Notice, I call him, “Abba,” parenthetically because “Old Man Fisher” was a well known preacher among the Great Dismal Swamp Maroons. He was a self absconded enslaved man as those he ministered to. I’m not sure and have no record if the old man became one of the deep interior Maroons who had no interactions … More “Abba” Fisher: Determination in the Spiritual Life
The Black Preacher is someone who is well known in American History. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jessie Jackson, Adam Clayton Powell come to mind for most of us. Scholars will even point to such men as Bishop Richard Allen, Gowan Pamphlet, and others. Let me add one other name to your mind. A … More Old Man Fisher: Abba of the Great Dismal Swamp
“If a monk does not think in his heart he is a sinner, God will not hear him. … When someone is occupied with his own faults, he does not see those of his neighbor.” from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers ‘Ah, this is a lesson for monks and nuns only. I don’t have … More Lessons from St Moses: Attending to Our Own Faults
If a man’s deeds are not in harmony with his prayer, he prays in vain. … We should no longer do those things against which we pray. – from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers This word from Abba Moses seems simple enough. Don’t keep doing the wrong that you want to overcome. Despite the … More Lessons from St. Moses: Prayer and Practice
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 In time, Moses became one of the sought after Desert Fathers for his spiritual wisdom. Two visitors from Gaul, Germanos and John Cassian – who would later be recognized as a saint himself, came to Sketis to learn from him and others … More Lessons of St. Moses: Pursuing Purity
Imagine a man who has been the Pastor of a Protestant denomination for over 15 years secretly studying Orthodox Christianity and practicing a prayer rule. He’s highly regarded by the community and peers in the ministry for his character and teaching and preaching ability. Yet he comes to a point where he can no longer … More Lessons of St. Moses: Embracing Humility
In every story of Moses, we see him ready to make the change from being a bandit to a monastic. It took time and effort to become one of the most notorious criminals of his time. He would also go through a strenuous process to gain the spiritual wisdom and saintly example that would be … More Lessons of St. Moses: Seize the Time
Referring back to the movie Moses the Black; I’m thinking about the main character’s grandmother. I’ll assume she was an Orthodox Christian, although I don’t know too many Churches in an inner city. The hero hadn’t had the time nor put in the effort to be fully catechized and brought into the faith. Yet, his … More Lessons of St. Moses: The Good Seed
As expected, members of my parish wanted to know my opinion of the movie, “Moses the Black.” As an African American clergyman and a longtime member of the Fellowship of St. Moses, I guess my opinion would carry some sort of weight. I’m not a cinematographer or director of any sort. I’ve seen the lead … More Lessons of St. Moses: Redemption
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” Matthew 28:19 This was the great commission Jesus Christ gave to the eleven disciples after His resurrection. Likewise, the 120 men and women followers who received the gift of languages in the upper room on Pentecost (Acts 1:15, 2:1-4), in particular the 70 (Luke 10:1) obeyed … More St. Simon the Zealot: Universal Origins of Orthodox Christianity
Desert Fathers Dispatch 