(The following is a rough manuscript of my presentation at St. Basil the Great (Antiochian) Orthodox Church in Hampton on Saturday, June 24th. Somewhere in mid speech, I attempted to make some changes off the cuff. Those who heard my talk say it was great. Of course, I am my own worst critic. A link to … More The Need to Know
The 23rd Annual Conference fo the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black was held at the Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church in Indianapolis last weekend. I had a lively drive with Sarah Motley and Johanna Hargraves from Charlottesville. I was excited to be there serving as a member of the National Board and one … More St. Moses Conference: Advice from the Bishop
A Blessed Nativity Feast to all who observe the new calendar date. Martin Luther King Day is supposed to be a day off for me as a state employee (Ranger at York River State Park). But, I couldn’t help but to notice that workplaces and schools tend to be more integrated than most worship services. … More Step into the New Year
Every mainstream should have an antithesis. This is not to be combative or dismissive to the denomination that left. Had it not been for the African-American Baptist Church, I probably would have never been born, much less born again. I think the black church of the various denominations and non-denominations are able to lead souls … More Alternative Christianity: Orthodoxy and the Mainstream Church
What is the relevance of this ancient African Christianity? What is the relevance of Orthodox Christianity? I tell you the relevance is the future of our community and nothing short … Subdeacon Paul Abernathy Broken souls need a home to come to. Those souls are not finding a suitable home in the poor theologies … More Relevance and a Need for Real Faith: Reflections from the First Symposium of the VA Chapter of the Brotherhood
We are pleased to announce the First Symposium of the Virginia Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black! The event will be held at the new, and still under renovation, Saint Basil the Great Antiochian Orthodox Church on 1520 Todds Lane in Hampton on Saturday, September 13th at 4 pm. The topic … More Announcing the First Symposium!!!!
The following is a collection of notes I wrote to present to my former congregation and colleagues concerning my desire to form a bridge between African American Baptist and Orthodox Christians. I still believe strongly that such a bridge is very necessary for the sake of black Christians to grow deeper in the faith. Now, … More A Case for Orthodoxy in the African American Church
In volume 15:4, 1995 of Epiphany magazine (from the Christ the Savior Brotherhood, no longer in print), there is a story of a sad example of a missed opportunity that may have bridged the gap between African Americans and the Orthodox Church. In 1893, Bishop Daniel Payne of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church went … More The Pain of Missed Opportunities
The only truly salvific music that came from America is the Negro Spiritual. ——- Archbishop Dimitri (OCA) Black Gospel was born in suffering. Slaves, at first, were denied the gift of Christianity. Masters were eventually convinced that the faith could be taught to “their property” to encourage them to accept their lot in life and … More Black Gospel Music & The Orthodox Church: A Need To Seek Common Ground
February is the month where we take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans. Some of us also recognize noteworthy kings and queens of Africa as well. It is not unusual to have church bulitien boards filled with pictures of great religious leaders from Richard Allen (founder of the African Methodist Episcopal … More Black History Month: Come and See
Desert Fathers Dispatch 