Tag: 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

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

Evangelism Across Boundaries: A Welcoming Heart

February 23, 2018

Fr. Moses Berry, the president of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black, has often been asked for advice about sharing the Orthodox faith with African-Americans. He frequently responds, “You evangelize to blacks the same way you would to whites or anyone else.  You make them feel welcome in your parish.”  In this divisive and … More Evangelism Across Boundaries: A Welcoming Heart

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”