✠ Original Content Removed by Editorial Decision until Further Notice ✠

For the context of this decision see the

Josiah Trenham: The Scandal

section in our Archives 2020

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Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s editor offers the following brief reflection in response to CNN’s report of December 30, 2019, Man Shoots and Kills 2 inside a Texas Church before Parishioners Fatally Shoot Him. He might have preached it as a sermon this Sunday if he were still permitted to serve as a priest.

Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind,
with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge.
Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy Gospel teachings.
Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments,
that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living,
both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing to Thee.

For Thou art the Illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God,
and to Thee do we ascribe glory,
together with Thy Father who is from everlasting and Thine All-Holy, and Good, and Life-Creating Spirit,
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer before the Reading of the Holy Gospel
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

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In the Orthodox Church, we bind the four Gospels together into a separate book. We cover it with precious metals, jewels, icons painted on porcelain. We carry it high in solemn procession, surrounded by acolytes bearing candles and representations of the cherubim and the seraphim, who serve as the throne of God and singers of the unceasing Holy! Holy! Holy! We bless with it, bow before it, kiss it, as if it were Christ Himself, the eternal Word of God. We stand motionless during the chanting of its words of eternal life, and respond to its good message with Glory to Thee, O Lord! Glory to Thee! Indeed, during Matins, we pray that we may be accounted worthy even of hearing it. We enthrone it, as if Christ Himself, on the holy Altar Table, both during and outside of divine services.

But do we live the Gospel? Do we die the Gospel, day by day?
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What a perfectly lovely Christmas and New Year the Lord and many of you have blessed me with. My endless thanks to Him and to you. (You know who you are.)

On Christmas morning I had $1000 of your money to hand out on the streets. I divided it into three envelopes of $100 each and fourteen envelopes of $50 each. (It’s too complicated a story why I did it that way.)

Last night I received an unexpected infusion of another $1300 to hand out on the streets. I divided it into thirteen envelopes of $100 each. (Goodness, does the ATM ever put up a fight when you want that much money in $20s. )

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