A journal of byzantine digressionS
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Sea Beast and She who Rides
Ecclesiasticus 7:4–14 Revelation 8:1–13 Luke 10:17–24 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice, as it flew in midheaven, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets which the three angels are about to blow!” Revelation 8:13 I confess this Election…
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If you only knew what Eternity is.
Ecclesiasticus 4:20-5:7Revelation 7:1-8Luke 9:51-62 Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of atonement that you add sin to sin. Do not say, “His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins,” for both mercy and wrath are…
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Crucifixion: Tesseract
In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.Colossians 1:24 This verse came up in a conversation about Paul’s teaching and Francis of Assisi’s reception of the Stigmata – the matching of signs on his body with the physical wounds of Christ in…
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Could there ever be another Francis?
Jonah 1:17-2:10 Acts 27:9-26 Luke 9:1-17 Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ – Jonah 2:8-9 He sent them out to proclaim…
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Jonah, Jairus, Jesus
Jonah 1:1-17Acts 26:24-27:8Luke 8:40-56 Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 6:48 Jesus answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” Luke 6:50 A long time ago I noticed the Gospels use “pistos” and “sozo” a lot. They both get translated differently in…
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Ephraim’s Idols
Hosea 14:1-9 Acts 22:30-23:11 St Luke 6:39-49 O E’phraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of…
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Basement Lessons
I had a good friend a while ago, although we have fallen out of touch now. He, his wife, and kids welcomed me into their family like a near relative: not a distant one that smells funny, but a favorite uncle; maybe cousin would be better. He was a Orthodox clergyman, although he has since…
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Cooperative Housing Plan for the Future
Get 5 or 6 more friends interesting in Co-housing. Couples+Singles would be the excellent. Couples and Singles that also include children would be awesome. Create a community contract stipulating plans and ALL that follows. It should be clear about obligations including obligations for departing members such as paying off bills, etc. Everyone signs it. Get…
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Boutique-odoxy
In a discussion at St Augustine’s Western Rite Orthodox Church in Denver, the priest shared that Fr Alexander Schmemann once said words to this effect: You cannot refer to “Anglican Liturgy” because although there is one prayer book, if you go different parishes you find that each parish does things differently, based on the whims…
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Autumn in New York
Just after Labor Day in NYC is a special time for me. It’s when I moved to NYC in 1983 – taking all my stuff and going to NYU, moving into the fraternity house at 3-5 Washington Place. NYU was suffering from a housing shortage and some fraternities (especially those with many members who didn’t…
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The Rovin’ Dies Hard
There are so many threads to this tapestry, it’s hard to know where to start this post. I’ll begin with my own family: beginning with the first William Richardson in America. I share his name – Donne Huw William Richardson – and I had the “William” even before I changed my name in 2000. William…
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Relevant Beauty
I’ve noticed in younger Orthodox Churches (I’m thinking of new missions, etc), both Eastern and Western Rites, a tendency to imitate the decorating styles of “the Old Country” – even when there is no Old Country. We imitate their art and their architecture as if it were the only way to do things. I just…
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Counting Sundays
Warning, Church Geek Rant ahead. At one time, the Sundays after Easter were counted (in the west) as X number of Sunday after certain feasts. “After Pentecost”, “After Apostles” (the feast of Peter and Paul on 29 June), “After Laurence” (Feast of St Laurence on 10 August) and “After the Angels” (St Michael and All…
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This is all new, no?
A comment on the previous post: It’s only been since the 70’s that many Christians became involved in politics. This idea was also put forth in the classic discussion of post-9/11 America, The Power of Nightmares. That work offers the (I think correct) opinion that American Neo-Conservatives, and the “religious right” share rather a lot in…
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No King but Jesus – Part 2 of 2
Christ is the king of all mankind by natural right – because he is our Creator – and by acquired right – because he is our Redeemer. He is King (as Creator and Redeemer) even of those who refuse to acknowledge him as such, or those who do not yet know him as such. Regardless…
Orthoparadoxy 