Devshirme

Two new podcasts are up!  The first is a “lost episode” that includes our bizarre encounter with a graffiti-covered bus out in the country, while the second is about a trip to a farm.  You can check them out on the podcast site or on iTunes, where it is a free download (as it is on our site, of course).  If you get it from iTunes be sure to leave a comment!

The biennial clergy-laity gathering of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is going on right now in Atlanta.  The official website is here and on it you can read the reports of the many ministries of the Archdiocese.  I highly recommend taking some time to do this.  A portion of our stewardship money goes to the Archdiocese and I for one like to know what happens to it.  In addition to ministry reports the conference has workshops, a trade-shop aspect (where you can buy books, vestments, etc), meetings, services and fun activities.  I went to the conference in Los Angeles some years ago and saw the Village People at the Hollywood Bowl!  Fr. Peter just returned from the Romanian Archiocese’s equivalent – this must be a popular time of the year to hold such things.

There is a new Facing East podcast up, and we are recording another one tomorrow.  Check it out here or download it for free on iTunes.  It is a typical episode for us - driving around and talking about random stuff.

This Toyota Prius acceleration business brings to mind one of the (many) strange things that happened in the ’80s – the whole “Audis accelerated by themselves” phenomenon.  There is a good article by Walter Olson here comparing this Toyota episode with the Audi one.

The latest press release from His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios is here.  I have blogged on the issue of H1N1 and communion before, and the original press release from the Metropolitan came out in October.    The Metropolitan addresses the issue of an Orthodox priest using plastic spoons for communion in an addition to the original statement:

Regrettably, a priest serving in New England — surely pressured by well meaning parishioners concerned with the outbreak of the H1N1 flu pandemic — utilized plastic spoons to distribute Holy Communion.  This unacceptable violation of Church order was addressed in accordance with Ecclesiastical procedure. 

            The Metropolis expresses its regret that this lapse of judgment resulted in widespread controversy, and is appalled that some individuals questioned whether this practice was authorized.  It expresses its fervent prayer that those who arrive at rash judgments — hurling paranoid condemnations in the press and on the internet — will rather invest their time in prayer and self examination during the Great Lent.  They should reflect on the countless passages in the New Testament which urge the followers of the the Crucified Lord to avoid gossip and the sin of judging others.  Let us all etch in our hearts and souls the prayer of St. Ephraim,

O Lord and Master of my life,

Give me not the spirit of laziness,

curiosity, lust for power, and idle talk.

But give to me your servant a

spirit of prudence, humility,

patience, and love.

Yes, Lord and King grant me to see

my own faults and not to

judge my brother.

For You are blessed unto the ages of ages.  Amen.

We went away for a few days – more about that later – and I am still trying to get organized and back into the swing of things.  For now, check out this great article on the mismanagement of the city of San Francisco.  Hat tip to the Baseball Crank.