21 September 2016 St. Mary (Покрова) Cathedral Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for […]
From the Archives: An Explanation of the (Christian) Heresy of Islam for Orthodox Believers
October 10, 2015 By
A friend of mine has been encouraging me to put something together on this for a church publication. I wanted to write so much more (e.g. presenting more of the patristic work on the subject), but time and space didn’t allow for it. I am guessing that some of the audience will find the title […]
Humanitarianism and Orthodoxy – a theological reflection
June 14, 2015 By
The Problem: the world (and humanity) groans in agony It’s a hard world. It chews people up, divides them, deprives them, hurts them, and does its best to take away their hope. It does its best to demean and dehumanize them. We have all seen this and we are here because we want to do […]
Becoming a Peacemaker
March 23, 2015 By
How can I become a Peacemaker? Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.What man is he that desireth life, that loveth to see good days?Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.Turn away from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psalm […]
What is a “Peacemaker”? A Reflection
March 1, 2015 By
Then Jesus Christ said; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (St. Matthew 5:9) We sing this every Sunday as part of the Beatitudes (sung during the Little Entrance, when the clergy process to the Holy Doors with the Gospel), but what does it mean? Let’s start with the […]
The REAL Reason People Leave the Church!
February 24, 2015 By
Google “why people leave the church” and you will get a bazillion links to articles describing why people leave the church (okay, there may be fewer than a bazillion… I stopped counting at a hundred when I ran the search this morning). Put the same query in at Amazon and you will get similar results. In […]
From Unchurched to Disciple: the dynamic of discipleship
October 19, 2014 By
The continuum of commitment and membership in the Church looks like this: The Unchurched. According to survey research, “none” is the fastest growing religion in America. We should not be surprised. People who have not truly given their lives to Christ and accepted His salvation have no reason to come to church when society no […]
Podcast: Rapturemania and the Underground Church w/ Fr. John Peck
October 2, 2014 By
20140929 Rapturemania and the Underground Church The rapture: why are people excited about it and what’s it all about? Why is the Church facing hard times and how can/should it respond? Fr. John Peck and I talk about these things, an alternative approach to catechizing and doing missions, and the best Nicolas Cage movies […]
Notes on Christian Meditation and Living the Good Life
May 14, 2014 By
Talk on Christian Meditation and Living the Good LifeSt. Michael UOC Ladies’ Sodality RetreatFr. Anthony Perkins, 13 May 2014 There is within us, a yearning for something better. We feel ourselves to be refugees in a land that isn’t quite right. We desire peace, joy, and growth within our own lives; but find peace to […]
From Intelligence Officer to Orthodox Priest
February 13, 2014 By
I gave this talk as part of the “Orthodoxy on Tap” program. It is designed to take Orthodoxy out to where it can meet people where they are (the fact that that place happens to have good food and drinks is a bonus). While the conversation went in many directions (but not into aliens, […]
