News

Protestants Converting to Holy Orthodoxy...

The ministry is a calling, but it is also a career, and, in 1987, a Baptist minister named Wilbur Ellsworth was given the career opportunity of a lifetime. After nearly two decades of pastoring modest congregations in California and Ohio, Ellsworth, at the age of 43, was called to lead the First Baptist Church of Wheaton, Illinois--one of the most prominent evangelical churches in what was then the most prominent evangelical city in the world. Often called the "Evangelical Vatican," the leafy Chicago suburb is home to Wheaton College--the prestigious evangelical college whose most famous graduate is Billy Graham--and a host of influential evangelical figures, a number of whom worshipped at First Baptist. "I was now preaching to these people every Sunday," Ellsworth recalls. "It was all sort of heady and exciting." (Read the whole Article in the New Republic)

Bishop of Kosovo and Metohija warns of "severe sanctions" on collaborators...

"In view of the fact that documents cited above are in contravention with Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, as well as the Constitution of Serbia, they are illegitimate and illegal and, consequently, non-existent in the eyes of the law,wefind and so order...(Read the whole letter at the diocesan website)

International Orthodox Christian Charities Expands Work in Kosovo

"International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) today announced an expansion of its work in Kosovo to provide immediate assistance to isolated minority communities and long term development projects aimed at providing stability and cooperation. The expanded initiatives in Kosovo will provide continued support for families, including household items, support for agricultural projects and family gardens, and school supplies. The IOCC response will also offer assistance for schools and community centers in isolated communities." (Read More at IOCC Website)

Holy Synod Says Bishop Nikolai on Leave Pending Outcome of Investigation

[The members of the Holy Synod] received many letters of serious complaint from deaneries, clergy, and faithful of the Diocese of Alaska... Not relying on hear-say, yet acknowledging the seriousness of these letters, at your suggestion, all your brother bishops were contacted; and they unanimously agreed that the best course of action for you is that you be placed on a temporary Leave-of-absence (OCA Statute, Article II.1; II.7.a,f,I,j; Apostolic Canon 74, and 34). (read whole sad thing here.)

Governor Sides With California Home Schoolers

"Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."(Read the article at Time Magazine)

Family Looks Forward to Rite of Forgivness

In the last three days my two youngest sons have caused a fire in the kitchen, broken a brass and oak toilet seat, spilled a quart of milk on a carpet. The oldest one threw a knife at the youngers face. The younger one attacked the older one with a garden spade while cackling "I Captain Hook. I kill you, Anselm. I kill you. Ha ha ha ha". And, of course, parents always need to be forgiven for scores of failures everyday. And spouses also need to be forgiven for many infractions of the law of love. The whole family is looking forward to the beginning of Great Lent and rite of forgiveness tomorrow. (Read about one woman's experience of the Orthodox rite of forgiveness at Beliefnet.