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Christmas is About Death

In 1980, my great-grandfather Fred Isleib died on Christmas day at the age of 83. I was five years old and too small to remember being able to feel sad. I scarcely remember even impressions of him. I do remember a little about his funeral, mainly running and jumping between the gravestones where his remains were placed. But the idea of losing someone onā€¦

Sneak Preview of My New Book: “Bearing God”

Since I know you are full of God I have exhorted you briefly. Remember me in your prayers so that I may attain to God, and remember the church in Syria, from which I am not worthy to be called. – St. Ignatius of Antioch, To the Magnesians 14 In honor of the feast today of of one of my favorite saints, Ignatius theā€¦

Do Orthodox Christians Have Jesus in Their Hearts?

Sunday of the Canaanite Woman, February 14, 2016 II Corinthians 6:16b-18, 7:1; Matthew 15:21-28 Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. ā€œYou are a temple of the living God, even as God has said: ā€˜I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be theirā€¦

Christmas Means War

Sunday before the Nativity, December 20, 2015 Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40; Matthew 1:1-15 Rev. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Here we are, just five days before Christmas. Itā€™s the Sunday before. And thereā€™s always a lot this time of year talking about the ā€œtrue meaning of Christmas,ā€ theā€¦