Tag Archives: Living in the World

Nativity Fast and Thanksgiving Turkey

By Fr. Luke | Published: November 23, 2010

On November 25 America celebrates Thanksgiving Day which has a very significant role in American families because it is one of the few times a year that the family gets together. Thanksgiving Day is also called a Turkey day because it usually involves a meal with turkey or at least a more elaborate meal. Most [...]

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The Orthodox Way of Life

By Fr. Luke | Published: October 4, 2010

Orthodoxy is not merely a ritual, or belief, or pattern of behavior, or anything else that a man may possess, thinking that he is thereby a Christian, and still being spiritually dead. It is rather an elemental reality or power which transforms a man and gives him the strength to live in the most difficult [...]

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Behavior During Divine Services

By Fr. Luke | Published: March 3, 2010

Q: “How should Christians stand in church during services, how should they pray, and what duties do they have when they go to church?” A: Christians should stand in church with faith, fear of God, and attention. They should force themselves as much as possible to pray without distraction and with feeling of heart. Also, [...]

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Why do we have our homes blessed?

By Fr. Luke | Published: January 19, 2010

Orthodox Christians have prayers of blessing for just about everything. From religious articles such as icons and vestments, to things like fields, flowers, barns, and animals. We even bless cars, boats and journeys. It is also our custom to bless our homes each year. Buy why? Certainly everything that our All-good God created was good—in [...]

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Things to remember for house blessings at Theophany

By Fr. Luke | Published: January 18, 2010

If possible every member of the family should gather, properly attired, for the Priest’s visit. At your home altar, or on the dining room table place a clean cloth, a lit candle and a Theophany icon or icon of Christ. You may also have incense prepared and ready if you like. Many people also like [...]

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Church Attendance

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 14, 2009

When the time comes, and especially the time put aside for God and His temple, a Feast Day or the hour of Divine Services, hurry to tear your self away from business and worldly cares and voluntarily and zealously offer yourself to God in His church. When you enter the church bring to mind the [...]

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The Practice of Virtue Within the Family

By Fr. Luke | Published: August 24, 2007

— Geronta, how can a husband become practiced in the virtues? — God will give him opportunities. Many men, however, after asking God to give them opportunities to practice the virtues, grumble when they are faced with a certain difficulty. For example, sometimes the Good God, in His boundless love, and in order to provide [...]

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