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Pastoral musing from Fr. Peter posted here for your enjoyment, edification, or just plain old amusement. Check back from time to time to see if he has written anything new.

Church Etiquette

We ought to be aware that the church building is at all times the house of God, the special sanctuary where Orthodox Christians gather to present themselves before God for prayer and worship. Even when services are not being held, it behooves us to be properly reverent in the church and thus speak, move, and sit with conscious respect. Here are some directions regarding church etiquette and customs. Attire In all the areas of our lives, we should offer Christ our best. The same is true of our...

St. Gregory Palamas on the Transfiguration

A Homily by St Gregory Palamas on the TransfigurationJesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain where they were alone. There before them he was transfigured; his face shone like the sun. Now is the favorable time; this is the day of salvation, God's new and eternal day, which is not measured by hours, which does not get longer or shorter, which is not interrupted by night, since it is the day of the Sun of Righteousness with whom there is no alteration nor shadow of...

St. Leo the Great on the Transfiguration

St. Leo the Great on the TransfigurationJesus took Peter and James and his brother John, and ascending a very high mountain with them apart, showed them the brightness of His glory; because, although they had recognised the majesty of God in Him, yet the power of His body, wherein His Deity was contained, they did not know... For the unspeakable and unapproachable vision of the Godhead Itself which is reserved till eternal life for the pure in heart, they could in no wise look upon and see...

The Orthodox Faith

The Orthodox FaithA Fr. Thomas Hopko StudyThe Orthodox Faith series is intended to provide basic, comprehensive information on the faith and life of the Orthodox Church.  Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (1939–2015) was professor of dogmatic theology and served as dean of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. Alongside his numerous books and articles, Father Thomas was also renowned as a gifted speaker and homilist. Click the image below to read the series online.Preface The Preface is...

First Time Visitor

First Time Visitor10 Things You Should Know Before Your First Visit To An Orthodox Church This article is generally very helpful to those who are new to the Orthodox Church or are visiting an Orthodox parish for the first time. Some of the information shared by the author is specific to her own parish and is not universally true — but most of what she has to say is quite good and still applies. We hope you’ll find it helpful. 1. There is movement before and during worship During the early part...

The Symbol Of Faith

The Symbol Of FaithThe Nicene-Constantinopolitan CreedI believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earthand of all things visible and invisible;And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,begotten of the Father before all ages;Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created,of one essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made;Who for us men and for our salvation came down from the heavensand was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and...