Adding of a new site to my blog roll: OrthoChristian.com

I just wanted to bring to your attention the adding of this new site to my blogroll.  I was contacted by Jesse Dominick via e-mail and he wrote me the following:

Dear Sophocles,

I am writing to you on behalf of OrthoChristian.com (pravoslavie.ru/English), the English version of the website of Sretensky Monastery in Moscow. In case you are not familiar with our site, we strive to keep our readers updated daily on important news concerning the Orthodox Church worldwide, Christian persecution, Christian social issues, etc, as well as to present beneficial spiritual writings, homilies, lives of the Saints, etc.

We hope to share the Orthodox faith with as many as possible, and we are always looking for new ways to develop our site and to reach new readers. We also appreciate the effort of yours and so many other blogs that share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With that in mind, we ask if you would kindly consider adding our site to your blog roll (*or to post a banner linking to our site if there is no blog roll). If you could do this we would be very grateful, and we look forward to continuing to provide timely and soul-profiting works for those both in and outside of the Church.

In Christ,

Jesse Dominick

OrthoChristian.com

The link in his correspondence will take you to a Russian version.  At the top, you will see a tab that says "English Version".

Adding of a new blog: Notes from a Common-place Book

Okay, so I'm late to notice what many have touted as a very fine web log both in its exemplary writing as well in its content.  I'm late but I have arrived.

I must confess that I wish I had more time to follow more blogs.  Perhaps I'm mad, but I actually enjoy the things and even, er, have learned a thing or two from reading them.

This particular blog, Notes from a Common-place Book , is one that I have come across on several occasions but for one reason or another I have not followed it.  Well, no more.  Amend my ways I will and follow I do henceforth.

John,

John

says about himself,

"Only delusionally still on the young side of middle-aged; married, one child; interested in lots of things."

Interested I am as well.

Adding of 3 fine weblogs

There are two web logs that I have run across repeatedly over the last several years that I have been blogging and for one reason or another, I have not had them on my sidebar.  The third is a relatively new addition to the Orthodox blogosphere but one which I feel merits keeping up with.  Without further ado, here they are.

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Orrologion

ORROLOGION

THE CHARACTER OF THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE IS SUCH AS TO CALL FORTH FROM US EVEN THIS ADMONITION, THAT WE OUGHT NOT TO BE ASTONISHED...

An excellent web log that not only posts great personal articles but has also posted many articles of other Orthodox bloggers.

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OF INFORMATION AND BELIEF 

OF INFORMATION AND BELIEF

Gabriel's site.  If you like the Ochlophobist, chances are you will like his site as well.  Often hard hitting with an aversion of sorts to "modernist" and "ecumenical"  Orthodoxy.  Very well written articles and commentator wherever he appears.

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MYSTOGOGY

John Sanidopoulos

 

This weblog offers insights and analysis on various matters of life and thought from a 21st century Orthodox Christian perspective, among other things.

Adding of new sites. A bunch of them.

There are several other sites I want to add to my sidebar but for the sake of avoiding multiple posts, I will do so here and in no particular order.

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Ekklesia.  A very visually attractive blog.  It is in French.

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talantoblog

με τα μάτια της ψυχής.  It is in Greek.

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Die Daily. "Why do you trouble yourself in a house that is not your own?

Let the sight of a dead man be a teacher for you concerning your departure from hence."
~St. Isaac the Syrian

Die daily, that you might live eternally, for one who fears God will live forever.
~St. Anthony the Great 

Another visually beautiful blog. 

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New Life.

Daniel (Hartley)

Manchester, United Kingdom

I am a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The unworthy sacristan, I attend services regularly at St Aidan's Orthodox Community in Manchester UK. My spiritual journey has led me through Protestant Christianity and the Rastafarian Faith. I mount Icons, sing and am learning to play the drums (Whew! I think I'll buy me a drum machine).

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Liturgical Energies

Thoughts on Liturgy, Russian Political Theology, and Triadology

Liturgical Energies.

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The Catacomb Chronicles

The irreverent and irrelevant ramblings of the VSO, the

bad boy of Orthodox blogs

 The Catacomb Articles by VSO.  Tells it like it is!

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Lord I Have Cried Unto Thee.  Andreas' blog. I met him over on Logismoi and he is a fellow pilgrim to St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona.

Long Overdue Adding of a new blog-Logismoi

I have been posting the Saint or Feast of the day now going on three years now.  What I have provided for here is for myself the reading of these Saints and Holy Days for my own benefit with the benefit to you the reader who checks in here as well.

Because of my very limited time, most of my posting is "cut and paste", with far less original articles than I wish I had time for.  This may change soon, hopefully, as I've lessened some of my obligations.

But I wished to bring to your attention the excellent blog of Aaron Taylor, Logismoi,

Logismoi

'A Refuge for the Weary and the Oppressed, and a Treasury of Good Counsel and Wise Lore'

  He posts on many Saints but as well often does extensive research and brings to his readers with each Saint much more than I do here.  His work is worthy of reading so I would like to please direct you all over to his site.

I will also add Logismoi to my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Adding of a new site-Iero Isichastirio Pantokratoros

I recently posted Why is that the smile of Elder Joseph is from eternity?

on here and on this same site is hosted "A Confession of Faith Against Ecumenism"

which was translated from the Greek here.

The site is Iero Isichastirio Pantokratoros.

I am grateful that there are still many today that feel so strongly against the diluting of the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church and Her Faith and recognize the ill effects of this truly insidious cancer of Ecumenism which seeks to rob and denature the Church of Her authentic witness in this sick "politically correct" world.

Ecumenism is merely the religious version of political correctness paving the way for the advent of a one world system with one world religion. Make no mistake, many if not all the different religions may and will be found under this umbrella of the One World Religion, but none will be able to make exclusive claims of truth because the only truth of the One World Religion will be that they, religions, are all equally true and this leveling of them all to this effect will be the hallmark and trademark of the New System which is really not new but very old. The only difference being, that today, the technology is in place to actually be able to enforce compliance and the homogenization of all peoples.

One's religion will be tolerated: as long as it stays in its place and does not venture beyond "one's own opinion", meaning, it, one's religion, cannot challenge what laws will be in place that violate conscience and truth and dare to call to question those laws as sinful and untrue and based solely on humanistic, secular principles. Anything exceeding "one's own opinion" will be seen as intolerant and hateful and subject to swift reprisal.

I have no illusions about the victory of my viewpoint regarding Ecumensim and its kinfolk. It was told to us by the Lord Himself that it would be so as the days progress towards the consummation of the Age. My only prayer is that many would recognize the pattern for what it is and that this indeed is part of the "mystery of iniquity(or lawlessness)"(Second Thessalonians 2:7) with which we contend until our Blessed Lord return.

I will add this site on my sidebar under, "Orthodox Sites of Note".

Adding of a New Blog-"St. Seraphim's Fellowship"

My good friend George Demas is currently studying at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary. George and I became friends several years ago towards the beginning of my return to the Church. We have prayed together on many occasions and have had many a good conversation relating to the Faith.

We have stayed in sporadic contact since his leaving several years ago to study at Holy Cross mostly via e-mail or when he would comment on one of my blog posts.

George just sent me this e-mail where he says:

Soph,

Christos Anesti!!! I pray that your new Paschal season has and will be be blessed with God's abundant love. I have a blog site that you would be nice for you to have as a reference on your blog. If anyone you know, in good Orthodox standing, is interested in a prision ministry, with the emphasis on writing to Orthodox inmates and catecumens, then please rely the information from the blog and website to our brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm praying for you and hope all is well. I also hope to see you sometime in the summer.

Christos Anesti, george demas

The link to this blog is:

St. Seraphim's Fellowship

Please visit often as this is a worthy ministry. How wonderful to know that many in the prisons are being given our Holy Orthodox Faith.

The following is on their Volunteer Page:

The Church Triumphant

Mark Dean Schwab was executed on July 1, 2008 thirteen days after he was received into the Orthodox Church. He was quietly saying the Jesus Prayer when the Lethal Injection was administered. May his memory be Eternal.

Join St. Seraphim’s Fellowship ~ Become a Pen Pal

Many of these men, who are part of the Body of Christ, will never get a chance to attend a real Church Liturgy. They will never smell the incense nor hear the bells, nor hear the sound of the Talanton calling them to worship. They will never hear the beautiful haunting nuances in Byzantine Chant. They will never taste the Artoclasia after a Vigil, They will never be part of a procession at Pascha nor see the lights of the candles fill the church, and yet, they will be part of the Body of Christ. A living cell that the Body can’t do without, yearning for the life and light that flows from other cells in the body. You can help to bring life and encouragement to these precious souls

About St Seraphim’s Fellowship

We have a ministry to Inmates on the Death Row. We visit more than 400 men on the row. We send them teaching lessons on the passions and true repentance. We are also seeking volunteers to write to the prisoners. Many of the men are in the catecumenate and some are baptised. We need donations of money for books, bibles [leather only], Orthodox Magazine Subscriptions, prayer ropes, Icon Cards, etc.

Do you have family or friends in prison?

If you or someone you know have family or friends in prison anywhere and you would like this ministry to write to them, then please send us a private text message with all the appropriate information and we will contact the prisoner with words of faith and encouragement. While we are an Orthodox Ministry, we welcome the opportunity to communicate with people of all faiths.

If you would like to become the volunteer please fill in this form and send it to seraphimspm@comcast.net

st-seraphims-volunteer-application1

I will add this blog to my sidebar under Orthodox Blogs.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Cheff Jonny!

Just in case people don't know, I and my brothers Constantine and Yianni own a Greek restaurant, Kyklos Greek Cafe in Las Vegas(Henderson to be exact).

We have been doing this business together for almost 7 years now and it has been a challenge but very gratifying all the same. We have of late started sharing our Holy Faith with these new cards(which I will post on when I remember to bring some home). We were inspired by Saint Nektarios of Pentopolis for this idea and it has been so wonderful sharing Orthodoxy in this manner.

You can see more about us here.

Enough about this for now because I would like to bring to the reader's attention a new blog, Cheff Jonny, where in the comments box of one of the post's on this blog he wrote,

"I'm going to create a new blog for Orthodox cooking, recipes and cultural/ethno-food info. Thought you might think it interesting. check out cheffyboy.blogspot.com for updated info as to when and where."

This site looks really neat and it will fulfill a great need with fasting recipes(and non-fasting recipes). Chef says in his latest post,

"Well kids, I've made a hard decision. Some of you won't like it but many new readers will. I'm creating a new blog geared even more toward my own personal interests. I'm an Orthodox Christian first and a chef second and due to Lent, I'm not making much in the way of spectacular lately (at home) so I don't take pics of it. Although food is still interesting to me, I'm scaling back my diet for the fast and not spending as much time on the computer.
When my new blog starts up, it will be mainly an Orthodox recipe blog from your's truly. I hope to incorporate new recipes catering to the lenten fast including culturally Orthodox Christian dishes from around the world, maybe a few new twists to these old-world flavors though.
I guess I feel lost in the world of food blogs these days and starting out with a fresh idea is appropriate for the feast of Pascha. Maybe a new Lamb Roast will be my first entry...Stay tuned. Maybe I'll contact Euphrosynos Cafe to get them in on it! "

So please visit him often!

I will also add his blog in my sidebar under Orthodox Sites.

Adding Orthodox Sites and Correcting SideLinks

I am changing the link to Andrea Elizabeth's site to her "wordier blog". Take note as she has some great insights and good conversations transpire there. And she reads alot.

Words, Words, Words

I had the opportunity to meet William(Neo Chalcedonian)when I traveled to Pittsburgh in November to attend the OCA All American Council. We have had several correspondences since then and consider him a friend. He is seeking much and has been gifted with much. Please visit him.

An Attempt to Attend to Wisdom

This site is rich in the writings of our Holy Fathers. I have not explored here much but I look forward to.

The Burning Bush

This one is new and it is in Greek. I have not explored yet.

Orthodox Mission-Ορθόδοξη Ιεραποστολή
πορευθέντες μαθητεύσατε πάντα τα έθνη… ( Ματθ, 28:19).

I will add these site under my sidebar, "Orthodox Blogs" .

Adding of a New Blog- ΑΝΤΙΑΙΡΕΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΓΚΟΛΠΙΟΝ

I must say I am a bit embarassed. I am Greek by blood and conversant in Greek and can read it fairly well but when I saw this site, ΑΝΤΙΑΙΡΕΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΓΚΟΛΠΙΟΝ referencing a..sinner on my sidebar, I visited and quickly realized I was lost navigating around a bit there as everything is in Greek and I am just not used to(yet) dealing with blogs not in English

But nonetheless, exploring some I realized that it is a neat blog and am honored to be referenced there.

I will add ΑΝΤΙΑΙΡΕΤΙΚΟΝ ΕΓΚΟΛΠΙΟΝ on my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs" .

Adding of a New Blog-Again and Again, the weblog of Fr. Milovan Katanic

I recently notice on my sidebar a new website referencing a..sinner.

Fr. Milovan Katanic has left several comments here and when I clicked over to his site, Again and Again, I was excited to see how much love he has for his Serbian Nation and culture.

I too have great love for this people and the nation of Serbia is in my daily prayers.

So I would direct readers of this blog over to his, especially as Serbia is much in the news these days and Father Katanic's perspective I'm sure would prove very valuable in these often one-sided portrayals of the Serbs by our media.

I will add Again and Again on my links on the sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Adding of a New Orthodox Site

Nathan Lee Lewis-A Sinner

It is my pleasure to add this site to my Blog Roll. Nathan graciously has offered to possibly be of help in my desire to have a part in the making of an Orthodox film.

I look forward to visiting Nathan's site, Journey To Orthodoxy , which in its header states,

"This BLOG is for my family, friends, former churches and other inquirers who may wonder how a good Southern Baptist Boy could have gone so wrong, having fallen off the deep end and plunged into the deep, mystical, mysterious world of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church. Let's spend time and discuss these things. One thing is for certain: THIS BLOG MAY RUIN YOUR RELIGION!"

Sounds like lots of fun and very interesting!

I will add Nathan's blog to my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Adding of a New Orthodox Site

I must commend anyone reading to this site,

Orthodox Patristics-"An Exploration of the Orthodox Fathers".

I have only very recently begun poking around there and to express my joy would be hard for me.

The reason is that James Kelly is extremely bright but even more so his knowledge is wed to a wonderful grace which he uses to speak about our Holy Faith with rare love and insight. As well it would appear that he is a practitioner of prayer.

I look forward to seeing James interact on the Blogosphere and to check in regularly on his site.

I will add the link to his site on my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Please visit often, dear reader.

Adding of a new blog

I noticed on my sidebar a new site that references a..sinner and I will now add the link to Father James Early's blog, Saint James' Kids , to my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Father James says this about himself in his profile:

"I am a bivocational Orthodox priest who also works as a data analyist for a school district in the Houston area. I am blessed with a wonderful wife and four beautiful daughters. "

Thank you, Father, for stopping by and finding this blog of worth.

Please visit him often, dear reader.

Adding of a new site "ALL SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA-ORTHODOX CHURCH"

An anonymous poster left the link to this site, ALL SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA-ORTHODOX CHURCH in one of the comment boxes and lo and behold, a really good site with alot of great links to alot of really edifying and useful information.

I will add this link to my sidebar under, "Orthodox Sites of Note".

Adding of a New Orthodox Site-Filioque The Sum of All Heresies

This site, Filioque The Sum of All Heresies, is not for the faint of heart nor for those that believe that Christianity is to be found in all her parts(i.e.Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) or believers in "Branch" theories or "Lung" theories.

If you should find offense, sorry.

I will add this on my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs"

Adding of a New Orthodox Blog-OrthoPraxy

I recently ran across this blog, OrthoPraxy and I really enjoy it. The blog's operator describes the purpose of the blog as the following:

What doth it profit, my brethren,though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?Can faith save him?

orthopraxy or
orthopraxis

an emphasis on correct practice (just as
orthodoxy is an emphasis on correct belief)

derived from Greek (ὀρθοπραξις) meaning “correct practice”.
Refers to Orthodox religious practices and may include both liturgical practices
as well as interpersonal acts. Orthopraxis (or Orthopraxy) is a function of and
contributor to the Orthodox phronema (Orthodox Mind) and has, as its aim, theosis (union with God).

This site began as and remains
primarily a journal of personal confession. It’s not going to be
something one can easily sum up, categorize, or explain. Orthodoxy is like that.
Each person is so unique, that he is like an entire universe, and his salvation
is just as unique. Here there are also tools of orthopraxis that I have found
useful. I make no disclaimers, because even to disclaim something is to make it
a matter primarily of someone else’s interest.

In 2005, I was blessed as catechist to a pair of
catechumens who lived at a distance from me. We met weekly in diners,
but we needed a way to exchange documents, information, and study materials
between lessons and, for convenience, I began hanging the items on this site.
Over time, more people wanted to study with us, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox.
While I made it clear that everything I contributed consisted either of the
works of others that are accepted universally in Holy Orthodoxy or of merely my
own opinion, I wanted to make sure everything was done openly and any such
things were publicly available and accessible to the proper oversight. In 2006, the catechetical instruction
ended, and so the site returned then to its original purpose and
use as a journal (or “blog” as the current parlance would have it).

I was first introduced to this blog from this post having to do with a subject which I on this blog have also mentioned, FreeMasonry.

Please follow this wonderful blog as the posts are quite good and honest and reflective.

I will add the link to this site under "Orthodox Blogs" on the sidebar.

Adding of a New Orthodox Blog-Under the Thedosian Walls

I noticed that the blog Under the Thedosian Walls referenced a..sinner on their links so I would like to return the favor and thank the person for reading this blog.

I will add the link for Under the Theodosian Walls on my sidebar under "Orthodox Blogs".

Adding of a New Blog-Unpopular Opinions

I recently noticed that Unpopular Opinions has a link to this blog on that site. It looks to shape up to be an interesting and thought provoking forum so I would ask the reader to venture over there.

I will add a link to this site on my sidebar under "Anglican Blogs I Read".

Sophocles interviewed on "Come Receive the Light"

Last week I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed on the program, Come Receive the Light, a weekly show on the Orthodox Christian Network(OCN).

I was asked by Anne, a wonderful lady there, if I would be interested in the interview several weeks ago and I agreed.

Father Chris Metropolis was also very kind and gracious and I am thankful for the opportunity to have been on the program.

My interview is heard at the beginning of this particular program of Come Receive the Light and can be heard here.

I will add a link to the Orthodox Christian Network on my sidebar under "Orthodox Sites of Note".

Please be sure to visit this site often for very good daily, and in the case of Come Receive the Light, weekly, programming.