Light Of The East

This week at Annunciation Byzantine Catholic parish in Homer Glen, IL under the the Light of Tabor and through the dynamism of the Liturgy we will be transfiguring from glory to glory amidst two great feasts.

We are reminded that we have no lasting home here on earth as Haiga Sophia, the mother Church of Christianity was once again claimed as a mosque

It ought to be clear to any believing person that demons are running wild in our world today. Eastern Christian Spirituality and warrior saints like the Prophet Elijah can offer calm and confidence amidst the chaos.

There is saint spelled with a small s and saint spelled with a capital S. The life of a baptized Christian is a journey toward turning the small S into a capital S

The famous song, "Old Man River," expresses a contrast between the calm integrity of nature and human chaos. The ancient traditions of the Eastern Churches are today's "Old Man River.

Ss. Peter and Paul are depicted in their icon standing together holding up a model of the Church. They were the two pillars of the early Church and many saints followed after them."

The 24th Annual Orientale Lumen Conference has been unleashed on social media. Our special guest will clue us into the exciting topics and speakers on the subject of Liturgy and icons.

Liturgy is often referred to as "smells and bells." In fact, smells, bells, sights, tastes and touches are not only essential to Liturgy but may even be good for our health

The raging of the sea, the raging of nations, fire in the sky, just some of the warnings of the end times. Are the end times really near? The answer is both yes and we don't know.

As they did in the upper room 2,000 years ago, Christians gather again to be filled with the Holy Spirit on this Feast of Pentecost, the completion of God's plan of salvation

Between the double brightness of the Resurrection of Our Lord and the event of Pentecost is the Ascension of our Lord and the illumination of the Council Fathers of Nicea--- sources of hope and light.

In the Liturgy of the Church, we are mystically transported from earth to Heaven. The Feast of our Lord's Ascension is not only His ascension but ours as well.

Sheltering at Home" and "Shut Downs" for many married couples has become more like "Fighting at Home" and "Shut Downs" in communication. We look again into the riches of Eastern Christian Spirituality.

It may be hard to proclaim the Resurrection of Christ during this pandemic. A reach into the gifts of Eastern Christian spirituality can actually help move us beyond fear, anxiety and despondency.

How can we experience the Joy of the Resurrection when we are immersed in so much sadness? The women and men who came to care for Jesus's body will provide some answers.

The Liturgy of the Church immerses us into the events of Christ's life on earth. These events become our events and are heightened in their reality by the world wide pandemic.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Together with you and Luke the Regular Guy we will share and proclaim the joy of this Day of Days, the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the Dead.

In Eastern Churches it is the Week of the Bridegroom begins this Sunday and includes the story of the wise Virgins who were ready for the coming of the Bridegroom, a relevant theme for a time of pandemic.

Empty shelves at the grocery stores, social distancing, bars and restaurants and all places of communal gathering closed, sporting events cancelled. The Corona Pandemic has essentially turned us into good monastics.

The great spiritual master who lived on Mt. Sinai, St John Climacus, will take us higher and higher on his Ladder of Divine Ascent. The first two rungs of the ladder will be renunciation and obedience.