This year on Holy Saturday will be the 20th Anniversary of my baptism into the Orthodox Church. I was blessed to enter the Church through an amazing English-speaking OCA parish, known for its friendliness and hospitality to new comers, that already had quite a few converts at that time. Apart from the weird covid restrictions, which unfortunately did create some strife among us, my own experience has been remarkably positive. But I could still relate to a lot of what you said in this post, especially about feeling more Orthodox than the Orthodox, lol... "Where art thou, O Humility?" Thankfully, God is very merciful and patiently waits for us to work through our crazinesses. The growth in the Church in the past few years has been phenomenal. We baptized 25 new converts on Lazarus Saturday this year, and it was close to the same last year. This is unprecedented in the 20 years I have been a member at my parish. It is such a joy to behold!
Sounds like Lent and Holy Week presenting more challenges. Being still and silent is hardest now. Lots of noisy desperation, as James Thurber might say, where there was quiet desperation.
Exactly 10yrs behind you on the tracks 🛤️ this coming Holy Saturday: the house, the hospital, the arena, the family, and the Kingdom. Grace and peace to you Amigo, ❤️🩹 Semper Fortis. 👑🌴🪨✨🎶 Thank you for this 📿🕯️☦️ beautiful reminder.
This Lent seems harder than any I remember... 28 years Orthodox from Southern Baptist... never any regrets, and was so happy to find this spiritual home. Steve, a truly memorable post. Blessed Holy Week!
This year on Holy Saturday will be the 20th Anniversary of my baptism into the Orthodox Church. I was blessed to enter the Church through an amazing English-speaking OCA parish, known for its friendliness and hospitality to new comers, that already had quite a few converts at that time. Apart from the weird covid restrictions, which unfortunately did create some strife among us, my own experience has been remarkably positive. But I could still relate to a lot of what you said in this post, especially about feeling more Orthodox than the Orthodox, lol... "Where art thou, O Humility?" Thankfully, God is very merciful and patiently waits for us to work through our crazinesses. The growth in the Church in the past few years has been phenomenal. We baptized 25 new converts on Lazarus Saturday this year, and it was close to the same last year. This is unprecedented in the 20 years I have been a member at my parish. It is such a joy to behold!
Sounds like Lent and Holy Week presenting more challenges. Being still and silent is hardest now. Lots of noisy desperation, as James Thurber might say, where there was quiet desperation.
Exactly 10yrs behind you on the tracks 🛤️ this coming Holy Saturday: the house, the hospital, the arena, the family, and the Kingdom. Grace and peace to you Amigo, ❤️🩹 Semper Fortis. 👑🌴🪨✨🎶 Thank you for this 📿🕯️☦️ beautiful reminder.
This Lent seems harder than any I remember... 28 years Orthodox from Southern Baptist... never any regrets, and was so happy to find this spiritual home. Steve, a truly memorable post. Blessed Holy Week!
And also to you!
"And I'm still standin' after all this time
Pickin' up the pieces of my life..."
❣️