PARISH VOICES

Looking for an elegant way to stay consistent with your daily Bible readings? Check out the new Kandili Orthodox Daily Readings app, developed by our very own Holy Apostles parishioner, Brian Warren! Kandili is beautiful and intuitive. It includes daily Epistle and Gospel readings, Saints and Feasts, and fasting guidelines along with key morning and evening prayers. It’s also lighting fast, to help you avoid the temptation of impatience!

The words "Come and dine" jumped out at me recently. Jesus wants everyone to experience time spent with Him. Sharing food together is one of the most common ways we spend time with family and friends. It is a time to share our lives, the good, the bad, and everything in between. Why not spend time with Jesus? It seems so easy — and yet spending time with Him can sometimes be elusive. As I go through my days, time seems to slip away. There is so much to keep me busy and dis

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,

Next time you are at Liturgy, consider the idea that there are three flames. The first flame burns before the throne of God always. The second flame is passed down to a candle at the altar in the Liturgy. The third flame is passed on to you, like a little candle that you light when you take communion. Imagine trying to keep that little candle lit as you leave the church and keep that little flame burning throughout the week. Of course, you might point out that there aren't re

Plans are underway to remodel our beautiful church. This reminds me of a verse from Psalms that says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1). The house in this verse can refer to multiple things. It can refer to you in your own soul, to your community, or to a specific work or task you are undertaking. It can also refer to the church building that we are remodeling. We can always be asking, what kind of house are we building?

Lately, I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid the news. When I scroll through social media, I quickly bypass stories and reels, moving past anything that might pull me into the weight of current events. At times, this feels necessary for self-preservation. But it also raises a deeper question: When does the search for peace turn into blindness? In shielding myself from the world’s troubles, am I also shielding myself from reality? Am I blind?

But let all who hope in You be glad; They will greatly rejoice forever, For You will dwell in them; And all who love Your name will boast in You. —Psalm 5:12 ​Psalm 5 is included in my daily prayers. I have read it weekly for many years now. Recently, verse 12 jumped out at me. It does seem that bible verses that I have read many, many times before can suddenly become like new words. The Orthodox Study Bible commentary states that the 5th Psalm was written by David and emphas

Well-Baby Check-Ups and Spiritual Health Most parents realize that keeping our babies healthy requires taking them to the pediatrician for their "well baby" check-ups. At each visit the doctor weighs and measures our kids to make sure they are growing at a healthy rate, checking eyesight and hearing, and answering any questions about behavior and health issues. As parents, we can't wait for our children to reach important milestones – the first pounds gained, sitting up strai