Stonewall 40 years later

Obama made a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary in the Stonewall riots in NYC, which really started the modern gay rights movement...

Update

There is so much that I could write on, but haven't. Many times I have considered discontinuing my blog, and I have held so much back that I could comment on, especially about my personal life. I mostly started my blog as a comment on current events instead of a journal, but perhaps I should write more of the latter. I have, however, gotten much interesting feedback, so I'll continue for now, and promise to write more. Things on my mind are: review of my first year at SVS, the Iran situation, Orthodoxy and the West, DADT, homosexuality and the church, traveling, Army Chaplaincy, etc. etc. etc. Of course, as always, trying to maintain an active prayer life and conforming to a life in Christ should always be my main focus. Please pray for me!

Anglican/Orthodox relations

I am very excited about Metropolitan Jonah's speech at the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) Assembly recently. His speech, which I haven't listened to, is on the Orthodixie blog. I don't agree with everything he says, but let's say at least 95%. It's exciting to have a presiding bishop that is not insular, and that seeks to speak of the ecumenical and evangelical nature of the Church; while at the same time holding to unchangeable truth and witness of our communion. Too much is at stake for the Orthodox Church, especially in a Western country like the United States, to continue in a sort of oriental parochialism. Does this conflict with the Ecumenical Patriarch's ecumenical efforts? I am also curious about his relationship with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) - more later on what he supposedly said about such relations in another blog that I read. Interesting.

Trip

Sorry I haven't posted lately on my trip. I am having such an incredible time, and I am in Rome now, staying in a hostel a few blocks from the Vatican. I've met so many interesting people so far. Some memories of my trip include: chatting with Brian Boitano on the subway in Geneva, touring the Protestant Reformation (John Calvin) museum *not my choice, going jogging in Aoste to the sound of church bells on Sunday morning, sitting on a lakeside porch in Bellagio watching the sunset, seeing Michaelangelo's David, walking behind the St. John's Day parade in Florence, watching the US Soccer team beat Spain to the chagrin of my Mexican roommates, driving in France through the Alps, St. Peters Basilica, the food in Italy, cafe culture, taking a boat around Venice and touring the Byzantine cathedral there, touring Juliet's house in Verona, Botticelli paintings, Coleseum, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum and Sistene Chapel, Saying the Angelus Prayer with the Pope, Skansen Museum in Stockholm, Swedish folk dancing and lingonberry, Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, etc. etc.

Happy St. John's Day

Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist

*Troparion - Tone 4

Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ,
although we cannot praise you worthily,
we honor you in love at your nativity,
for by it you ended your father's silence and your mother's barrenness,
proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!

Kontakion - Tone 3

Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ¹s Forerunner,
who is the fulfillment of every prophecy;
for in the Jordan,
when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets,
he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.

*from www.oca.org

USA! USA!

ITALY!

A dream comes true. Nothing beats sitting on the patio of a B+B in Bellagio (not the fake one in Vegas), drinking white wine, taking in the view, and contemplating life....

Pentecost

Troparion - Tone 8

Blessed art You O Christ Our God
You have revealed the fishermen as most wise
By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit
Through them You drew the world into Your net
O Lover of Man, Glory to You!

Kontakion - Tone 8

When the most High came down and confused the tongues,
He divided the nations;
But when he distributed the tongues of fire
He called all to unity.
Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Spirit!