BryonySeries: Eastern Orthodox

Showing posts with label Eastern Orthodox. Show all posts

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Christ is Risen Galician.flv

Monday, November 15, 2021

Explaining the Orthodox Christmas Fast to Children

Up until a few years ago, my family belonged to an Orthodox church that had never been large in membership and whose numbers were steadily declining.

My husband and I created a religious education for the handful of youth (which actually grew in number during this time). We also created space for a youth group by remodeling buildings on our property and adding an additional one.

We also planned a number of programs to engage them (and us!) in the liturgical life of the Eastern church.

One of those programs was an annual retreat shortly before the start of the Nativity fast. Most people know this season before Christmas as Advent, except that, in the Eastern Christian church, Advent begins on November 15.

The retreat consisted of activities, lunch, plenty of conversation, and a workbook that I wrote. Yes, if I couldn't find the materials I wanted, I wrote my own.

Below is the introduction to one of those workbooks, this one from 2006. The attempt was to explain eternal truths in a way that children and adults could both grasp.

I'm sharing it today because it's the first day of Advent in the Orthodox church but, more importantly, I'm sharing it today because maybe you, the reader, may find something of value in it - a word, a phrase - that deepens the Christmas season for you this year.

The Orthodox church, in its wisdom, gives us a few weeks to prepare our bodies, minds and hearts to receive the gift of salvation that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ offers to us. The Nativity (Christmas) fast begins on Nov. 15. It is also sometimes called St. Philip’s Fast, because Nov. 15 is the feast day of St. Philip.

In a traditional Orthodox fast, people do not eat any milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, sour cream, eggs, meat or olive oil until Christmas. But for many of us, this will be impossible. We should try to give up at least one of these foods until then. Either way, we try to eat less, so we can feel hungry. This will remind us that we need God in our lives. But we can also do some other things too to prepare for Jesus’ birth.

We should go to Holy Confession at least once during the fast and try to fast from sin. What kinds of things are sin?

We can also try to cut down on the things that amuse us—movies, video and computer games, CDs and ipod, talking on the telephone—and replace that time with reading the Bible or other books about Jesus (see our church library) and doing do things for other people.

What other kinds of things can we do?

Why is this preparation necessary? Have you ever had a birthday party? Supposing you had been playing outside all day. Perhaps you might want to take a shower and put on some clean clothes before the party.

Well, that is kind of what the Nativity fast is like. By sinning, we have been playing in dirt. But now we are preparing to receive a gift greater then the best birthday present, Jesus Christ, who takes the punishment for our sins and restores us in image and likeness of God.

There is another reason why we prepare. Remember how when Mary was about to give birth to Jesus she and Joseph had trouble finding somewhere to stay? Remember what they were told?

If we compare our hearts and minds to an inn, then we can understand how important it is to make room in our lives—our inn—to let Jesus come into it.

What a beautiful miracle Jesus’ birth is. Let’s think about this. He who created the whole world is born as a helpless baby. He, who holds the entire universe in the palm of His hand, was held in the arms of his mother Mary.

The Nativity of Jesus Christ—Christmas—is not just about God coming down to us, but us rising up to Him.

Sin makes us dead to God. The more we sin, the less we want to pray, go to church and read about God. Without God, we are dead inside because we are not the people he created us to be.

It is only with God that we can ever live a full life. When a baby is born, the doctor gives it a little slap to make it cry, to force air into its lungs. If this doesn’t happen, the baby will not live.

Christmas, for us, is like this. Some wise person once said that people took their first real, deep breath when the baby Jesus cried His first cry.

Because only then could life in God happen. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, May 30 through June 5

Good morning readers, writers, and BryonySeries fans.

I have so many stories to share with you this morning (20 including two videos and a photo list and not counting briefs, those are for another day), so I'll skip any commentary.

Hope everyone is safe, healthy, happy, and enjoying a beautiful start to Friday. On this side of the planet, it's 72 degrees, sunny, and I can hear birds outside my window.

And the coffee is delicious!

Here's where to find me (virtually) and my writing work.

Non-bylined features:

Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.

Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

Upcoming BryonySeries events:

A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at bryonyseries.com.

Newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Questions?

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Community News: Aug. 2, 2018

Check out upcoming events in the Joliet area, as well as the awesome things people are doing.

Local faith events Aug. 2 through Aug. 9

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/01/local-faith-events-aug-2-through-aug-9/azdbguf/

Joliet church to host famous icon, hold service

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/01/joliet-church-to-host-famous-icon-hold-service/ah41p6f/

Register by Aug. 2 for these events

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/08/01/register-by-aug-2-for-these-events/ah125bi/

New Lenox church seeking exhibitors

http://www.theherald-news.com/2018/07/30/new-lenox-church-seeking-exhibitors/ahshzlx/

Check out the following free newsletters:

Sign up for the Will County Go Guide

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//

Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter

http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/

Sign up for The Munsonville Times

https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times

Illustration by Christopher Gleason for "Staked!"

Friday, January 12, 2018

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 7 through Jan. Jan. 12 (And Self-Publishing Seminar Recap)

A few less stories this week as I play catch-up from the holidays, which in features world, starts in September and continues nonstop through the first of the year.

Adding to the mix that I worked the news end of things on a holiday and then taking a day off to compensate, and having Monday off for my anniversary date (the company has each employee take a free day in the month he/she was hired, which is very nice), already puts me at a deficit of three days.

Oh, and I had a big project to complete under a tight deadline, which too me an entire day. I also learned 2018 will bring not one, but the start of two newsletters by moi.

As I've previously mentioned, I'll be starting a newsletter for the BryonySeries this year. Details are HERE.

But The Herald-News has asked me to start one, too, beginning this month. I was given some direction as to the vision, with me mulling on how to best execute that vision.

As you can see, it's an exciting start to the new year.

Last night, nearly twenty brave souls ventured into the sleet to learn the basics of "how to self-publish for nearly free," with a couple people actually traveling a distance to do so. I estimated two hours for the event, and we used up every bit of it.

Nearly everyone, it seemed, received something use from the time (and from the handout), and one gentleman even asked me to autograph it! So a good time (and the quaffing of some great coffee at Book and Bean Cafe) was had by all.

For those who missed it and are sorry they did, not to worry. There's more events coming up, including a WriteOn Joliet meeting on Jan. 18 and the Calkins Day celebration and book signing on Feb. 11. Details are HERE.

Now where do you find features, fiction, and me?

Non-bylined features:

Monday through Saturday I assembled my non-bylined works - brief posts and calendar listings - into one convenient file and posting them on Facebook in the evening, so readers can easily choose the ones they want to read.

One can also find those event listings, the Gotta Do It calendar, as well as the pets, health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars, under the sections tab on the left hand side of http://www.theherald-news.com/. Click on "features" and the topics drop down. Gotta Do It runs under "people."

Community news? Again, under the sections tab, under features, and by topic. Updates are posted on these days in print and web (and some only on web on other days as I have the time): Monday (pets), Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (arts and entertainment), and Sunday (people).

Social media:

Daily updates: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries. And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

Books and Such

Information on my books (including where to buy) is at www.bryonyseries.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you're read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Here are the stories that ran in features this week:

Why some Joliet area churches celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7

The answer lies with church history and how people once marked the passage of time.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/04/72fa64f0ec884df98d8817c50dd03f2e/index.xml

Just one of the villagers

Joliet man found adventure in life's simplicity

The more others share memories of Joe Baltz with his wife Marie Pierre Baltz, the more Marie Pierre realizes “what a great man he was” and “what a complete man he was.”

Joe Baltz of Joliet died on Nov. 4 at age 71.

“Not only was he complete in what he did,” Marie Pierre said, “but my feeling now is that I am discovering the man I lived 44 years with.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/04/eaa94b173d104ceb84697e33ee4f42fc/index.xml?page=1

Channahon beekeeper keeps puppies' paws safe

"There's nothing I make in the paw wax that's bad for the dogs," Parhsall said. "It's just basically beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil. No petroleum products, nothing like that."

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2017/12/26/2ccddcf7893e4b8d845824680d638786/index.xml?page=1

Plainfield's Blueberry Hill Breakfast Cafe: home-cooked meals in a friendly atmosphere

The epitome of blueberry breakfast dishes is in Plainfield.

It's called the Baked Blueberry French Toast. The texture was more dense than traditional French toast and the cream cheese frosting was "more refreshing than sweet," said one diner.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/06/f5ea9f7da50b4ff3a6e0014528b36756/index.xml

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage." Follow him at www.facebook.com/artbymattcoundiff or @MattCoundiff on Twitter

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Merry Christmas! (Huh?)

Years ago when our family moved from the Christian West to the Christian East, we made friends with some families that celebrated Christmas on Jan. 7.

Some of these friends celebrated only on Jan. 7 and some celebrated on Dec. 25 and Jan. 7. Sometimes we celebrated with them, a Christmas with family and a Christmas with friends.

Gradually, we incorporated Jan. 7 as ours, especially after my youngest daughter Rebekah was born on Jan. 7 (making her 24 years old today).

The idea behind the switch was less about the present and more about the future. As the children grew up, married, and had children and families of their own, moving our celebration as an immediate family would give them the freedom to celebrate the popular date with their new families, incorporating their traditions and starting their own, while also allowing them to celebrate as a unit with their siblings.

Through the years, Dec. 25 became the date we celebrated with extended family. And Jan. 7 became the "siblings all together under one roof" Christmas.

But why Jan. 7? The answer is explained in this story I wrote for today's Herald-News.

http://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2018/01/04/72fa64f0ec884df98d8817c50dd03f2e/index.xml

Whenever and however you celebrate, what's most important, I think, is that you celebrate.

Christ is born! Let us glorify Him!

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

A Time to Improve

Tomorrow is the beginning of advent in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

It is a traditionally a strict abstinence (i.e. no meat, eggs, or dairy products).

Before I developed some allergies and food sensitivities, I kept this fast. Now, I limit portions and unhealthy eating during this time. The whole point is to make some "room in the inn" in our spirits for Christ.

With the days growing darker and colder, it's a quiet, reflective time.

Although life's busyness is often inescapable, we can make our interiors a little less busy, a little more still.

How best to use the gifts and talents bestowed on us? What to cut back for a season? What to eliminate forever?

Advent is an opportunity for improvement, to become better equipped for God's purpose for us.

Today, I'm on the advent of advent.

Whenever yours begins, may it be blessed.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Eternal Memory

For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Ecclesiastes 2:16

The Twilight craze has passed and so has the fervor for Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

I can see you blink and say, "Huh?"

Not too many years ago in the eternal perspective, loyal fans of this latter serial waited with as much anticipation for the next installment as Edward/Jacob devotees yearned for the next movie. Victorians gathered at harbors to meet English ships for one reason, and it wasn't greeting family and friends. They just had to know: "Is Little Nell dead???"

Most of us will never be as famous as either Stephanie Meyers of Charles Dickens, and the memory of their accomplishments will fade, has faded, and is fading from the forefront of most people's consciousness. Think of all the schools that are named for esteemed educators and then ask schoolchildren (and their parents and teachers) to give a summary of that educator's life.

So what does that mean for the rest of us, who lead more ordinary lives between the here and then gone?

Two things happened to me on Saturday that inspired this post. One is a friend grappling with that question. The other is the former marketing director for the BryonySeries, who left a voice message for me while I was in a meeting.

Eight years ago I had interviewed her for a Herald-News story before and after she had brain surgery to remove a meningioma. The second interview was at her home, while she was recovering. Because this woman is creative and spiritual, I impulsively stopped at a religious goods store on the way to her house and purchased a lace banner for her, with the phrase: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.

The story was published, and in 2010 I hired her for marketing until the budget for marketing was gone. End of story.

Until Saturday.

She still has that lace banner. That banner still inspires her. On that particular day, she was writing a euology for a relative's memorial service. She called to let me know that she was using this banner as the foundation of her eulogy, and that it still meant something to her eight years later.

In the Eastern Orthodox church, we conclude our memorial services with the phrase, Eternal Memory.

I believe that as the sharp particulars of a person's life soften and fade from the mind of loved ones - because they will, as much as that might sting our pride - they increase in warm, strength, and value in the spiritual realm, much as a candle flame enlarges as it burns. In this case, it's a flame that eternally grows and burns, one that is never extinguished or forgotten.

Our names, the details of our works, these are not the important things and won't be much remembered except by God, but that's the remembrance that ultimately counts.

But the impressions of love and joy we make upon others, the example of our character and the way we choose to live, these DO affect others, who will take up the torch and light the way for generations to follow.

That's what it's alll about, Alfie.

Friday, December 19, 2014

My Favorite Christmas Story

So at last night's WriteOn Christmas party, Tom Hernandez asked us to bring (and read) a favorite Christmas piece, not our own work.

Now it was too noisy for reading, but here is what I brought. In the Eastern Orthodox church, we chant everything, so I was actually prepared to chant.

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

Isaiah 9:2-7

Monday, November 3, 2014

Lois, Eli, Poppyseed, and True Food

Sometimes people wonder why I and my three youngest adult children travel forty miles to a dying church - St. Nicholas in Homewood - with a handful of members every Sunday. It's hard to explain in words.

Certainly, it's not simply because it's Eastern Orthodox, as Joliet has four and Homer Glen, a little closer, has a Byzantine Catholic church, one I had attended for many years when it resided in Joliet. On the plus side of St. Nicholas, this church has a joyful spirit that wonderfully transcends the soberness accompanying many Orthodox traditions, and when it closes its doors altogether, finding a suitable replacement for it in my life will be challenging.

No, it's about God. It's about the people.

First, God.

Many years ago, in the mid-80's, an acquaintance of mine ministered to me during a particular rough time in my life. One of the things she did was to pile me and my three children into her station wagon with her and her four children and drive to St. Nicholas for a Wednesday evening Prayer and Praise service. Yes, many churches have such services, and I had refused her for a year before I needed the distraction. Once inside that church, I found something I hadn't expected to find.

I found God.

No, I'm not sharing a conversion testimony, for God has always been in my life. But in the quietness of my spirit, I knew this church was where God meant me to be. It's not a large church or a beautiful church, in the sense of traditional Orthodoxy architecture and icnonography. But SOMETHING in that church spoke to me. And one night, when everyone was in the fellowship hall, preparing to leave, I ducked back inside to reverence the icon on the tetrapod and silently beg God to find a way to make me part of this church and its community.

And He did. And I have grown spiritually in unbelieveable and breathtaking ways.

Now, the people.

At first glance, they are ordinary people, nothing spectacularly spiritual about them. But they do pray, not dramatically, hands-in-air showy kind of prayer or overly-pious, staid, look-down-your-spectacles kind of praying, but ordinary when-I-remember-to-do-so kind of praying, the kind most of us do (unless we have a structured prayer life), if we were honest enough with ourselves to admit it. But it is sincere praying. And through these prayers and our decades-long history together, we are connected in strong and subtle ways.

Yesterday, one of older members said farewell. In many ways, Lois has always reminded me of my godmother: a professional woman in the days when women were not professional women, never-married, confident, humble, independent, somone who gave rides to church to those that did not have one and who continued to drive, along, from the Calumet City side of Hammond to church until this past summer, when she experienced a bout of stomach flu that knocked her down a few pegs.

Anyone that has followed this blog knows that our family is slowly emerging from a few years of crisis. During this time, Lois, with whom I have always enjoyed conversing, periodically called me to see how we were doing. She sent occasional greeting cards. She assured me of her daily prayers for us. She passed along historical magazines for the boys and presented me with a small, but beautiful, piece of Orthodox art that stands behind my phone at work, a reminder of the forces of good people behind me.

During these months that were difficult for her, I occasionally called her as she had called me, rejoiced with her as her strength returned, verbally high-fived her at the progress she made in downsizing her home, and agreed with her that moving to Kentucky to be with her family was a good idea.

The move came sooner than she had anticipated. Last week, while walking to work, I had talked to Lois, who anticipated the move would be in three weeks. On Sunday, she shared it was her last Sunday. Her brother had deciced to come for her this week. The farewell was bittersweet, but we had a very special and private moment. She said kind and complimentary things to me, and I assured her that any trait she admired in me was due to the prayers of godly women like her. I wished her well in this next adventure of her life and a promise that my prayers will accompany it. And they will.

So, I was on call this weekend for two newspapers. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to address any breaking news (as breaking news is not my best skill), but a number of other nstances did occur, and I dealt with them, I believe, successfully. The culmination did cause Timothy and I (Rebekah and Daniel had spent the weekend ni Mendota) to be late for church, late enough that he debated the wisdom of attending at all.

Let's just say I persuaded him otherwise.

In retrospect, with Lois leaving, this was a good thing. Also, Timothy has the ministry of washing the windows at St. Nicholas, one that was, shall we say, thrust on him, but one that he, nevertheless, has embraced and mastered, in the spirit of Alex Tytus, another godly man who unobstrusively kept the windows sparkling for many years, despite failiing health. So that task must be accomplished every Sunday.

Feeling rather discouraged, we walked in just as the communion prayer had started. Eli, an 80-year-old wonderful Serbian man, grabbed my arm as I walked past.

"Oh, thank God, you're here!" Eli whispered excitedly. "I brought poppyseed!"

Eli occasionally brings poppyseed potica, candy for my heart and soul, as I have loved anything poppyseed since childhood, when my Bohemian grandmother would make these delectable poppyseed coffee cakes, a recpe that went to the grave with her. I shared this once with Eli, and he now keeps a few extra slices to the side to ensure I get some. And I always share my unabashed appreciation for it. Last time when he brought potica, he made sure I took a couple pieces home, too.

So before I could respond, Eli also said, with a huge grin, "I brought extra, just for you. I was so afraid you weren't going to make it today."

"Extra," on this particular day, meant half a potica. After church, I spent six hours at The Herald-News trying to catch up on editing briefs (I did not catch up), being interviewed via phone by a Columbia College student, and snacking on potica, a vivid reminder of the positive forces in my life. Today, I have a vacation day, but will probably work at least half of that, but from home, so the day will be less hectic. But there will be potica. I'll enjoy the taste, think of my grandmother, and feel warmed as Eli's enthusiastic remembrance, hopefully half as warm as he felt from the joy of giving it to me.

So why do I atttend a church forty miles away from home when we're cash-strapped? I'd be a stupid fool not to attend.

Monday, March 12, 2012

I Took a Life Break This Weekend

Although Friday night is my "stay up all night and write fiction" night, and I'm having a blast editing Visage, I think that will be challenging to accomplish over the next few weeks.

Friday nights, for we Eastern Orthodox Christians, is a time to celebrate The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, an ancient liturgical celebration for distributing the Eucharist during weekdays of the Great Fast.

Since I belong to a teeny tiny mission church forty miles from home, and I'm a terrible night driver, eyesight-wise and the fact I take the drowsy portion of my antihistamines for chronic urticaria at night , I'm blessed to have one good friend in the area who also belongs to that church and offers to do the driving.

The past two weeks, after liturgy, several of us have gone out for Chinese, so it's generally after ten o'clock before I return home, relaxed, sleepy, and not at all brain-sharp to be editing a manuscript, despite the full pot of coffee I put on the second I stumble through the door.

On this particular Friday night, despite staying up a long, long time, I didn't get very far with my second book. I resolved to pick up the slack during the weekend, and then I made some other choices on how to spend my time, which had absolutely nothing to do with writing and absolutely everything with stepping out of the attic for a change and mingling with the rest of the world.

The past couple of years have brought major upheavals, which are by no means vanquished, and several more are looming on the horizon. Some are painful; others are frustrating; some are scary; and still others are absolutely exhilarating, but all are changing my life as I know it, which is tumbling down like a house of cards, except for that which is cornerstone: faith, family, friends, and the ability to chronicle stories in a profound and meaningful way.

My reaction to all this? I'm hanging on tightly, eyes wide open, determined to ride that glorious ride.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10.