both Sundays feature Matthew’s emphasis that Christ is the fulfillment of the prophets and is the legitimate messiah coming from the royal line of David – in all of its messiness.
Read more
Author: Nicholas Denysenko
Nicholas Denysenko received a Ph.D. in liturgical studies and sacramental theology from The Catholic University of America in 2008. He is assistant professor of theological studies and director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where he teaches courses on liturgy and Eastern Christianity. He serves as deacon at St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Tarzana, California. He is currently working on a monograph treating liturgical reform in the Orthodox Church.
Thanksgiving: A Prayer & Litany
God, thank you, for the gift of long friendship.
Read more
The Church in Decline and…Gratitude?
The opportunity for Christians who continue to gather to give thanks despite decline is to reflect on their witness.
Read more
Mary’s Birthday – Is Anyone Celebrating?
Looking at the calendar, I noted that September 8 falls on a Sunday this year. My muscle memory kicked into gear and I immediately saw
Read more
Liturgical Processions, Political Theology, and Contemporary Christian Witness
Processions that chant melodious slogans will garner the attention of the people, but serve no real liturgical purpose, and are therefore doomed to fall flat.
Read more
Liturgical Centers: Illusion or Fantasy?
It was heaven on earth, an ideal marriage of elegant space and sound.
Read more
Diaconal Service: In Peace for Church and World
Diaconal ministry is performed in peace, and not just any peace, but the peace granted to the world from Christ, the peace that comes to us from above.
Read more
Holy Week, Pascha, and Piety
We need not fear death. To put it quite simply, God is telling us, “do not be afraid; all will be well.”
Read more
Ars Praedicandi: Third Sunday of Lent (Orthodox) March 31st
For many of us, we’re carrying the cross when we’re dealing with struggles, every day, that never really go away.
Read more
Eyewitness Accounts of Suffering, Fasting, and Feasting
The story of the life they lived handed on to me at table taught me the real meaning of the fast: to reject evil, as Jesus did when the Holy Spirit led him into the desert, and as they did.
Read more