Category: racial reconciliation

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

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

July Meeting: Carthage and the Faith of Outsiders

July 25, 2018

The Brotherhood of St. Moses in Virginia met on July 24th at St. Basil Orthodox Church in Hampton to pray the Canon of Racial Reconciliation and a small Compline.  For a reflection of early African Christianity, I pointed to Carthage.  For those who forgot, or paid no attention in high school world history; Carthage was … More July Meeting: Carthage and the Faith of Outsiders

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

Reconciliation: Ambassadors of the Greater Kingdom

November 7, 2016

Tomorrow is the end of the road (I hope) to the most contentious presidential campaign of my lifetime.  Many things have already been said about both of the major party candidates, the question of why third parties are not given an equal public platform, and how some groups will respond if the results do not … More Reconciliation: Ambassadors of the Greater Kingdom

Reconciliation: Consistency over Complacency

October 18, 2016

Recently, the VABSMB and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church have started praying Compline and the Canon of Racial Reconciliation on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm.  A half hour of prayer is not the same as getting out in the streets to protest, or lobbying a legislature.  While no town is perfect, Williamsburg’s racial climate is … More Reconciliation: Consistency over Complacency

Looking Beyond “The Other” to “One Another”

September 23, 2016

I was blessed to give a talk on Orthodoxy and Racial Reconciliation at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. A greater blessing came from the sermon preached by Fr. John Manuel who expressed the deep need for Christians to look beyond differences of race and class to love each other with open hearts. … More Looking Beyond “The Other” to “One Another”