Archbishop Paul's Reflections

Two weeks ago I posted about why Jesus needed to be baptized. I then went on to celebrate Theophany Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral. I had a glorious experience. The feast taught me about what community is, as the “worship of the Trinity made manifest.” I truly believe that we find true communion with one another in the waters the … Read More

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  The baptism of our Lord can be hard … Read More

On December 31st of 2020, the OCA web page published an encyclical from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America entitled “Encyclical of Hope.” You can access it by clicking on this link: https://www.oca.org/cdn/PDFs/synod/2020-1231-encyclical-hope.pdf I would encourage families to read this encyclical together over a three or four day period. As you chew on this, it will make … Read More

Since March of this year, our faith has been tested by the pandemic. Some have left parishes that wear masks or use other methods of giving communion to attend other parishes that don’t follow these practices. Some are afraid to go to church for fear of getting the virus. In the case of people 65 and older, this is understandable … Read More

On the 2nd Sunday before the Nativity, the parable of the great banquet from Luke is read. It states that certain guests were invited to the banquet, but the following happened: They all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have … Read More

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. (Ephesians 5:11-13) This verse from Ephesians was part of the epistle reading for … Read More

It is true that a person’s life is not from one’s possessions or because of having an overabundance. He who is rich toward God is very blessed and has glorious hope. Who is he? Evidently, one who does not love wealth but rather loves virtue, and to whom few things are sufficient. It is one whose hand is open to … Read More

For by grace, you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 These verses are difficult to understand. On … Read More

You know the saying “the truth hurts”? Well, I’m sure in some cases it does but in this case it never felt so good. Did you ever have one of those moments when you read something you’re sure was written especially for you? This was one of those moments. It’s funny how you could read something over and over again … Read More

I used to have this image of what I thought my children would look like during prayer. They’d be knelt down with their hands neatly folded, eyes closed with a tranquil look upon their faces as they conversed with our Heavenly Father. Something resembling a Precious Moment figurine or like the pictures I’d seen in children’s prayer books. Reality, however, … Read More