On Transitions – how to leave well
On 13 September 2015, I served my last Divine Liturgy at St. Michael’s in Woonsocket, RI. Although in many ways the situation was ideal (it was an amicable parting; I wasn’t driven out by them or by...
View ArticleHow Angels Serve Priests in the Holy Altar
by Fr. Stephanos K. Anagnostopoulos This incident was narrated to the author by the blessed departed Gerondas Gabriel, who for a great period of time was the abbott at the Holy Monastery of Dionysios...
View ArticleEight Characteristics of the New Bivocational Pastor
by Thom Rainer As predicted, this is a trend which those preparing for priesthood should be aware of as Christian exclusion increases. They are appearing on the scene quietly. Not many pundits are...
View ArticleOf Vocation, Callings and Such
by Fr. Milovan Katanic In his homily about how our Lord amazed His future disciples, the fishermen, with a great catch only to later promise them that they would be ‘fishers of men’, Fr. Patrick...
View ArticleAnnouncement: GGWB now has an AFR podcast!
Good Guys Wear Black A Podcast for Priests Who Need Priests This podcast is designed to provide information, encouragement, and entertainment for priests, other clergy, and those who love them. We’ll...
View ArticleHow to Avoid the Priesthood
by Fr. Sergei Begian Whoever has been to an ordination knows how grace fills the church at the moment of the imposition of hands…. Joy fills the hearts of those praying, even if they do not personally...
View ArticleRefresher for the Orthodox Pastor
by Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) 1. Having accepted the grace of ordination, bear in mind of what a gift and of what mercy the Lord has found you worthy – and what responsibility you now bear. A...
View ArticleCourt your Khouria! (Podcast link and transcript)
Here is the link to the podcast episode. We are stressed. Being a priest is stressful. Time and money are in short supply, reasons to grieve are everywhere, and parishes can be difficult and demanding...
View ArticleSearch the Scriptures (AFR): On Corrupt Clergy
One of the podcasts I used to listen to religiously (pardon the pun) was Presvetera Dr. Jeannie Constantinou’s “Search the Scriptures” on Ancient Faith Radio. Presvetera Jeannie is an accomplished...
View ArticleOn Starting at a New Parish (AFR Podcast and Notes)
The Podcast is here. Review: Ten (Eleven!) Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation In a previous post and podcast, I reviewed Rev. Lawrence W. Farris’ book Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a...
View ArticleAbout Wearing Cassocks and Other Good Habits
About Wearing Cassocks and Other Good Habits Fr. Lawrence Farley May 27, 2016, No Other Foundation I am a great fan of the BBC series “Call the Midwife”, which features a group of Anglican sisters...
View ArticleAbbot Tryphon – The priesthood should be like a funnel
From The Morning Offering, May 30 2016 By Abbot Tryphon If a priest is truly to be an agent for grace, he must become like a funnel through which the Lord’s mercy can flow. That a priest has received...
View ArticleA Case Study in Church Division – and repentance
This article, “The Widowmaker Repents“, recently appeared in my Facebook Newsfeed. It’s a couple years old, but still well worth the read. One of the challenges of Orthodoxy in America is that so many...
View ArticleDo Clothes Make the Man? Keeping the Cassock
by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos (The cassock) has a history connected with sacrifices, struggles, tears and blood. … To clergy the cassock reminds them that they are spiritual physicians and...
View ArticleDiscerning Your Vocation to the Priesthood Ebook Now Available
The Calling. Those of us who are clergy know it and know how relentless and ephemeral it can be sometimes. Discerning a Vocation to Holy Orders (Deacon, Priest, or Bishop) is not something to be taken...
View ArticlePodcast episode #9: The Context of Discernment for the Priesthood
After making a plea for keeping ecclesial politics subordinated to our Unity and Love for one another, Fr. Anthony makes a case for the priesthood being one of many options for those desiring to serve...
View ArticleWhat Is It To Be A “Former” Priest
Interviewed by Alexander Vygovskyy For obvious reasons, we do not use real names and places, so as not to repeatedly “rub salt in the wound” in the soul of a man who has lost the honor of being a...
View ArticleWhat a Clergyman Should and Should Not Be
St. John Chrysostom says: “Grace by itself is insufficient; an ordination is also required for an addition to the Holy Spirit.”
View ArticleTrue, Priestly Image: Bishop, Priest, Deacon
by St. Symeon of Thessalonica Priests are servants of the Creator of all things, who are to serve in the restoration of those, who were alienated by their own free choice and fell into being evil....
View ArticleApocalyptic Angels and Unworthy Servants
A Discourse on the Sacrament of the Priesthood by Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov Today, dear friends, let us set out by casting our minds unto that day of the Cross of Pascha—Holy Friday, when the Great...
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