PARISH VOICES

As many of you know, there has been a process underway for some time regarding my retirement and the transition to new pastoral leadership at our beloved Holy Apostles. Early in August, Metropolitan Gerasimos formally shared this news with the Parish Council. Effective September 1st, I will be retiring from my assignment here at Holy Apostles. At the same time, I am very happy to announce that Fr. Rob Spaliatsos will be assigned to Holy Apostles beginning September 1st. We wa

As we reflect on the Theotokos on her dormition, we remember that the course of human history radically changed when this beautiful young girl, the Virgin Mary, said 'yes' to God!!! The angel Gabriel announced God's plan: "You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son...and you shall call His name Jesus." The God who spoke galaxies into existence, the one who suspends the planets and gives life, didn't force His way into humanity. Instead, He waited for the free respon

As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Apostles, we honor those ordinary men whose lives were forever transformed by an extraordinary encounter with Jesus Christ. Having come to know the risen Lord, they left behind everything to proclaim not merely a set of teachings, but a living relationship with the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life." Their witness reminds us that Christianity is far more than a philosophy or a private spirituality; it is an invitation to know,

Do you remember James Taylor's hit song from the nineties, "The Frozen Man"? The song was inspired by an article Taylor had read in National Geographic about the discovery of a frozen man, a New Englander who perished in the nineteenth century. There is a haunting moment in the song where the frozen man asks an angel of mercy whether he is alive or dead. The song ends with these words: "I know what it means to freeze to death; to lose a little life with every breath, to say

Commencement speeches come and go. Most of you don't remember what was said at your own graduation or you might remember the feeling of being sent. One chapter closes, another opens, and suddenly your life is your responsibility. Steve Jobs said at Stanford's 2005 commencement, that "the reality of our death is the most important tool for making decisions. Death strips away illusion, pride, fear, the need to impress, and leaves only what matters." It's a jarring thought, b

Whosoever is a devout lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful bright Festival. And whosoever is a grateful servant, let him joyously enter into the joy of his Lord. And if any be weary with fasting, let him now receive his reward. If any has toiled from the first hour, let him receive his just debt. If any came after the third, let him gratefully celebrate. If any arrived after the sixth, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. If any have delayed to the ninth

When you go to bed with a contented mind, recall the blessings and generous providence of God; be filled with holy thoughts and great joy. Then, while your body sleeps, your soul will keep watch; the closing of your eyes will bring you a true vision of God; your silence will be pregnant with sanctity, and in your sleep you will continue to glorify the God of all with the full strength of your soul. —St. Anthony the Great

As we stand at the threshold of Great Lent, we are invited into a story that feels strangely familiar. It's about a set of twins hanging out having a conversation in their mom's womb. The sister said to the brother, "I believe there is life after birth." Her brother protested vehemently, "No, no. This is all there is. This is a dark, warm and cozy place, and we have nothing else to do but to cling to the cord that feeds us." The sister insisted, "There must be something more.

I once read about scientists developing fabrics that can generate small amounts of electricity simply through movement and pressure. As two fibers rub together, energy is produced, power created through friction. It is a fascinating image, especially in our current moment, where friction seems to be everywhere in the air. In today's political and social climate, there is plenty of friction where voices are constantly clashing, where everyone accuses the other side of lying,

I am humbled that our Holy Orthodox Church clearly proclaims that God's great gift was not a philosophy, a code of ethics, or a new age way to look at life, but His gift was God Himself, Jesus Christ! One of the pearls in the book Daily Meditations and Prayers for the Christmas Advent Fast and Epiphany by Harakas and Coniaris is the following: Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. But where is Bethlehem? Did the Son of God come to be born in a tiny hamlet in far-away Palesti