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Did Jesus Abandon Us at the Ascension?

Sunday after Ascension, May 28, 2017 Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. We have now left behind the time of continuous celebration of Christ’s resurrection and are now celebrating His ascension into heaven, a feast that falls on the fortieth day…

Those Who Quit Church: Why Do We Talk About Converts More?

Recently, someone wrote to ask why the Orthodox blogosphere and media seem to talk far more about converts to Orthodoxy than people who have been Orthodox and have left off coming to church. This is a hard subject, and it’s one I don’t recall seeing talked about much online. This (with some edits and additions) was my response: I will relate why I think…

What’s the Point of Miracles?

Sunday of the Paralytic, May 7, 2017 Acts 9:32-42; John 5:1-15 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Christ is risen! Do you ever wonder what it might have been like to be with the Apostles during those exciting days after Pentecost, when they were sent forth…

Receiving the Body of Jesus: Joseph of Arimathea and Holy Communion

Myrrh-bearers Sunday, April 30, 2017 Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Christ is risen! Today we celebrate two sets of people who gave attention to the body of our Lord Jesus Christ after His crucifixion: the Myrrh-bearing Women and two men who…

The Priesthood After the Resurrection

Thomas Sunday and the Feast of St. George, April 23, 2017 Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Christ is risen! It’s not easy being a parish priest. It often comes with a lot of disappointment and frustration. There have even been a…

Lent and Priesthood #10: The Priesthood of Paradox

Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-8 Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Today is the tenth and final Sunday of our extended meditation on the priesthood, covering all the Sundays preparing us for Lent, all the Sundays of Lent proper, and now Palm…