by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Ever since reading it a half-century ago, I have wondered how anyone familiar with St. John Chrysostom's treatise on ordination could still summon the nerve to go through with the rite. The message of that book seemed to be: "Go ahead, fool, get yourself ordained; … [Read more...]
On The Priesthood
by Fr. Aris Metrakos Even after two thousand years of Christian history, the ordained priesthood remains a "mystery" in every sense of the term. Why do some men who are called to this role fail miserably while others succeed? Can seminarians be prepared for the presbytery in a way that is … [Read more...]
The Priesthood As Vocation
". . . the priesthood unites all of the callings to which man may respond and cannot be thought of as just one of them. " INTRODUCTION Since it is the divine grace that elevates a man, through the laying-on-of hands, to be a priest, it is clear that the priesthood is unlike any other vocation … [Read more...]
Priests and the Importance of Fatherhood
Many thoughtful people today recognize that the United States—and indeed much of Western society—is in a cultural crisis. It takes little reflection to note that this crisis is centered in the family. The increase in divorce, the decrease in the number of marriages, increased numbers of cohabiting co … [Read more...]
Why I Wish I Were A Priest
By Andrew McDermott Learning that a shortage of priests is a serious problem threatening the welfare and future of our Orthodox Church undoubtedly has caused considerable concern in many people. With me this alarming news immediately sparked some serious, earnest, but generally ineffective thinking … [Read more...]
Sermon On The Day of His Ordination
by St. Leo the Great Our father among the saints, Leo the Great was the bishop of Rome during difficult times. He was an eminent scholar of Scripture and rhetoric. During an invasion by Attila the Hun, St. Leo met him outside the gates of Rome. After some short words, to everyone’s surprise, Attila … [Read more...]
Pastoring No Plush Gig
by Brad A. Greenberg No one can make you feel guilty like a pastor. Or in this case a New York Times story about pastoral burnout that I’ve been meaning to write about for two weeks: The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of t … [Read more...]
