tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28450351778584279262024-03-05T05:39:32.034-08:00Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church LibraryBuffalo, NYHOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-80854034225395894852022-07-31T05:48:00.001-07:002022-07-31T05:50:23.538-07:00Book Discussion (Date TBA) Dialogues with Patriarch Athenagoras<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0THkmHTs2WHynxW-gyl0SwAyHysTbkUhWu89LQQNCMMosUt9dONR2eNoREPx0d7p5ddMMxu1fWXSCMZ-Th9OSkvGeVCX7YYw_j-KchqBM4qkPCMrvYeu3wSIrMKL051z50kKkmN32USmspArkuz-IVVQwkPYBLn7D_8qzl67IY4qoDwJqzAQz-k3/s859/Athenagoras-Cover.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0THkmHTs2WHynxW-gyl0SwAyHysTbkUhWu89LQQNCMMosUt9dONR2eNoREPx0d7p5ddMMxu1fWXSCMZ-Th9OSkvGeVCX7YYw_j-KchqBM4qkPCMrvYeu3wSIrMKL051z50kKkmN32USmspArkuz-IVVQwkPYBLn7D_8qzl67IY4qoDwJqzAQz-k3/s320/Athenagoras-Cover.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><p>From the Foreword by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros</p>Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras is one of those rare hierarchs who has shaped profoundly and permanently the destiny of world Orthodoxy. Throughout the twentieth century, from his ministry on Kerkyra (Corfu), in America, and ultimately as Ecumenical Patriarch, his initiatives and determination to serve the most vulnerable as a fundamental expression of our Christian faith, have proved an inspiration for many Christians, regardless of denomination or confession, over many generations. Fifty years after his repose, Orthodox Christianity sill lives into his vision. <p></p><p>The translation of these unique <i>Dialogues with Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras </i> was long overdue. I am particulary happy that this publication is taking place during the centennial celebration of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In deed, before his election to the See of the Mother church of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras presided over vital developments of Orthodoxy in America for over a decade, profoundly shaping the identity and nature of our presence in this country. </p>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-17246016125334546402022-06-04T10:09:00.001-07:002022-06-04T10:09:14.243-07:00July 14, 2002 7:00 PM Book Discussion: Hymn of Entry Family Life Center<p> </p><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">By </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #396774; font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Archimandrite Vasileios</span></p><p></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></p><p></p><h2></h2><h3><ul><li><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT19RuU83pRNHYzxJxgjZXe5FH1DODiVN4cClO_aOJo_Y2To3jMyGqm9v6zyFFtfAri7PpXlPO5ruS0vNfNd69cBuNKUV-5df_B-J90jmA2cvLIebICKgYGH3hvdx7vS8-Qmu6kLcHV8r_h0YfO-fegacqVNnCWPiSxbfDeTLjWj076-Wscc53zlKc/s869/Hymn%20of%20Entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT19RuU83pRNHYzxJxgjZXe5FH1DODiVN4cClO_aOJo_Y2To3jMyGqm9v6zyFFtfAri7PpXlPO5ruS0vNfNd69cBuNKUV-5df_B-J90jmA2cvLIebICKgYGH3hvdx7vS8-Qmu6kLcHV8r_h0YfO-fegacqVNnCWPiSxbfDeTLjWj076-Wscc53zlKc/w205-h320/Hymn%20of%20Entry.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ul></h3><p></p><p></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />Theology, as seen by Archimandrite Vasileios, is by its very essence liturgical; it is not a philosophy or a system but the expression of the church's mystical life:</span></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 16.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;">"The first Christians lived their theology totally and with the whole of their bodies, just as they are baptized with the whole of their body and soul into the new life ... Thus their liturgical gatherings were an initiation into the mystery of theology ... The mystery of theology was celebrated in their lives, and they attained to the knowledge which is eternal life."</span><span style="color: #396774;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 16.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;">Bishop Kallistos (Ware) states in his foreword:</span></em><span style="color: #396774;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 16.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;">[Hymn of Entry] offers nothing less than a fresh vision of theology, the church and the world, a vision that is both original and yet genuinely traditional. The quality that characterizes this remarkable book is above all a sense of wholeness. The unity of the divine and human in the incarnate Christ, the unity of heaven and earth in the Divine Liturgy, the unity between theology and spirituality, between theology and life - such are the author's master-themes.</span></em><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #396774;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: rgb(241, 245, 245); margin: 16.5pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><strong><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;">About the Author</span></strong><span style="color: #396774; font-size: 13.5pt;">: Archimandrite Vasileios is the Abbot of Stavronikita Monastery on Mount Athos. He is regarded as the pioneer of the movement which led to the modern revival of monasticism on the Holy Mountain.</span><span style="color: #396774;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Book Discussion will be held at the Family Life Center 7:00 PM July 14, 2022.</span><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The book is available in the church bookstore and library. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Please note: It is strongly encouraged to discuss spiritual material with your spiritual father, father confessor or spiritual mother. </span></p>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-79992728090158883432022-04-10T11:43:00.002-07:002022-04-10T11:45:05.045-07:00 First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew<p><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Frederica Mathews-Green<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each
Wednesday during Lent the church community met at the Family Life Center after
the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner. Following
dinner, Father Christos lead a discussion of a few chapters of </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">First
Fruits of Prayer: A Forty Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx2ox_Prp40_caUNeArPCaDir0yMmj36ODo6pGUoRUJY6yqCfKX55dZeq_8twWj6ZIB7ZrvnfL90IMYRA8JIaTuowsAhnbRLZjGTisXD4fwlEI_hYxFfLInCiHXhQOvk5grTbSRlQt2cobBRhdOKj3an-Wery5zlLV6SzIq-siDzUQphmT57Ws4qq/s200/Canon%20of%20St.%20Andrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="133" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLx2ox_Prp40_caUNeArPCaDir0yMmj36ODo6pGUoRUJY6yqCfKX55dZeq_8twWj6ZIB7ZrvnfL90IMYRA8JIaTuowsAhnbRLZjGTisXD4fwlEI_hYxFfLInCiHXhQOvk5grTbSRlQt2cobBRhdOKj3an-Wery5zlLV6SzIq-siDzUQphmT57Ws4qq/s1600/Canon%20of%20St.%20Andrew.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />Adapted from the introduction: The Great Canon of St. Andrew of
Crete is a prayerful hymn of epic length, which is offered in a Lenten worship
service every year in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was written by the 8<sup>th</sup>
century St. Andrew, a leading figure of early Christian hymnography. St. Andrew
built up his Canon while taking to heart lessons from Scripture urging him to
love God more completely. The work is very personal and may have been written
for his own personal use. But it was taken up broadly and used every Lent in
the Eastern Church. Through rigorous self-examination, St. Andrew shows us a
path to repentance. The book is arranged into 40 readings, one for each day of
Lent. Each reading is accompanied by commentary and suggested meditations. The
Appendix includes the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, Lenten intercessor. <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The commentrary by Mathews-Green is very helpful. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
book is available in the church bookstore and library. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Please note: It is strongly
encouraged to discuss spiritual material with your spiritual father, father
confessor or spiritual mother.</span></p>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-49780763014313109462022-01-15T13:13:00.004-08:002022-01-15T13:14:39.566-08:00The Religion of the Apostles: Book Discussion January 20, 2022 6:30 Family Life Center and Zoom<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr_DXw8Y0bZ9ee4U-_Og_Ou3JOjBH7PE63hEzZiI9sAy_RUy4uObms5x53BT0u1idJazkNvWMo7pYKlpKzAgo2DiZQALMe6I29HOk_hne891u-bhGZNjQuljGCIDg6Q2MKouu5kq6_lbXeWcE32XSNIwkCJp5v7vjv2QsYIOsupPf280imKm4CG1a6=s1257" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="813" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr_DXw8Y0bZ9ee4U-_Og_Ou3JOjBH7PE63hEzZiI9sAy_RUy4uObms5x53BT0u1idJazkNvWMo7pYKlpKzAgo2DiZQALMe6I29HOk_hne891u-bhGZNjQuljGCIDg6Q2MKouu5kq6_lbXeWcE32XSNIwkCJp5v7vjv2QsYIOsupPf280imKm4CG1a6=s320" width="207" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;">"In the twenty-fourth
chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel we are told how Cleopas and his companion were met
by the risen Christ while walking to Emmaus. In the ensuing conversation we are
told how Jesus 'explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that
were about Himself' (Luke 24:27). This passage, together with the event of the
descent of the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost, has been taken by the Church
to indicate that from those events forward, the apostles had a complete and
coherent Faith to pass on for the conversion of the world. In contrast, much
scholarship in recent times has maintained the view that instead of being whole
from the beginning, Church doctrine - particularly Christology - 'developed' to
its definitive statements by the Great Councils. In contrast to these claims,
Fr. Stephen De Young here presents forceful arguments to show that the Faith of
the apostles was indeed complete from the beginning and was simply refined to
meet heretical challenges. It is well worth reading." - <strong><span style="font-family: Roboto; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">+Melchisedek</span></strong>, Archbishop of Pittsburgh &
Western Pennsylvania. Orthodox Church in America</span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book discussion will be presented on Zoom
and in person at 6:30 p.m. January 20 at the Family Life Center. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book is available in the church bookstore
and library. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is strongly encouraged that spiritual
material be discussed with your spiritual father, father confessor or spiritual
mother. </span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-79209930275568805862022-01-15T13:09:00.000-08:002022-01-15T13:09:30.919-08:00The Way of the Ascetics<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbfPaYAICwLlvFqa8CHgIfW96WMthLoLEknffmOYtxZhtsHDOTkh_Cm8iO-N40C-gGiw8Aw27HCWbJF16jtdDqsiIO3Y84pwxubd0l1I1DwUqrSUZVUwkksGwtSDir1IGjrSDjq0PQHo0L2Bh5fl3Wc9QfwhDJ8ZWV8i1R2dxdXzFO312_MB3xlALG=s806" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbfPaYAICwLlvFqa8CHgIfW96WMthLoLEknffmOYtxZhtsHDOTkh_Cm8iO-N40C-gGiw8Aw27HCWbJF16jtdDqsiIO3Y84pwxubd0l1I1DwUqrSUZVUwkksGwtSDir1IGjrSDjq0PQHo0L2Bh5fl3Wc9QfwhDJ8ZWV8i1R2dxdXzFO312_MB3xlALG=s320" width="220" /></a></i></div><i><br />The
Way of the Ascetics</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is a rich, compact introduction for
modern readers to the Eastern Christian spiritual tradition that has been an
inspiration to millions for centuries. These compassionate and insightful
reflections on self-control and inner peace are meant to lead the readers to
fuller union with God. The author makes a generous selection of succinct yet
profound extracts from the spirtitual Fathers and provides and illuminating
commentary and practical applications for daily devotion and practical
applications for devotion. He tempers austerity with warmth, and even humor as
he urges us on our journey toward God. Written for laypersons living fully in
the world as much as for clergy, <i>Way of the Ascetics</i> is an excellent
resource for daily meditation, authentic spiritual guidance, and revitalized
religious life. <span style="background: white; color: black;">Please note: It is
always recommended that spiritual literature be discussed with your spiritual
father or mother, or father confessor (or book discussion!). <o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">he
book discussion was held following the 6:00 p.m. service of the
Paraklesis to the Theotokos in the Family Life Center. is available in the
church bookstore and library. <o:p></o:p></span></p>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-86490283436764326932021-04-04T14:18:00.005-07:002021-04-04T14:18:48.898-07:00Book Discussion: Thinking Orthodox: Understanding and Acquiring the Orthodox Christian Mind<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBPPKnN52aF6PfVBTt3icr8hcpEGnd4wskVZiSYGCm8zeBdbnto-Scyw3Fb8cDiNPkY4WM8FsOnNVZF9MiKzCnZx6hTvSD0pbO70lr5RJDI8wxNKyXXSW_WR-7XH6RpeO5CG8Lxgo0gs/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="405" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBPPKnN52aF6PfVBTt3icr8hcpEGnd4wskVZiSYGCm8zeBdbnto-Scyw3Fb8cDiNPkY4WM8FsOnNVZF9MiKzCnZx6hTvSD0pbO70lr5RJDI8wxNKyXXSW_WR-7XH6RpeO5CG8Lxgo0gs/" width="160" /></a></div><br /> What does it mean to “Think Orthodox”? Orthodox Christianity is based on preserving the mind of the early Church, its phronema. Dr. Eugenia Constantinou brings her more than forty-years’ experience as a Professor, Bible teacher, and speaker to bear in explaining what the Orthodox phronema is, how it can be acquired, and how that phronema is expressed in true Orthodox Theology. Reviews: “Orthodox Christians, living in the West, have a need to be grounded in the phronema of Orthodoxy as we are tossed about as a minority group of Christians in a sea of religious and secular voices that can lead us away from the true faith. So much confusion and private opinion surrounds us and we need to have a light to guide us to a safe harbor. In Thinking Orthodox we have such a light. It is a joy to read and a treasure to have.” - Archpriest Chad Hatfield, D. Min, D.D., President & Professor of Pastoral Theology, St. Vladimir’s Seminary. “Becoming Orthodox is difficult, especially for non-Orthodox, Western Christians. Many inquirers are drawn to Orthodoxy’s liturgical beauty, historical continuity, and theological stability. These are relatively easy to appreciate and access. However, the challenge is in acquiring a truly Orthodox way of thinking. This is precisely where Dr. Constantinou’s book is a godsend. As a convert myself, I spent years trying to shoe-horn Orthodox theology into my Protestant categories. It was futile exercise; the more I tried, the more frustrated I became. In this powerful book, Dr. Constantinou demonstrates why this was the case and why it doesn’t work. More importantly, she explains exactly how anyone can acquire an Orthodox mind. The book is …. easily accessible to anyone who desires to become fully Orthodox.” - Dn. Michael Hyatt, New York Times Bestselling Author Deepen your experience of Great Lent by attending the Lenten Book Discussion, via Zoom, from 7:00 PM-8:30 PM. Join us on Tuesday, March 30, April 6, and April 13, 2021. The book is available in the Church Narthex and the Library. Please note: It is always recommended that spiritual literature be discussed with your Spiritual Father or Mother, or Father ConfessorHOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-77563786850441784302020-08-02T09:42:00.003-07:002020-10-07T09:23:18.964-07:00October 22, 2020 Virtual Book Discussion: For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #131516; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3xQfDhqow3hqM0VdXU-ce2kakxzwh-v6Nhm4zsNxD22LZpl4Ql0h61DbWigSkXcT9sdRGjLck6gvnrjR__SQStLiMGqzQ7vqs4uyvlWSRhhP7AKLL_eEzakQHArTPSmvzH8LUV5FOKY/s681/Almsgiving.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="471" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3xQfDhqow3hqM0VdXU-ce2kakxzwh-v6Nhm4zsNxD22LZpl4Ql0h61DbWigSkXcT9sdRGjLck6gvnrjR__SQStLiMGqzQ7vqs4uyvlWSRhhP7AKLL_eEzakQHArTPSmvzH8LUV5FOKY/w283-h410/Almsgiving.png" width="283" /></a></div>“Orthodox
Christians sometimes feel, as they do all the 'right things'—pray, fast,
worship, etc.—without experiencing the change of heart they desire. A fuller
understanding of almsgiving can reshape and renew both the believer and the
corporate Church.” (read more here: <span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.goarch.org/prayer-articles/-/asset_publisher/zg5D5ENaCTK9/content/the-disconnected-cross-philanthropy-and-almsgivi-1">https://www.goarch.org/prayer-articles/-/asset_publisher/zg5D5ENaCTK9/content/the-disconnected-cross-philanthropy-and-almsgivi-1</a>)</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #131516; font-size: 11.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The book selection
approved by Fr. Christos for the next Book Discussion is <i>For the Life of the
World:</i> <i>Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church </i>that was just
released with the blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew. It offers timely perspectives regarding almsgiving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Press release: This publication, edited by eminent theologians
Dr. David Bentley Hart and Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, imparts a roadmap for
navigating modern-day challenges with the wisdom of the Orthodox spiritual
tradition. It delves into such critical issues as <u>racism, poverty,
injustice, human rights, reproductive technology, bioethics, and climate change</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The book is the culmination of the work of a special commission
of theologians appointed by His All-Holiness to prepare a document on the
social doctrine of the Orthodox Church. The commission included Dr. James C.
Skedros, Michael G. and Anastasia Cantonis Professor of Byzantine Studies and
Professor of Early Christianity at Holy Cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America concludes his
foreword to the book by saying, “This text offers to the reader, …, insight and
guidance on how to participate in life in the world, all the while enjoying
life in the Spirit. It is my prayer and hope that its enlightened discourse
will spur all of us to lift our sights to our higher purpose, to the better
angels of our nature, and to richer and deeper communion with God and with one
another.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the Life of the World</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> can be purchased in the narthex prior to Sunday liturgy, borrowed from the church library, or ordered
online or by phone from Holy Cross Bookstore at </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.holycrossbookstore.com/"><span style="color: #98012e; font-size: 11pt;">www.holycrossbookstore.com</span></a></span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> or 1-800-245-0599. Email inquiries should be sent to <a href="mailto:bookstore@hchc.edu">bookstore@hchc.edu</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent by Fr.
Christos. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Please note: It is strongly encouraged that spiritual
material be discussed with your spiritual father, father confessor or spiritual
mother. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-43022485535788694982020-05-16T15:40:00.000-07:002020-05-20T14:08:58.373-07:00Book Discussion: July 16, 2020 7:00 PM via Zoom: Letters to St. Olympias: Consolation of a Soul in Exile<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uTwh6YjNkaTdXCozRkBySPg_lubgFkCtcx91CCushPnUSpuWNIlq10W29YYBXkozSrAIT-4igKv9Z-zWmTmUADo0pauw2K9YIYgz6J0w_8Pqebu54dPCJf7DN98bfYl-2_NCed_AYl8/s1600/ST.+Olympias.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uTwh6YjNkaTdXCozRkBySPg_lubgFkCtcx91CCushPnUSpuWNIlq10W29YYBXkozSrAIT-4igKv9Z-zWmTmUADo0pauw2K9YIYgz6J0w_8Pqebu54dPCJf7DN98bfYl-2_NCed_AYl8/s320/ST.+Olympias.png" width="211" /></a></div>
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE ABOVE<br />
St. John Chrysostom's incomparable uplifting words offer spiritual restoration alleviating the deepest anguishes in life. After Saint John's exile to Armenia, Saint Olympias undertook the defense of his cause and was sent into exile to Nicomedia, where Chrysostom sent her wonderful letters of consolation, exhorting her to endure the trials and injustice with faith and patience. Chrysostom's letters to Olympias, revitalizing consolations of a soul in exile, are incomparable encouragements demonstrating to every person suffering adversity how fortitude in even the most extreme difficulties is born from love for God. During this COVID-19 trial, let's learn from St. John how the love of God can work in our lives.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We will be discussing <i>Letters to St. Olympias: Consolation of a Soul in Exile</i> July 16, 2020 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The Zoom invitation will be sent by Father Christos one week prior to the date. Please order the book directly from St. Anthony’s Monastery ($8 +): <a href="https://shop.stanthonysmonastery.org/letters-to-saint-olympias.html">https://shop.stanthonysmonastery.org/letters-to-saint-olympias.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please be advised that spiritual material should be discussed with your Spiritual Father, Father Confessor, or Spiritual Mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-19904261524867822102020-02-02T14:00:00.000-08:002020-02-02T14:00:30.106-08:00Lent Book Discussion: The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life at the Family Life Center<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Orthodox
Book Discussion</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lent Discussion Book<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and
Monastic Life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<em><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.5pt; font-style: normal;">by
Ignatius Brianchaninov, with a Foreword by Kallistos Ware<o:p></o:p></span></b></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXuHpObZhr41h7daWeG8gtn7j6pB9rXAaovrIRBGG6Wcf7W_ERFw31HQVtYu2mIDYz7UnqdfNHUI21KzLJZ4BOQALV9kduyc6KFhv8PpcRq_vUAJ4M2crFQaCfyDMG7d_3iql6TE7dzI/s1600/The+Arena.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXuHpObZhr41h7daWeG8gtn7j6pB9rXAaovrIRBGG6Wcf7W_ERFw31HQVtYu2mIDYz7UnqdfNHUI21KzLJZ4BOQALV9kduyc6KFhv8PpcRq_vUAJ4M2crFQaCfyDMG7d_3iql6TE7dzI/s320/The+Arena.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each Wednesday during
Lent the church community will meet after the Liturgy of Presantified gifts for
a Lenten pot-luck dinner at the Family Life Center. Following dinner, Father
Christos will lead a discussion of a few chapters of </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Arena.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Regarding <i>The Arena </i>from the bookseller: <span style="background: white; color: black;">One of the most important texts of Eastern
Orthodox Christian teaching on the spiritual life, this book draws upon the
ascetic and mystical doctrine of the Greek Fathers and greats of the Orthodox
Christian Church. In an age alienated from spiritual culture and rooted in
materialism, these teachings pose both a challenge and an invitation to those
seeking heightened spirituality. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the Metropolitan Kallistos Ware’s foreword: But
for the Orthodox, the Bible does not stand in isolation. There are also the
Fathers—The Arena Contains many stories of the Desert Fathers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Ignatius writes, “Here I have indicated
how we should use the writings of the ancients and adapt them to modern
conditions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: black;">St.
I</span><span style="color: black;">gnatius Brianchaninov was a 19th-century monk
and the abbot of the St. Sergius Monastery in St. Petersburg, Russia. Kallistos
Timothy Ware is an Orthodox Bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of
Constantinople and the retired Spalding Lecturer in Eastern Orthodox Studies at
Pembroke College, University of Oxford. He is best-known as the author of the
classic text <em style="outline: none;">The Orthodox Church.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Deep your
experience of Lent by attending the Liturgies of the Presantified Gifts and
Lenten Book Discussion. Join us: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 4,
March 11, March 18, March 25, and April 1. The Liturgy of the Presantified
Gifts is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. and the Lenten Potluck and discussion at 7:00
P.M. The book is available in the church bookstore and library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Please note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is strongly encouraged that spiritual
material be discussed with your spiritual father, father confessor or spiritual
mother. </span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-72749260699320004832019-09-08T17:22:00.000-07:002019-09-08T17:22:44.979-07:00October 24, 2019 Book Discussion: The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society 7:00 P.M. Family Life Center<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX_GyjzCcobUINMFX2VYwK6TmMNrY5hIPMabAO2V_j2QrI8ksdgw9RhjT7dZJA6JYA6qJv2tEckmpDv1t_aXCNeJjqKUPqItbF_JMp9tgCt0H8iGBIoKzp2U6fvf6fkn2WG_3ud6QYbo/s1600/9780884653738_p0_v1_s600x595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX_GyjzCcobUINMFX2VYwK6TmMNrY5hIPMabAO2V_j2QrI8ksdgw9RhjT7dZJA6JYA6qJv2tEckmpDv1t_aXCNeJjqKUPqItbF_JMp9tgCt0H8iGBIoKzp2U6fvf6fkn2WG_3ud6QYbo/s320/9780884653738_p0_v1_s600x595.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The kingdom of God is said
to be within us. It is a spiritual place where peace and calm reigns. It is a
place where we meet God. Why then, does peace and calm so often elude us? </span><span style="color: #21282d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><i>The
Struggle for Virtue:</i> </span><span style="color: #21282d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society </i></span></span><span style="background-color: #f2f2f1; color: #21282d; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">offers direction.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F2F2F1; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F2F2F1; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">From the bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F2F2F1; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F2F2F1; color: #21282d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Archbishop Averky
addresses head on the question, “What is asceticism?” He counters the many
false understandings that exist and shows that the practice of authentic
asceticism is integral to the spiritual life and the path to blessed communion
with God.</span> <span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Archbishop
Averky is considered one of the great scholars of 20th-century Orthodoxy and
this book brings to the English-speaking world his answer to the question
"What is asceticism?" A bearer of the saving doctrine of the
Patristic teaching, he steadfastly defended traditional Orthodoxy and passed on
this teaching through his commentaries on Scripture and other works in showing
how evil is rooted out and virtue is implanted in the soul, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="background-color: transparent; color: #21282d;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The Struggle for
Virtue</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> will be available in the
church bookstore and library. Please note: It is strongly encouraged to discuss spiritual
material with your spiritual father, father confessor or spiritual mother.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f2f2f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #21282d;"> </span></span></span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-76019143541985594032019-07-03T06:25:00.000-07:002019-07-03T06:25:43.672-07:00August 2019 Book Discussion: Balaam’s Donkey: Random Ruminations for Every Day of the Year<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAzLqZr73wUdconNaYkQD4B8GuRfI5d4nJRQNsHqFkuQ5BDjuAK_NRYGvoryCbIRcHq4hnLEyrxalsiwH5buhP_SmKMpIeKMcVEmbkUX2qcSiiKoTQWCnYvf8bwnaDgnALqcxYUOfmS0/s1600/417H8urTfUL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAzLqZr73wUdconNaYkQD4B8GuRfI5d4nJRQNsHqFkuQ5BDjuAK_NRYGvoryCbIRcHq4hnLEyrxalsiwH5buhP_SmKMpIeKMcVEmbkUX2qcSiiKoTQWCnYvf8bwnaDgnALqcxYUOfmS0/s320/417H8urTfUL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Church Fathers and Mothers advise
reading spiritual books as one means of spiritual development. In these
fast-paced contemporary times, the comment is often made that there is no time
to read spiritual books. Father Christos has selected a book for the August
book discussion that may be a good answer to the time crunch. </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Balaam’s
Donkey: Random Ruminations for Every Day of the Year </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">is
a collection of short (usually 1 page) daily reflections that serve as
springboards for meditations on spiritual truths. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You might ask, “What is Balaam’s Donkey?” In the Old
Testament, Numbers 22:21-39 tells the story of Balaam, a pagan prophet, whose
donkey failed to obey Balaam when the donkey saw an angel three times. Each
time Balaam beat the donkey. The donkey then asked Balaam why he was beating
the him. What had the donkey done to Balaam? The Lord opened Balaam’s eyes
and he saw the angel too whereas previously he had been spiritually blind. God
was speaking through the donkey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Monk Michael Casey, author of </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Balaam’s Donkey</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
relays the teaching of the 8<sup>th</sup> century Palestinian Monk Dorotheos of
Gaza that God can use any channel to communicate a message. May that happen in
reading </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Balaam’s Donkey!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The book discussion will be held
immediately following the 6:00 p.m. service of the Paraklesis to the Theotokos
in the Family Life Center. </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Balaam’s Donkey </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">is available in
the church bookstore and library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Please note:
It is always recommended that spiritual literature be discussed with your
spiritual father or mother, or father confessor (or book discussion!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-15857755984485689792019-02-15T04:24:00.000-08:002019-02-15T05:02:22.150-08:00Lent 2019 Book Discussion: Ascetics in the World (Vol.1)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEkLzbHUhm-E4I2XzOXGljh2gOVVRKVfa8IhYTCjHtUfSWmP33XP1Dxr-YoaPR7PR7x4C_To1UV-3N5MQSUPKu1eUJvwQL_B3PAvukp0aCLwhGCbGhIqmg8yquDOXdN_AFFx5ainqsjU/s1600/Ascetics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEkLzbHUhm-E4I2XzOXGljh2gOVVRKVfa8IhYTCjHtUfSWmP33XP1Dxr-YoaPR7PR7x4C_To1UV-3N5MQSUPKu1eUJvwQL_B3PAvukp0aCLwhGCbGhIqmg8yquDOXdN_AFFx5ainqsjU/s1600/Ascetics.jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
Wednesday during Lent the church community will meet after the Liturgy of
Presantified Gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner in the Family Life Center.
Following dinner, Father Christos will lead a discussion of a few chapters of </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ascetics in the World.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From a bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sanctity is not the exclusive
privilege of monastics and priests, but rather a possibility for every
Christian who has correct faith, repentance, and a mindset to struggle. This
collection, by an anonymous monk on the Holy Mountain, includes the biographies
of pious clergymen and laypeople who lived in Greece from the Turkish
occupation down to today. Their strong faith and love for Christ motivated them
to keep the commandments and to undertake great ascetic struggles (fasts,
vigils, prostrations).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "philosopher" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“In this collection are presented biographies of people who lived in
various parts of Greece and other countries, and at various times in the
Turkish Occupation down to today. They were of different ages, races, and
states (clergymen or laypeople, family men or lay monastics). They each had
their character and their personal struggle, but they also had some common characteristics
between them: strong faith and great love for Christ." (from the Prologue)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "philosopher" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "philosopher" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">View the Be the Bee video regarding the
release of <i>Ascetics in the World:</i> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn9alxcXkUE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn9alxcXkUE</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We will be
meeting March 13, 20, 27, April 3 and 10. The Liturgy of the Presantified Gifts is
scheduled for 6:00 P.M. and the Lenten Potluck and discussion at 7:00 P.M at the Family Life Center. The
book is be available in the church bookstore and library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "philosopher" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please note:
It is always recommended that spiritual literature be discussed with your
spiritual father or mother, or father confessor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-7687266238545502222018-09-30T17:07:00.000-07:002018-09-30T17:07:41.431-07:00November 1, 2018 Book Discussion: I Live Again by Princess Ileana<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LrO_SU7PK2UX_SSEQe_spQWvTcnYHszbfHPwWiJ1IaZ4N89m9yc-768IjmSBEc7R76XDKI7M4DslPtwOjb5XTJf8eVApSWPl77X1rmc4DVGl9CIAtWSATBHLvdKsCBi-GVq1-A4oE5Q/s1600/i-live-again-princess-ileana-romania__39910.1528122845.190.250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LrO_SU7PK2UX_SSEQe_spQWvTcnYHszbfHPwWiJ1IaZ4N89m9yc-768IjmSBEc7R76XDKI7M4DslPtwOjb5XTJf8eVApSWPl77X1rmc4DVGl9CIAtWSATBHLvdKsCBi-GVq1-A4oE5Q/s1600/i-live-again-princess-ileana-romania__39910.1528122845.190.250.jpg" /></a><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This year marks the 50<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the consecration of the Orthodox Monastery of the
Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA. </span><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The monastery was founded by Mother Alexandra (the former Princess
Ileana of Romania) whose dream it was to provide a place for American Orthodox
women from all ethnic backgrounds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><i><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I Live Again</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">, a memoir, was re-printed this year with contemporary
annotations. It offers an engrossing first hand account of the personal trauma experienced in World War II and the path of recovery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the bookseller:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Princess Ileana wrote
this memoir shortly after relocating to the US in the 1950s. It tells the story
of a life full of suffering, tragedy, (divorce), and exile, but all is
suffused with the author's deep faith, hope, love, and even joy. This reprint
includes additional material collected by the nuns of her monastery that sets
the memoir in the context of Mother Alexandra's later life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Excerpts: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After she was exiled from Romania by the Communists…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">”Yes, to live again, because after I left home,…I was as one dead.
Not circumstances alone were hard to bear, but the need to live at all. I did
not doubt for a moment the physical necessity of my presence for my six
children; my love for them was as strong and potent as ever. But inside, the
“me” that was me independent of the mother, the wife, the friend—the essential
“me” upon which all the rest is built—suffered a mortal shock when my life was
severed from my people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My parents’
early training of me has been of great value, as has been the gift of
cheerfulness and natural love for people that has blessed my nature. But
the real strength to carry on my life, to face disappointment, and strangers,
and loneliness, to be determine to “ live again,” comes from something much
deeper within me—from the inner force which absolute faith gives.”<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-indent: 0px;"> In October, 2008 we discussed the <i>Royal Monastic, </i>Princess Ileana's biography. Visit: </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: small; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://hocalibrary.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-discussion-group-royal-monastic.html">http://hocalibrary.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-discussion-group-royal-monastic.html</a></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-indent: 0px;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white; color: #042307; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We will be
meeting November 1, 2018 in the Family
Life Center, Lancaster) at 7:00 P.M. The book is available in the church
bookstore and library.</span></div>
<br />HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-86812322178275334672018-06-11T07:17:00.002-07:002018-06-11T07:29:42.289-07:00August 13, 2018 Book Discussion: Thirsting for God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATKmehsNrwNkgLS6VWmPVs2doTtdx6uLdNkERVnXHzcs-Kt4N2NBp8Lqu4uBgtJ23sUlu4aUgURTMwhGOzIRR02bPLcLCTRfIbkwjOlc2e0TIQ-L12JlM7s7vYzXk2ThiHWlXKNxP99c/s1600/thirstingforgod-2010005216__65112.1468952580.1280.1280.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATKmehsNrwNkgLS6VWmPVs2doTtdx6uLdNkERVnXHzcs-Kt4N2NBp8Lqu4uBgtJ23sUlu4aUgURTMwhGOzIRR02bPLcLCTRfIbkwjOlc2e0TIQ-L12JlM7s7vYzXk2ThiHWlXKNxP99c/s320/thirstingforgod-2010005216__65112.1468952580.1280.1280.gif" width="205" /></a></div>
Beginning in the street ministry days of the Jesus Movement, author Matthew Gallatin devoted more than 20 years to evangelical Christian ministry. He was a singer/songwriter, worship leader, youth leader, and Calvary Chapel pastor. Nevertheless, he eventually accepted a painful reality: no matter how hard he tried, he was never able to experience the God whom he longed to know. IN encountering Orthodox Christianity, he finally found the fullness of the Faith. In <i>Thirsting for God</i>, Gallatin expresses many of the struggles a Protestant will encounter in coming face to face with Orthodoxy: such things as Protestant relativism, rationalism versus the Orthodox sacramental path to God, and the unity of Scripture and Tradition. He also discusses praying with icons, praying formal, prayers, and many other Orthodox traditions.<br />
<br />
Join us for discussion of this fascinating book August 13, 2018 after the 6:00 p.m. Paraklesis Service to the Mother of God. <i>Thirsting for God</i> is available in the church bookstore and library.<br />
<br />
<u>Please Note:</u> In accordance with the wisdom of the Church mothers and fathers, we strongly encourage discussions of spiritual material with your father confessor or spiritual mother or father.HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-35077398597602874942018-02-13T20:57:00.000-08:002018-02-13T20:57:59.669-08:00Lent Book Discussion: Bearing God: The Life and Works of St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Join us each
Wednesday during Lent after the 6:00 P.M. Liturgy of
Presantified gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner in the taverna. Following
dinner, Father Christos will lead a discussion of a few chapters of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Bearing God: The
life and works of St. Ignatius of Antioch the God-Bearer.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5XhMCqfWobBzcouS2gJB7nymyHZoWjS9LZDWr8Id7Xua1qID99EAZY4MKTvGB9R5l78dKPdEM_aV7LmsxIvMNjXPmX-wnrotRVYVaFPXsT6QcBN5Qub0pR47gGWDt_-FkTJOFtq_V78/s1600/St.+Ignatius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5XhMCqfWobBzcouS2gJB7nymyHZoWjS9LZDWr8Id7Xua1qID99EAZY4MKTvGB9R5l78dKPdEM_aV7LmsxIvMNjXPmX-wnrotRVYVaFPXsT6QcBN5Qub0pR47gGWDt_-FkTJOFtq_V78/s320/St.+Ignatius.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From the bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">St. Ignatius, first-century Bishop of Antioch, called the
“God-bearer,” is one of the earliest witnesses to the truth of Christ and the
nature of the Christian life. Tradition tells us that as a small child,
Ignatius was singled out by Jesus Himself as an example of the childlike faith
all Christians must possess (see Matthew 18:1–4). In <em style="outline: none;">Bearing
God, </em>Fr. Andrew Damick recounts the life of this great pastor,
martyr, and saint, and interprets for the modern reader five major themes in
the pastoral letters he wrote: martyrdom, salvation in Christ, the bishop, the
unity of the Church, and the Eucharist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">The V. Rev. Andrew Stephen Damick is pastor
of St. Paul Orthodox Church of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and author of
multiple books from Ancient Faith Publishing. He is host of the </span><em style="outline: none;">Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy</em><span style="outline: none;"> and </span><em style="outline: none;">Roads from Emmaus</em><span style="outline: none;"> podcasts
on Ancient Faith Radio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We will be
meeting February 21, February 28,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March
7, March 14, and March 21. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The book will
be available in the church bookstore and library. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Please
note: It is strongly recommended that spiritual literature is discussed with your
father confessor, or spiritual father or mother</span>. <span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-57574295235526860272017-10-01T17:12:00.000-07:002017-11-19T15:35:54.969-08:00October 28, 2017 Book Discussion:The Truth of Our Faith<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F8F7F3; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d15f31; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">New Time for the Next
Book Discussion!</span><br />
<span style="color: #d15f31; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:00 a.m.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 8.4pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZWHLtckJqiRbYI-_ScpIboDURSzgOVGpTh72c3DVjr0BPP2kahkAo7TYJ3Pik0OjqO3bDrzwn4ZAvhOo8PBl2VUjtrAW0IbjZPKmLNZ5AB3oOqI6-fRno71BQr3saJk2xZADpxHiCic/s1600/TOF__87556.1316243618.350.350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><span style="background: #efece6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">From the bookseller: </span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 8.4pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span style="background: #efece6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ever
wonder why Orthodox Christians venerate Holy Relics? Venerate Holy Icons?
Venerate Angels? Elder Cleopa of Romania answers these questions as well as: the veneration of the Virgin Mary, and the True Cross, the
offering of prayer for the dead, the Second Coming of Christ, speaking in
tongues, and the keeping of the Lord’s feast on Sunday instead of Saturday. <i>The Truth of Our Faith</i> includes more
than 30 photos and icons and a scriptural index. This book is an ideal
introduction to the truth of our Faith for every seeker of Christian Orthodoxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 8.4pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<i><span style="background: #efece6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Truth of Our Faith</span></i><span style="background: #efece6; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> is
available in the church bookstore and library.<span style="color: #777777;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.4pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 8.4pt; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;">Please note: It is
strongly recommended to discuss spiritual literature with your father
confessor, or spiritual father or mother</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">.</span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-3250405203063604162017-06-26T14:08:00.001-07:002017-06-27T08:22:37.780-07:00August 2, 2017 Book Discussion: Becoming a Healing Presence<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZtly5Yzr58Vl6o-uOgPL9hyphenhyphenmHdd-LHAAECPaMN_egJMh82l86WlM8JUZjl8qiyQEerG3U2ppCDB0Vb2rRy_cwdEm2IyTi570mo-T318s83Giws9EEZGrTzOIi-XCypf_LOsDxmkJCkk/s1600/41XAiMcEa8L._SY346_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZtly5Yzr58Vl6o-uOgPL9hyphenhyphenmHdd-LHAAECPaMN_egJMh82l86WlM8JUZjl8qiyQEerG3U2ppCDB0Vb2rRy_cwdEm2IyTi570mo-T318s83Giws9EEZGrTzOIi-XCypf_LOsDxmkJCkk/s320/41XAiMcEa8L._SY346_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="noindent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="first-cap"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Our next book discussion will be on <em>Becoming a Healing Presence</em> by Albert S. Rossi, PhD. The discussion will follow the 6:00 P.M. Service of the Paraklesis on August 2, 2017 in the Church courtyard. </span></span></div>
<div class="noindent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="noindent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="first-cap"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">To get a good sense of what this book is about, we have posted here the powerful foreword by the late Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko. Fr. Hopko was the Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminary:</span></span></div>
<div class="noindent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="first-cap"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"></span></span><span class="first-cap"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 54pt;">A</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">l Rossi and I can’t recall exactly how I became
his and his wife Gay’s spiritual father and confessor. It happened when Gay was
diagnosed with breast cancer that soon metastasized into bone cancer. Their
spiritual father, who was also one of their closest personal friends, thought
it would be best for me to take over his pastoral service at this crucial time.
But how it actually worked itself out still remains a bit of a mystery to both
of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="8923">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
had seen the Rossi family many times at liturgical services and other events at
St. Vladimir’s Seminary (their home was a five-minute walk from the school),
but my wife and I had not come to know them more than casually. I was serving a
church in New York City around that time, and was also often away from the school,
especially on weekends, attending to other duties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="9320">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It
also happened about this same time that I was in charge of a retreat for young
people at the seminary. Al had been invited to lead several sessions. At one of
them he had the participants answer some questions and do certain exercises
about their extended families, their childhood, their upbringing, their
experience in the Church, their favorite films, books, music, etc. They did
this in writing, just for themselves, to serve as a springboard to their
discussions. They were not obliged to share with Al what they had written.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="9878">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Being
at the retreat, I decided to do what Al asked the participants to do. When I
thanked Al at the end of the day for his good work, which I saw had a powerful
impact on the young people, I handed him what I had written. “Have a look at
this,” I asked him, “and, if you wish, tell me what you think of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="10217">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A
few days later, I met Al on the seminary campus. He told me that he’d read what
I wrote and thought it would be helpful for us to talk about it, adding with a
tantalizing smile, “but this time on my turf.” I eagerly agreed and began
visiting Al at his office once a week. Our regularly scheduled meetings went on
for more than a year. Since then we have continued to meet, speak, work, and
pray together in countless ways. We were each in dire need of what the other
had to offer, and still are. And so was Gay. But little did we know at the time
how much the two of us needed her, and still do, in our spiritual lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="10867">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
compelling tasks facing us from the beginning of our work together were Al and
Gay’s marriage and Gay’s struggle with excruciatingly painful bone cancer.
Their family life was in dreadful condition. Gay was indescribably angry and
unhappy, and so, in turn, was Al. Their kids were caught in the middle of it.
Their history, individually and together, was the most complicated and painful
story I ever encountered. It was also, for me at that time, the most
incredible. I had virtually no understanding of almost anything that either of
them had been through from their childhood and youth and life together, both
before and after they found themselves a married couple with two beautiful
children in the Orthodox Church—which situation, despite its many graces and
joys, was itself hardly an easy, smooth, or painless experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="11729">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
one thing that bound Al and me together in the most intimate spiritual
communion was our devotion to God’s Gospel in Jesus Christ as witnessed in the
Church’s Scriptures and offered by God’s grace to our living experience
(fragile, flawed, and sinful though we be) by Christ and the Holy Spirit in the
liturgical worship, sacramental life, doctrinal teachings, and spiritual
counsels of the saints of the Orthodox Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="12183">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Gay
Rossi’s agonizing journey, and ours with her, by which we were purified and
illumined by God’s grace, was in every way a perfect example of the truth of
the psalmist’s exclamations: “Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I
keep Thy Word. . . . It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn
Thy statutes. . . . If Thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished
in my afflictions. I will never forget Thy precepts, for by them Thou hast
given me life. I am Thine, save me!” (Psalm 119:67, 72, 92–94).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="12750">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
book, <em node-pos="12776"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Becoming a
Healing Presence</span></em>, tells a vivid story of going into one’s heart to
find Christ, and then going out from one’s heart to allow Christ to heal others
through us. I am grateful to have been part of the healing of Gay Rossi and the
subsequent impact her healing had on Al and the writing of this little book. I
would say that every word in the book you, the reader, are holding in your
hands could have an impact on you to become more of a healing presence. If you
read the book, you will come to see it for yourself—if you have eyes to see,
ears to hear, a mind willing to understand, and a heart ready to obey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="13470">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As
Gay was progressively being cleansed, illumined, and saved by God’s grace
through what she was suffering in flesh and spirit, she began to say, “I’m determined
to die healthy.” Because she achieved her goal by the Lord’s power, she and Al
became the healing presence they now are for those desiring to be healed who
are ready to count the cost and pay the price for this precious gift of God in
His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="13949">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
our last conversation before she died, I asked Gay the most important
questions. “Gay,” I asked, “What do you now say about God?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14112">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
replied simply, “I worship God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14175">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
I went on, “And why do you do so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14240">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
responded, again so simply, “Because I have come to know love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14334">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
then said to her, “And what about Al?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14401">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Her
answer was firm and clear: “I see Al veiled in light.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14486">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
was present when Gay fell asleep in the Lord. She was breathing laboriously, as
dying people do. We were reading psalms. Or simply standing in silence.
Sometimes someone said a few words. Then, without warning, I suddenly began to
cry. This was not at all like me, as those who knew me then would surely
testify. Shortly after I stopped weeping, which took some time, Gay breathed
her last and gave her life to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="14926">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Later
Al said to me in regard to this unexpected incident at her deathbed, “You know,
Father Tom, I just bet that Gay decided not to die until you wept.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="15106">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
responded, “You know, Al, it would be just like her to do so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div node-pos="15197">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
drove home from the hospital after Gay’s death listening to Nana Mouskouri
singing that it is only love that changes everything. How true this is! Yet we
must all come to know by experience what, or more precisely, <em node-pos="15431"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">who</span></em>, this
Love is. Al and his Gay help us here to do so. How grateful we should be to
them, and to our Lord, for the invaluable gift of this little book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="noindent" node-pos="15613" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Please note: It is strongly recommended to discuss spiritual literature with your father confessor, or spiritual father or mother</div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-41567580364046304382017-02-26T13:52:00.000-08:002017-02-26T13:52:22.501-08:00Weekly Lent Book Discussion: Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Orthodox
Book Discussion</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050402; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14pt;">Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit:</span></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The Lives & Counsels of Contemporary
Elders of Greece<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Weekly Lent Book Discussions Beginning March 1, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX2tK1BnO-DBVOEZud4yuA0pT5mprP3jq8vut-TDK-Jv6xwTYFqYQnt2fjKy3wGjXm3uV6QoGwtpQV5_0yTR2MZ9o4J97b9EzSLyWIQmNSnztcJFJXLM7KtCzcST4O-rLF-p-oPE9KUU/s1600/PrecVesslg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoX2tK1BnO-DBVOEZud4yuA0pT5mprP3jq8vut-TDK-Jv6xwTYFqYQnt2fjKy3wGjXm3uV6QoGwtpQV5_0yTR2MZ9o4J97b9EzSLyWIQmNSnztcJFJXLM7KtCzcST4O-rLF-p-oPE9KUU/s1600/PrecVesslg.gif" /></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050402; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In an age obsessed with psychology, medicine, and human
solutions to spiritual problems, the ancient ministry of the god-bearing elder
is a divine gift to contemporary man. Termed the "golden chain" by
St. Symeon the New Theologian, this life-giving ministry of the Church is a
precious inheritance passed down from Christ, through the Apostles, from one
generation to the next, to our own day. The lives and counsels contained in
this volume attest to the continued vitality of this ancient ministry and to
the importance of its preservation for the life of the Church today. -from the
back cover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050402; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the Bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This volume presents
the lives and counsels of eight contemporary Elders of Greece: Amphilochios of
Patmos, Epiphanios of Athens, Iakovos of Evia, Joseph the Hesychast, Paisios
the Athonite, Philotheos of Paros, Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, and George of Drama.
The text includes extensive commentaries on the lives and counsels, detailed
maps, and a glossary of theological terms, making it an invaluable source of
spiritual orientation and enlightenment for every seeker of Christian
Orthodoxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each
Wednesday during Lent the church community will meet after the 6 P.M. Liturgy
of Presantified gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner in the taverna. Following
dinner, we will discuss a few chapters of <i>Precious
Vessels of the Holy Spirit,</i> available in both the bookstore and church
library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our first
meeting will be March 1. Join us for evenings that are sure to deepen your
Lenten experience! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please note</span></u><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">: discussions of spiritual material with your
father confessor, spiritual father or mother are strongly encouraged.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-36238493495878309012017-01-08T14:59:00.000-08:002017-02-26T13:54:50.356-08:00January 17, 2017 Losing Susan --Author Presentation and Book Signing <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Orthodox Book Discussion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">January 24, 2017 7:00 P.M. Church
Parlor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Losing Susan --Author Presentation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPROceFWF8UFT_3T9UH-YZF9cAo0VC49ZCOlmyCLYJJiMpPHGes1_5-z_QFiDMzvAPeED5hBhElJyNi6CRP8tkzfzS3iN_KpXbqMRhRamBtOEPp-g5_dJgbW7FYhyPW1ACGzK5E5Y0RM/s1600/41glf-7oIhL._SX320_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPROceFWF8UFT_3T9UH-YZF9cAo0VC49ZCOlmyCLYJJiMpPHGes1_5-z_QFiDMzvAPeED5hBhElJyNi6CRP8tkzfzS3iN_KpXbqMRhRamBtOEPp-g5_dJgbW7FYhyPW1ACGzK5E5Y0RM/s320/41glf-7oIhL._SX320_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:.1pt;width:148.1pt;height:229.5pt;
z-index:-251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\colaiztm\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Annunciation Library Book Discussion
Group is pleased to announce that it is
hosting author Rev. Victor Lee Austin for a
presentation and book signing for his memoir, <i>Losing Susan.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">From the bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Story of Brain Disease and the Priest's Wife</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
This is the story of Susan--a wife, mother, Christian believer, lover of
children, writer of stories, and woman of extraordinary intellect. Susan was
diagnosed with a brain tumor in her late thirties. Although it was successfully
treated, the process led to her slow, unending decline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In this personal story of love and loss, Rev. Victor
Lee Austin shares how caring for his wife during her painful struggle with
brain cancer and its aftereffects brought him face-to-face with his God and
with his faith in unsettling ways. God gave Rev. Austin what his heart most
desired--marriage to Susan--then God took away what he had given. Yet God never
withdrew his presence. Weaving together autobiographical details and profound
theological insights, this powerful narrative shows that we are called to turn
to God in the face of suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #282b2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">The Rev. Dr. Victor Austin is serving
the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas as Theologian-in-Residence. Rev. Austin is a
priest-scholar with background in both the parish ministry and the academic
world. As a priest in the diocese of New York, Austin has served since
2005 as Theologian-in-residence at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. Prior to
that, from 1989 to 2003 he was rector of the Church of the Resurrection,
Hopewell Junction; and before that, he was curate of Zion Church in Wappingers
Falls--all in New York. He is a graduate of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New
Mexico, and the General Theological Seminary, New York City, and he earned his
Ph.D. in theology from Fordham University in 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #282b2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">In the academic world, Austin
was assistant professor of religious studies, philosophy, and theology at Mount
Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania. He has also taught on the adjunct
faculty of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York; Mount St. Mary College in
Newburgh, New York; and Fordham University and the General Theological
Seminary.</span><span style="color: #282b2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #282b2d; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; padding: 0in;">His theological interests
are wide-ranging, but his particular focus is in Christian ethics. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Losing Susan</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> is now available in the church bookstore and library. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-34287537999790191832016-09-10T06:37:00.004-07:002016-09-10T14:21:15.004-07:00October 13, 2016 Book Discussion: An Inner Step Toward God: Writings and Teachings on Prayer<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 7.5pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFs7ATU6th3ZpcYs6R4NrJT6-dN3SGuioNNB7TM6_GHY8tWVh2beVGdWcX6fgg4KBjtBWA5o6tdGwImvAsQmmf9aeYHs0JwcB770vIz-N-UaqGjV84iuzrVvhx-VWjOw6sUyWT1yP9w1E/s1600/Inner+Step+Toward+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFs7ATU6th3ZpcYs6R4NrJT6-dN3SGuioNNB7TM6_GHY8tWVh2beVGdWcX6fgg4KBjtBWA5o6tdGwImvAsQmmf9aeYHs0JwcB770vIz-N-UaqGjV84iuzrVvhx-VWjOw6sUyWT1yP9w1E/s1600/Inner+Step+Toward+God.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: #d24418; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt;">An Inner Step Toward God: Writings and
Teachings on Prayer by Father Alexander Men<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">From the book seller:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">This book is for any Christian who desires a more regular prayer
practice and a deeper connection with God. </span></i><span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Available for the first
time in English, this collection of Father Alexander Men's prayers and
teachings and writings on prayer center on the theme of taking "an inner
step of faith" toward God. Many topics are covered including prayer as
loving response to God, the body and prayer, prayer as sacramental encounter,
meditation in prayer, and exercises that may enhance prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Father Alexander Men (1935-1990_ was a popular Russian Orthodox
priest, author of <i>Son of Man</i>, and spiritual teacher in the former
USSR. After his high profile murder in 1990, his legacy has continued to grow
in Russia and around the world. </span><span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">For
many years, translator Christa Belyaeva lived in Moscow, where she converted to
Orthodoxy and worshipped at the Church of the Dormition with people who knew
Fr. Alexander personally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #050402; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Those
new to Orthodoxy as well as cradle Orthodox can find joy from this book as it
is a helpful guide to a more meaningful prayer life. <i>An Inner Step Toward God</i> is now available in the church bookstore
and library. The Book Discussion will be held at 7:00, October 13, 2016 in the church parlor</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Please note</span></u><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">: Discussions of spiritual material with your
father confessor, spiritual father or mother are always strongly encouraged.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-21314651903582128542016-06-11T15:04:00.004-07:002016-09-10T07:32:39.511-07:00August 10 Book Discussion: The Global War on Christians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh0vyGHjbzYp7T6V_5KCPA1Ro0__tUA7bZerGer4uwWsR-57Z7QG3EWQYzwBXwKGm9ZeJziTc3Mxh6lLp9esIc1_3EOehyphenhyphen0W3iw-TqHJhByN7HQ7oB9xTMrzlVnCfk40DkxayG8kJPJY/s1600/Global+war+on+Christians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh0vyGHjbzYp7T6V_5KCPA1Ro0__tUA7bZerGer4uwWsR-57Z7QG3EWQYzwBXwKGm9ZeJziTc3Mxh6lLp9esIc1_3EOehyphenhyphen0W3iw-TqHJhByN7HQ7oB9xTMrzlVnCfk40DkxayG8kJPJY/s320/Global+war+on+Christians.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For the third consecutive year, the book
discussion group has committed to selecting a book that focuses on the plight
of the most persecuted group in the world, Christians. The selection this year
is <i>The Global War on Christians.</i> This
book is timely for many reasons, the newest reason being the introduction of
Ramadan prayers in Hagia Sophia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">From the bookseller: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">One of the most respected journalists in the United States
and the bestselling author of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The
Future Church</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>uses his
unparalleled knowledge of world affairs and religious insight to investigate
the troubling worldwide persecution of Christians.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">From Iraq and Egypt to Sudan and Nigeria, from
Indonesia to the Indian subcontinent, Christians in the early 21st century are
the world's most persecuted religious group. According to the secular
International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of violations of religious
freedom in the world today are directed against Christians. In effect, our era
is witnessing the rise of a new generation of martyrs. Underlying the global
war on Christians is the demographic reality that more than two-thirds of the
world's 2.3 billion Christians now live outside the West, often as a
beleaguered minority up against a hostile majority-- whether it's Islamic fundamentalism
in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, Hindu radicalism in India, or
state-imposed atheism in China and North Korea. In Europe and North America,
Christians face political and legal challenges to religious freedom. Allen
exposes the deadly threats and offers investigative insight into what is and
can be done to stop these atrocities.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">“This book is about the most dramatic religion
story of the early 21st …century,: The global war on Christians,” writes John
Allen. “We’re not talking about a metaphorical ‘war on religion’ in Europe and
the United States, fought on symbolic terrain such as whether it’s okay to
erect a nativity set on the courthouse steps, but a rising tide of legal
oppression, social harassment and direct physical violence, with Christians as
its leading victims.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Join us for a discussion of this very important book. The
discussion will be held Wednesday, August 10 after the 6:00 P.M. Paraklesis Service to
the Theotokos. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Please note</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">: In accordance with the wisdom of the Church mothers and fathers, we strongly encourage discussions of spiritual material with your father confessor or spiritual father or mother.</span><br />
<br /></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-79010767204240469592016-03-05T10:48:00.000-08:002016-09-10T07:31:41.826-07:00Weekly Lenten Book Discussion Beginning March 16, 2016<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Lenten
Orthodox Book Discussion<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Wednesdays during Lent after the Presantified<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy";">Beginning
March 16, 2016<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll_MliuJWWoejdvXpsT9EFkMSA8XWMc8a3IFo2wFHQPKnSDnfg0ysSzyauqVTU9P-TQ7ZPOTTDytF_ClzxpKUYrt5j98TJWpegE7HHl7F9P-veOYBqT3kiC_CuuugqchfGCXa59vo_wQ/s1600/9780879077754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhll_MliuJWWoejdvXpsT9EFkMSA8XWMc8a3IFo2wFHQPKnSDnfg0ysSzyauqVTU9P-TQ7ZPOTTDytF_ClzxpKUYrt5j98TJWpegE7HHl7F9P-veOYBqT3kiC_CuuugqchfGCXa59vo_wQ/s320/9780879077754.jpg" width="206" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When one thinks of St. Isaac the Syrian, one
thinks of God’s love. In <i>The Spiritual
World of Isaac the Syrian,</i> we will become acquainted with the spirituality
of this amazing saint. His emphasis on “luminous” love is so timely in this
world that is so torn by tragedy and sadness. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;">In the foreword, written by Metropolitan Kallistos
Ware</span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:42.5pt;width:190.7pt;
height:295pt;z-index:-251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\colaiztm\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="tight" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;">, we
are given a hint of the treasures that lie ahead. Here are a few excerpts: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;">Isaac
the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote during "the
golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the seventh century. Cut off
by language and politics from the Churches of the Roman Empire and branded
"Nestorian," the Church of the East produced in isolation a rich
theological literature which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over
the centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have been read and
recommended as unquestionably orthodox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;">Now,
at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a single book in English,
offering us a balanced and comprehensive overview of Isaac's life, background
and teaching. Wisely, Fr. Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for
himself. The book is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true
voice can be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;">Saint
Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his writings are
universal in scope. They are addressed not just to the desert but to the city,
not just to monastics but to all the baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks
about themes relevant to every Christian: about repentance and humility, about
prayer in its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and community,
about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the emphasis that he places upon
"luminous love"—to use his own phrase—two things above all mark his
spiritual theology: his sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion
to the Savior Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Each Wednesday during Lent the church community will
meet after the Liturgy of Presantified Gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner in
the taverna. Following dinner, Father Christos will lead a discussion of a few
chapters of <i>The Spiritual World of Isaac
the Syrian</i>. <i>The Spiritual World of
Isaac the Syrian is available in the church bookstore and library.</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-73741958663493070922015-12-17T06:08:00.000-08:002015-12-18T01:04:00.890-08:00January 21, 2016 Book Discussion: How Dante Can Save Your Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrG9ehR-yrwqXJ5yrl53C8KPewcdZIK4sE78nAPyyzAgSDOULGqmV7oAjotDTl9Fhs4kJiOR8TCfAzB76rxqR_mK8x3yquFFmNv8QGsPmv1EADsiKWCfguu60Ri-duLYBNyzHtnjiGu0/s1600/9781941393321_p0_v1_s192x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrG9ehR-yrwqXJ5yrl53C8KPewcdZIK4sE78nAPyyzAgSDOULGqmV7oAjotDTl9Fhs4kJiOR8TCfAzB76rxqR_mK8x3yquFFmNv8QGsPmv1EADsiKWCfguu60Ri-duLYBNyzHtnjiGu0/s1600/9781941393321_p0_v1_s192x300.jpg" /></a></div>
One way to break up the monotony of cold weather is to encounter a book that takes one on a journey. The book selection for January, 2016 is one such book; however, the journey has a destination that is not in this physical world! <i>How Dante Can Save Your Life</i> takes the reader on a unique spiritual journey of a contemporary Orthodox Christian man. His travel itinerary was inspired by Dante's <i>Divine Comedy.</i> No, it is not necessary to have read <i>The Divine Comedy</i> to find enjoyment and meaning from this book!<br />
<br />
Here is how the book is described from the book cover:<br />
<br />
'Dante Alighieri had done all the right things, according to the story of his culture. He had written beautiful poems that won him fame and respect. He married and had children, and he was a man of the church, faithful to his God. Later he took up political leadership in his city and tried to govern justly, even when it meant sending his trouble-making best friend into exile. And what had this gotten him? He lost everything: his wealth, his power, and his family. If he hadn't fled into exile, Dante would have lost his life.<br />
Few of us will suffer a fall from grace quite like Dante's, but our day will assuredly come. Loss of a loved one, betrayal, divorce, bankruptcy, addiction, personal or professional failures, depression, a health crisis--whatever loss or tragedy befalls you-- it will provoke a crisis from which you may feel you will never recover.<br />
Rod Dreher was in the midst of such a personal crisis when he came across <i>The Divine Comedy</i> while wandering through a bookstore. Finding himself "in a dark wood," he read the 700-year-old poem. The life-changing wisdom of this medieval masterpiece launched Dreher on a spiritual and intellectual journey that helped him see the mistakes that had devastated him, and showed him that he had the power to change his life. (He eventually converted to Orthodoxy.)<br />
History's greatest poem provides an inspired road map for the journey of the soul toward goodness and describes the recognition and rejection of sin... Dante told his patron that he wrote <i> The Divine Comedy</i> to bring readers from misery to happiness. "<br />
<br />
Join us to discuss Orthodox perspectives on <i>How Dante Can Save Your Life</i>. <i>How Dante Can Save Your Life </i> is now available in the church bookstore and library. It makes a great Christmas gift!<br />
<br />
The book discussion will be held January 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the church parlor. Check your email for cancellations in the event of a snow storm.<br />
<br />
<u>Please note</u>: If you cannot attend the book discussion, in accordance with the wisdom of the Church mothers and fathers, we strongly encourage discussions of spiritual material with your father confessor or spiritual father or mother.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-18416840564282004392015-09-13T13:29:00.002-07:002016-06-18T05:38:23.812-07:00Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, Author, Scholar,and Theologian to Give a Series of Talks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC-MNWcoS1FtGSsnnJPsymXmmZJa1_EoI0QhLj4y6MvE4R7UoQwBJs3zhp6tr8KTn2PkNo3Ese4fhMDti1NcW_ijEpvo6TVneWy6g0nDp8h-7-hrcv74zzrUjAJgXZDhg80NmixifrF4/s1600/Kallistos_3%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC-MNWcoS1FtGSsnnJPsymXmmZJa1_EoI0QhLj4y6MvE4R7UoQwBJs3zhp6tr8KTn2PkNo3Ese4fhMDti1NcW_ijEpvo6TVneWy6g0nDp8h-7-hrcv74zzrUjAJgXZDhg80NmixifrF4/s400/Kallistos_3%255B2%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to attend lectures by one of the most prominent theologians of the Eastern Church in our times, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Visit the church's website for a schedule of his Eminence's talks beginning September 17, 2015 (Click the following link):<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1070883787"></span><span id="goog_1070883788"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1272758094"></span><span id="goog_1272758095"></span><a href="http://www.greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org/news/metropolitan-kallistos-ware-visit">http://www.greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org/news/metropolitan-kallistos-ware-visit</a><br />
<br />
Videos of his lectures may be found at:<br />
<br />
http://www.greekorthodoxchurchbuffalo.org/videos/metropolitan-kallistos-ware-visit<br />
<br />HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2845035177858427926.post-38105408094565544962015-09-13T13:16:00.001-07:002015-09-13T13:17:44.797-07:00November 12, 2015 Book Discussion: Voyage to the Rock<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNA-T57z1-ktqhDio44Khxg5nNjbysONyOZYYNwLrXMEasrLT9Uns79dqp9611LIepVD5nP-xN-Wi4t2LuwVeiFL6bUIRJGLF3WudgeWfNdJ_N9CHjXoxGrzQUNSjwvLpr55hY7wemRY/s1600/Voyage+Short.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNA-T57z1-ktqhDio44Khxg5nNjbysONyOZYYNwLrXMEasrLT9Uns79dqp9611LIepVD5nP-xN-Wi4t2LuwVeiFL6bUIRJGLF3WudgeWfNdJ_N9CHjXoxGrzQUNSjwvLpr55hY7wemRY/s200/Voyage+Short.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Every so often it is great to choose a book that
appeals to ages from teens to 90’s. Consider this book for the special teen in
your life as well as for yourself!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">From the publisher: "Catapulted from his ideal teenage existence in Boston to Newfoundland, Canada--a place affectionately called "The Rock" by its inhabitants, Martin doesn't want anything to do with his father's missionary dreams. Accompanied by his parents and his all-too-perky younger sister, a dismal summer of hard work and early mornings is all that awaits Martin. Or so he thinks...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But, all that changes the day he finds a bronze cross at the site of the historic Viking settlement, L'Anse aux Meadows. A whole new world opens to Martin then, one of trans-Atlantic voyages, unanswered clues, suspicious antique-dealers, narrow escapes, mysterious deaths, and at the center of it all is an ancient cross and manuscript poem. A burning question begins his search: Is the cross Viking or could it be from the fabled voyage of St. Brendan the Navigator?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now with the help of his sister, Brigid, and a local Newfoundland boy, Ashley, the three of them race to unlock the mystery of an ancient Christian treasure. But with the Old Wolf, Sullivan O'Connell Hunting them, it isn't just about treasure anymore... Its's about survival. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> book discussion will be held at 7:00 P.M., November 12 in the church parlor. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Voyage to the Rock</i></b> is available in the
church bookstore and library. </span>HOCA Librarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07357296328361391870noreply@blogger.com0