One of the first books I received when I converted to the Orthodox Church was “The Sayings of the Desert Fathers.” Only briefly in Malcolm X’s autobiography did I see any mention that we should even consider knowing about them. I have read and been familiar with black liberation theology. But, authors such as … More The Desert Fathers: A Sad Omission of the Black Church
I recently attended the Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers Service at St. Constantine & Helen in Newport News, VA. It was a blessing to see the clergy of our various jurisdictions from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach gather together to commemorate and worship one of the great high points of our faith. That we affirm the … More Orthodox Evangelism & the African-American Community: A Two Way Street
Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
I have a friend who is considering becoming an Orthodox Christian. She is African-American and is concerned that by joining the Orthodox Church that she would be turning her back on black culture. While she likes everything about the ancient faith, she notices…
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
Desert Fathers Dispatch 