Category Archives: Uncategorized

All throughout the discernment process for ordination and, indeed, all throughout my priesthood until this very day, a verse from Psalm 69 has been a haunting refrain and prayer. It is not coincidence, I am sure, that it was appointed … Continue reading →

Are we alone in the universe? Certainly not: there are angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, and there are powers and principalities neither good nor even benign. The former aid us in the war we wage against … Continue reading →

Apostles Anglican ChurchFr. John A. Roop The Feast of Pentecost: God With Us and God In Us(Gen 11:1-9, Ps 104:24-35V, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17) Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of … Continue reading →

I know a priest who, as he approaches the altar at the beginning of the Eucharist, discretely and reverently bows to reverence the altar with a kiss. It is, after all, the place where heaven and earth meet and where … Continue reading →

Recently I marked the eleventh anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. Following are a few things I have learned along the way. Some are serious, some are very much tongue-in-cheek; you can decide which is which. The lessons are … Continue reading →

Soon after we met, I had the chance to talk to [Fr. Amphilochios Tsuokos] about Orthodox Christianity. The conversation was to alter my perspective on life, and I remember the setting clearly. We were sitting again on the rocks outside … Continue reading →

“Therefore, be steadfast in your resolutions. Stay in the boat in which he has placed you, and let the storm come. Long live Jesus! You will not perish. He may sleep, but at the opportune time he will awaken to … Continue reading →

Apostles Anglican ChurchFr. John A. Roop Reading the General Epistles: An Overview of 2 Peter The Lord be with you.And with your spirit.Let us pray. 115. FOR THE COMING OF GOD’S KINGDOM Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; … Continue reading →

Poet George Herbert wrote, “Love is that liquor sweet and most divine, / Which my God feels as blood; but I, as wine!” “There is an old understanding about monastic life that endures from the Middle Ages,” Brother Aberic once … Continue reading →

Apostles Anglican ChurchFr. John A. Roop Reading the General Epistles: An Overview of 1 Peter The Lord be with you.And with your spirit.Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so … Continue reading →