Christianity, a white man's religion?

These conferences enable African Americans and people of all races to discover more about ancient Christianity and helps Orthodox Christians to appreciate the many contributions of African Christianity. See www.stmaryofegypt.net for more information.

Fr. Paisius, the cofounder and author of this video, is one of the most inspiring and sincere Christians I know. I encourage you all to check out his work here posted and visit Reconciliation Ministries in Kansas City if you are ver there.

[I only wish the content posted on our national Orthodox Church websites (particularly when asking for "charity") could always exemplify the diveristy of the Church as she really is and demonstrate the sensetivity and forethought required to be "all things to all people" for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.]

FJM

Today starts the Nativity fast and Advent...

I am presiding at Matins in the morning and preaching on Luke 15:1-10. I have been praying and trying to prepare for the homily. Obviously I have been considering fasting and asceticism as, for Orthodox Christians, today began the Advent season and the Nativity fast. Here is a bit on fasting by Evdokimov sent to me by my friend and Prof . Peter Bouteneff this evening.

"In the desert of the Thebaid, extreme fasts and constraints were imposed. Today the combat is not the same. We no longer need added pain. Hair shirts, chains, and flagellation would risk uselessly breaking us. Today mortification would be liberation from every kind of addiction – speed, noise, alcohol, and all kinds of stimulants. Asceticism would be necessary rest, the discipline of regular periods of calm and silence, when one could regain the ability to stop for prayer and contemplation… and above all to listen to the presence of others. Fasting, instead of doing violence to the flesh, could be our renunciation of the superfluous, our sharing with the poor and a joyful balance in all things."

I'll be chewing on this for a while... In the mean time I will try to find the reference to share with you if anyone is interested. If you know it please post a comment.

Grace and Peace,
FrJM