My dear friend rpeeze informed me that Fr. Michael Rosco passed into eternal life this morning. Please continue to keep Pani Susan, Vlad, and the rest of the family in your prayers to give them strength during this trying time.
Thank you all for praying for Fr. Michael Rosco. Please continue keep him in your prayers, that God will rest his soul where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.
Memory Eternal Father Michael!
Will I be saved or not? Am I living in a way that is pleasing to God, or not? Am I acting according to God’s righteousness? I do not know. God alone knows whether He forgives my sins, or not; whether He will call me to be with Him and will write my name in the Book of Life, or not. What can I say, a wretched sinner who has nothing? The only thing that I have is my Savior, my God, my Joy; I have nothing else in this life. God the Angels, the soul - this is the only reality unto the ages of ages. Amen.
- From the book “Reflections of a Humble Heart”
Do not lose your temper with those who sin. Do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbor and judging it, as we usually do. Everyone will give an answer for himself before God. Especially, do not look with evil intention on the sins of those older than you, with whom you have no business. But correct your own sins, your own heart.
- St. John of Kronstadt, “My Life in Christ”
A prayer request send by my friend rpeeze:
On Friday evening, my family was informed that another priest in our diocese, Fr. Michael Rosco was involved in a terrible car accident while he was leaving Johnstown, PA after a diocesan trustee meeting to return home to New Jersey. After swerving and bumping into another car while he was on the southbound side of Rt. 219, Fr. Michael’s car struck the barrier and flipped over. His car landed upside down on the northbound side of Rt. 219.
Fr. Michael is in stable condition, but has been in the ICU since being admitted to a hospital in the Johnstown area.
Some of the more specific details are still hazy, but at the very least Fr. Michael has a concussion (there’s a possibility that he had bleeding in his brain), a punctured lung, and multiple broken vertebrae. This morning he underwent a (successful) surgery to insert rods and screws into his back to stabilize his vertebrae. He is still in a lot of pain. Thankfully he is coherent, though he does not remember much about the accident, and is sometimes too overwhelmed with pain to speak.
His wife (my Godmother) has not left the hospital since driving out there right after hearing of the accident.
I would appreciate if your followers would keep Fr. Michael, Pani Susan, and their son Vlad Rosco in their prayers. Fr. Michael is 63, and is a loving and nurturing priest.
When we do not experience warfare, we ought so much the more to humiliate ourselves. For God seeing our weakness, protects us; when we glorify ourselves, He withdraws His protection and we are lost.
- From the Desert Fathers
![This is the icon of the apostle; it is the image of the disciple of my Saviour, who saw Him in person, who went with Him, and saw Him work miracles, and heard Him preach, saw Him suffer for the salvation of the world, and rise from the dead and ascend into heaven. This is the icon of the martyr; it is the image of that struggler who withstood even to blood for the honor of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and did not spare even his own holy life for His name, and he established our pious faith as true by pouring forth his own blood; and so on.
This word, the Sacred Scripture which I hear, is the word of God, it is the word of His mouth. The mouth of my Lord spoke this, and through it my God speaks to me, “The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver” (LXX-Ps. 118:72 [KJV-Ps. 119:72]). O Lord, grant me ears to hear Thy holy word.
- From St. Tikon of Zadonsk “Journey to Heaven”
☦Please beloved St. Thomas pray for us!!! ☦](http://24.media.tumblr.com/4d95053b55d82b4137b92e013bdfb379/tumblr_mmp61qB4gI1qmvtcro1_500.jpg)
This is the icon of the apostle; it is the image of the disciple of my Saviour, who saw Him in person, who went with Him, and saw Him work miracles, and heard Him preach, saw Him suffer for the salvation of the world, and rise from the dead and ascend into heaven. This is the icon of the martyr; it is the image of that struggler who withstood even to blood for the honor of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and did not spare even his own holy life for His name, and he established our pious faith as true by pouring forth his own blood; and so on.
This word, the Sacred Scripture which I hear, is the word of God, it is the word of His mouth. The mouth of my Lord spoke this, and through it my God speaks to me, “The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver” (LXX-Ps. 118:72 [KJV-Ps. 119:72]). O Lord, grant me ears to hear Thy holy word.
- From St. Tikon of Zadonsk “Journey to Heaven”
☦Please beloved St. Thomas pray for us!!! ☦
Please keep in your prayers Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as according to the media, there was an alleged plot to be assassinated on May 29, the 560th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans.
Please everyone, pray for his safety! May God protect him!
An Orthodox Christian friend just shared with me a prayer request, however I am not sure if he wants to stay anonymous, so I post it without mentioning his name. Please pray a lot, as miracles happen all the time…
I ask for prayers. I’m facing a difficult time right now. I am finding it exceedingly difficult to find a job, it’s left me without food, and without money for food. Through the Grace of God, a friend is moving me into his place, where I’ll have food and shelter, but I’m still gonna be stuck starving until then with no one able to help me. I’ve been praying to God for help, and he’s sending it to me, but I need some help immediately. Thank you! Χρήστος Ανεστι! Христос Воскрес! Christ is Risen!
Today the Holy Orthodox Church honors Saints Cyril and Methodius, Equals of the Apostles, and Enlighteners of the Slavs!
Saints Cyril and Methodius, a long time ago, driven by your love of Christ, you converted our ancestors to the Christian faith and provided them with their own Bishop and priests. Now, as you stand before the high throne of the Almighty God, fervently intercede for us, the humble heirs of your glorious Slavic heritage, that the Almighty bless us with pious, dedicated priests and religious, who would be ready to continue your apostolic work among our people for the salvation of their immortal souls. We humbly ask, intercede for us and protect us. Amen.
“This year the Metropolis of Boston will be participating in the annual mission trip to New Mexico through the YOCAMA organization.”
“Our ministry will take us to New Mexico where we will have the opportunity to spend our time together focusing on helping to improve the lives and to serve the Navajo Indians.”
We will be serving the people on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
This girl that is going on this mission trip to New Mexico, so if you need any more information about the mission just ask her :)
If we detect any trace of hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged from love for God, since love for God absolutely precludes us from hating any man.
- St. Maximus the Confessor
A young monk said to Abba Sisoes: “Abba, what should I do? I fell.” The elder answered: “Get up!” The monk said: “I got up and I fell again!” The elder replied: “Get up again!” But the young monk asked: “For how long should I get up when I fall?” “Until your death,” answered Abba Sisoes. “For a man heads to his judgment either fallen or getting back up again.”
- Taken from “Confession: Dooway to Forgiveness” by Jim Forest
Hello my dear, Christ is Risen!
Unfortunatelly, though in my country I haven’t notice this problem, but exactly the opposite -everyone is very open and friendly to Orthodox Christians from other countries, I have heard quite many incidents like this from my online friends that live in America. But it’s not the rule, really. The majority of us are really hospitable and welcoming. For example, if I was not in Greece right now but there with you, I’d definatelly try to help you with everything, to feel like home in the Holy Orthodox Church. Now, if there are specific people attached only to ethnicity who don’t see others as Orthodox brothers but categorize them as Greeks or not Greeks, well they are not real Orthodox Christians in my opinion. The beauty of Orthodoxy is the fact that you can call brothers in Christ people from other countries and cultures, with a different way of life and heritage but sharing the same Orthodox faith. To feel like brothers and sisters with people that are totally different than you, Greeks, Russians, Americans, Serbians, Koreans, Japaneese, African, Danish and other, but they worship the same God as you, in the same way you do, with the same way that worshipped Him Orthodox Christians many centuries ago - past, present and future is unified!! How cool is that? :)
You can also try to visit another parish in your area if you don’t feel very well in the one you attend now, maybe my American Orthodox followers can help me with this one? Here is a list with all the Orthodox parishes in America, you may find another one. But, please, don’t stop attending the Divine Litugry and other Orthodox services. Don’t stop visiting the house of God, simply because some people may seem unwelcoming: He’s the one who matters, He’s your Saviour and for Him you go to the Church, not for people. So please forgive all of us the weak sinners that aren’t so kind to you, and keep coming to the Church, for Jesus Christ, not for us!
God bless you! Christ is Risen!
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head-d0wn-eyes-up said: If you live in orange county in southern california, St. Paul’s in Irvine is a very welcoming church to non-greek parishioners. Most of the liturgy is said in English with some hymns an
lavidalocaentejas said: It happens in many churches, even Catholic, and Protestant churches.
antonyofva said: I’m a living witness that not all Greek Orthodox are like this, brother/sister! I’m just a white American but my Greek brothers and sisters have taken me in and the full Greek blooded members have been some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. (: praying!
theorthodoxbrit said: People in the Coptic Church face this a lot, I have heard “but you’re not a real copt” a lot before. My advice: Ignore them. Being a Christian requires loving those who mock you, so just show them love in your faith and they will see their error.
Hello my dear! Christ is Risen!
I will pray for you, don’t worry. Just keep in mind that no matter how many difficulties you may find as an Orthodox Christian, it is totally worth it, I promise. It’s not going to be easy, others may reject you because of your Orthodoxy, they may even laugh at you or not accept you. Just keep your eyes focused in Jesus and His Cross, and everything will be just fine, He’ll help you with this difficult situation you face.
God bless you always! And don’t be sad or scared, because Christ is Risen! <3
These are some of the Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Church. I couldn’t post all of them, as they are so many (maybe I’ll make a part 2 one day, in order to include all the others like the Patriarch of America and the Patriarch of Japan), however these are the Patriarchs of ten Orthodox Autocephalous Churches, starting with our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the ancient See of Constantinople.
Sometimes, I tend to forget the names of all the Patriarchs, so this post can help all of us to remember the leaders of the local Churches. This is a reminder of how truly ecumenical is our Orthodox Church!
May God give to all of our Patriarchs many and blessed years, and may He enlightens them in order to guide the Orthodox believers around the world!
