The Great Commission Team or How I ended up on this committee and what we are working on now

At St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, OR (that’s where we go to church), my DH and I are member of the Missions and Evangelism committee aka The Great Commission Team. We have been a part of this committee for a few years, now. I think it all began when I was asked to give my “journey to Orthodoxy” story to a group of non-Orthodox at someone’s home. Since I had never been asked this question it turned out to be a very thought-provoking process for me to recall my own “journey within Orthodoxy” (note the change of wording from “to” to “within” as both my husband and I are cradle Orthodox and neither of us ever left the Church, although we definitely had our ups and downs growing up in the Faith). Someday I will blog about my journey, but right now I am trying (in a very round-about way) to explain why we are on this committee. The reason that we were asked to participate in this discussion/presentation is that the question came up as to what happened to the Greeks? The Russians? The Serbs? The Arabs? How come there are lots of converts that are trying to share Orthodoxy with their friends and families but you never actually meet any ethnic Orthodox? And our parish is made up of mostly converts so it is an appropriate question. I was asked to share my journey as a cradle-ethnic Orthodox (my husband has the blessing of being a cradle Orthodox, but not an ethnic Orthodox). That’s why I refer to us as being the “token cradles” on this committee (and my husband will be the first to tell you that he never, ever thought he would marry a Greek girl because he was going to marry a nice Orthodox girl… hehehe).

So within this committee we are currently working on two projects (which, by the way, if you every move to Portland and decide to join our parish, this is the committee to be on… we read books, have discussions, delve into our faith… it’s amazing). OH, and by the way, and I am not sure why this is, but I am also the token woman on the committee. Back to our two projects. The first is that we came up with a list of frequently asked questions that non-Orthodox ask regarding Orthodoxy. Our short list of 39 questions is rather daunting. What we hope to do with this list of questions is answer them within the group (hence the great discussions) so that we understand our own faith. Below are the first four questions and the answers that we came up with for them. I have typed them in an outline format (because that is how I think). I am going to also post a list of all the questions for you to peruse at your leisure. Please comment and let me know what questions you are usually asked or, if you remember, what questions you asked prior to becoming Orthodox. And if you aren’t Orthodox, welcome and add your own questions, too (or, better yet, comment about which questions you would like to have answered).

1. You’re Jewish, right?
No- Orthodox means correct faith/worship- correct viewpoint.
Orthodox Jew – follows Judaism in its fullness
Orthodox – truth in the face of heresy
Term formally used post schism
Catholic = according to the whole

2. You’re just like the Catholic church but in the east.
Papal infallibility, worship of Mary, schism in 1054
Orthodox not Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic left Orthodoxy
We have an unbroken line to the apostles
*ask the person how do you define Catholic to find out what they are getting at

3. Don’t you worship Mary/ Can Mary save us?
No- worship is reserved only for God.
Honor Mary’s role in salvation history
Savior (Christ) v. someone who helps (Mary)
*to honor Mary is to honor and believe in the potentiality of Christ in our life.

4. Are you saved?
He who believes (continuous)
Persevere in your belief
Saved- language we don’t use in the Church, we don’t judge

In the coming months, as we meet, I will post our answers to the questions. Our second project involves creating a Basics in Orthodoxy curriculum for Fr. T. So far, we have an outline of what will be discussed in each class (I will post that outline next week, I don't want to overwhelm my blogging fan club with too much information...hahaha).

Missions and Evangelism Committee Questions

Here are a list of questions we as a committee came up with regarding the Orthodox Church (our version of FAQ's by non-Orthodox to Orthodox). Please read the above entry for more information on why I am posting this:)

If you have a question to add, please comment... answers to come in the coming months.

Questions regarding the Orthodox Church:

You’re Jewish, right?
You’re just like the Catholic Church, but in the east.
Don’t you worship Mary? Can Mary save us?
Are you saved?
Do you fall under the pope? (and get back up again.. he he he)
You must be Greek (or Russian, etc.)
Are you a Christian?
Questions pertaining to the infallibility of scripture and our belief in the Bible.
Do you ordain women?
Do you believe that Communion is the body and blood of Christ?
What do you believe about cremation?
Why can’t I receive communion in the Orthodox Church?
Do you have priests?
Why do you call your priest father? “…call no man father…”
Why are your priests allowed to marry?
Why do you fast?
Salvation is based on faith alone and is not related to works
Protestant notion of grace v. the Orthodox idea of grace and what is the different understandings of the word ‘salvation’.
How do we understand propitiation and expiation?
How and when are we saved?
Questions pertaining to prayers to saints.
The use of icons.
Infant baptism and baptism in general.
What is the Orthodox understanding of the sacraments?
How does the Orthodox view of tradition impact our faith and cause us to view scripture and the Church differently?
The Orthodox understanding of monasticism.
Do you believe that Orthodoxy is the only way to Christ?
Why is it that Orthodox Christians do not evangelize?
The Orthodox understanding of prayers for the dead.
The incarnation and its impact on our worship.
Can you lose your salvation? –predestination
Free will and the sovereignty of God
What is the Orthodox understanding of rapture?
Are you born again?
Interpretation of scripture by the Fathers, by an individual, or by the pope.
Septuagint v. Masoretic texts for the Old Testament and their use in the New Testament.
When Christ asked Peter three times “do you love me?” was a different word for ‘love’ used in the original Greek or was it the same word for all three questions?
I thought Jesus was the mediator between God and man.
Formal v. informal prayers (repetitive) and the nature of prayers.

Out of town for the weekend

We are going to be out of town this weekend. We are going up to Tacoma, WA to say goodbye to our god-daughter (and her family). They are moving to the mid-west. Paul actually went to college with them at Michigan Tech (it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world). Enough of the singing. We are going to truly miss these friends. They are shining stars of Orthodoxy and just plain old great conversationalists! Never a dull moment in their home. They inspired my husband to actually decide that it would be alright if we had children:) We are, of course, happy for them and sad at our own loss. God-willing, we will be able to get together with them because Paul's family lives in the mid-west (and one of Paul's potential clients might be in Pittsburgh... so who knows, God knows:)

That's been on my mind lately, friends leaving. We another family that will be leaving our church community. They have also been true friends to us (even to the point that when we were in Greece, we stayed with them). But they are not moving as far away and we know that we will see them. Lots of goodbyes to be said in the next few weeks.

Everything else is going well. I have pretty much decided to at least try the candle thing. I am going to continue to substitute teach (unless the candle thing really gets going) which is what I did today. A part of me loves it when teachers assign a movie for the class period, but a part of me also dreads it. Having to watch the Apollo 8 mission to the moon four times today really isn't that exciting (at least this movie was better than the '80's movie warning kids about the harms of using steroids). Pavlos is awesome. He loves to sing. His favorite song right now is you are my sunshine. Very cute. And Paul is doing well. He had his work review and they are recommending that he get a raise! I never thought that I would rejoice over money. But this gets us one step closer to being able to afford a home while keeping me (mostly) at home.

When I return (probably Monday or Tuesday), I will write up some thoughts on our missions and evangelism committee. We are members (the token cradles) of this committee and we have such wonderful discussions every time we meet! So I thought that I would write up some of the different discussions we have had (especially because I already have to type up the notes from the meetings... makes for a very convenient blog).

Have a wonderful weekend!

Candles, ice, and football

I’m thinking about becoming a Partylite candle consultant. Yeah, never thought I would venture to sell things, but we are trying to find creative ways for us to bring in a little extra money that doesn’t involve tight, rigid schedules (trying to avoid day care for Pavlos… it just isn’t an option). So, I hosted a candle party last week and it went fine. During the party the consultant (who happens to be a local Presvytera) suggested I look into it. Now I am going to go to a meeting with her in early February and we shall see from there. My dad hates the idea of selling things (that’s funny, he owns his own business) and believes that I will only make enemies of my friends (by asking them to have candle parties for me). My mom is totally in support of it, she thinks it’s the greatest idea ever, and Paul says I can do whatever I want. So hopefully I won’t make too many enemies of my friends (because I don’t have a heck of a lot of friends anyway) if I do decide to go forth with this venture. I will keep the blog world posted:)

It was very cold here over the weekend. No snow, but some great ice. We only left our house to go to my parents home (a short two miles away). They have a wonderful woodstove and we have some horrible little heaters. We watched lots of football (dad is a Steeler’s fan and since the Packer’s are out of the running…) and let Pavlos play with his favorite people in all the world (my mom and dad). We weren’t able to make it to church on Sunday which made the whole weekend feel slightly bizarre and really, really long. Honestly, I am tired of football (can I say that? Yes, my DH never reads this blog). Paul wants me to watch with him and he usually falls asleep so I am left sitting on the couch. I told him I did not want to watch football yesterday afternoon and he was hurt. But I am ok telling him that, he refuses to watch Pride and Prejudice with me (which is one of my all time favorite movies).

That’s all for today. If you have any input on the candle selling idea, let me know (go ahead, post a comment). And be honest:)

It’s the little things in life… OR what’s been on my mind lately…

three reflections:

Thanksgiving: I haven’t been on the computer much since last Thursday (guess that makes it a week). Our provider was down on Friday. So, I just assumed that because it wasn’t up on Saturday that it was still not working (makes sense, right?). And Sundays are such crazy days (a good kind of crazy, right?) that I don’t even turn on the computer. Monday rolls around and our internet service still isn’t up. So I make the dreaded call to the internet provider and I am on hold for 23 minutes. YIKES! Ok. So they will send someone out on Tuesday morning (between 8-10 AM). If it is their fault, we do not get charged. If it is our modem, we will get charged $50 for the guy telling me my modem does not work. I figure that since the lights seem to be working on the modem, it must be their problem. I schedule the appointment. The service tech comes at 8am (right on time) and after hooking up his modem to the cable, he declares that our modem must not be working. UUUGGGHHH! $50 in the hole and now we have to buy a new modem. Last night we bought a new modem and hooked it up to the cable and low and behold, it does not work. So I tell DH that he is going to have to call Comcast because I am tired of this (and anyway, Paul is the computer geek, oh, I mean, guy in the family). This was about 10pm last night. Comcast sends out a tech at 6:50am and he discovers that a squirrel has been chewing on the outside wire. YIPPEEEEE! We do not have to pay the $50 service charge AND we get to return the new modem! Thank you God, because money is pretty scarce around here.

Revolving door: I have a list of questions to ask oneself (it’s from St. Anthony’s Monastery) before going to confession. One of the questions says something about letting your mind wander during services. Does that include letting your feet wander, out the door, with a noisy child? Theophany services ended up being one of those services where ALL the young children were praising God in their own way (hey, I’m trying to be positive). It was like a revolving door with the parents taking children out of church then bringing them into church only to have to take them out of church again. Most of the time, the younger children are pretty well behaved. Oh, there’s the occasional Sunday where it’s Pavlos’ turn to be the loud kid at church, but mostly it seems to be a rotation among the children (as if they called each other up the night before and discussed who would get to be the disruptive one). Every few months it is as if there is something in the air that there will be a service where ALL of the children decide to be the loud kids at church. Do not know what it is (although someone pointed out that maybe it is the evil one because we were all at a feast day service).

Always a bridesmaid, but, oh wait, I have been a bride:) My sister and I are going to be bridesmaids in my brothers wedding. Pretty exciting. My DH, Paul, and her DH, Leo, will be groomsmen (which means we get to walk down the aisle with our respective husbands which works out wonderfully). So the bridesmaids dresses have been picked out. And, they are strapless (but we will be wearing a shawl in the church during the ceremony). Now, my sister and I just don’t do strapless (or, actually, we have never done strapless and aren’t sure if we are ready to do it). My future sister in law told me, though, that if I were to become pregnant (or my sister, for that matter), there is an alternative, non-strapless maternity dress (which means it does have sleeves) that comes in the same color. She told this to me because we lost a baby in August and really, really want another one (God’s plan, not mine, God’s plan, not mine). Now, I feel like I have another reason to get pregnant… the maternity bridesmaid dress. Is that extremely materialistic of me? I don’t know.

Thanks for reading my thoughts...

The "wow" in my life...

So now it is New Year’s Eve (in the secular world). We had a wonderful Christmas with my family (Paul’s family lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin). And my sister has been down with her two little one’s (Pavel age 4 and Maria age 2… best friend of my little one, Pavlos age 2 1/2) for almost ten days. What joy, what fun to see these cousins play with each other. My sister and I have had many discussions about how wonderful it would have been if, when we were young, we had cousins our age. There is so much joy and wonder and amazement and happiness in those children.

It makes me reflect on something that Fr. Theodore said in a sermon (it must have been on Christmas Eve morning, I think) about what the different animals and people brought to Christ. The Magi brought gifts. The earth (creation) offered a cave and a manger. The shepherds (this is the best part) brought their wonder. Being illiterate, but being connected to God because of spending countless days in the quiet of the wilderness, tending their sheep, they were simple people on the outside with a depth that I cannot touch (with all the noise and books and learning I have in my life). And I see that wonder in Pavlos (and his cousins) everyday. No, wait, not just everyday, but at least once an hour, maybe even once every ten minutes. Pavlos’ favorite word right now is “wow”. Everything we see or do is a moment of “wow” for him. Where are my “wow” moments, I think to myself? They are, technically, every day, every hour, every minute. But, my heart has been hardened to them by time and sin. When I am told that my salvation is through my child and husband, I realize that through Pavlos, that hard heart may have a crack in it… exposing itself for just a moment. And that with each Pavlos “wow”, there is a small “wow” in my heart, too.

On Christmas Day we found out that our beloved Metropolitan, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, reposed after a five week battle with cancer. He was due to retire in the next year. May his memory be eternal!

Secular Christmas Reflections

I am making my yearly Christmas cookies. Most of them Greek. And it donned on my why these two different Greek cookie recipes call for "two jiggers of brandy"... you will need the brandy bottle handy for when you are completely frustrated with the in depth process you must go through to make these cookes:) Even the Artoklassia (five loaves of sweet bread as an offering to the Church) calls for ouzo to be sprayed on the top of the bread (another tedious recipe to follow). Yep, the Greeks know what they are doing:)

Yesterday I finished our Christmas shopping. Normally I'm the kind of person who is done by December 1. But this year, something special was released on DVD on December 21 and I wanted to get that something special for my brother. Can you guess what it is? Let me give you a few hints... idiots, sweet, liger?!?!? Got it now? It's Napolean Dynamite! I am going to add it to my favorite movies on my blogger profile. I saw it with my sister this summer in the theater. It is so hysterically funny... we were literally rolling in the aisles. My brother will love it! And, in case you missed the theatrical release, I hightly recommend at least renting it. It's about all the geeky people you knew in high school all rolled into one. And it's a high school movie that doesn't have swearing, drinking, drugs, or sex. Can you believe it? And it's still funny! Who would have thought.

Last night was Paul's work Christmas party (I should probably refer to it as a "Holiday" party because there was nothing "Christmassy" about this party). Not that I didn't have fun. We had a great time. He works for a fairly small company (there are only 20 employees here in Portland) so everyone knows each other. Very intimate. It was at Henry's Tavern in NW Portland. I guess that's a big hang out for the single, after work crowd. The cool thing is they have 100 different beers on tap. Talk about variety. We played pool, had an open tab (free drinks... although I can't drink because of my meds), and then had a delicious meal (food's not cheap... although we both had shrimp dishes). All paid for by the owner of the company who flew in just for the party. What a life. Some people got completely trashed and others didn't have a thing to drink. A good balance.

I don't know if I will have an opportunity to post anything until after the Nativity (which is, by the way, my name day, too) with family coming in from out of town tomorrow and all the services in the next few days. I wish you all a very blessed Nativity (I know it's early but Christ is Born! Glorify Him!).

Sick and tired of being sick and tired...

Poor Pavlos. He's been sick since last Tuesday. Fever, cough, runny nose, and just feeling miserable. It's funny how when someone in the family is sick (except maybe when I am sick), our little world gets turned upside down. Thursday Pavlos and I were going to help the ladies in our parish senior ministry make baklava for a bake sale. Instead, we stayed home all day (I wrapped presents). Paul planned a month ago to take last Friday off. We were going to drive up into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and cut down our own tree for Christmas. Then we were going to go sledding. Instead, on Friday I took Pavlos to the doctor and Paul went to Home Depot to buy a tree. Saturday we were going to go with our church GOYA group (youth group) to pass out lunches to the homeless. Instead, Paul went to pass out lunches and I stayed home with Pavlos. Saturday evening I went to Vesper's (which I have to admit was very relaxing without a 2 1/2 year old) and on Sunday morning, Paul went to Liturgy (and he also admitted that it was really relaxing without a 2 1/2 year old AND he was able to sit in the very front row of church AND he was able to go to most of Orthros). Sunday, I stayed home with Pavlos. Sunday evening we were in charge of a trip to the Grotto Festival of Lights for people from our parish. Paul and I went. And so did my dad. Where was Pavlos, you might ask? He stayed with yiayia (my mom... Greek for grandma). Monday (today), Pavlos' fever finally broke, thank God (and St. Nektarios). We are home all day just to be sure (and he still has the sniffles) and I am making some Greek pastries.

The hardest part was hearing him cough. And with each cough, tears would stream down his little cheeks because it hurt. That's the difficulties of being a parent. And this is just a bad infection. I can not even imagine what life would be like for those countless families who have little one's with life threatening illnesses. Or my grandparents who lost their son due to illness when he was four years old.

Presents in the present

About a week ago, someone from Way of a Pilgrim bookstore called me to inform me that the book "The Ascetic of Love" (the life of Mother Gavrila) was no longer in print and so they were unable to order it for me. I have been looking for this book since I first laid eyes on our koumbaro's copy (he lives in San Diego so I was unable to borrow it from him). That was about five years ago. Ever since then I have been searching for this book. When we moved up to Portland, OR, I would periodically go to Way of a Pilgrim to see if they had it in, but they had always "just sold their last copy and there is more on order". Finally, about two months ago, I asked them to order it for me. I was so sad to learn it is out of print. Now my quest for this book will be a little more difficult. Fast forward to yesterday: I went to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church bookstore to look for books in Greek for my dad for a Christmas present (every year I try to buy my dad a book in Greek for Christmas... either a life of a saint or something about the Church). Needless to say they couldn't find their books that were in Greek (they are in the middle of doing an inventory on their books, icons, etc.) But, I looked up on a shelf and there it was... "The Ascetic of Love". And, in fact, there were two copies of this gem (I only bought one). A birthday present to myself was purchasing this elusive book (my birthday is December 14). I am so excited to read it! And it made the drive out to Holy Trinity extremely worthwhile! OH, and I did eventually settle on buying a book on the Greek war of independence for my dad. It's in English, but it has many beautiful pictures. I think he will like it:)

One final note, last night we went out to dinner with my family for my birthday. My brother's fiance was there, too. She is very sweet and we all like her a lot. Her gift to me was U2's new CD How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Even though I already own the new CD, Hannah (future sister-in-law) has scored major points with me. I'm starting to like her more than I like my brother (just kidding, Yianni). How could I not like someone who buys me U2?

Fr. Seraphim Rose, Parish Council, and Prayer Request...

"...And don't join a parish council anywhere. Avoid parish politics like the plague!" Fr. Seraphim Rose (I read that yesterday in the book Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works)

We had parish council elections last Sunday. My DH, Paul, was nominated and, this year, he felt that he did not have a valid excuse to not run (last year he was nominated and declined because he was working almost full time and going to school full time). Needless to say, Paul is now a member of the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church parish Council. I dedicate the Fr. Seraphim quotation to you, my darling husband (from your lovely wife:)

Those of you that have the privilege of knowing my husband may have noticed that he is a bit shy. So I am surprised that he is now on parish council. Not that only wild and crazy outgoing people are on parish council, it just seems that (and remember, I have grown up in a couple of different GREEK Orthodox parishes) the schmoozier you are, the more likely you are to be on parish council (just my humble opinion). I was once approached, years ago, to have my name on the ballot. I wanted to decline because I was a full time grad student and I was working full time, but the person informed me that I didn't have to worry, I wouldn't win (wink wink, nudge nudge). I was appalled. Needless to say, I did decline. This did not happen at the parish we currently attend (St. John's was but a twinkle in Metropolitan Anthony's eye). Anyway, I am of the opinion that my husband is, of course amazing and wonderful and I am sure he will be a great asset to the group (he doesn't read my blog so I can say these great things about him).

This leads me to our prayer request. We currently live a 30 minute drive (on a a good day) from St. John's. Where we live is less expensive than where the church is located. We have been looking for a home to buy (we live in a home that my parent's own... can't beat the rent:) and we were going to stay here, in Vancouver. But, after much prayer, thought, and discussions with our spiritual father (and with Paul having to go to meetings at church) we are looking in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area. We are praying that God will find a way to keep me at home (with Pavlos) and that we can make ends meet only on Paul's salary. It will be difficult. Please pray for us! Thank you...

All Hail the (Crimson) King of Literature(?)

My sister and I read Stephen King when we were in high school. What he lacks as a master of literature he makes up for as master of mounds and mounds of fire fuel er, I mean, books. The guy writes a lot. I haven't read a Stephen King book in years... EXCEPT the Dark Tower series which is Stephen King minus some of the blood, guts, and horror of his usual works (not to say that the books in the Dark Tower series do not have bloody scenes, they do; it's just that this series of books are more apt to be described as fantasy fiction than horror fiction). Over the years, I have definitely left the horror side of fiction behind (don't know why I even read it in the first place... I'm what you would call a voracious reader... I will read just about anything that I can get my hands on... thank God I have grown to be a little more discerning as I have left adolescence behind:). But I have continued to read the Dark Tower series because I WANTED TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS! That's it. And, so, a few weeks ago, my sister lent me her copy of the final installment in the series (aptly titled "The Dark Tower", creative, huh?) Now I can get through a Stephen King book in a few days (sometimes a few hours), I'm just a very fast reader (good when I was in college, bad when I am trying to savor a book). And, obviously Tolkien he ain't, so it's a pretty easy read. I finished it. I will not give away the ending here (although I don't know how many of my blog readers are avid Stephen King readers) but I do want to comment on it, at least a little bit.
I can see where fans of Stephen King, and fans of the Dark Tower series especially (keep in mind that he started the first book in the 70's, and just recently published the last book) may not have been thrilled with the ending. I would like to remind them that ka is a circle and that Roland still needs to come to terms with his past. He needs to forgive himself and that is why he is still in the circle. Maybe the next time around, Roland will actually find what he is looking for... (remember, I don't want to give away the ending:), but I thought the ending made total sense. And, anyway, real life (which this books is so far from) isn't about happy endings. In fact, I usually respect an author more if the ending is not what I suspected or it isn't some Hallmark contrived commercial ending where everyone is happy, happy happy! Thanks for reading...

***NOTE*** I wrote this while I was subbing sixth grade science (during my break). Please forgive me if it sounds a bit random and all over the place.

Too Tired to Think...

The gears are grinding slowly this week. I think that Thanksgiving did me in! So, here are a few links for you to browse at your leisure. Hopefully, my brain will start working again and I can write something with more depth.


St. John the Forerunner Monastery
in Goldendale, WA is on-line! They sell wonderful soaps and wonderful Greek pastries.


Our family website!
On the first “page” it says it hasn’t been updated since May, but that’s not true (I just haven’t updated that page). Go to Christina’s page to see our pictures from Greece (and, yes, I’m still working on getting the pictures up from Paul’s visit to Mt. Athos… sorry for the delay). If you want to see the pics of Pavlos, please email me privately and I will send you the password.

Orthodox Images!
We love the painting "The Secret School" and have now found a place where we can purchase a copy. This is a link to the painting (and other Icons, paintings, etc.). This is a very famous Greek painting (it was on the 200 drachma bill) showing how the monk/priest is teaching the children how to read, write and about their faith secretly, while an armed Greek guard stands watch. Beautiful...

***NOTE*** if anyone knows where I can get books in Greek, let me know. I am trying to avoid ordering directly from Greece and am having no luck searching the net. Thanks!

Number 1 Fan(atic).. and other tidbits

I did it. I bought the new U2 CD the day it came out
(How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb).
I feel like a teenager again, although, I didn’t set out to buy the CD, I just happened to be at Costco to pick up my mom’s turkey and there was the CD (not in the turkey aisle). I know that I will have to listen to it at least a few times before forming my opinion on it and on the individual songs. It took me a while to begin to appreciate their last album (All That You Can’t Leave Behind). But now I thoroughly enjoy most tracks from that album. So we shall see if this one stands the test of time (it can’t be much worse than ZooropaJ).

Here is a
fun site…
see if you can get all the states right (if I was still teaching, this would be a fun geography test at the beginning of the quarter).

Happy Thanksgiving… whether an American or not, we all have something to give thanks to God about, I’m sure. And happy name day to my sister, mother in law, sister in law, and yiayia (Greek for grandma)… they are all named for St. Katherine. I had the blessing of being assigned to make the prosphora for tomorrow’s liturgy. It’s wonderful when our earthly “schedule” falls into sync with the divine. I was able to honor the Katherine’s in my life in such a special way.

Still Inquiring After All These Years

“Does one ever stop being an ‘inquirer into Orthodoxy’, even after they’ve entered the Church? I’m amazed at the things I come across sometimes. Its almost like I never knew it, had just found it out and am now convinced the Holy Orthodoxy is the True Church. Perhaps I keep getting re-convinced.”
From Jim N.'s blog.
My mother in law stayed with us for a week two weeks ago. She is a Khouriya (or Presvytera or Matushka (aka Priest’s wife)). She has been Orthodox for over thirty years. While visiting us, she picked up
Mountain of Silence
by Kyriacos Markides. There is a passage in there that made her stop and think (we had a long discussion over it). And it made me realize that even being Orthodox for 30+ years (and being married to a priest), there are still things that she learns about her faith. I have been Orthodox for 30+ years (having been baptized as an infant and growing up in an Orthodox Church) and every so often something crosses my path, whether through written word or through a service and I think, “duh, that makes absolute sense, where have I been?” Some would call it a “light bulb” moment. We never stop being an inquirer into Orthodoxy. We are constantly moving closer to and away from God and, therefore, we are constantly learning, re-learning, un-learning, and growing. Even in those movements away from God we will sometimes return closer to God than we once were. So my mother in law’s learning something new about Orthodoxy was my reminder that we are all learning something new about our faith. And woe is he that has reached a point where he feels he has “learned it all”.

Tried and True Lenten Recipes *UPDATED*

2/20/10 Hello and Welcome... if you came her through tipnut.com, thanks for visiting.  The following recipes were put on my blog 5 years ago.  Since then we have gone Gluten Free in our family.  For more Lenten recipes, please look at blog postings from Nov. and Dec. 2009 and I am currently posting more lenten recipes for the current fasting period (Lent 2010).  And, if this is your first time visiting, please leave a note saying hello!   May your Lenten journey truly be blessed!!!

It's that time of year again... the beginning of another fasting period in the Orthodox Church. Below are tried and true Lenten Recipes that are our favorites! If a recipe calls for oil, it can be cooked without the oil (except the dessert recipes). Have a blessed Nativity Fast!

Hummus (our favorite)

1 15 ounce can garbanzo beans (reserve juice)

1 1/4 tablespoons tahini (can be bought in most grocery stores... looks like peanut butter) 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 large garlic clove 1/2 tsp. salt

Heat beans over medium heat until they come to a boil. Reserve juice. Put beans and next 4 ingredients in a food processor or blender. Slowly add juice from beans (not all the juice). Blend until creamy and very smooth. Place in a bowl... serve with pita bread, French bread, or any bread and veggies!!!

Spinach Rice

10 cups fresh, cleaned packed spinach (3 bunches)

6-8 green onions

2 tablespoons water

1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup rice plus 1 tablespoon

thoroughly wash spinach, drain, and set aside. In a large pot, heat water and sauté onions in water. Add spinach and simmer for 5 minutes with a spoon until the spinach is wilted. Add dill, parsley, tomatoes, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Add rice... cover and reduce heat. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice is done.

Juddra (lentils with rice)

1 cup uncooked lentils

4 cups water

1 large onion chopped

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 tbs. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 tbs. lemon juice

rinse lentils and put into a heavy saucepan with water. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat 15 minutes. Add the chopped onion and rice. Cover and cook 20-25 minutes until rice and lentils are cooked, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper and lemon. Serve on a platter. Optional: on a wine and oil day, sauté the onions in oil before adding it to the lentils.

Farina Pudding

5 cups water

1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup farina (cream of wheat)

1 tsp. vanilla

cinnamon

mix water and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Boil for one minute. Stir in farina until it thickens, about two minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir mixture well. Pour into an 8 x 8 dish or individuals bowls. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Let cool, then refrigerate overnight. Cut into pieces and serve.

Bean Soup

1 lb. navy beans

2 quarts water

3/4 cup olive or vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 cup tomato sauce

salt and pepper

soak beans overnight. Drain and add fresh water. In a deep saucepan, bring beans to a boil. Reduce heat, and cook for one hour. Then add onions, celery, carrots, and oil. When almost cooked, add tomato and salt and pepper. Cook for 15-20 minutes.

Also, can be made in the crock pot... soak beans overnight, rinse, and then put everything into the crock pot!!!

Lentil Soup

1 cup lentils

1/2 cup tomato sauce

4 tbs. vegetable oil

1 onion chopped fine

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)

1 clove garlic

5 cups water

1 tsp. salt

sort and wash lentils. Place in a deep saucepan and add all ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook slowly for about 1 1/2 hrs. Add a dash of red wine vinegar.

I sometimes add 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup rice to thicken it up. Or I will add 2 potatoes, cut into cubes. I also will do this in the crock pot!

Lenten chocolate cake

3 cups flourCocoa

2 tsps. Soda

6 tbsps.

1 tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

3 tbsps. Vinegar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups cold water

powdered sugar (optional)

measure flour, soda, cocoa, salt, and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add vinegar, vanilla, oil, and water and mix well. Pour batter into greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Let cake sit for 1 hour and then sprinkle powdered sugar on the top OR make the following chocolate icing: Mix powdered sugar, cocoa, and a little margarine. Add enough warm water to make a smooth, creamy icing.

Applesauce cake

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup light brown sugar (firmly packed)

1 cup canned applesauce

2 1/4 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. apple pie spice (or 1/4 tsp. each cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice) 1 cup raisins

Cream shortening, add sugar and beat. Add applesauce. Sift together dry ingredients and add to mixture. Fold in raisins. Bake in loaf pan or flat pan (greased) for 1 hour at 325 degrees.

Vegetable soup

3 large potatoes

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 small onion, sliced thin

pepper

2 tbsps. Rice

2 tbsps. Tomato paste

3 carrots

1 tsp. salt

2 cups tomatoes (I use diced)

2 cups water

chopped parsley

Prepare vegetables and cut in cubes of uniform size. Cook celery and oinions slowly in 2 tbsps. Water for ten minutes. Add remaining ingredients and boil until vegetables are soft (about 1 hour). Add more water if needed. This should be a thick soup.

I will also do this one in the crock pot (just throw everything in). But you have to watch it carefully because it is a very thick soup. Freezes well, too!!!

Corn Bread

1 cup corn meal

1 cup white flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. veg. oil

1 1/2 cups soy milk

Mix ingredients. Pour into 8 x 8 pan (slightly grease). Cook at 350 for 30 minutes.

Apple Cake

6 apples peeled, cored and sliced

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup veg. oil

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

heat apples and sugar until sugar is melted. Pour oil and vanilla over apples (off heat) and mix well). In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add apple mixture to dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. Pour into a greased cake pan. Cook 350 for 40 minutes.

Pistou

1 zucchini diced

1 small potato peeled and diced

1 shallot diced

1 carrot diced

8 oz can chopped tomatoes

4 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup thin green beans cut into 1/2 in. pieces

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup small pasta shapes

4-6 tbsps. Pesto

1 tbsp. sundried tomato paste

salt and pepper

Place the firs five ingredients in a large stockpot. Add the stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the green beans, peas, and pasta. Cook for 10 minutes longer, until the pasta is tender. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. Mix together sundried tomato paste and pesto. Stir into each serving.

Phad Thai

1 cup water

2/3 cup peanut butter

2 cloves garlic minced

2 tbsps. Brown sugar

1 1/2 tbsps. Lemon juice

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Thai chili paste

Spaghetti noodles or rice noodles

1/2 cup peanuts finely chopped

1/2 cup bean sprouts

1/2 cup shrimp (optional)

Cook water, peanut butter, and garlic over medium heat, stirring until mixture boils and thickens. Then add brown sugar, lemon juice, and chili paste. Stir until it boils.

Cook noodles (rice noodles according to package directions, spaghetti noodles as you normally would).

Combine peanut sauce with noodles, then sprinkle with chopped peanuts, bean sprouts and shrimp.

Crock pot marinara sauce

1 cup packed fresh parsley

3 ribs of celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp. dried rosemary

1/2 tsp. dried sage

16 oz. can seasoned tomato sauce

16 oz. can regular tomato sauce

16 oz. can seasoned diced tomatoes

16 oz. can regular diced tomatoes

1/4 lb. fresh mushrooms

1 1/2 tsp. salt

Pinch of chili peppers to taste.

Add all ingredients to crockpot. Cook 5-6 hours on high or 12-18 hours on low. This is an awesome marinara sauce!!!

Vegetarian Chili

3 cloves garlic mincedDijon style mustard

2 14 1/2 oz cans stewed tomatoes

1 12 oz. can beer or non-alcoholic beer

1 cup water

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

3-4 tsps. Chili powder

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tbsps.

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. pepper

several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce

1 15 oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)

1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini or yellow summer squash


I do this one in the crock pot, too. Just toss everything in and cook! This is good with the corn bread.