This past week we began the series of gospels that lead up to the Nativity (Birth) of Christ. This past Sunday was the Annunciation to Zechariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son, who would be named John and would be the Forerunner of the Lord. The Scriptures say much about who John will be, that he will take no wine, that he will bring the people of Israel to God, that the Holy Spirit will dwell on him before his birth, and that he will have the spirit of Elijah, the great prophet of Israel (Luke 1:14-17).

As we’re all aware of, we saw quite an undignified spectacle of a debate last night.

However, a comment I kept seeing over and over in social media posts by our young people is how the debate reminded them of General Body meetings at church. Some even said that the debate was tame compared to General Body meetings.

While on its surface the comments are funny, it really is sad and disturbing more than anything else. That is simply not okay.

Agreed. One thing to change is our vocabulary. We read an article in seminary once about how the use of titles like the “Syriac Orthodox Church” or “Ethiopian Orthodox Church” leads to the belief that these are totally different churches.

https://twitter.com/DeaconDanielM/status/1299278715155775489

Instead if we say “the Church in Syria,” “the Church in Ethiopia,” etc., it is more accurate and helps people to understand that it’s a geographical separation only.

Right in front of where I live, there’s a one way street. People often get pulled over, for going the wrong way on that one way.

The only people who never get pulled over are the cops who do this regularly. Another example I think we can all relate to is watching cops blow through red lights or turning on their lights to get through traffic, simply because they don’t want to wait. This is something many of us have witnessed.

Some keep saying that protestors need to work in the constructs of the law in order to enact change. They often cite MLK and Indians will cite Gandhi.

But what they forget is that those who took part in civil disobedience were BREAKING THE LAW. MLK was arrested 29 times, often for bogus things. And other times for straight up ‘breaking the law’ like wanting to be served with white people in a restaurant. That was considered illegal in the South.

On January 1, the Church commemorates the feast of Basil the Great. He is remembered for many things, for example, as a canonist, orator, and Biblical exegete.

My ThM thesis focused on Basil the Great, and I had the great opportunity to read through his letters, which show that, above all, he was a pastor who loved his flock.

One of my favorite letters is Letter 270, a letter he wrote after hearing of the rape of a woman. His response is a great example of how a hierarch should respond to such things. He exemplifies strong condemnation for those who did

Can somebody explain to me why those who supported the Confederacy are not described as traitors and treasonous? This is something that I’ve wondered since I was in elementary school. We always learned the figure that over 600,000 Americans died in the Civil War (the most of any American war). Around 3rd grade, I realized that number includes 258,000 Confederates. And it always confused me why they were included in that number.

This is an important point to make, especially because I even have youth in our churches asking “why we don’t accept the 7th council.” (The question itself is flawed). t.co/gIQI2NuL6z Besides the fact we weren’t invited to the 7th council (which is a tangent I don’t want to engage), keep in mind that councils are convened in response to a pressing issue, something often seen as dire and urgent.

goarch.org/-/2019-10-08-a…

This is a good thing, but it is disheartening that nobody from the Ethiopian Church or the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were present. Those who are familiar with the original talks from the latter half of the 20th century almost unanimously agree... ...that two of the greatest scholars and defenders of the OO terminology and Christology were Paulos Mor Gregorios and Fr. VC Samuel from the MOSC. These two men were so prolific and influential that they are taught at seminaries such at St. Vladimir’s even today.

Protestants often refute the writings of early Church Fathers with the argument that the Holy Spirit guides them to be able to interpret Scripture accurately.

However, they seem to have no issue citing Calvin, Luther, Spurgeon. Wesley, etc.🤔 Furthermore, many modern Protestants (and also some modern Orthodox and Catholics!) use Patristic literature to make the point that they have already made in their minds.

Guys, remember when Tom Thibodeau wanted to draft Draymond Green over Marquis Teague? 1/x Guys, remember when Thibodeau wanted to make personnel decisions for the @chicagobulls? 2/x