum demonstration this coming weekend to coincide with the region's celebration of the Chinese New Year. If you're near San Francisco, I encourage you to join them!

Marylouise favors vegetarian side-dishes that she can prepare in stages over several evenings, which keeps her from having a mad rush to fit it in on Saturday night. Here's one of her favorites: a Korean BBQ marinade she found in the October 1981 edition of Sunset Magazine which she's turned into a cold pasta salad that serves 8-10.

Ingredients:
1 C soy sauce
1/3 C sugar
2 ½ TB fresh garlic
2 ½ TB fresh ginger
1/3 C sesame oil

Extra firm silken tofu cut into 1/3" cubes

16 ounce package of angel hair pasta, cooked and refrigerated
2/3 C thinly sliced green onions

Instructions:
Mix the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil together well. Put the cut tofu into the marinade and let it soak in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, toss the marinaded tofu on top of the refrigerated pasta, garnish with the green onions, and serve. The entire dish will fill a 2QT serving dish.

This recipe could also use a grain instead of the pasta and cooked meats or veggies could replace the tofu. Marylouise says that the church hall's chilly temperatures don't hinder the cold pasta salad consumption as she usually brings home an empty bowl. One other great tradition her parish has is to informally bring photocopied recipes to share in preparation for the four major fasting periods, so the empty bowl and full tummy isn't all she has to take home on Sunday afternoon.

Talented Tuesdays is a feature which focuses on art, architecture, music, culture, food, and the running of the domestic church. User submitted questions and solutions are welcomed.



Saturday, January 22, 2011

Social Saturdays (1/22/11)

It's Saturday! That means we're chatting with the living and praying for the dead. 

Prayer Requests: 
  • For the soul of Kaye, who unexpectedly died this week, and the comfort of her family.
  • For the soul of Tim L., who passed away this week with the benefit of the Mysteries, and for the comfort of his family.
  • For the soul of Mother Nadia Baranik of the UGCC's Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, who passed away yesterday, and for the comfort of those who will grieve her absence.
  • For all women who have had an abortion, that they find comfort, support, and repentance.
  • For all fathers, siblings, children, grandparents and others who suffered the loss of a loved one through abortion or euthanasia, that they be comforted in their grief.
  • For all who encourage, assist with, or perform abortions or euthanasia that they turn from the culture of death and begin to promote life.
  • For all judges, that their decisions respect God's law as well as their nation's.
  • For our seminarians, deacons, priests, bishops, religious, and catechists that they be a constant witness to the culture of life.
  • For all doctors and scientists, that their research and work always respect and protect life.
  • For all couples who are infertile and desire children, that their sadness be healed and transformed into a passion for life.
  • For Christians in Somalia, China, the Middle East, and around the world who are persecuted for their faith. 

Continuing Prayer Requests: 
  • For those attending the Walk for Life events scheduled across the United States today that they be a prayerful witness to the dignity of all human life and be protected in their travels. 
  • For the United States and its leaders, especially those in politics, media, and business, that they seek in word and action to do God's will with the authority they hold. 
  • For an abused woman and mother, A, who is in desperate straits and in need of many prayers.
  • For Kat's family, including their current and future children, that they be guided in discernment and finances in their next adoption. (Kat has other prayer requests at the link.)
  • For all of our clergy, religious, and monastics that they be directed in strength, courage, patience, and fortitude to radically live God's will for their lives. 
  • For mothers, that they not abort their offspring; for infants in danger of being put to death in the womb; for a change of heart of providers of abortions and of their collaborators; for human victims of stem cell research, genetic manipulation, cloning, and euthanasia; and for all entrusted with the government of peoples, that they may promote the "Culture of Life" so as to put an end to the "culture of death."
  • For Your Word From The Wise and all who are connected to it, that it may bring glory to God.
  • For the intentions of those who are praying.
Do you have a prayer request you'd like to add? Please put it in the comment box any time this week so we can pray with you.




What's going on at Your Word From The Wise?
  • I wrote and sent an interview which is being answered this weekend, God willing. The plan is to post it next week. Yay!
  • I have three interview topics that I'm in the planning stages on, in addition to those out already. I want to make sure I'm in a place to give them the attention they each deserve before pitching them.
  • With two family emergencies this week, I was happy to get posts up every day. I don't remember what else I accomplished. I am thankful that this venture does not rely on my expertise but is accomplished only through God's grace and for His glory. I'm also very grateful for the community of people I've met through it who prayed for us. Thank you!
  • Want to join this great group of people? Friend me on Facebook. The downside is you get me, but the upside is the great group of people who are also there!

Friday, January 21, 2011

When there are so many who suffer

Friday's Fast: Focusing on the Cross 

Someone may say: "If I do all these things, I’ll have no possessions. What if a large number of people are in want, suffer cold, have been taken captive, or should die? If anyone thinks this way, he will deprive himself of his property in a single day! Shall I throw away the estate acquired by my own labor or by that of my ancestors? Must then I myself live by the pity of others?"

The answer: Why do you fear to turn a frail and perishable asset into one that is everlasting? Why do you fear to entrust your treasures to God as their preserver? For in that case you will not need to fear thief and robber — nor rust, nor tyrant. He who is rich towards God can never be poor. If you esteem justice so highly, lay aside the burdens that oppress you and follow justice. Free yourself from bondage and chains, so that you can run to God without any hindrance.
-Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius (ca. 240 – ca. 320)

Lactantius was an early Christian author who became an advisor to the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine I, tutoring the emperor's son and guiding the empire's religious policy as it developed.

Friday's Fast features homilies, lectures, interviews, and biographies on topics such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance. For in the cross of Christ crucified lies both the power of God and the wisdom of God for those being saved (I Corinthians 1:24).

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Opposition to Liturgical Renewal

Excerpt from Fr. Robert Taft, SJ's article
"Liturgy in the Life of the Church"
Eastern Churches Journal, Vol.7 No.2, Summer 2000
© Eastern Christian Publications 2000

Opposition to Renewal

Ironically, however, the Eastern Catholic liturgical renewal so strenuously fostered by the Holy See since Pope Leo XIII has been opposed every step of the way by those who should have welcomed it on bended knee as a great grace from God; I mean, of course, the Eastern Catholic hierarchy with a few notable exceptions like Andrij Sheptytsky (1865-1944), Archbishop of Lviv, Metropolitan of Halych, and primate of the Ukranian Greek Catholic Church.

Various reasons have been given for this opposition, but as usual in such matters, the real roots go much deeper. The real issue is not ritual practice at all. Many of the rubrical niceties that divide the clergy—the size and shape of the veil or diskos, the cut of a vestment, the amplitude of one’s sleeves, where to put the antimension—are of little or no significance in themselves. But these divergent ritual uses have become symbols of religious identity, much as the Ritualist Movement in late 19th century Anglicanism. At issue were not mere differences of rubric, but symbolic affirmations of the conviction that Anglicanism was not “Protestant” but “Catholic”.

At bottom, then, what we face is two different interpretations of a community’s past, two different historical visions. This is possible because history, of course, is not just a shared past, but one’s view of that past seen through the lens of present concerns. This vision is not a passive view of the past as an objective reality, but a pattern formed through a process of selection determined by one’s present outlook.

Some Eastern Catholic clergy see their history as a progress from schism and spiritual stagnation into a life of discipline, renewal and restored religious practice in the Catholic communion. For this group, the adoption of certain Latin—they would say “Catholic”—devotions and liturgical uses is a sign of this new identity. Such attitudes reflect an interior erosion of the Eastern Christian consciousness, a “latinization of the heart” resulting from a formation insensitive to the true nature of the variety of traditions within the Catholic Church.

Others, while not denying their commitment to the Catholic communion nor underestimating the obvious spiritual benefits it has brought to their Churches, see themselves as Orthodox in communion with Rome, distinguished from their Orthodox Sister Churches in nothing but the fact of that communion and its doctrinal and ecclesial consequences. They see the Latinisms that have crept into their tradition as a loss of identity, an erosion of their heritage in favor of foreign customs with which they can in no way identify themselves. For some, latinization is a sign of their identity, for others its negation, and both are right, because they perceive themselves differently.

Underlying these issues, of course, is the more serious question of Rome’s credibility: is the Holy See to be believed in what it says about restoring the Eastern Catholic heritage? The morale of some of the younger Eastern Catholic clergy has of late been deeply affected by this cul-de-sac: they feel mandated to do one thing by the Holy See, and then are criticized or even disciplined by their bishop if they try to obey.

The problem, as usual, is one of leadership, without which the hesitant or reluctant have no one to follow. What is needed is not just discipline and obedience, but also clergy education loyal to the clear policy of the Church on this question, and prudent pastoral preparation. This is the only way out of the vicious cycle that has been created: the proposed reforms are resisted because the clergy and the people are not prepared to accept them—yet some Church leaders do little or nothing to prepare the people for a renewal that the leaders themselves do not understand or accept.

Although I cannot pretend to read minds, I think there are two main reasons behind this deep-rooted reluctance to welcome the clear and unambiguous policy of Rome in its program of liturgical restoration of the Eastern traditions: 1) the restoration seems a pointless archaism; 2) its opponents are convinced in their hearts that some of the practices proposed are not “Catholic”, and hence, not “right”. That this directly contradicts the teaching of the Holy See is an irony that does not seem to dawn on them.

The first objection is easily dispensed with. The orientation of Catholic liturgical renewal is never towards the past but toward present pastoral needs. Of course, the liturgical scholar studies the past, but the purpose of such historical research is not to discover the past—much less to imitate it—but to recover the integrity of the pristine tradition which the past may well have obscured. The aim is not to restore the past, but to overcome it. For history is not the past, but a genetic vision of the present, a present seen in continuity with its roots. It is precisely those who do not know their past who are incapable of true, organic change. They remain victims of the latest cliché, prisoners of present useage because they have no objective standard against which to measure it.

The proposed restoration, then, is not a blind imitation of a dead past, but an attempt, precisely, to free Eastern Catholics from a past in which, severed from the roots of their own tradition, they were deprived of any organic development and could conceive of growth only as sterile servility to their Latin confreres. Can one seriously propose this as a program to be preserved in our day?

Hence the irony of those critics of the Eastern Catholic liturgical restoration who accuse its promoters of fostering a return to the Middle Ages. As we shall see in the next section, it is precisely in the Middle Ages that the practices like infant communion in the Latin rite are first called into question for typically medieval motives that no one with any sense would heed today. So it is not the proponents of restoration but its opponents that are behind the times, stuck in a medieval rut out of which the major Catholic scholarly voices in this field have been leading the Church in this century.

A short list of issues where renewal of the Eastern heritage has met most resistance would include dropping the Filioque from the Creed, the consecratory Epiclesis after the Words of Institution, the unmixed Chalice in the Armenian tradition, the Byzantine zeon or teplota rite in which boiling water is added to the chalice just before communion, infant communion, and, in the Syro-Malabar tradition, proleptic language, eucharist facing East, and the restoration of the bema and the so-called Anaphoras of Nestorius and Theodore. On each of these points, the Holy See’s efforts at restoration have met with massive resistance, either active or passive, from within some circles.

Theological Thursdays brings you homilies, lectures, interviews, and biographies on diverse topics including history, theology, spirituality, and philosophy as they pertain to the Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches. 

 

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ukrainian Holodomor

Wednesday's Wages 
Recalling that it was for only 30 silver shekels that Judas betrayed the Lord 

Running Man -
A Peasant Between Cross and Sword
Kasimir Malevich
~1932-34
There is great debate over the particulars of the Holodomor (Ukrainian: Ð“олодомор). Was it an intentional artificial famine created by Stalin in order to force Communist collectivism on independent Ukraine? The unintentional result of the Bolsheviks' poor policy mixed with a poor harvest? Were Ukrainians specifically targeted for death or just coincidentally among the hardest hit? Just how many millions died? Did it even occur?

The Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church cannot be understood without understanding the history of oppression that Christian Ukraine has endured. One haunting piece of that puzzle that today's Ukrainian Greek-Catholics might directly recall is the Holodomor, though there aren't many who survived it.

In Ukrainian, the word holod means "hunger", and mor means "plague". The expression moryty holodom means "to inflict death by hunger." This is the story of how atheistic Communism achieved that in 1930s Ukraine:


It looks like a YouTube playlist bug is not allowing part 1 to show below.
It is therefore posted above as a workaround while the rest of the video is below.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Armenian Coffee and Fruit

In honor of the Nineveh Fast that the Armenian Catholic Church, among others, will soon undertake in memory of the three days Jonah was in the belly of the fish, I bring you this glimpse into Armenian culture and food. It is traditional for Armenians to completely refrain from food and drinks over the three day fast. Abstaining from meat, dairy, and fish during the fast are still considered minimal expectations.

Armenian food is distinguished from other Mediterranean diets by its heavy emphasis on using fresh and ripe produce, few spices, and a lot of bulgur. There's one fruit that stands out in the mix:
I like to eat many fruits and vegetables. Maybe this comes from the fact that I am from Armenia, the place that is rich in fruits and veggies. But there is one fruit that I like most of all, and which has a special meaning for me. I think the reason again is the fact that I am Armenian.  -Marina Hovhannisyan; Krupnick Essay Contest Winner, 2006 
Because the work is presumably still under copyright, I've only quoted a small portion of it. Make yourself a cup of Armenian coffee following the directions below, then settle in to read the short essay about Armenia's national fruit at the Los Angeles Valley College's website here.


Talented Tuesdays is a feature which focuses on art, architecture, music, culture, food, and the running of the domestic church. User submitted questions and solutions are welcomed.



Monday, January 17, 2011

Our Lady of Wisdom Italo-Greek Byzantine Catholic Parish

Monday's Map: We're traveling with the angels! 

Today we're flying over to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA where you'll find the Italo-Greek Byzantine Catholic parish of Our Lady of Wisdom.


The Italo-Greco-Albanian Catholic faithful primarily consist of the descendants of 15th and 16th Century Albanians who moved to the areas of Calabria and Sicily in Southern Italy. Our Lady of Wisdom is one of two Italo-Greek Catholic parishes in the United States. Since they have so few faithful in the US,  they are placed under the pastoral care of a local bishop, in this case His Grace, Bishop Gerald Nicholas Dino of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Phoenix. They therefore use Ruthenian liturgical books with some of their own retained customs such as touching their foreheads to the Gospels and chalice.

The parish is a dynamic mix of people from diverse backgrounds. Their activities include religious education, small groups based on age and/or interests, an Irish folk music night, festivals, a prayer tree, regular liturgical services, a traveling icon for vocations, weekly devotionals, a mission location, and much more.

Their website has a wealth of information including answers to many frequent questions. Check it out! http://ourladyofwisdom.net/

Liturgy schedule:
  • Saturday 5:00 PM (Vesper Liturgy)
  • Sunday 10:00 AM (Third Hour)
  • Sunday 10:30 AM (Divine Liturgy)
  • Wednesday 7:00 PM (Akathist and Anointing of the Sick)

The parish is currently served by the following:
  • Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Francis Vivona, S.T.M., J.C.L, Pastor
  • Rev. Deacon Stephen E. Casmus, M.A.
  • Ms. Rose Watkins, Christodoula
  • Mr. Joseph Cusumano, Permanent Counselor
  • Mr. William Griffith (Reigning Patriarch) and Ms. Kehaulani Harker (Reigning Matriarch)
  • Mrs. Toni Ritchey (Secretary) and Ms. Claire Lynott (Finance Officer)

And in cartography news, here's what's happening with the Universal Map:
  • Jack Liu added a number of parishes to the map, primarily in Canada and California. Thank you!
  • This link explains how to view all map pages on one page, how to easily reorder the listings to group them by location, and other similar how-tos. If there are any problems figuring it out, let me know. I'm going to try the re-ordering this week.
  • If you have a google associated ID that you'd like me to "invite" as a "collaborator" to the map, it might make editing easier. The map is set to allow anyone to edit it, but I'm not clear if it functions differently for those specifically listed. Let me know if you'd like me to add you. 

Monday's Map gives updates on the Universal Map project and highlights Eastern and Oriental Catholic institutions as well as those who run and serve them.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Social Saturdays (1/15/11)

It's Saturday! That means we're chatting with the living and praying for the dead. 

Prayer Requests: 
  • For Clyde--the father of Deacon Daniel of the UGCC--who is hospitalized, that the physician of our souls and bodies restore him to full health. 
  • For Francisco and his mother who are surrounded by violence that the Lord protect them and give them hope and peace as well as guide them to jobs that allow them to provide for their needs and glorify Him. 
  • For A, who is facing numerous assaults, that the Lord shelter and protect her and her family, restoring them to the fullness of physical, emotional, and social health. 
  • For Bishop Jia Zhiguo of the underground church and all Christians in China, the Middle East, and around the world who are persecuted for their faith. 
  • For the parish of St. John the Baptist Romanian Catholic Mission in Tustin, CA who are celebrating their patronal feast tomorrow (Jan 16, 2011). May the Lord bless them with many more years! 
  • For those attending the Walk for Life events scheduled across the United States next Saturday (Jan 22) that they be a prayerful witness to the dignity of all human life and be protected in their travels. 
  • For the soul of Archbishop Elias Zoghby of the Melkite Church who passed away three years ago this week (Jan 16, 2008).
  • For those who are planning the beatification ceremonies of Pope John Paul II (May 1 in Rome) and Sr. Marie de Mandat-Grancey (Jan 21 in Kansas City, Missouri) as well as those traveling to participate that the Holy Spirit grant them grace and peace. 
  • For the homeless and severely impoverished who are without heat or electricity, running water, or sufficient housing or clothes, that they be protected during the winter months. For those who are in positions to help that they do so without greed, malice, or expectation of return. 
  • For those who have addictions that they overcome them and are able to seek their consolation from the Lord. 
  • For marriage. That the institution of marriage be preserved and protected within our society. That those who are married be blessed with faith, perseverance, kindness, and fidelity as they seek God through their vocation. That those who are discerning marriage be guided to God's will for their lives. That those who are struggling in their marriages find support and hope. 
  • For the United States and its leaders, especially those in politics, media, and business, that they seek in word and action to do God's will with the authority they hold. 
Continuing Prayer Requests: 
  • Please continue to pray for an abused woman and mother, A (a different A than the one above), who is in desperate straits and in need of many prayers.
  • For Kat's family, including their current and future children, that they be guided in discernment and finances in their next adoption. (Kat has other prayer requests at the link.)
  • For all those affected by the continued Australian flooding, that the Lord provide for their needs.
  • For all of our clergy, religious, and monastics that they be directed in strength, courage, patience, and fortitude to radically live God's will for their lives. 
  • For mothers, that they not abort their offspring; for infants in danger of being put to death in the womb; for a change of heart of providers of abortions and of their collaborators; for human victims of stem cell research, genetic manipulation, cloning, and euthanasia; and for all entrusted with the government of peoples, that they may promote the "Culture of Life" so as to put an end to the "culture of death."
  • For Your Word From The Wise and all who are connected to it, that it may bring glory to God.
  • For the intentions of those who are praying.
Do you have a prayer request you'd like to add? Please put it in the comment box any time this week so we can pray with you.


What's going on at Your Word From The Wise?
  • I worked much more on the Universal Map project, updating locations, detail info, parish names, etc as well as collecting more locations to add. I had a helper send me the links to numerous Churches' Australian websites to get Oceania well-covered on the map. Thank you! (Want your area accurately covered? Send me some info and I'll get it on the map.)
  • I'm working on a blog button/image/logo for an Eastern and Oriental Catholicism web ring for the Links page. It's obvious that I'm not a graphic artist. If you know someone who is who would like to come up with an image of 150x225ish pixels then I'd use it instead of my amateur attempts. 
  • I was unable to make the follow-up phone calls I hoped to make last week. My husband--my biggest helper--will be home on Monday so I'll be able to lock the bedroom door and hide in the master bathroom and make the needed phone calls without any interruptions! :) 
  • I sent out one more interview request which was accepted. WOOHOO! I'll hopefully get it written this weekend. (It's a topic several asked me to cover.)
  • I continued researching for an accepted interview that is scheduled for late Feb/early March. I love it and can't wait to share with you!
  • I got the blog redesigned to be easier on the eyes. Blogger keeps adding random html to my posts. It turns a chunk of text white or adds numerous line breaks, despite my going in to the html source code and removing it. I save, refresh, and it adds it twice more! A helper pointed out a couple places it had done so and suggested some work-arounds, which I'm very grateful for because that was a little disconcerting. I still haven't figured out how to remove the extra line breaks on the Origen post. It lets me have none or two. I even started over with no formatting, adding it line by line. Hmmm... :/
  • I received a response from the 1-question survey I sent out. If a few more come in, I'll post them. The responder is working on some neat Eastern Catholic catechetical tools I can't wait to see, too. 
  • I got blog syndication setup to post to the Facebook wall and think I got the kinks worked out thanks to a helper.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Live Broadcast Tonight - Wedding Epistle


Click on one to download
text with which to pray
along with Vespers:


Loving as Christ loved the Church 
St. John Chrysostom's homily on the epistle read at the wedding ceremony 
Lecture by Deacon John Evancho

Vespers at 6:30 PM Eastern Standard Time 
Lecture at 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time 

"Saint John Chrysostom, the preeminent preacher in the Christian East, had a profound love for the Apostle Paul and his epistles. We will reflect on Chrysostom's inspiring homily on the Epistle reading for the sacramental Mystery of the Crowning in Marriage.

Deacon John Evancho serves at Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, Illinois. He is a member of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary Board of Directors. He received a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School and BAs in Theology from Duquesne University and the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium), as well as a JD from Harvard Law School. He and his wife, Laura, and their three young daughters, Ruth, Julia, and Sophia, live in Peoria, Illinois."

Friday morning update: The talk was wonderful. It appears that a recording will be posted online. When it is, I'll post it here. 


Theological Thursdays brings you homilies, lectures, interviews, and biographies on diverse topics including history, theology, spirituality, and philosophy as they pertain to the Eastern and Oriental Catholic Churches. 

 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Maafa 21: Genocide in the United States

Wednesday's Wages 
Recalling that it was for only 30 silver shekels that Judas betrayed the Lord 

Many Eastern and Oriental Catholics in the United States are direct targets of the American eugenics movement which seeks to eliminate poverty by eliminating the poor and desires to create a master race of healthy, attractive, fair-skinned, educated, wealthy individuals of northern European descent. They taught Hitler a large part of his eugenics theories and practices and they remain active in the United States today. This explains their why and how.

At that time, they did shift over to what they called "the quality of life." It was a philosophy unquestionably used to target the poor simply because what the quality of life at its core meaning was that poor people really didn't have a reason to live. Only the white--those with status--had any chance of a "meaningful" or "purposeful" life. The solution for the poor now was not to eliminate the circumstances that would cause poverty. Their solution now was to eliminate the poor--eliminate the impoverished--and just wipe them off the face of the earth. -Clenard Childress (Northeast Director of Life Education and Resource Network) 
Wednesday's Wages are a series of posts which highlight past and present struggles faced by Eastern and Oriental Catholics including the topics of bioethics and persecution. Do you know of a homily, lecture, interview or biography which you think should be featured here? Leave a comment to let me know.  

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Domestic Church

In Our Family and Home
by Father Romanos Russo of St. Ann's Melkite Greek-Catholic Church
Originally Published in Catholic Near East

Our mothers and fathers must rediscover their role as priests of the home. The parents bless their children, the food that nourishes them, and preach the most eloquent of sermons by the nobility of their conduct. They enable their family to celebrate the fasts and feasts of the year. The children, too, should learn to assume roles in the domestic church as soon as practical: they can help read the daily scripture passages, assist in the preparation of the foods proper to their tradition and tend the light before the icons.
Because the work is presumably still under copyright, I've only quoted a small portion of it. Read the entire article at St. Ann's website here.

Talented Tuesdays is a feature which focuses on art, architecture, music, culture, food, and the running of the domestic church. User submitted questions and solutions are welcomed.



Monday, January 10, 2011

Ss. Peter and Paul UGCC Cathedral in Melbourne, AU

Monday's Map: We're traveling with the angels!

Today we're flying over to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia where you'll find the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul.

The cathedral was featured in the 2007 book Windows to Heaven: the Icons of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne which was written in both English and Ukrainian.

Their eparchial website has a wealth of information including an Ask the Priest column and videos of services. Check it out! http://www.catholicukes.org.au/

Liturgy schedule:
  • Sunday 8:00 AM (Recited Liturgy)
  • Sunday 9:30 AM (Ukrainian Divine Liturgy)
  • Sunday 11:30 AM (English Divine Liturgy)
  • Weekdays 9:00 AM (Divine Liturgy)
The cathedral is currently served by the following clergy:
  • Most Rev. Peter Stasiuk C.Ss.R. (Bishop)
  • Rt. Rev. Mitrat Olexander Kenez (Chancellor/Protosynce), Fr. Felix Figureк (Administrator), Rt. Rev. Mitrat Zenon Chorkawyj, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Struk, Fr. Robert Stickland, Fr. Brian Kelty
  • Rev. Deacon Edward Kostraby
And in cartography news, here's what's happening with the Universal Map:
  • I updated several UGCC parishes in Australia, mostly changing the title from "Ukrainian Catholic Church" to the parish's full name.
  • I added several Australian UGCC parishes that weren't previously on the universal map.
  • I created place markers for five UGCC parishes that were not previously marked in Google Maps as businesses/churches.
  • I sent emails to the administrators of the 5 newly-added parishes to let them know that a postcard will arrive in the mail in 2-3 weeks with a pin number that I must enter in order for the church to be labeled on Google Maps. (If your priest receives one, please let him know it is legit.)
Monday's Map gives updates on the Universal Map project and highlights Eastern and Oriental Catholic institutions as well as those who run and serve them.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Social Saturdays (1/8/11)

It's Saturday! That means we're chatting with the living and praying for the dead.

Prayer Requests:
  • For the family of Gianna Caeli Henninger, an infant who died this week from complications due to Trisomy 18. She leaves behind her parents and seven siblings, among numerous other extended family. She joins 4 siblings who preceded her in death.
  • For an abused woman and mother, A, who is in desperate straits and in need of many prayers this week as she navigates police, courts, severe depression, and more.
  • For the souls and families of Elaine Dorko and Helen Boytim who died this week, as well as their parish family at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead, Ohio.
  • For the soul and family of George Michael Ritchey, as well as his parish family at St. George Melkite Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
  • For the soul and family of Father Constantine Brown of the Byzantine Catholic Church.
  • For Msgr. Sharbel Maroun who celebrated his birthday this week, that he may be blessed with many more years.
  • For Kat's family, including their current and future children, that they be guided in discernment and finances in their next adoption. (Kat has other prayer requests at the link.)
  • For all those affected by the Australian flooding, that the Lord provide for their needs.
  • For all who are persecuted for their faith, especially those in the Middle East. 
  • For Congresswoman Giffords and all who were hurt in an Arizona shooting rampage, that their physicians' hands be guided so that they may be restored to full health. For the souls of those who perished that the Lord may welcome them into His kingdom and for their families that the Holy Spirit bring them comfort and hope in their grief.
  • For all of our clergy, religious, and monastics that they be directed in strength, courage, patience, and fortitude to radically live God's will for their lives. 
  • For mothers, that they not abort their offspring; for infants in danger of being put to death in the womb; for a change of heart of providers of abortions and of their collaborators; for human victims of stem cell research, genetic manipulation, cloning, and euthanasia; and for all entrusted with the government of peoples, that they may promote the "Culture of Life" so as to put an end to the "culture of death."
  • For Your Word From The Wise and all who are connected to it, that it may bring glory to God.
  • For the intentions of those who are praying.
Do you have a prayer request you'd like to add? Please put it in the comment box any time this week so we can pray with you.





What's going on at Your Word From The Wise?
  • I added a new comment feature which allows commenting from multiple account types and not just Google accounts. It says it is installed and working, but it isn't showing up. Troubleshooting will be forthcoming.
  • I sent out a 1-question email request to a handful of people hoping for an easy aggregate post. No responses yet.
  • I updated the About page to include a schedule for posts, defining the focus of this project and giving names to each day which reflect the type of content that will be covered. Tuesday was a hard one to come up with! As promised, they are appropriately kitschy.
  • I sent interview requests to a handful of people, offering to tailor interviews to their areas of knowledge and interest. I heard back from one who is going to talk with me in a couple weeks. I will follow-up this week with phone calls to the others.
  • I heard from several people about topics or people they'd like me to cover. I was already able to incorporate two of those requests into interviews I was writing. (Do you have suggestions? I'd be grateful to hear them!)
  • I researched and wrote three interviews. I had a "little birdie" offer some much-appreciated musical knowledge to the research, for which I am very grateful. (5-10 minutes of information sharing made a huge difference. Do you have knowledge you could take 5-10 minutes to share?)
  • My hard drive suddenly and irretrievably crashed while I was working on the interviews. The last time that happened was when I was working on Your Word From The Wise videos. I thankfully had learned my lesson and was regularly making back-ups so I only lost a week's worth of work.
  • I re-wrote and sent out the three interviews.
  • I heard back on the two most involved interviews with positive results and am now coordinating those interviews. I'm excited! I think you will be, too! 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Fasting in the Byzantine Church Year

Whether you're on the Gregorian calendar and are therefore in the post-feast of Theophany/Epiphany or you're celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar today, this oldie but goodie should fit the bill! Aren't you glad that the fasts end in feasts?



Friday's Fast features homilies, lectures, interviews, and biographies on topics such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and repentance. For in the cross of Christ crucified lies both the power of God and the wisdom of God for those being saved (I Corinthians 1:24).

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Feast of Theophany

Discourse On the Day of the Baptism of Christ
Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople


We shall now say something about the present feast. Many celebrate the feastdays and know their designations, but the cause for which they were established they know not. Thus concerning this, that the present feast is called Theophany -- everyone knows; but what this is -- Theophany, and whether it be one thing or another, they know not. And this is shameful -- every year to celebrate the feastday and not know its reason.

First of all therefore, it is necessary to say that there is not one Theophany, but two: the one actual, which already has occurred, and the second in future, which will happen with glory at the end of the world. About this one and about the other you will hear today from Paul, who in conversing with Titus, speaks thus about the present: "The grace of God hath revealed itself, having saved all mankind, decreeing, that we reject iniquity and worldly desires, and dwell in the present age in prudence and in righteousness and piety" -- and about the future: "awaiting the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ" (Tit 2:11-13). And a prophet speaks thus about this latter: "the sun shalt turn to darkness, and the moon to blood at first, then shalt come the great and illuminating Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). Why is not that day, on which the Lord was born, considered Theophany -- but rather this day on which He was baptised? This present day it is, on which He was baptised and sanctified the nature of water. Because on this day all, having obtained the waters, do carry it home and keep it all year, since today the waters are sanctified; and an obvious phenomenon occurs: these waters in their essence do not spoil with the passage of time, but obtained today, for one whole year and often for two or three years, they remain unharmed and fresh, and afterwards for a long time do not stop being water, just as that obtained from the fountains.

Why then is this day called Theophany? Because Christ made Himself known to all -- not then when He was born -- but then when He was baptised. Until this time He was not known to the people. And that the people did not know Him, Who He was, listen about this to John the Baptist, who says: "Amidst you standeth, Him Whom ye know not of" (Jn.1:26). And is it surprising that others did not know Him, when even the Baptist did not know Him until that day? "And I -- said he -- knew Him not: but He that did send me to baptise with water, about This One did tell unto me: over Him that shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding upon Him, This One it is Who baptiseth in the Holy Spirit" (Jn. 1:33). Thus from this it is evident, that -- there are two Theophanies, and why Christ comes at baptism and on whichever baptism He comes, about this it is necessary to say: it is therefore necessary to know both the one and equally the other. And first it is necessary to speak your love about the latter, so that we might learn about the former. There was a Jewish baptism, which cleansed from bodily impurities, but not to remove sins. Thus, whoever committed adultery, or decided on thievery, or who did some other kind of misdeed, it did not free him from guilt. But whoever touched the bones of the dead, whoever tasted food forbidden by the law, whoever approached from contamination, whoever consorted with lepers -- that one washed, and until evening was impure, and then cleansed. "Let one wash his body in pure water -- it says in the Scriptures, -- and he will be unclean until evening, and then he will be clean" (Lev 15:5, 22:4). This was not truly of sins or impurities, but since the Jews lacked perfection, then God, accomplishing it by means of this greater piety, prepared them by their beginnings for a precise observance of important things.

Thus, Jewish cleansings did not free from sins, but only from bodily impurities. Not so with ours: it is far more sublime and it manifests a great grace, whereby it sets free from sin, it cleanses the spirit and bestows the gifts of the Spirit. And the baptism of John was far more sublime than the Jewish, but less so than ours: it was like a bridge between both baptisms, leading across itself from the first to the last. Wherefore John did not give guidance for observance of bodily purifications, but together with them he exhorted and advised to be converted from vice to good deeds and to trust in the hope of salvation and the accomplishing of good deeds, rather than in different washings and purifications by water. John did not say: wash your clothes, wash your body, and ye will be pure, but what? -- "bear ye fruits worthy of repentance" (Mt 3:8). Since it was more than of the Jews, but less than ours: the baptism of John did not impart the Holy Spirit and it did not grant forgiveness by grace: it gave the commandment to repent, but it was powerless to absolve sins. Wherefore John did also say: "I baptise you with water...That One however will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Mt 3:11). Obviously, he did not baptise with the Spirit. But what does this mean: "with the Holy Spirit and with fire?" Call to mind that day, on which for the Apostles "there appeared disparate tongues like fire, and sat over each one of them" (Acts 2:3). And that the baptism of John did not impart the Spirit and remission of sins is evident from the following: Paul "found certain disciples, and said to them: received ye the Holy Spirit since ye have believed? They said to him: but furthermore whether it be of the Holy Spirit, we shall hear. He said to them: into what were ye baptised? They answered: into the baptism of John. Paul then said: John indeed baptised with the baptism of repentance," -- repentance, but not remission of sins; for whom did he baptise? "Having proclaimed to the people, that they should believe in the One coming after him, namely, Christ Jesus. Having heard this, they were baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus: and Paul laying his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them" (Acts 19:1-6). Do you see, how incomplete was the baptism of John? If the one were not incomplete, would then Paul have baptised them again, and placed his hands on them; having performed also the second, he shew the superiority of the apostolic Baptism and that the baptism of John was far less than his. Thus, from this we recognise the difference of the baptisms.

Now it is necessary to say, for whom was Christ baptised and by which baptism? Neither the former the Jewish, nor the last -- ours. Whence hath He need for remission of sins, how is this possible for Him, Who hath not any sins? "Of sin, -- it says in the Scriptures, -- worked He not, nor was there deceit found in His mouth" (1 Pet 2:22); and further, "who of you convicteth Me of Sin?" (Jn 8:46). And His flesh was privy to the Holy Spirit; how might this be possible, when it in the beginning was fashioned by the Holy Spirit? And so, if His flesh was privy to the Holy Spirit, and He was not subject to sins, then for whom was He baptised? But first of all it is necessary for us to recognise, by which baptism He was baptised, and then it will be clear for us. By which baptism indeed was He baptised? -- Not the Jewish, nor ours, nor John's. For whom, since thou from thine own aspect of baptism dost perceive, that He was baptised not by reason of sin and not having need of the gift of the Spirit; therefore, as we have demonstrated, this baptism was alien to the one and to the other. Hence it is evident, that He came to Jordan not for the forgiveness of sins and not for receiving the gifts of the Spirit. But so that some from those present then should not think, that He came for repentance like others, listen to how John precluded this. What he then spoke to the others then was: "Bear ye fruits worthy of repentance"; but listen what he said to Him: "I have need to be baptised of Thee, and Thou art come to me?" (Mt 3:8, 14). With these words he demonstrated, that Christ came to him not through that need with which people came, and that He was so far from the need to be baptised for this reason -- so much more sublime and perfectly purer than Baptism itself. For whom was He baptised, if this was done not for repentance, nor for the remission of sins, nor for receiving the gifts of the Spirit? Through the other two reasons, of which about the one the disciple speaks, and about the other He Himself spoke to John. Which reason of this baptism did John declare? Namely, that Christ should become known to the people, as Paul also mentions: "John therefore baptised with the baptism of repentance, so that through him they should believe on Him that cometh" (Acts 19:4); this was the consequence of the baptism. If John had gone to the home of each and, standing at the door, had spoken out for Christ and said: "He is the Son of God," such a testimony would have been suspicious, and this deed would have been extremely perplexing. So too, if he in advocating Christ had gone into the synagogues and witnessed to Him, this testimony of his might be suspiciously fabricated. But when all the people thronged out from all the cities to Jordan and remained on the banks of the river, and when He Himself came to be baptised and received the testimony of the Father by a voice from above and by the coming-upon of the Spirit in the form of a dove, then the testimony of John about Him was made beyond all questioning. And since he said: "and I knew Him not" (Jn 1:31), his testimony put forth is trustworthy. They were kindred after the flesh between themselves "wherefore Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, hath also conceived a son" -- said the Angel to Mary about the mother of John (Lk. 1: 36); if however the mothers were relatives, then obviously so also were the children. Thus, since they were kinsmen -- in order that it should not seem that John would testify concerning Christ because of kinship, the grace of the Spirit organised it such, that John spent all his early years in the wilderness, so that it should not seem that John had declared his testimony out of friendship or some similar reason. But John, as he was instructed of God, thus also announced about Him, wherein also he did say: "and I knew Him not." From whence didst thou find out? "He having sent me that sayeth to baptise with water, That One did tell me" What did He tell thee? "Over Him thou shalt see the Spirit descending, like to a dove, and abiding over Him, That One is baptised by the Holy Spirit" (Jn 1:32-33). Dost thou see, that the Holy Spirit did not descend as in a first time then coming down upon Him, but in order to point out that preached by His inspiration -- as though by a finger, it pointed Him out to all. For this reason He came to baptism.

And there is a second reason, about which He Himself spoke -- what exactly is it? When John said: "I have need to be baptised of Thee, and Thou art come to me?" -- He answered thus: "stay now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill every righteousness" (Mt 3:14-15). Dost thou see the meekness of the servant? Dost thou see the humility of the Master? What does He mean: "to fulfill every righteousness?" By righteousness is meant the fulfillment of all the commandments, as is said: "both were righteous, walking faultlessly in the commandments of the Lord" (Lk 1:6). Since fulfilling this righteousness was necessary for all people -- but no one of them kept it or fulfilled it -- Christ came then and fulfilled this righteousness.

And what righteousness is there, someone will say, in being baptised? Obedience for a prophet was righteous. As Christ was circumcised, offered sacrifice, kept the sabbath and observed the Jewish feasts, so also He added this remaining thing, that He was obedient to having been baptised by a prophet. It was the will of God then, that all should be baptised -- about which listen, as John speaks: "He having sent me to baptise with water" (Jn 1:33); so also Christ: "the publicans and the people do justify God, having been baptised with the baptism of John; the pharisees and the lawyers reject the counsel of God concerning themselves, not having been baptised by him" (Lk 7:29-30). Thus, if obedience to God constitutes righteousness, and God sent John to baptise the nation, then Christ has also fulfilled this along with all the other commandments.

Consider, that the commandments of the law is the main point of the two denarii: this -- debt, which our race has needed to pay; but we did not pay it, and we, falling under such an accusation, are embraced by death. Christ came, and finding us afflicted by it -- He paid the debt, fulfilled the necessary and seized from it those, who were not able to pay. Wherefore He does not say: "it is necessary for us to do this or that," but rather "to fulfill every righteousness." "It is for Me, being the Master, -- says He, -- proper to make payment for the needy." Such was the reason for His baptism -- wherefore they should see, that He had fulfilled all the law -- both this reason and also that, about which was spoken of before. Wherefore also the Spirit did descend as a dove: because where there is reconciliation with God -- there also is the dove. So also in the ark of Noah the dove did bring the branch of olive -- a sign of God's love of mankind and of the cessation of the flood. And now in the form of a dove, and not in a body -- this particularly deserves to be noted -- the Spirit descended, announcing the universal mercy of God and showing with it, that the spiritual man needs to be gentle, simple and innocent, as Christ also says: "Except ye be converted and become as children, ye shalt not enter into the Heavenly Kingdom" (Mt 18:3). But that ark, after the cessation of the flood, remained upon the earth; this ark, after the cessation of wrath, is taken to heaven, and now this Immaculate and Imperishable Body is situated at the right hand of the Father.

Having made mention about the Body of the Lord, I shall also say a little about this, and then the conclusion of the talk. Many now will approach the Holy Table on the occasion of the feast. But some approach not with trembling, but shoving, hitting others, blazing with anger, shouting, cursing, roughing it up with their fellows with great confusion. What, tell me, art thou troubled by, my fellow? What disturbeth thee? Do urgent affairs, for certain, summon thee? At this hour art thou particularly aware, that these affairs of thine that thou particularly rememberest, that thou art situated upon the earth, and dost thou think to mix about with people? But is it not with a soul of stone naturally to think, that in such a time thou stand upon the earth, and not exult with the Angels with whom to raise up victorious song to God? For this Christ also did describe us with eagles, saying: "where the corpse is, there are the eagles gathered" (Mt 24:28) -- so that we might have risen to heaven and soared to the heights, having ascended on the wings of the spirit; but we, like snakes, crawl upon the earth and eat dirt. Having been invited to supper, thou, although satiated before others, would not dare to leave before others while others are still reclining. But here, when the sacred doings are going on, thou at the very middle would pass by everything and leave? Is it for a worthy excuse? What excuse might it be? Judas, having communed that last evening on that final night, left hastily then as all the others were still reclining.

Here these also are in imitation of him, who leave before the final blessing! If he had not gone, then he would not have made the betrayal; if he did not leave his co-disciples, then he would not have perished; if he had not removed himself from the flock, then the wolf would not have seized and devoured him alone; if he had separated himself from the Pastor, then he would not have made himself the prey of wild beasts. Wherefore he (Judas) was with the Jews, and those (the apostles) went out with the Lord. Dost thou see, by what manner the final prayer after the offering of the sacrifice is accomplished? We should, beloved, stand forth for this, we should ponder this, fearful of the coming judgement for this. We should approach the Holy Sacrifice with great decorum, with proper piety, so as to merit us more of God's benevolence, to cleanse one's soul and to receive eternal blessings, of which may we all be worthy by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, to with Whom the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, and worship now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Figuring this blogging thing out

I've been trying to figure out how to balance the blog world's need for regular updates with my desire to have original content that isn't duplicating the efforts of others who are already out there.

I decided on a trial that I think will be a good balance. Please let me know if it is working or if it needs tweaking. (Really. When you're lurking here and thinking, "She's needs to update this thing more often," or "I wish she'd put it all in one place," or "I just want the good stuff. Leave all the rest elsewhere," then I really want you to type that and send it to me.)

I am thinking that on this blog I will stick to homilies, lectures, interviews, projects, and biographies. My current projects include the Eastern & Oriental Catholicism Google map, a universal liturgical calendar widget, and a links page. On the Facebook page, I would then share more of the all and sundry posts like hymns, news, or other background info on what I'm working on for the blog. How does that sound?

I've also discovered that the blogging culture has an innate appreciation for structured cycles with their Wordless Wednesdays and Thankful Thursdays (how Catholic of them!) so I'm going to try to come up with something similar to regularly structure my posts. I guarantee the titles won't be as catchy. I take more of an Eric Carle approach to the calendar. You know: "Today is Monday. Monday string beans." Coming up with something slightly more endearing will be one of my goals for this week. I'll leave the rest of what I'm doing for the Facebook page in order to not bog things down here. Please let me know what you think!
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