Category: African-American Orthodox

Living an Orthodox African-American Christian Life: Ancient Iconography for Evangelism

January 20, 2022

There is no shortage of people who use white images of Jesus Christ to support the idea that blacks should turn away from the Christian faith in favor of some form of Islam, Hebrew Israelitism, or some other faith based on a traditional African religion. It is not hard to find the presence of brown … More Living an Orthodox African-American Christian Life: Ancient Iconography for Evangelism

Living an Orthodox Christian African-American Life: A Meaning of Malcolm X

November 18, 2021

Malcolm X was an influence for me to become an Orthodox Christian. Born the son of a preacher, Malcolm Little was disenchanted with the Christianity of his time as he developed into a Harlem street hustler. While in prison, he was drawn to the teachings of the Nation of Islam which preached black separatism. Leaving … More Living an Orthodox Christian African-American Life: A Meaning of Malcolm X

Living an African-American Orthodox Christian Life: Dealing with “Bumps and Bruises”

September 28, 2021

In a recent post on Facebook, I mentioned that “There will be some bumps and bruises in some parishes for black Inquirers.” Over thirty years after a wave of evangelicals converted to Orthodox Christianity under the Antiochians, the hurdle of ethnicity can still be daunting for anyone seeking the faith. Along with that are the … More Living an African-American Orthodox Christian Life: Dealing with “Bumps and Bruises”

Living an African-American Orthodox Christian Life: Maintaining Our Musical Heritage

December 29, 2020

One thing that keeps black people from inquiring about and becoming catechist of the Orthodox Church is a lack of music that we are familiar with.  Growing up Baptist, we never heard of Byzantine or Slavonic tones.  I was working a summer job when I met someone from the Greek Orthodox Church and it was … More Living an African-American Orthodox Christian Life: Maintaining Our Musical Heritage

2019 St. Moses Conference: The Broader Scope of the Ancient Faith

November 19, 2019

It never ceases to amaze me how the Ancient Faith & Afro-American Conference brings us all together.  So many of us have now been a part of these Brotherhood gatherings that we have made the event a family reunion and homecoming combined.  It is the only time when one can see an African-American priest of … More 2019 St. Moses Conference: The Broader Scope of the Ancient Faith

Ancient Christianity and Afro-American Conference 2018: A Sober Joy

October 15, 2018

I grew up with traditional black Baptist revivals. Over the years, I’ve been to various conferences and services of different races and denominations. No matter what the event, there always seemed to be a push to get some sort of “high.”  Perhaps from the keynote speaker, music concert, prayer session, something was supposed to give … More Ancient Christianity and Afro-American Conference 2018: A Sober Joy

Where Do We Go From Here: A Reflection from the BSMB Conference

October 12, 2017

One thing I can say about being a black Orthodox Christian and among the leadership in the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black, is that there is always a reason to go forward beyond worldly standards. That my aim, our aim as Christians, is to live as citizens of the eternal kingdom while in the … More Where Do We Go From Here: A Reflection from the BSMB Conference

The Need to Know

June 28, 2017

(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

St. Moses Conference: Advice from the Bishop

October 14, 2016

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