tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90557232024-02-03T08:38:55.779-08:00AJ's pageAaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-43960345791633424612014-07-02T14:34:00.001-07:002014-07-02T14:34:21.533-07:00I can't believe that it's been 3.5 years since I last updated my blog. It seems like a blur in many ways, but so much has happened...Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-34468341070035503302010-09-30T12:47:00.001-07:002010-09-30T12:47:52.232-07:00St. Jerome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide-Ia6YpD5jFyE7PinQ4vensDtzQ6xpxjb-OWC7NDxXl-vjgG9Kc2jLcWzIAteAPQf-ej3L1F-ngpQqvY9Gf42FEUGhMxx6zwn5kNBqBbwgRopfS4go6STRkOKjXXQsrsfsWyxQ/s1600/St-Jerome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide-Ia6YpD5jFyE7PinQ4vensDtzQ6xpxjb-OWC7NDxXl-vjgG9Kc2jLcWzIAteAPQf-ej3L1F-ngpQqvY9Gf42FEUGhMxx6zwn5kNBqBbwgRopfS4go6STRkOKjXXQsrsfsWyxQ/s320/St-Jerome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522795618309649250" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-38675213234821009252010-06-08T20:00:00.001-07:002010-06-08T20:00:57.163-07:00''Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament....There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth, and more than that: Death: by the divine paradox, that which ends life, and demands the surrender of all, and yet by the taste (or foretaste) of which alone can what you seek in your earthly relationships (love, faithfulness, joy) be maintained, or take on that complexion of reality, of eternal endurance, which every man's heart desires.'' (The Letters of J.R.R Tolkien, no.43).Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-68571661236625842892010-05-31T12:03:00.000-07:002010-05-31T12:04:09.871-07:00The SoldierIt is the soldier, not the reporter, <br />who has given us freedom of the press.<br /><br />It is the soldier, not the poet, <br />who has given us freedom of speech.<br /><br />It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, <br />who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.<br /><br />It is the soldier, not the lawyer, <br />who has given us the right to a fair trial.<br /><br />It is the soldier, <br />who salutes the flag, <br />who serves under the flag, <br />and whose coffin is draped by the flag, <br />who allows the protester to burn the flag.<br /><br />By Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMCAaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-69431315905589128182010-04-29T05:51:00.000-07:002010-04-29T05:55:18.936-07:00Systematic Theology paperSystematic Theology – Blog entry – ‘Perspectives on Ecumenism’<br />www.aaronoliver.blogspot.com<br /><br /> The topic of ecumenism has been popular of late. It appears on the Orthodox blogosphere and can be overheard in coffee hour discussions. It is heard by seminarians at St. Vladimir’s Seminary getting calls asking how they feel about the Archbishop of Canterbury visiting. It can be brought up by seeing images of the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch praying together on the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. In some circles, just mentioning the E -word can be seen as a curse word. <br /> It is first important to ask what we mean by the word ‘ecumenism.’ Many simply hear the word and they think of someone who denies the tenets of the Orthodox Church, and it’s view as the “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” On the other hand, many view Anti-Ecumenists as people who are right-wing lunatics who are poorly educated.<br />There are those who perhaps in both groups that exemplify a negative stereotype. For instance, at the World Council of Churches meeting in Canberra in 1991 participants walked through a cloud of incense to a worship space. Conversely, one should not ascribe all efforts by Anti-ecumenists to those of certain zealous monks on Mt. Athos. As with other issues, it is important that some sort of middle ground be found. This does not mean ceding to the branch theory, which speaks of the church existing in many different branches from the same trunk (even Orthodox can assert a version of the branch theory when they speak of the Greek East vs. the Latin West). It also does not deny that it is possible for God’s grace to extend beyond the canonical walls of the church. <br /> A document that has come out dealing with ecumenism is ‘Basic Principles of Attitudes to the Non-Orthodox. Published by the Moscow Patriarch in 2000, it speaks in chapter 7 of “…rejecting the views which are erroneous from the point of view of Orthodox doctrine, yet also, “…The Church condemns those who…deliberately distort the task of the Orthodox Church in her witness before the non-Orthodox world.” This text nuances the issue appropriately, defending Orthodox teaching and involvement in the ecumenical movement based on tradition, “…witnessing the Truth.” <br /> The fact is that the Orthodox Church has always participated in some form of ‘ecumenism’ broadly defined. Ecumenical engagement can be traced all the way back to St. Basil the Great, who spoke of a degree of difference of people outside of the church. He differentiates between “heresies, schisms, and illegal congregations.” The participation of the Orthodox Church in the ecumenical movement hastened in the 20th century, especially after World War II.<br /> We are forced to ask ourselves, “Where do we go from here?” It is important to constantly assess the purpose of Orthodox involvement in ecumenical dialogue. The continued participation in organizations such as the NCC and WCC by the Orthodox church(es) remains to be seen. It is difficult to participate in dialogue groups that have a completely different ecclesiology, or understanding of the church. It is also difficult to remain involved with a body that often has a liberal Protestant theology and organizational mindset. Other concerns are of a sort of unification movement (super church), and also that organizations such as the National Council of Churches (NCC) has lately functioned as more of a social activist agency rather than a body of churches. In the WCC there are often concessions made to the Orthodox, but one wonders if the Orthodox are used merely for the credibility of the organization. Another concern is the fact that the Roman Catholic Church, the largest church in the world, is not a member. <br /> Many times I scrutinize my own involvement in groups such as Inter-Seminary Dialogue (ISD), wondering if I am fulfilling my duty as an Orthodox Christian to proclaim the ‘good news’ and encouraging people to be visibly connected to the Church. <br /> I consider myself neither an “ecumenist” nor an “anti-ecumenist.” It is natural to divide into different camps when discussing and debating issues, yet it is important to avoid resorting to invective and caricature. We can all look to the ‘Principles’ document as a way to find a middle ground that is both honest to the tradition and also does not deny God’s mysterious grace working in the world. The most important thing a Christian can do is live out their faith and let the fruit of one’s actions speak for themselves. Dialogue is always preferable to silence, and speaking the truth in love is a commandment that we are all to follow.Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-57117801970354627732010-04-23T15:35:00.001-07:002010-04-29T05:56:57.269-07:00St. George<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQuqkf3U8_LqTfPjGChT0yB21llgKTKBAVVJlwiEV8ggtdGx77evJAqiIKSp_wNlNYlb8JMWwDPLfslIIfbJshcnZxtj4G0u4oNaPbeqCqeoZdzAY-54SibtI2mNL_sw78-wpYA/s1600/St-George-Burne-JonesL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQuqkf3U8_LqTfPjGChT0yB21llgKTKBAVVJlwiEV8ggtdGx77evJAqiIKSp_wNlNYlb8JMWwDPLfslIIfbJshcnZxtj4G0u4oNaPbeqCqeoZdzAY-54SibtI2mNL_sw78-wpYA/s320/St-George-Burne-JonesL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465542631179565714" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-24348608762100515522010-04-04T10:24:00.001-07:002010-04-04T10:25:01.624-07:00Happy Easter. Christ is Risen!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR8B7ozzEFFzPJyEPr0sx7YOqchcy_Z-_8CrDbINiyZpLrxNhkLxfU4CvAdx1NgAyAv7ZxJvIOGJXngvVvZNJiiObGxbDl0LLCPjAxLMjfv_uFbyBgCxt0zWQxK8fJZLOXrnDBA/s1600/cross.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR8B7ozzEFFzPJyEPr0sx7YOqchcy_Z-_8CrDbINiyZpLrxNhkLxfU4CvAdx1NgAyAv7ZxJvIOGJXngvVvZNJiiObGxbDl0LLCPjAxLMjfv_uFbyBgCxt0zWQxK8fJZLOXrnDBA/s320/cross.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456334590740824258" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-71013567619598572822010-04-03T12:40:00.001-07:002010-04-03T12:41:15.210-07:00Holy Saturday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz8lz5Obc0gA22fyVIaahnuKQECdwiSKVgX6WCbWrahoKhnudJkm7CsarpbzRLUYGlOmcJGynNfjHAiN4GDfoiuBl4-BOBCfoBmvyD0lj5cFhBkB14lphlRAfkem9BCVhsB2_KQ/s1600/descent-into-hades2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz8lz5Obc0gA22fyVIaahnuKQECdwiSKVgX6WCbWrahoKhnudJkm7CsarpbzRLUYGlOmcJGynNfjHAiN4GDfoiuBl4-BOBCfoBmvyD0lj5cFhBkB14lphlRAfkem9BCVhsB2_KQ/s320/descent-into-hades2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455998597686965810" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-84130886041043854962010-03-17T06:45:00.000-07:002010-03-17T06:53:54.208-07:00St. Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.estatevaults.com/bol/_St_Patrick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://www.estatevaults.com/bol/_St_Patrick.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Troparion - Tone 3 <br /><br />Holy Bishop Patrick,<br />Faithful shepherd of Christ's royal flock,<br />You filled Ireland with the radiance of the Gospel:<br />The mighty strength of the Trinity!<br />Now that you stand before the Savior,<br />Pray that He may preserve us in faith and love!<br /><br />Kontakion - Tone 4 <br /><br />From slavery you escaped to freedom in Christ's service:<br />He sent you to deliver Ireland from the devil's bondage.<br />You planted the Word of the Gospel in pagan hearts.<br />In your journeys and hardships you rivaled the Apostle Paul!<br />Having received the reward for your labors in heaven,<br />Never cease to pray for the flock you have gathered on earth,<br />Holy bishop Patrick!Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-45951927982771775872010-03-07T17:54:00.000-08:002010-03-07T17:55:35.271-08:00"The uniqueness of anti-Semitism lies in the fact that no other people in the world have ever been charged simultaneously with alienation from society and with cosmopolitanism, with being capitalistic exploiters and also revolutionary communist advocators. The Jews were accused of having an imperious mentality, at the same time they're a people of the book. They're accused of being militant aggressors, at the same time as being cowardly pacifists. With being a Chosen people, and also having an inferior human nature. With both arrogance and timidity. With both extreme individualism and community adherence. With being guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus and at the same time held to account for the invention of christianity."<br /><br />- A speech about the irrationality of anti-Semitism <br />by professor Michael Curtis, of Rutgers University, 1987Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-76229249318141944142010-02-22T04:53:00.000-08:002010-02-22T04:55:13.421-08:0030th Anniversary of 'Miracle on Ice'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yH9VDJNAkBvF44Lqmj7K4F2YZZ7sC30adZ24A7wwXw3SezQLL8AVm0M-wX8TENRjnf5EPG3jk7ffo8LprboPcsURKB4AWnEamQp9yIEro91l1o7W25S9U8ACk0mWx_CVY9YM6A/s1600-h/miracle_on_ice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yH9VDJNAkBvF44Lqmj7K4F2YZZ7sC30adZ24A7wwXw3SezQLL8AVm0M-wX8TENRjnf5EPG3jk7ffo8LprboPcsURKB4AWnEamQp9yIEro91l1o7W25S9U8ACk0mWx_CVY9YM6A/s320/miracle_on_ice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441050560524028370" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-48323055736167210312010-02-17T11:08:00.000-08:002010-02-17T11:11:22.307-08:00Ash Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCWBcIFMQjGlbm-dIYO4UPNRU2lkopcVlDlAu1_a7xMl9Jch7KVf8ZCn84Cl0YLrl7EqjORrqDX2Q26bMulpcdHz8Cvc2-xfPbToFRMXc8mzQcrHVVHR_IFh2oZLX3YcEb6OXtA/s1600-h/6a00d83451c45669e20120a8a7ff44970b-500wi.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCWBcIFMQjGlbm-dIYO4UPNRU2lkopcVlDlAu1_a7xMl9Jch7KVf8ZCn84Cl0YLrl7EqjORrqDX2Q26bMulpcdHz8Cvc2-xfPbToFRMXc8mzQcrHVVHR_IFh2oZLX3YcEb6OXtA/s320/6a00d83451c45669e20120a8a7ff44970b-500wi.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439292053362870722" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-85436931832188256142009-12-14T13:50:00.000-08:002009-12-14T13:53:45.632-08:00St. John of the Cross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Gf8YLLW918boirg14TwKj-WrcObbZ2K2r58XjI8ZzhWO0nsRVqz54pYhnRkMy4xBReBaLzP5Qi5B13couTO6tR1-12pZFK96LVyqUa4vBQdhbTmrbk411_-G8xPOyIw8isX6w/s1600-h/Salvador+Dali+-+Christ+of+St+John+of+the+Cross.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Gf8YLLW918boirg14TwKj-WrcObbZ2K2r58XjI8ZzhWO0nsRVqz54pYhnRkMy4xBReBaLzP5Qi5B13couTO6tR1-12pZFK96LVyqUa4vBQdhbTmrbk411_-G8xPOyIw8isX6w/s320/Salvador+Dali+-+Christ+of+St+John+of+the+Cross.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415213391911697586" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-68458297982120336152009-12-09T21:07:00.000-08:002009-12-09T21:08:20.864-08:00A story from the Hasidic tradition: "How can we determine the hour of dawn, when the night ends and day begins?" a young man asked.<br />"Is it when from a distance you can distinguish a dog from a sheep)" suggested another man.<br />"No," said the old rabbi.<br />"Is it when you can distinguIsh between a tig tree and a grapevine?" asked yet another student.<br />"No," said the old teacher. "It is when you can look into the face of another human being, no matter who they are, what they are, and what they've done or not done, and you have enough light to recognize in him or her a brother or sister. Until then, it is night, and darkness us still with you."Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-61738588231651535242009-12-09T08:19:00.000-08:002009-12-09T08:24:54.662-08:00Conception of Our Lady<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCihLXDNdTrfziF0-Lr1K-MqlNJJNvNJJprfKWoNL9_Ng1R5kQdhUCtvFN6H_7eO6cftCqD7kTFecwqY3wo6ykmrdQCK7ft8JVL9N7_pZ2u_iRsf1fKKuUZecdfeQWvRFEO7ylA/s1600-h/ConceptionoftheTheotokos.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCihLXDNdTrfziF0-Lr1K-MqlNJJNvNJJprfKWoNL9_Ng1R5kQdhUCtvFN6H_7eO6cftCqD7kTFecwqY3wo6ykmrdQCK7ft8JVL9N7_pZ2u_iRsf1fKKuUZecdfeQWvRFEO7ylA/s320/ConceptionoftheTheotokos.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413272873405455650" /></a><br />Troparion - Tone 4<br /><br />Today the bonds of barrenness are broken,<br />God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna.<br />He has promised them beyond all their hopes to bear the Maiden of God,<br />by whom the uncircumscribed One was born as mortal Man;<br />He commanded an angel to cry to her:<br />“Rejoice, O full of grace,<br />the Lord is with you!”<br /><br />Kontakion - Tone 4<br /><br />Podoben: “Today You have shown forth...”<br />Today the universe rejoices,<br />for Anna has conceived the Theotokos through God's dispensation,<br />for she has brought forth the one who is to bear the ineffable Word!Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-49188120686236461372009-12-07T13:56:00.000-08:002009-12-07T13:57:24.125-08:00Pearl Harbor Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HdpDdh9iCFrJj73Wk1jU9JKamZXp17K4pyONeYelg-fbu4iic2-gYSAlQgxBTbm5gouJJ5WlihKJAIJUzjlH6SYC9qpiPhFkBMfvWHkWDQHVPFtWoXPtTRMTVpB-SXCj53t7Wg/s1600-h/pearl_harbor_big_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HdpDdh9iCFrJj73Wk1jU9JKamZXp17K4pyONeYelg-fbu4iic2-gYSAlQgxBTbm5gouJJ5WlihKJAIJUzjlH6SYC9qpiPhFkBMfvWHkWDQHVPFtWoXPtTRMTVpB-SXCj53t7Wg/s320/pearl_harbor_big_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412616735160471218" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-35243415605261709542009-12-07T06:39:00.000-08:002009-12-07T06:41:25.521-08:00St. Ambrose of Milan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTs6DO8Y4oOa5wfkZjnIX6DvNGbXnKRnwFQWqh2-w45J7Kd9kisShugiMRQexRdWIiYAeu02kwHNIMNTutNmJbg7qHUfm__joZxF3uLsaZ9JL3VT43RNTAzxFqlgtTzIyeLxyzw/s1600-h/saint-ambrose-of-milan-03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTs6DO8Y4oOa5wfkZjnIX6DvNGbXnKRnwFQWqh2-w45J7Kd9kisShugiMRQexRdWIiYAeu02kwHNIMNTutNmJbg7qHUfm__joZxF3uLsaZ9JL3VT43RNTAzxFqlgtTzIyeLxyzw/s320/saint-ambrose-of-milan-03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412504286309805042" /></a><br />Troparion - Tone 4<br /><br />In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,<br />an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;<br />your humility exalted you;<br />your poverty enriched you.<br />Hierarch Father Ambrose,<br />entreat Christ our God<br />that our souls may be saved.<br /><br />Kontakion - Tone 3<br /><br />You shone forth with divine doctrine eclipsing the deception of Arius,<br />shepherd and initiate of the mysteries, Ambrose.<br />you worked miracles through the power of the Spirit,<br />healing various passions;<br />righteous father, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-15607064769710363442009-12-06T13:54:00.000-08:002009-12-06T13:55:28.622-08:00St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXWeTPEv790MorYApw7M8QFhIE0v9zF1zloXOeG57ApmvBlNbZT5cA9aGSPUFHS_ZF7El6wU7vTzd43CfwQWqYtHq0Xrr4Besflie75k_zrL-lJefgUJt63qhD9QIfqwEDwid3g/s1600-h/StNicholas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXWeTPEv790MorYApw7M8QFhIE0v9zF1zloXOeG57ApmvBlNbZT5cA9aGSPUFHS_ZF7El6wU7vTzd43CfwQWqYtHq0Xrr4Besflie75k_zrL-lJefgUJt63qhD9QIfqwEDwid3g/s320/StNicholas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412244948702603922" /></a><br />Troparion - Tone 4<br /><br />In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,<br />an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;<br />your humility exalted you;<br />your poverty enriched you.<br />Hierarch Father Nicholas,<br />entreat Christ our God<br />that our souls may be saved.<br /><br />Kontakion - Tone 3<br /><br />You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest,<br />For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ<br />By giving up your soul for your people,<br />And saving the innocent from death.<br />Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God.Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-10942990396077798552009-12-01T06:03:00.000-08:002009-12-01T06:04:25.649-08:00World AIDS Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqCjCGQvRZPyzkF9GfVC1gIBqGnGP6PfD_riVw6I8yQKrLKE6LKZ-CnKf_-DBcddxYRcefQFQXyx14EbaELXI8WpqRDeEXPH5OFv2CrIRswfj1qzV1bxILxrhOnS4zhAidesqqA/s1600/world_aids_day_ribbon.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqCjCGQvRZPyzkF9GfVC1gIBqGnGP6PfD_riVw6I8yQKrLKE6LKZ-CnKf_-DBcddxYRcefQFQXyx14EbaELXI8WpqRDeEXPH5OFv2CrIRswfj1qzV1bxILxrhOnS4zhAidesqqA/s320/world_aids_day_ribbon.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410268341090282786" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-82492164192021661622009-11-30T16:23:00.000-08:002009-11-30T16:24:07.913-08:00St. Andrew<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjdHaPu3CoHA0w1IznWo-g9Cvj1Q2Dfh5O_242ECT4Mx0pWAzmu10PZG_IvZFM5olprpXmaqaC6Ni2urdXE-T6bAnT9eBw1sHz7RtgZKXzI2B37kUef4zi_ZE-qSgSq90ACvseQ/s1600/standrew-greco.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjdHaPu3CoHA0w1IznWo-g9Cvj1Q2Dfh5O_242ECT4Mx0pWAzmu10PZG_IvZFM5olprpXmaqaC6Ni2urdXE-T6bAnT9eBw1sHz7RtgZKXzI2B37kUef4zi_ZE-qSgSq90ACvseQ/s320/standrew-greco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410056945687705922" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-35557832253462571172009-11-11T06:38:00.000-08:002009-11-12T04:34:47.035-08:00Veterans Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOUvucGAFLsSHrxd0ch3MeXSN1TTm_mY-H3j3ycUhlUjf6kHd6fiVeY82aXrFy5Me2F5zoaUc0OCHc2TxAd9GMf83cR_FV-nCtMFjMASN5GKOXP3OvfimYEamoYlbTI0WXi7HgQ/s1600-h/AJincuba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOUvucGAFLsSHrxd0ch3MeXSN1TTm_mY-H3j3ycUhlUjf6kHd6fiVeY82aXrFy5Me2F5zoaUc0OCHc2TxAd9GMf83cR_FV-nCtMFjMASN5GKOXP3OvfimYEamoYlbTI0WXi7HgQ/s320/AJincuba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402856084213276562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iWVMjmdnk_zse5qgO13tWqC1Z4nM5M86QVphHK3jBV9PcVK3KpBdzHziI0ATG0qll3PT-7OVrY_FRf2UmTq0xxX9TNnT09liKy1oN9XCczTpdhQz4I4LrgwyYN4TT8SPMdyP5w/s1600-h/Cuba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iWVMjmdnk_zse5qgO13tWqC1Z4nM5M86QVphHK3jBV9PcVK3KpBdzHziI0ATG0qll3PT-7OVrY_FRf2UmTq0xxX9TNnT09liKy1oN9XCczTpdhQz4I4LrgwyYN4TT8SPMdyP5w/s320/Cuba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402855600631625906" /></a><br />Today is Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day) and is also the 2nd anniversary of my Chrismation into the Orthodox Church. So much has changed for me in the past few years, spiritually and otherwise. It's important to remember, today, all those who gave of themselves and embodied the notion of sacrifice and selfless service. This doesn't involve just those who serve in the military, of course. There are so many who stick their neck out and risk greatly to serve God in many capacities...Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-83700475514269449992009-11-11T02:25:00.000-08:002009-11-11T02:31:16.850-08:00St. Martin of Tours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu255KBjjobBUX4U3vTEthXg4vd2iBf2yMFsQ2sawwy1YfcqQRdji8NYvurM2rcrZWpVRJrGWtflds8P3O5SW7PLxdqg3tPH7M0t_-puUJjahMUIoak4QjA8w9shEyhSZsoSXNGw/s1600-h/800px-Odolanow4a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu255KBjjobBUX4U3vTEthXg4vd2iBf2yMFsQ2sawwy1YfcqQRdji8NYvurM2rcrZWpVRJrGWtflds8P3O5SW7PLxdqg3tPH7M0t_-puUJjahMUIoak4QjA8w9shEyhSZsoSXNGw/s320/800px-Odolanow4a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402790526739186130" /></a><br />Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone<br />In signs and in miracles thou wast renowned throughout Gaul; by grace and adoption now thou art a light for the world, O Martin, most blest of God. Almsdeeds and compassion filled thy life with their splendour; teaching and wise counsel were thy riches and treasures, which thou dost dispense freely unto all them that honour thee.<br /><br />Kontakion in the Fourth Tone<br />As a devoted man of God, thou didst proclaim His mysteries. And as a seer of the Trinity, thou didst shed thy blessings on the Occident. By thy prayers and entreaties, O adornment of Tours and glory of all the Church, preserve us, O Saint Martin, and save all who praise thy memory.Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-2841857538136245062009-11-04T16:29:00.001-08:002009-11-04T16:48:03.458-08:00Sts. Vitalis and Agricola<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDiGrfXrN6f7F7WPD2dC6I6_Nmrvdvh3bh17drAJAxzH0KEWng8CqoRnf0qXp26K2qyFUEmoWxC7BNdBDrP9sj2QiJm4wrPlJkuCmcuxcSWqdP9Xv1HJgAiV33tYtIBcXUSdFnQ/s1600-h/vitalis+and+agricola.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDiGrfXrN6f7F7WPD2dC6I6_Nmrvdvh3bh17drAJAxzH0KEWng8CqoRnf0qXp26K2qyFUEmoWxC7BNdBDrP9sj2QiJm4wrPlJkuCmcuxcSWqdP9Xv1HJgAiV33tYtIBcXUSdFnQ/s320/vitalis+and+agricola.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400414900265591250" /></a>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-49168551256824901432009-10-25T08:58:00.000-07:002009-10-25T09:06:18.592-07:00St. Crispin's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef0t_aogdBcLINfO8dDiKwO3ofhD4VIFf5EWyo4Md6XaYE2oJwwIgH5OtK4M339qNCLh6Xh8EP-u9hMgQmV_ZmaY9sZkJHRgP2a1JeSbiphbhPv8KXZgk-h2yDtxGYxrZZ2unpg/s1600-h/605_band_of_brothers_468.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef0t_aogdBcLINfO8dDiKwO3ofhD4VIFf5EWyo4Md6XaYE2oJwwIgH5OtK4M339qNCLh6Xh8EP-u9hMgQmV_ZmaY9sZkJHRgP2a1JeSbiphbhPv8KXZgk-h2yDtxGYxrZZ2unpg/s320/605_band_of_brothers_468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396569552611951042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />King Henry V: <div style="padding-left: 1em; font-style: italic;"> <dl><dd>What's he that wishes so?</dd><dd>My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;</dd><dd>If we are mark'd to die, we are enow</dd><dd>To do our country loss; and if to live,</dd><dd>The fewer men, the greater share of honour.</dd><dd>God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.</dd><dd>By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,</dd><dd>Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;</dd><dd>It yearns me not if men my garments wear;</dd><dd>Such outward things dwell not in my desires.</dd><dd>But if it be a sin to covet honour,</dd><dd>I am the most offending soul alive.</dd><dd>No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.</dd><dd>God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour</dd><dd>As one man more methinks would share from me</dd><dd>For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!</dd><dd>Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,</dd><dd>That he which hath no stomach to this fight,</dd><dd>Let him depart; his passport shall be made,</dd><dd>And crowns for convoy put into his purse;</dd><dd>We would not die in that man's company</dd><dd>That fears his fellowship to die with us.</dd><dd>This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.</dd><dd>He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,</dd><dd>Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,</dd><dd>And rouse him at the name of Crispian.</dd><dd>He that shall live this day, and see old age,</dd><dd>Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,</dd><dd>And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'</dd><dd>Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,</dd><dd>And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'</dd><dd>Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,</dd><dd>But he'll remember, with advantages,</dd><dd>What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,</dd><dd>Familiar in his mouth as household words-</dd><dd>Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,</dd><dd>Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-</dd><dd>Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.</dd><dd>This story shall the good man teach his son;</dd><dd>And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,</dd><dd>From this day to the ending of the world,</dd><dd>But we in it shall be remembered-</dd><dd><span style="font-weight: bold;">We few, we happy few, we band of brothers</span>;</dd><dd>For he to-day that sheds his blood with me</dd><dd>Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,</dd><dd>This day shall gentle his condition;</dd><dd>And gentlemen in England now-a-bed</dd><dd>Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,</dd><dd>And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks</dd><dd>That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.</dd></dl> </div> <dl><dd> <dl><dd>(IV, iii)</dd></dl> </dd></dl>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9055723.post-91366603943108030202009-10-18T21:09:00.000-07:002009-10-19T02:05:39.981-07:00<p class="t1"><span class="qo">“</span>...as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.<span class="qc">”~Nelson Mandela</span></p> <p class="t1"><span class="qc">I remember a time when I used to live by this quote, and I hope that I haven't forgotten it - too much. The longer version is taken from Nelson Mandela's inauguration speech in South Africa in 1994. It can certainly be taken out of context, and perhaps has, by a sort of new age gnosticism that is pervasive.<br /></span></p><p class="t1"><span class="qc"> The light, of course, should be considered Christ as the "light of the world." (Jn 9:5) As for fear, we are called to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling."(Phil. 2:12) However, all rest and consolation is found in Him, for "my yoke is easy and my burden is light."(Mt 11:28)<br /></span></p><p class="t1"><span class="qc">When I hear this quote, I think of a certain spiritual integrity that comes with being open and honest; not lying, and not having to hide things in order to give anyone a sense of false security. Ultimately, "the truth shall set you free."(Jn 8:32)<br /></span></p>Aaron Joshua Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17844696754680947313noreply@blogger.com0