Подписаться на рассылку
Православный календарь
Ελληνική έκδοση Српска верзиjа English version

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Prayer the ultimate prescription for the heart
0 0

Рейтинг: 9.4|Голосов: 60

Prayer the ultimate prescription for the heart

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Then came the epic surprise of my visit. The doctor asked if I ever pray or meditate, particularly in a way that involves being still and centering myself.

Acquire and fill your lamps with the oil of virtue
0 0

Рейтинг: 8.8|Голосов: 19

Acquire and fill your lamps with the oil of virtue

Fr. Barnabas Powell

The president's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital was a blast from the past for me.

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks
0 3

Рейтинг: 9.9|Голосов: 15

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Every year around this time, I'm asked a similar question by newer parishioners and inquirers into Orthodoxy: "What do we do about Thanksgiving?"

Lessons Can Be Learned From Life's Pain
8 2

Рейтинг: 9.3|Голосов: 21

Lessons Can Be Learned From Life's Pain

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Every September, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate the Feast of the Precious Cross. Although its origins are rooted in history (the finding of the Cross by Empress Helena in Jerusalem, and its recovery two centuries later after being captured by the Persians), my appreciation for the feast this year was broadened by personal experience.

Prospective groom gets sage advice on marriage
0 1

Рейтинг: 8.9|Голосов: 13

Prospective groom gets sage advice on marriage

Fr. Barnabas Powell

From the Greek for "honored" -- as in "marriage must be honored" -- a timios is an opportunity for the older, wiser, married men of the community to collectively impart accumulated wisdom and straight talk to a would-be groom.

Talking Beliefs and Finding Renewed Faith
0 0

Рейтинг: 9.5|Голосов: 11

Talking Beliefs and Finding Renewed Faith

Fr. Barnabas Powell

When I raised my glass, she raised hers and said, "Cheers!" I'd never toasted with a stranger on a plane, but as I sipped my pilsner, we chatted. Then came a sudden twist: "If you don't mind me asking, are you a pastor?"

Orthodoxy Sees Tradition as Democracy of the Saints
0 0

Рейтинг: 8|Голосов: 10

Orthodoxy Sees Tradition as Democracy of the Saints

Fr. Barnabas Powell

This may sound like ancient, boring history to some, but Orthodoxy's continued fidelity to the faith of Nicea actually has tremendous, contemporary witness in terms of how sharply it contrasts with the ecclesiological progressivism of our age. Orthodoxy has become counter cultural by remaining traditional.

Unlocking the Power of Intercessory Prayer
1 0

Unlocking the Power of Intercessory Prayer

Fr. Barnabas Powell

A recent call to a locksmith led to more than I bargained for: a discussion of the Virgin Mary and intercessory prayer.

Aiding the needy a powerful experience
2 0

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 2

Aiding the needy a powerful experience

Fr. Barnabas Powell

A highlight of this time comes after the line dies down, when we take off our gloves and sit to eat with the men we've come to feed.

Don't shortcut the journey to Easter
263 0

Рейтинг: 1|Голосов: 2

Don't shortcut the journey to Easter

Fr. Barnabas Powell

On the way home from services last Sunday, I passed a church whose colorful banner proclaimed their April 16 Easter celebration. This surprised and perturbed me, though not for reasons you might think.

Civil peace begins with us
227 3

Рейтинг: 6.5|Голосов: 2

Civil peace begins with us

Fr. Barnabas Powell

For any who’d follow the tested rhythms of ancient Christianity, it’s time to get spiritually sober — fasting not only from food, but anything that takes our attention from Christ. And there’s nothing so intoxicating right now as politics.

For 2017, Resolve to Acquire the Spirit of Peace
4 1

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 7

For 2017, Resolve to Acquire the Spirit of Peace

Fr. Barnabas Powell

If you’re still looking for a New Year’s resolution, you couldn’t do better than to try the best-known instruction of a 19th-century Russian monk named Seraphim of Sarov: “Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and thousands around you will be saved.”

Salvation Army walks the walk and talks the talk
6 452 4

Рейтинг: 8.2|Голосов: 5

Salvation Army walks the walk and talks the talk

Fr. Barnabas Powell

So thank you, Salvation Army, for allowing other Christians to better practice their faith — and for allowing me to put on a red apron and wish a gentle “Merry Christmas” to hundreds of strangers, without feeling I’m doing anything wrong.

An opportunity for sincere atonement
170 8

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 6

An opportunity for sincere atonement

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Dear President-elect Trump, Congratulations on your historic victory — the greatest political upset in modern American history. Having listened carefully to your speech in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, I hope you’ll follow through on your commitment to heal our country, and be president for all its citizens.

Accountability important to any church
2 0

Accountability important to any church

Fr. Barnabas Powell

A few years ago, a woman asked, “Can you explain what would happen if you were accused of sexual misconduct — how someone would submit an allegation, and how it would be dealt with?” Good thing I wasn’t sipping my tea at the moment, or it might’ve come out my nose.

Motherhood: the ultimate career move
916 2

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 13

Motherhood: the ultimate career move

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Few phrases in our lexicon are as misleading as “just a stay-at-home mom.” That “just” devalues the hard work and sacrifice of motherhood, its essential role in society’s well-being.

Reflect on the past, live in the present
0 1

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 1

Reflect on the past, live in the present

Fr. Barnabas Powell

What do we seek in genealogy? A sense of identity through knowing where we came from, or a desire to discover we’re really someone “important,” based on a famous ancestor?

Restroom rights revisited
0 1

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 2

Restroom rights revisited

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Combating racism by advancing transgendered rights seemed tangential, but this change was coming anyway, so why resist the pretext?

Creating an oasis for faithful
0 1

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 1

Creating an oasis for faithful

Fr. Barnabas Powell

“This is the most beautiful spot in Pueblo.” These words came from a visitor upon seeing the inside of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church for the first time, during our festival some years ago.

Slow down and enjoy your family
0 0

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 1

Slow down and enjoy your family

Fr. Barnabas Powell

There are certainly great events taking place right now in politics and global affairs. I could’ve written about those. But none were as important as this simple, Lenten, daddy-daughter day.

Toxic anger won’t help any cause
1 557 1

Рейтинг: 4.7|Голосов: 3

Toxic anger won’t help any cause

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Each year, I offer these prayers unreservedly, since they express the ancient faith of the first Christians, who equated abortion with infanticide and rescued babies left exposed to die.

Virgin Mary: mother of all Christians
4 336 0

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 1

Virgin Mary: mother of all Christians

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Right after Christmas, Orthodox Christians celebrate a feast of the Ever Virgin Mary. Ironically, some who are far from orthodoxy assert that’s when she and Joseph began eyeing each other with a twinkle and trying to make a sibling for Jesus.

Should we be arming parishioners?
1 4

Рейтинг: 7.5|Голосов: 2

Should we be arming parishioners?

Fr. Barnabas Powell

The question of armed security, or parishioners carrying concealed weapons in church, was raised at an Orthodox clergy gathering I recently attended, and most were of two minds, reflecting a diversity of precedents.

No perfect candidate for all Christians
6 467 3

No perfect candidate for all Christians

Fr. Barnabas Powell

The Orthodox Church forbids its clergy from holding elected office, or endorsing political parties or candidates. Yet this stance doesn’t mean it remains neutral when issues of moral and spiritual significance come to a vote.

Money talk: It’s a part of the job
2 513 0

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 2

Money talk: It’s a part of the job

Fr. Barnabas Powell

A pastor who only speaks about money is a problem, but so’s one who never does. Such avoidance implies that money is “unspiritual,” and cedes the topic to the devil. And he for one never shies from sharing his views.

When do you give up hope?
0 1

When do you give up hope?

Fr. Barnabas Powell

At what point do you stop hoping for a missing loved one to turn up alive? How many years must you follow fruitless leads, and cling to rumors of life that lead to disappointment?

For this Christian, a license means little
0 2

For this Christian, a license means little

Fr. Barnabas Powell

In Orthodoxy, a couple submits such a license in accordance with the law, but doesn’t see that piece of paper as much more than a legal formality. A license doesn’t make a marriage. It’s a coin bearing Caesar’s ever-changing image.

Let your conscience guide you
0 0

Рейтинг: 9|Голосов: 1

Let your conscience guide you

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Would you buy insurance from the KKK, or cleaning products from ISIS? Probably not — even if they offered the best rates, or gave your floors a miraculous shine.

Speaking my truth is not hate
1 2

Рейтинг: 10|Голосов: 2

Speaking my truth is not hate

Fr. Barnabas Powell

Philadelphia is one of the Greek words for love. As distinct from the eros we Americans prefer and idolize, philadelphia is devoid of sexual or romantic interest. It’s the brotherly affection between siblings, who support each other, and hold each other accountable.

Blow The Trumpet in Zion
1 0

Рейтинг: 6|Голосов: 1

Blow The Trumpet in Zion

Fr. Barnabas Powell

All too often it’s easy to miss the warnings in my life because my life, my soul, my mind is flooded with my own “voice.” The selfish wants drown out that “still, small voice” that is screaming at me that I am going down a wrong path.

No bones about it: Faith endures
1 0

No bones about it: Faith endures

Fr. Barnabas Powell

This respect for the body, as icon of its Creator, carried into Christianity — the faith of those who accepted Jesus as Messiah.

Your teeth look great — now tell me about Orthodoxy
0 1

Your teeth look great — now tell me about Orthodoxy

Fr. Barnabas Powell

“I hear you’re a minister,” the hygienist remarked, fastening the bib around my neck for a dental cleaning. “May I ask what kind?”“Eastern Orthodox,” I said quickly, as the tools of her trade descended. Hygienists are often good conversationalists.

How Might the World be Different if Sundays Were Still Church Days?
0 1

Рейтинг: 6.5|Голосов: 2

How Might the World be Different if Sundays Were Still Church Days?

Fr. Barnabas Powell

"Well, you need to decide what's more important to you — going to your church, or honing the skills of logic, reasoning and argumentation that will give you a competitive edge in the real world." Ten years later, I don't regret forfeiting that "competitive edge," but it was something I agonized over at the time. As a parent, I'm preparing to confront this same, tough decision on behalf of my children.

Предыдущий Следующий

Новые материалы

Выбор читателей

×