Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
I have a little print-paper icon of St. Moses of Ethiopia that I use as a bookmark. It is currently in use as I read My Life in Christ by St. John of Kronstadt as part of my bedroom prayer rule. On the…
Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
Dear Friends and Neighbors, On the first Sunday of December, 2013, I saddened and surprised many of you when I announced that I was leaving the Baptist pulpit and Protestant Christianity. To make the shock even more unbelievable, I converted to Orthodox Christianity;…
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
Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
“…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief …” From Paul’s First Letter to Timothy 1:15 “O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in thy sight.” From the First Prayer…
The 22nd Annual Ancient Faith Afro-American (St. Moses the Black) Conference has come and gone. I thank God for my good friend and mother in the faith, Sarah, for saving me from making the trip by Greyhound as I did two years ago. We had blessed conversations on the road and gained a greater understanding … More A Reflection from the 22nd Annual Ancient Faith Afro-American Conference: Go Into The Deep
The goal of our profession is the kingdom of God. Its immediate purpose, however, is purity of heart, for without this we cannot reach our goal. We should therefore always have this purpose in mind … St. Moses from St. John Cassian’s On the Holy Fathers of Sketis (Philokalia vol. I) For anyone that thinks … More St. Moses: The Immediate Purpose of the Christian
I just started reading “On the Prayer of Jesus” by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. I got hooked on the work of this 19th century bishop after reading “The Arena” during Great Lent. Aside from his wise instruction to monastics which are applicable to us in the regular world, Brianchaninov frequently referred back to several African fathers … More The Jesus Prayer: A Blood-bond
“As a minister of the gospel, I am ashamed to say that eleven o’clock on Sunday morning … is the most segregated hour in America, and Sunday school is the most segregated school of the week.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are killing ourselves I had a few people talk behind my back when … More Some Sunday Morning
Many thanks again to the St. Andrews Orthodox Church in Ashland for their warm hospitality. Thanks also to the members of the Trinity Baptist Church in West Point (my former congregation) for their attendance. It is my prayer that we will continue to continue to dialogue with one another and evangelize based on our holy … More A Day of Bridge Building
I have wanted to speak on the subject for a couple of years now. Thanks to Father Adam Sexton, I have been given the opportunity to explain how there is material for African-Americans and the Orthodox Church to reach out to one another. I intend to post video of the presentation. If not, I will … More Building The Bridge: Martin Luther King Day Speaking Engagement
Desert Fathers Dispatch 