Author: Nicole M. Roccas

“In any circumstances”: Being Content in a Mysterious Time

· Nicole M. Roccas 1 Leave a Comment on %s
*Written during the COVID-19 pandemic.* Christ is risen! A passage of Scripture that has often come to mind the past week or so is St. Paul’s exhortation on contentment. Thanking the Philippians for remembering his needs–perhaps through sending supplies or monetary contributions–St. Paul points out that even in times when his earthly needs haven’t been met, he knows…

This Pascha IS Okay

· Nicole M. Roccas 6 Leave a Comment on %s
Christ is risen! **Written on Holy Saturday 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, intended as a friendly follow-up to Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick’s recent blog post This Holy Week is Not Okay. *** In any other year, I would most likely not be writing a blog post on Holy Saturday morning. I would be either sleeping…

Praying through Despondency – Online Lenten Retreat

· Nicole M. Roccas 1 Leave a Comment on %s
Hi Time Eternalites! Just popping on here to let you know about this online Lenten retreat I’m co-leading with Fr. Geoffrey Ready through Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission in Toronto! Register here. April 11 4-6 PM (With option to attend an Orthodox vigil service from 7-9) The Psalmist once asked, “How shall we sing the songs of the Lord while…

Keeping Time When Socially Isolated

· Nicole M. Roccas
This past Sunday was the first Liturgy in my parish since our bishop (like many others around the world) officially closed church gatherings to the public. We are making do with a “skeletal” liturgy (attended in person only by our priest and cantor) and live-streamed to the rest of the parish (and anyone else who wishes to visit).…

In Faith and Love: A Layperson’s Thoughts on Drawing Near during a Pandemic

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Yesterday, the World Health Organization announced that COVID-19 (formerly known as the novel coronavirus) is officially a global pandemic. What does (or should) this mean for those of us in Eucharistic faith traditions like Orthodoxy, for whom receiving Communion (with our actual, microorganism-harboring mouths) is central to the lived reality of faith and fellowship? Since the Church is…