Speaking Ecumenically

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 22 Leave a Comment on %s
A recent note from a young Orthodox acquaintance referred to me as “irenic” in my writings. I was grateful for the description and glad that something I actually intend is also actually conveyed. I learn a lot from other Orthodox bloggers or frequent posters on other sites where the discussions can get heated (I think especially of my dear Catholic friend, Fr. Al Kimel’s Pontifications). I have always intended to write andā€¦

More Thoughts on a Metaphor

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 13 Leave a Comment on %s
Some metaphors are just that: metaphors. Images that are useful for thinking or working our way through something. They are a roadmap – not the road but the map. The image of Christ’s Descent into Hades, though it provides a metaphor, is more than a metaphor. Christ truly died, truly descended into Hades, truly trampled down death by death, and truly rose again from the dead. I have to say that lestā€¦

Watch Your Metaphors

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 33 Leave a Comment on %s
Metaphors are very important when thinking about any aspect of our salvation. People can sometimes state what they believe as doctrine very precisely without thinking about what their beliefs imply about God, the world, or themselves. Metaphors can work in a very hidden way – particularly those that are referred to as “root metaphors.” A root metaphor is the over-arching imagery that generally governs how a train of thought goes. It providesā€¦

With Heart and Mind

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 4 Leave a Comment on %s
When mind and heart are united in prayer and the soul is wholly concentrated in a single desire for God, then the heart grows warm and the light of Christ begins to shine and fills the inward man with peace and joy. We should thank the Lord for everything and give ourselves up to His will; we should also offer Him all our thoughts and words, and strive to make everything serveā€¦

Praying with Icons

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 17 Leave a Comment on %s
In one of our recent services (Paschal Vespers as I recall) we had a handfull of visiting Russian Nationals. I’ve noticed this before – it’s sort of a cultural distinction – but the women (they were all female) came in, and stood for extended lengths of time before the icons, as if waiting for something, and then litĀ their candles. It is not universally true, but I have often noticed that we Americans,ā€¦

Deep in the Heart of Texas

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 7 Leave a Comment on %s
Today (Wednesday)Ā and tomorrow I am in Dallas, Texas, with my Archbishop, DMITRI of Dallas and the South (OCA). I’m here for a small meeting with him and my fellow deans. Probably more social than practical – but time will tell. The Church in Dallas could have been pulled from the countryside of Russia. Built around 2000, it’s frescoes continue to slowly grow as the entire interior of the Church proclaims the doctrineā€¦

The Struggle for Prayer

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 4 Leave a Comment on %s
Fr. Sophrony relates part of his struggle for prayer and the grace he received to help others. The passage is from On Prayer. …On more than one occasion I felt as if I were crucified on an invisible cross. This would happen on Mt. Athos when I got angry with those who vexed me. My wickedness would destroy prayer and fill me with horror. At times it seemed impossible to struggle againstā€¦

A Journey through the Heavens

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 3 Leave a Comment on %s
Not to be too melodramatic, but I will be traveling today at about 20 to 30,000 feet to the city of Dallas, yes in a airplane., to meet with my Beloved Archbishop Dmitri and fellow Deans of the Diocese of the South. I have a post loaded alreday which should appear around noon. I’ll check in on the web this evening. I never imagined I’d be flying this much when I converted.ā€¦

Carolina in my Mind

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 14 Leave a Comment on %s
Some readers might appreciate the fact that I was born in South Carolina. For some other readers, I think especially of our Europeans and others across the internet globe, South Carolina means little. It is “Deep South” in the U.S., with its own distinctives. Perhaps one of its striking characteristics is that it has a strong sense of place. I know many Americans who do not have a sense of place –ā€¦