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 Updated June 3, 2010
THE LETTER OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
TO THE ROMANS
Wednesday evenings beginning June 9:
7:00pm - Vespers
7:45pm - Bible Study
From Fr Steven:
Dear Parish Faithful,
Our annual Spring/Summer Bible Study will begin next Wednesday evening. We will begin with Vespers at 7:00 p.m. and the Study will follow at around 7:45 p.m. As announced, we will read, study and discuss the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Romans. This is St. Paul's longest, most challenging, and yet probably the richest of his epistles in terms of over-all content - theological, spiritual, and pastoral. This Epistle has shaped Protestantism more than any other New Testament book; but based upon a particular - if not peculiar - reading going back to Luther and Calvin. As Orthodox, we find this reading very one-sided and, at times, even misguided. The Church Fathers, beginning with St. John Chrysostom, read this Epistle differently. We will definitely address some of these issues involved in the interpretation of Romans. (Though, we will most certainly not complete the entire Epistle in one summer).
I will try and avoid the usual "exhortation" that amounts to an attempt to "talk" parishioners into attending the Bible Study. Whatever those attempts sound like on paper, they are not that effective in the long run.
Instead, I would simply ask everyone to at least reflect for a moment:
+ How do I view and understand the Bible?
+ Have I cultivated a "relationship" with the Holy Scriptures?
+ Do I read the Bible with any regularity?
+ How am I able to guard against a mere "personal interpretation" of what I read?
+ Have I ever discussed the content of the Bible with others in a group setting and with a leader/facilitator?
+ If not the parish Bible Study, then what kind of regularly-scheduled event would I commit to during the summer months?
+ Why do I venerate St. Paul as a great saint?
+ Have I ever read his Epistle to the Romans?
+ Do I understand the Epistle readings on any given Sunday morning at the Liturgy?
+ If not, what can I do to help myself understand the Epistles better?
It is my humble opinion that most of those questions can be answered in a very positive way within the context of our Spring/Summer Bible Study.
If you take a look at the church calender, you will notice that we stopped reading from the BOOK OF ACTS on the Sunday of Pentecost. And since May 25, the readings on the calendar are appointed from the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS. We will continue to read from this lengthy epistle until June 28, the eve of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. I will either directly speak of Romans in some of the upcoming homilies, or try and incorporate some of those readings in the homilies as the next few weeks unfold.
To summarize: The Spring/Summer Bible Study will begin next Wednesday evening, June 9 - the Lord willing.
~ Fr. Steven
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Some Background on the Letter to the Romans
(from the Orthodox Study Bible - New Testament)
Romans is Paul's most significant Letter. It summarizes the entire gospel. St John Chrysostom calls Romans "a spiritual trumpet."
Romans is Paul's most logical letter. He argues his case like a lawyer.
Romans is the only letter Paul wrote to a church he had not yet visited (1:11, 15:22). Paul was hoping to obtain Rome's support for his planned mission to Spain (15:24, 28, 29). Some have suggested Romans contains what Paul preached and taught when he visited churches in person.
Romans is Paul's most doctrinally oriented letter. While most of Paul's epistles correct doctrinal or moral problems, Romans proclaims the faith more completely and systematically, addressing few specific problems. St John Chrysostom says, "[Paul] abounded more than all the rest in the word of doctrine."
Join us on Wednesday evenings as we search the scriptures together and grow in faith and understanding!
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 OCMC Mission Retreat, 2003 | OCMC Mission Retreat, 2003 |
|  Mother Abbess Gabriella of Holy Dormition Monastery, Great Lent 2006 | Mother Abbess Gabriella of Holy Dormition Monastery, Great Lent 2006 |
|  Fr John Chryssavgis, 2009 | Fr John Chryssavgis, 2009 |
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Thanks to the dedication and guidance of our pastor, Fr. Steven Kostoff, regular classes, seminars and spiritual retreats have always been a major part of our parish life. In addition to Fr. Steven's Catechism Classes, Adult Education Series each Autumn, and Scripture Study each Spring/Summer, we have hosted retreats led by many distinguished speakers, including: - Fr. Roman Braga, 1993
- Fr. Thomas Hopko, 1995
- Fr. John Breck, 1997
- Drs. David and Mary Ford, 1999
- Bishop Kallistos Ware, 2002
- Mother Abbess Ines and Mother Maria (from the Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala), 2003
- Presvytera Renée Ritsi, OCMC Missions Retreat, 2003
- Sister Magdalen of St. John the Baptist Monastery, Essex, England, 2004
- Mother Gabriella, Abbess of Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Jct Michigan; Great Lent 2006
- Madre Ivonne of the Hogar Rafael Ayau in Guatemala; Fall 2008
- Fr John Chryssavgis, Great Lent 2009
- Fr Thomas Hopko, Great Lent 2010
Upcoming seminars and spiritual retreats will be posted on the website as soon as scheduled. Please scroll down to view details of recent events...
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 (click for full size) | (click for full size) |
Updated February 6, 2010
The inimitable Fr. Thomas Hopko (I was going to say "the one and only," but that somehow doesn't quite fit) will be leading a one-day retreat in our parish on Saturday, February 27. Fr. Hopko remains a very dynamic speaker and an excellent theologian who has a great gift for conveying the deepest elements of the Orthodox Faith in a very exciting and accessible manner. Please put this date on your calendar and make a point of committing your time during Great Lent to deepening your understanding and experience of the mystery of Christ. SCHEDULE 8:30am - Divine Liturgy 10:15am - Lenten Brunch 11:00am - Session I; Q&A to follow 12:45pm - Lunch 2:00pm - Session II; Q&A to follow 3:45pm - Vespers Requested registration donation: $20 Couples/families: only $30 College students welcomed at n/c as guests of the parish. Please RSVP by phone to 513-351-0907, or by email to steven.k@zoomtown.comMaps and Directions here.
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Updated January 28, 2010
The Parish Reading and Discussion Circle - "Book Club" - is preparing for a Winter Session. We are going to work three meetings in before the beginning of Great Lent. We will be reading three short works of the brilliant Southern writer, Flannery O'Connor (+1964). Her works are informed by a deep Christian sensibility (she was Roman Catholic) that is presented in a very striking and uncompromising manner. Yet, there is nothing didactic in her literature. The stories are intense and quite unforgettable once read. Our schedule is as follows:
- Wed, Jan 20, 7:30 p.m. - "The Displaced Person"
- Wed, Feb 3, 7:30 p.m. - "A Good Man is Hard to Find"
- Wed, Feb 10, 7:30 p.m. - "Revelation"
Her Collected Works are available for about $12.00 at amazon.com. The same book is about $18.00 at the bookstore. | 
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Updated November 6, 2009
Our Fall Adult Education Class will begin Monday evening, November 9, and last for the usual six sessions (to Dec. 14). We will be reading the book Fellow Workers With God - Orthodox Thinking on Theosis, by Norman Russell. Here is at least a tentative schedule of how we will cover the book: Session I - Introduction & Ch. 1Session II - Ch. 2 & 3Session III - Ch. 4Session IV - Ch. 5Session V - Ch. 6Session VI - Ch. 7 & Epilogue It is not necessary - though strongly encouraged - to read the book in order to attend the classes. I believe that the discussion can still prove to be fruitful for anyone who is present. The theme of theosis is what "it is all about" in being an Orthodox Christian. We will learn how that term embraces the deepest hopes that we have in the Gospel.
~ Fr. Steven
October 20, 2009
Dear Parish Faithful,The book for our Fall Adult Education Class - Fellow Workers with God - Orthodox Thinking on Theosis, by Norman Russell - has arrived. I believe this particular book is going to be excellent. The Foreword to the book was written by Dr. Peter Bouteneff. And he writes the following: A feature that will make this book stand out, and make its readers especially grateful, is the author's ability to communicate the full depth and range of his knowledge of the subject in a way that is accessible and understandable. This should not be taken for granted, for as many authors (and their bemused readers) know, it is rare that a specialist cares enough to rethink his or her subject in non-specialist terms. Russell has taken the time to translate his scholarly approach into clear writing for a lay audience, casting aside the mantle of prestige to address people where they actually are.
I cannot imagine a more reliable or a more approachable cross-section of this vital aspect of ancient and contemporary Orthodox thought. It will no longer be possible to use "theosis" in a way that is facile, "over-spiritualized," or abstract. We have now lost any excuse to do so.
A great endorsement from Dr. Bouteneff. Personally, I can't wait to get started! Be that as it may, I would be willing to wait an extra week to begin if that means more of you can make it to the opening session. I say that because a "few" of those committed informed me that they probably could not make it to the first session on November 2. So, perhaps we could wait one more week and begin on Monday, November 9. Once again, let me know if that would work better for you. ~ Fr. Steven
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 Updated August 25, 2009
Final Session was held August 19...Dear Parish Faithful,As announced in church yesterday, we finished our Bible Study for the summer earlier than anticipated. A couple of our participants suggested further meetings in order to discuss the Faith together. My response was to further suggest a "few" evenings of an extended Question & Answer format that would allow us to touch on those subjects that are of interest to others in the parish. This came off as a good idea. I then received the following paragraph on Friday, from one of our interested parishioners:
"I was thinking about what we discussed regarding the question and answer thing. It seems good that since people are coming -or at least should be coming- to the Vespers on Wed. nights that it would be convenient for fellowship and edification following. One thing that I have been thinking about and a need that I have -and suspect others have as well- is to have a sort of continuing, advanced catechism toward a deeper understanding of spiritual and Church life and how to be present and conscious to the development of this spiritual life within the context of our personal and collective lives. Maybe there is a way to incorporate some of these things into teachings or discussions. I believe that it could be more than beneficial to take the time to know our fellow parishioners on a deeper spiritual level. Just some thoughts, which I am not in short supply of. Let me know what you think."
This paragraph is a parish priest's delight. Not only because it formulates my intentions very closely and succinctly; but because of the desire and thirst that it reveals for a deeper knowledge of our Orthodox Faith, which means a closer relationship with God - and with each other as members of the same parish. That is more than a little encouraging. I am certain - as our writer above is certain - that others in the parish share this desire and thirst. And that is "meet and right" for all Orthodox Christians who are serious about their faith. I therefore hope that many will avail themselves of this opportunity beginning this Wednesday evening.
I would like to approach our Question & Answer format in the following manner:
Any questions are acceptable as long as they are focused on some aspect of the Orthodox Church's life and teaching: doctrinal, liturgical, spiritual, canonical, historical, contemporary, etc. As I said yesterday, obviously I will be able to answer some questions better than others. I will try and avoid long-winded answers without being superficial, though. Of course, longer, follow-through discussions may ensue.
I am convinced that this can be not only an "educational opportunity," but an enjoyable evening of fellowship as we collectively meet together to further explore the riches and depths of the "faith once and for all delivered to the saints." (JUDE 3)
Vespers - 7:00 p.m.
Question & Answer Session I - 7:45 p.m.
In Christ,
Fr. Steven
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 Updated July 27, 2009
Literary Reading Group, Summer 2009
- Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Additional Materials: This article by Fr Steven, plus handouts distributed at class meetings and in church.
UPCOMING SESSIONS:- Monday, Aug 3, 7:30pm - Parts V and VI
- Monday, Aug 10, 7:30pm - Epilogue and Film (at the Leara's home)
June 30, 2009:The debut of our Literary Reading Group was a smashing success yesterday evening! We had very good participation, but even more importantly we had a very lively and animated discussion based upon our reading of Dostoevsky's masterpiece Crime and Punishment. It was very intellectually stimulating to share our various reading experiences of a novel that so profoundly deals with sin and redemption; guilt and the human conscience; suffering and its meaning; and the question of the moral and ethical implications about the existence or non-existence of God. (There were a few lively disagreements, but everyone was talking to each other when our session ended). All of this is presented through Dostoevsky's inimitable style expressed through a gallery of intriguing and unforgettable characters. We discussed the first two parts of a six part novel yesterday evening, so there is plenty of time to "catch up" before our next meeting, which will cover parts three and four.
That meeting may be as early as Monday evening, July 13, but we are still working on the next date. I will keep everyone informed.
- Fr Steven
June 26, 2009:
Dear Parish Faithful,
The following note and attachment are for those who are reading Crime and Punishment in the Adult Reading Group. I do not have an exact list of those signed up, but since that list is fairly extensive, I need to send this out parish-wide. Please feel free to delete if this is not of any immediate concern to you.
The attachment contains a rather popularized article that I wrote about Dostoevsky a few years and which appeared in Again magazine. It is meant to provide background on Dostoevsky as a Christian writer/thinker of some magnitude in the 19th c. I will also have another short article about Dostoevsky available on Sunday.
At this late date, I am not quite sure how we are going to proceed with the discussion(?), but I believe that we do not want to spend a great deal of time rehearsing the plot. We want to enter into the content and "spirit" of the book. As noted before, we are going to concentrate on Pts. I & II in this first of three scheduled discussions, but we will probably need to presuppose knowledge of Raskolnikov's eventual fate.
Possible questions:
What kind of environment does Doestoevsky create in which to unfold the psychological drama of Raskolnikov?
Who is Raskolnikov and what do we learn of his character and ideas up to this point in the novel?
If you are "sympathetic" to Raskolnikov in any manner, what does Dostoevsky do to perhaps create such a reaction?
Dostoevsky wrote within the context of a Russian Orthodox society and culture. Is there anything in the novel that points to that particular world?
I realize that we may all be reading various translations, for many exist of Crime and Punishment. I am working off of the paperback edition translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky.
- Fr. Steven
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SPECIAL EVENT: We will be hosting internationally recognized theologian Fr John Chryssavgis, who will be giving an address Saturday, March 21 titled:
Discerning the Justice and Beauty of the Earth:
Ecological Reflections on the Beatitudes.
|  Christ creating the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day. Fresco detail, Suchevitsa Monastery, Romania. | Christ creating the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day. Fresco detail, Suchevitsa Monastery, Romania. |
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|  Fr John Chryssavgis | Fr John Chryssavgis |
| Biography:
Fr John Chryssavgis was born in Australia in 1958. He matriculated from the Scots College in Sydney in 1975 and received his degree in Theology from the University of Athens in 1980. He received a diploma in Byzantine Music from the Greek Conservatory of Music in 1979 and was awarded a research scholarship to St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary in 1982. He completed his doctoral studies in Patristics at the University of Oxford in 1983. Chryssavgis read patristic theology at Oxford. After several months in silent retreat on Mt Athos, he worked with the Greek Orthodox Primate in Australia (1984-94) and was co-founder of St Andrew's Theological College in Sydney, where he was Sub-Dean and taught Patristics and Church History (1986-95). He was also Lecturer in the Divinity School (1986-90) and the School of Studies in Religion (1990-95) at the University of Sydney. In 1995, he moved to Boston, where he was appointed Professor of Theology at Holy Cross School of Theology and directed the Religious Studies Program at Hellenic College until 2002. He established the Environment Office at the same School in 2001. He has also taught as professor of Patristics at Balamand University in Lebanon. In recent years, he has published several books and countless articles in international journals and encyclopedias in the area of religion and ecology, social justice and peace, with forthcoming books including John Climacus: from the Egyptian Desert to the Sinaite Mountain (Ashgate, UK, Winter 2004); and Light Through Darkness: Insights into Orthodox Spirituality (Orbis Books, Summer 2004). He currently serves as theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch on environmental issues.
OrthodoxWiki, February 2009.
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Mondays at 7:30pm through December 15 - Fall Adult Education Class - Seeds of the Word: Orthodox Thinking on Other Religions
From Fr. Steven:This year's Fall Adult Class concluded on Monday, December 15. Remaining in the fine series of books from SVS Press known as the Foundation Series, we have been studying the third book published as of now, entitled Seeds of the Word - Orthodox Thinking on Other Religions, by Fr. John Garvey. This book has been described as "a concise introduction to great religious traditions, East and West, and goes on to explore how seeds of truth may be found in them, while upholding the Orthodox Church's claim as the unique repository of the Christian tradition and the ark of salvation." Order "Seeds of the Word" direct from SVS Press.
|  Order direct from SVS Press | |
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 We are pleased to announce that our Autumn Retreat, featuring special guest speaker Madre Ivonne from the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Christian Orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala, was a wonderful success. Glory to God for all things!
We now offer a Special Hogar Rafael Ayau page here on our website, with photos, articles, and (coming soon!) MP3 audio files of Madre Ivonne's two talks from the retreat, plus links to the Hogar's website, with info on how you can donate to help support their ministry. Features to be added soon include a history of our parish's involvement with the Hogar, and coverage of past mission trips.
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