In this last recorded conversation with Elder Cleopa, we hear his profound words about prayer. What a beautiful message from a saint of our day.
Youth Night with Father Josiah
Friday, December 10th @ 6:30 PM
We are very excited to announce the annual Nativity Retreat at Holy Cross on December 10th & 11th with Father Josiah Trenham. He will be speaking on “An Orthodox appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and Their Teachings” on Saturday, the 11th, but on Friday the 10th he has a special youth lecture to which you are all invited.
Father Josiah will speak to us about whether it is possible to live a holy life in our crazy, urban world. He will define what holiness is, why it is essential and natural for us, and also give some practical ways to live in the city and be holy. After his lecture, there will be a time for lots of questions, so start thinking about some great, deep things to ask him. Bring on the lively discussion.
Oh, and remember - paste the flier everywhere.
I walked down the high street of Cork, my head down, my ears dulled, and my heart aching. The atmosphere of the world washed over me like a warm wind laced with acid. I felt miserable. Every view my eyes beheld had an immodest diva as the centerpiece, framed by sensual suggestions. My stomach churned. I hate shopping. A strange glimmer of something caught the attention of the corner of my eye, and I glanced up. My eyes locked, and I smiled.
A girl. A real girl. Long hair. Long skirt. Subdued dress. Tastefully adorned. Probably homeschooled. Definitely Christian. Very pretty. At least to me she was. She might not be garishly redone and pimped like an android from Venus, but she was clean and wholesome. The sight of her refreshed me to no end as she walked through the teeming crowds of the world’s charms.
The winds of fleshly temptation blew about me unheeded; the heat of devilish suggestion beat upon me unnoticed. God had sent an angel to refreshen me in my battle, and even when she had gone, my heart was renewed, my eyes were alight with resolve, and my smile remained.
— Sir Emeth
A phenomenal sermon given by Father Josiah Trenham about living faithfully for God in everything, even under persecution.
Are we ready for persecution?
The Life-giving Cross
The miraculous effect of the Life-Giving Cross upon our souls, tortured by the poison of evil, proves to us most undoubtedly and clearly:
- That we indeed have a soul, a spiritual being.
- That there are evil spirits, harming our souls.
- God exists and our Lord Jesus Christ, and that he is always with us through His Divinity.
- That He has indeed accomplished our salvation by His suffering and death on the Cross and has destroyed the power of the devil by means of the Cross.
- St John of Kronstadt, from “My Life in Christ”
What does youth want?
An important question today: What can be done about Orthodox young people? Are not many of them losing faith and straying from the Church? The answer of many to this question is: dances, picnics, social gatherings. But this is a worldly answer - as though gathering people together were an end in itself, and a short prayer or talk sufficient to make the occasion ‘religious’ and ‘Christian.’ But these things pass and are forgotten, and no one is the more Christian for them.
What does youth want? Not many are really satisfied by the pursuit of pleasure - that is an escape; nor by lectures (though an occasional appropriate lecture might do some good). Youth is full of ideals and wishes to do something to serve these ideals. The answer for someone who wishes to work with youth and to keep them in the Church is togive them something to do, something useful and at the same time idealistic.
- Father Seraphim Rose
Movie Night in Yakima WA - “Expelled”
Friday, November 12th @ 6:30 PM
Some of you may have seen this movie. It follows Ben Stein as he tries to find answers to some of his questions… Why are teachers losing their jobs for mentioning intelligent design as another “theory” of the origin of the universe? How did life begin in the first place? Does anybody even know?
But for those of you who haven’t seen it, and for those who want to see it again (I think this is going to be my 6th time watching it), we would love to invite you to a wonderful evening at Holy Cross in Yakima Washington. Come join us at 6:30 for the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God, and then come downstairs for cookies, juice, popcorn and the movie. Afterward, stay as long as you like to discuss and rehash the topics that have been uncovered. Leave feeling strengthened in your faith and renewed by fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Please bring some cookies if you are able, and plan on staying late!
See you there,
The Neptic Youth
P.S. Please post the flier everywhere. Taping it to your forehead would be a good way to start. nepticyouth.com/fliers
