Very Rev Father Calin Tamiian 1974 - 2026

 "CREDINTA NOASTRA ESTE VIATA NOASTRA!”

On October 6th in the early morning hours, God’s faithful servant Romanian Byzantine Catholic Arch-Priest Calin Liviu Tamiian passed into eternal life. He will be profoundly missed by many people whose lives were blessed by his loving presence. He suffered a sudden cardiac event at the Loyola Retreat House in Clinton, Ohio where he and his brother priests had convened to pray and renew their Faith. His legacy is a testimony to the love of God and devoted pastoral service.

Father Calin lived a very meaningful and beautiful life. He was born on April 21st, 1974, in Bistria România, the eldest son of his dear parents, Maria Ghita and Col. Grigore Tamiian, who raised him to be a loving and hard-working man. He grew up as a proud Transylvanian, rooted in the rich cultural traditions of his beloved homeland, for he experienced both city and country life since his parents lived and worked alternately in the city of Baia-Mare, in the county of Mara-mures, as well as on the family farm in the countryside near the of villages of Ardusat and Bordlesti. He loved being in nature and appreciated and cherished the people he encountered. His childhood prepared him for the many years of service and care that would be his future calling. A priest’s hands are consecrated for holy work, and this suited Father Calin, for he always loved working with his hands, whether that might be in the kitchen, garden, or amongst his family's beehives. Poetry and music were formative influences in his life. His beautiful singing voice will echo in our memory, and when he spoke, his words conveyed a depth of beauty, wisdom, kindness, and good direction. The work of his life was very serious and solemn, but Father Calin always added levity and good humor to remind us that the work of Faith is complete only when lit up by the joy of love. He loved to go out fishing and swimming, and his love of being with family in nature will always be remembered.

Father Calin recognized his priestly vocation at the age of eighteen, when he was present at the ordination of the late Cardinal Lucian Muresan, and soon after, he entered into seminary. He spent two summers in France at the Benedictine monastery of Solesmes, studying Liturgy and Theology. He also served a mission with Mother Theresa’s Sisters of Charity in Bucharest, Romania, that awakened in him an enduring love of Mission Life and a desire to work to promote the dignity of the human person and to ensure authentic healthcare. While in seminary, he became a Third Order Augustinian, attracted by the charisms of humility, generosity, contemplation of God, and commitment to communal life.

1996 was a year that changed his life in a wonderful way, for he studied at the Language and Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University in Gaming Austria, and there he met his future wife, Sarah Anne Wendell. Following the call of service and love, he moved to the United States of America in 1997 to earn a Masters degree in Sacred Theology through the University of Dallas at its satellite campus in Portland, Oregon, allowing him to live near Sarah’s family. There, in 1998, he married Sarah in Sublimity, Oregon at Saint Boniface Catholic Church, the marriage ceremony presided over and blessed by Bishop John Micheal Botean, now Bishop Kurt Burnett, and (+) Fr. Frank Knusel, of cherished memory.

In 1999, Calin and Sarah welcomed their first born daughter, Sânziana, named for the golden flowers growing in Romania that time of year. Only a few months later, another beautiful change and challenge and opportunity for service came to them, as Calin was invited to move to St. George Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Canton, Ohio, to be ordained a Deacon and work as the secretary for Bishop John Micheal Botean. Now Deacon Calin, true to his standard of “redeeming the time”, entered a residency program for clinical pastoral education (Hospital Chaplaincy) at the Cleveland Clinic. He became an even busier Deacon, Secretary, Husband, and Daddy when Sarah and he were blessed to welcome their second daughter, Magdalena, named for the saint who washed the feet of Jesus, and whose penitence turned to missionary zeal and brought the Gospel to France. Deacon Calin was greatly inspired by the great saints, and worked himself to become one. His many hours of study earned him a second Masters in Chaplaincy. He also became a nationally Board Certified chaplain. He was touching the lives of suffering people with comfort and the support of his prayer.

Then, on May 26, 2002, Calin took the greatest step a man can take and was ordained to the Priesthood, to be a living image of our Savior Jesus, and commit to serve the Church. He then moved his young family to Los Angeles, to serve the community of St. Mary’s Romanian Catholic Church. During this time he worked as staff chaplain and later director of spiritual care at St. John’s Hospital Dignity Health in Oxnard and Camarillo, California, which office he held until July 2020. Here in California, two more beautiful children were born. Alexandru, named after two warriors, one a conqueror of nations and the other hearts for Christ. And Zamfira was named in memory of a holy woman and a beloved Romanian poem.

The Romanian Catholic outreach in Southern California was growing, and so Father Calin began St. John the Evangelist Romanian Catholic Mission in Oxnard, California, and supported the founding of St. John the Baptist Romanian Catholic Mission in Orange County. Having been granted priestly faculties to perform both Byzantine and Roman Catholic rites, and so he added to his pastoral care that of Santa Clara Roman Catholic Church, Sisters Servants of Mary Convent, Cedar Sinai Hospital, and many other churches in the Archdiocese of LA. He served as the chaplain of two different Knights of Columbus councils, the Port Hueneme Police Department, and served the needs of the Port Hueneme military base. He was a chaplain for the large cargo ships when they were stationed at the port. Father Calin was known to say he served in every form of chaplaincy.

2014 was a climactic year of celebration for Father Calin when he became an American citizen. This was a time when many of the currents of his life flowed into one great swell of love and joy for his new home. The mission spirit of California galvanized his own dynamic “yes” to sharing the Gospel. He and his family flourished in the sunshine of California, loving the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, and bravely meeting the demands of his jobs.

In July of 2020 the Tamiian family moved to Nashville, Tennessee when Father Calin became director of spiritual care for the Middle Tennessee Ascension St. Thomas hospital system, which was a step forward in his passion for mission integration and ethical patient care.

Father Calin began his doctorate of hospital ethics at Loyola University Chicago which remains nearly completed. Bishop John Michael then gave him the responsibilities of archpriest for the Western portion of the United States. During the pandemic, after celebrating Liturgy in the home every Sunday with family and friends, he opened Blessed Martyr Bishops Romanian Catholic Mission on the feast of Theophany 2023.

Through dozens of baptisms and chrismations and years of dedicated service, Father Calin built a community of faith, providing the only Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy in Middle Tennessee. “Our faith is our life” was the personal motto of Father Calin, and became so for the whole community.

He died of a sudden cardiac event at the Loyal Retreat House while attending a priestly retreat with his brother priests and Bishop John Micheal Botean.

He was an incredibly faithful priest, and his ministries have impacted thousands of lives. The most impactful was the way he molded and formed his four children. He was an incredible father and husband. And he would be seen in all stages of his work with his children and wife in tow.

He loved nature, poetry, architecture. He had the soul of an artist. And much of his ministry came from that. His children and wife were an active part in his ministry with the Tamiian family motto being Nihil Sine Deo.

He is preceded in death by his mother Maria Ghita Tamiian, son John Paul, mother in law Carolyn Wendell, his grand parents Grigore and Livia Tamiian, George and Minerva Ghita, aunts Florica and Geta, niece Miriam Dauvin, Godmother Zamfira, and Georgeta Barcutian among other family and friends

He is survived by his wife Preoteasa Sarah Anne, his children Sânziana Maria (27) Magdalena Carolina (26) Alexandru Grigore (19) and Zamfira Georgeta (17) his father Col. Grigore Tamiian, brother George Tamiian, niece Raisa Maria and father-in-law David Wendell along with many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles and his community of Blessed Martyr Bishops and countless spiritual children.

We hope in the resurrection. We are utterly devastated and live to be reunited. May his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Blessed Martyr Bishops Romanian Greek Catholic mission. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-our-byzantine-catholic-mission

Translated to Romanian:

Credinta noastră este viata noastră!”

În dimineata zilei de 6 octombrie, în primele ore ale zilei, credinciosul slujitor al lui Dumnezeu, părintele protopop Calin Liviu Tamiian, preot greco-catolic român, a trecut la viata vesnică. Lipsa sa va fi profund resimtită de sutele de oameni ale căror vieti au fost binecuvântate de prezena sa iubitoare. A suferit un episod cardiac subit la Casa de Reculegere Loyola din Clinton, Ohio, unde se reunise cu fratii săi preoi pentru rugăciune si reînnoirea credintei. Mostenirea sa spirituală este o mărturie a iubirii lui Dumnezeu si a slujirii pastorale pline de devotament.

Părintele Calin a trăit o viată frumoasă si plină de sens. S-a născut la 21 aprilie 1974, în Bistrita, România, fiind fiul cel mare al iubitilor săi părinti, Maria Ghita si colonelul Grigore Tamiian, care l-au crescut să fie un om iubitor si harnic. A crescut mândru de originile sale transilvănene, adânc înrădăcinat în bogatele traditii culturale ale patriei sale iubite. A cunoscut atât viata de oras, cât si pe cea de la tară, deoarece părintii săi au locuit si au lucrat alternativ în oraul Baia Mare, din judetul Maramures, si la gospodăria familiei de la tară, în apropierea satelor Ardusat si Borlesti.

Iubea natura i îi preuia pe oamenii pe care îi întâlnea. Copilăria l-a pregătit pentru numerotii ani de slujire si grijă fată de ceilalti, care aveau să devină chemarea vietii sale. Mâinile unui preot sunt consacrate lucrării sfinte, iar această chemare i se potrivea părintelui Calin, căci îi plăcea dintotdeauna să lucreze cu mâinile, fie în bucătărie, în grădină sau printre stupii de albine ai familiei.

Poezia si muzica au avut o influentă formatoare asupra vietii sale. Vocea sa frumoasă va răsuna mereu în amintirea noastră, iar atunci când vorbea, cuvintele sale transmiteau o profundă frumusete, întelepciune, bunătate si îndrumare. Lucrarea vietii sale era foarte serioasă si solemnă, însă părintele Calin aducea întotdeauna voie bună si umor, amintindu-ne că lucrarea credintei este deplină numai atunci când este luminată de bucuria iubirii. Îi plăcea să meargă la pescuit si să înoate, iar dragostea sa pentru timpul petrecut în natură alături de familie va rămâne mereu în amintirea noastră.

Părintele Calin si-a recunoscut vocatia preotească la vârsta de optsprezece ani, când a fost prezent la hirotonirea regretatului cardinal Lucian Muresan, iar la scurt timp după aceea a intrat la seminar. A petrecut două veri în Franta, la mănăstirea benedictină din Solesmes, studiind liturghia si teologia.

De asemenea, a participat la o misiune alături de Surorile Caritătii ale Maicii Tereza, în Bucuresti, România, experientă care a trezit în el o dragoste durabilă pentru viata misionară si dorinta de a promova demnitatea persoanei umane si de a asigura o îngrijire medicală autentică. În timpul seminarului, a devenit membru al Ordinului Tertiar Augustinian, atras de carismele smereniei, generozitătii, contemplării lui Dumnezeu si angajamentului fată de viata comunitară.

Anul 1996 i-a schimbat viata într-un mod minunat. A studiat la Institutul de Limbi si Cateheză al Universitătii Franciscane din Gaming, Austria, unde a cunoscut-o pe viitoarea sa sotie, Sarah Anne Wendell.

Urmând chemarea slujirii si a iubirii, s-a mutat în Statele Unite ale Americii în 1997, pentru a obine o diplomă de master în Teologie Sacră la Universitatea din Dallas, prin campusul său din Portland, Oregon, ceea ce i-a permis să locuiască aproape de familia lui Sarah.

Acolo, în 1998, s-a căsătorit cu Sarah, în Sublimity, Oregon, la Biserica Catolică Sfântul Bonifaciu. Ceremonia căsătoriei a fost oficiată si binecuvântată de episcopul John Michael Botean, de actualul episcop Kurt Burnett si de părintele Frank Knusel (), a cărui amintire rămâne pretuită.

În 1999, Calin si Sarah au întâmpinat-o pe lume pe prima lor fiică, Sânziana, numită după florile aurii care înfloresc în România în acea perioadă a anului.

Doar câteva luni mai târziu, o altă schimbare frumoasă, dar si o provocare si o oportunitate de slujire, au apărut în viata lor. Calin a fost invitat să se mute la Catedrala Greco-Catolică Sfântul Gheorghe din Canton, Ohio, pentru a fi hirotonit diacon si pentru a lucra ca secretar al episcopului John Michael Botean.

Devenit diacon, Calin, credincios principiului său de a răscumpăra timpul”, a început un program de rezidentiat în educatie pastorală clinică (capelanie spitalicească) la Cleveland Clinic.

A devenit un diacon, secretar, sot si tată si mai ocupat atunci când el si Sarah au fost binecuvântati cu venirea pe lume a celei de-a doua fiice, Magdalena, numită după sfânta care a spălat picioarele lui Isus si a cărei pocăintă s-a transformat în zel misionar, ducând Evanghelia în Franta.

Diaconul Calin era profund inspirat de marii sfinti i se străduia el însui să devină unul. Numeroasele ore de studiu i-au adus o a doua diplomă de master, în capelanie. A devenit, de asemenea, capelan certificat la nivel national de un organism profesional de acreditare. A atins vietile oamenilor aflati în suferintă, oferindu-le mângâiere i sprijin prin rugăciunile sale.

Apoi, la 26 mai 2002, Calin a făcut cel mai important pas pe care îl poate face un bărbat: a fost hirotonit preot, pentru a deveni o imagine vie a Mântuitorului nostru Isus si pentru a se dedica slujirii Bisericii.

Si-a mutat apoi tânăra familie la Los Angeles, pentru a sluji comunitatea Bisericii Catolice Române Sfânta Maria. În această perioadă, a lucrat ca preot capelan al spitalului, iar ulterior ca director al departamentului de îngrijire spirituală la Spitalul St. John's din cadrul Dignity Health, în Oxnard si Camarillo, California, functie pe care a detinut-o până în iulie 2020.

Aici, în California, familia s-a îmbogătit cu încă doi copii minunati, Alexandru si Zamfira.

Comunitatea catolică românească din sudul Californiei era în crestere, astfel că părintele Calin a întemeiat Misiunea Catolică Română Sfântul Ioan Evanghelistul din Oxnard, California, si a sprijinit înfiinarea Misiunii Catolice Române Sfântul Ioan Botezătorul din Orange County.

Primind facultătile preotesti necesare pentru a celebra atât în ritul bizantin, cât si în cel latin, si-a extins grija pastorală asupra Bisericii Romano-Catolice Santa Clara, Mănăstirii Surorilor Slujitoare ale Mariei, Spitalului Cedars-Sinai si multor altor biserici din Arhidieceza de Los Angeles.

A slujit drept capelan pentru două consilii diferite ale Cavalerilor lui Columb, pentru Departamentul de Politie din Port Hueneme si pentru personalul bazei militare din Port Hueneme. A fost, de asemenea, capelan pentru marile nave de transport de mărfuri atunci când acestea se aflau în port. Părintele Calin obisnuia să spună că a slujit în toate formele de capelanie.

Anul 2014 a fost pentru părintele Calin un an de mare sărbătoare, când a devenit cetăean american.

Spiritul misionar al Californiei i-a întărit propriul da”, dinamic si hotărât, fată de împărtăsirea Evangheliei. El si familia sa au înflorit sub soarele Californiei, bucurându-se de frumuseea Oceanului Pacific si înfruntând cu curaj responsabilitătile profesionale.

În iulie 2020, familia Tamiian s-a mutat la Nashville, Tennessee, când părintele Calin a devenit director al departamentului de îngrijire spirituală pentru sistemul spitalicesc Ascension St. Thomas din regiunea Middle Tennessee. Această functie a reprezentat un pas înainte în pasiunea sa pentru integrarea misiunii spirituale în activitatea medicală i pentru îngrijirea etică a pacientilor.

Părintele Calin si-a început studiile doctorale în etică spitalicească la Universitatea Loyola din Chicago, studii pe care le-a adus aproape de finalizare.

Episcopul John Michael i-a încredintat apoi responsabilitătile de protopop pentru partea de vest a Statelor Unite.

În timpul pandemiei, după ce a celebrat Sfânta Liturghie în fiecare duminică acasă, alături de familie si prieteni, a deschis Misiunea Catolică Română a Fericitilor Episcopi Martiri, la sărbătoarea Teofaniei din 2023.

Prin zeci de botezuri si mirungeri si prin ani de slujire devotată, părintele Calin a construit o comunitate de credintă, oferind singura Sfântă si Dumnezeiască Liturghie catolică de rit bizantin din regiunea Middle Tennessee.

Credinta noastră este viata noastră” era deviza personală a părintelui Calin si a devenit deviza întregii comunităti.

A trecut la cele vesnice în urma unui episod cardiac subit la Casa de Reculegere Loyola, în timp ce participa la o reculegere preotească împreună cu fratii săi preoti si cu episcopul John Michael Botean.

A fost un preot de o credintă extraordinară, iar slujirea sa a influentat vietile a mii de oameni. Însă cea mai profundă influentă a avut-o asupra celor patru copii ai săi, pe care i-a crescut si i-a format.

A fost un tată si un sot extraordinar. În toate etapele slujirii sale, putea fi văzut însotit de sotia i copiii săi.

Iubea natura, poezia si arhitectura. Avea suflet de artist, iar o mare parte a slujirii sale izvora din această sensibilitate.

Copiii si sotia sa au participat activ la misiunea sa pastorală, deviza familiei Tamiian fiind Nihil Sine Deo — Nimic fără Dumnezeu”.

Înaintea sa au trecut la cele vesnice mama sa, Maria Ghita Tamiian; fiul său, Ioan Paul; soacra sa, Carolyn Wendell; bunicii săi, Grigore si Livia Tamiian, George si Minerva Ghita; mătusile sale, Florica i Geta; nasa sa, Zamfira; si Georgeta Barcutian, alături de alti membri ai familiei si prieteni.

În urma sa rămân sotia sa, preoteasa Sarah Anne; copiii săi, Sânziana Maria (27 de ani), Magdalena Carolina (26 de ani), Alexandru Grigore (19 ani) si Zamfira Georgeta (17 ani); tatăl său, colonelul Grigore Tamiian; fratele său, George Tamiian; nepoata sa, Raisa Maria; si socrul său, David Wendell.

De asemenea, rămân numeroase cumnate si cumnai, nepoate si nepoti, veri i verisoare, mătusi si unchi, precum si comunitatea Fericitilor Episcopi Martiri si nenumăratii săi fii si fiice duhovnicesti.

Ne punem nădejdea în Înviere. Desi suntem coplesii de durere, trăim cu speranta de a ne reîntâlni.

În veci pomenirea Lui!

First Wednesday of Great Lent- fasting, prayer, alms

Let my prayer ascend to You like incense, and the lifting up of my hands like an evening sacrifice.

o Lord, I have cried to You, now hear me; listen to my voice when I call to You.

o Lord, set a guard before my mouth, and set a seal on the door of my lips.

Let not my heart be inclined to evil, nor make excuse for the sins I commit. (Psalm 141:1-4)

Now the Powers of heaven are serving with us invisibly, for behold the King of Glory enters ; the perfect, mystical sacrifice is brought forth. Let us approach with faith and love, so as to become partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia.

o Almighty Lord , You have made all things in wisdom, and by Your ineffable Providence and great goodness You have brought us to these salutary days for the purification of our soul and body, for the control of our passions, and for the hope of our resurrection. During the period of forty days You have given to Your servant Moses the tablets of the Law, having inscribed them by Your own hands. Now also grant us, 0 Gracious One, that we be able to fight a good fight, to finish the course of Lent, to preserve our faith inviolable, to crush the heads of the invisible serpents, to become victorious over sin, and to blamelessly attain and worship at the holy Resurrection. For blessed and praiseworthy is Your most honorable and glorious name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. (prayers of the PreSanctified Liturgy)

Great Lent begins... 2022

God is ready and willing to forgive sinners, but we sinners must be ready and willing to be forgiven. For the Lenten journey to be of any effect, we must be open to be forgiveness; if we cannot forgive others nor admit our faults and be forgiven by those we have offended, there is no room within us for God’s mercy. 

Father Alexander Schmemann writes in his book Great Lent: Journey to Pascha, “the triumph of sin, the main sign of its rule over the word, is division, opposition, separation, hatred. Therefore, the first break through this fortress of sin is forgiveness: the return to unity, solidarity, love. To forgive is to put between me and my “enemy” the radiant forgiveness of God Himself. . . . Forgiveness is truly a ‘breakthrough’ of the Kingdom into this sinful and fallen word.”  God’s forgiveness is given to us via others, not alone; thus it is through mutual forgiveness that we truly begin the journey to the Resurrection. from New Liturgical Movement 

Cheesefare Sunday and Forgiveness Vespers --- wishing all a holy beginning to Great Lent 2021

Brethren-  do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. 

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.  One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.  

The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.  

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (Letter to Romans) 

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Gospel of Matthew) 

may we have the courage to say "Death, where is your sting?" in 2021

Life is shadow and light. Last night, my father's older brother Foster died suddenly. Thank you for praying for Uncle Foster's soul and for the consolation of his family, especially my cousin S. This past year has been soul-crushing in many ways. Please pray for Rick H and the consolation of his wife. We are also mourning the losses of faithful priests, Father Frank and Father Mel. and there are others as well. Lord, have mercy!

You who with wisdom profound mercifully orders all things, and gives unto all that which is useful, give rest, O Lord, to the soul of your servant who has fallen asleep, for he has placed his trust in You, our Maker and Fashioner and our God (Troparion for funeral).

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting (Kontakion for funeral).

Where is the pleasure in life which is unmixed with sorrow? Where the glory which on earth has stood firm and unchanged? All things are weaker than shadow, all more illusive than dreams; comes one fell stroke, and Death in turn, prevails over all these vanities. Wherefore in the Light, O Christ, of Your countenance, the sweetness of Your beauty, to him (her) whom You have chosen grant repose, for You are the Friend of Mankind. (St. John of Damascus)

Read along with us this Great Lent: Reflections on Thirty Steps to Heaven

Every Friday morning, some friends and I will be pre-reading and then discussing portions of the book Thirty Steps to Heaven: The Ladder of Divine Ascent for All Walks of Life. I have owned the book for a few years, but I have not really read it. Flipping through pages and reading a paragraph or chapter here and there is not the proper way to read this book. So, a book club it is.

This week, we will be pre-reading the steps on renunciation, detachment, and exile. The author states that these steps are quite different in practice for laypeople.

Even the introduction is rich and ripe with meaning. My favorite lines might be the last two sentences- "One final word of warning: very few people indeed will have climbed all thirty steps of the Ladder of Divine Ascent. If you think you have. you probably need to go back to the beginning." 

thank you for clicking on this affiliate link to support this blog

Orthodox & Byzantine Catholic guidelines for fasting & abstinence during Great Lent 'versus' Roman Catholic fasting rules

image from Catholic Voice

Eastern Christians fast from animal products and even wine and olive oil in some traditions during all of the four fasting periods of the year. Wednesdays and Fridays through the year are vegan as well. We might indulge in fish on Sundays. But do we really?

Roman Catholics barely fast at all, but if they fail at abstaining from meat on Fridays in Lent, they will go to Hell. But do they really?

In reality, Eastern Christians fast as well and as 'harshly' as they can and discuss their fasting plans with a spiritual father. The goal is 'more than last year and less than next year.' There is no 'letter of the law' because the ideal is no food at all. 

Perhaps the reason why Roman Catholic fasting guidelines are so 'easy' is because there seems to be more of a philosophy of sticking to the letter of the law (even so- there are concessions made for age, health, etc)- the Church does not want to burden the people with sin, so the fasting/abstinence guidelines are very do-able for the majority of people. 

So- the guidelines for fasting in the Eastern Christians churches are quite strict, but the personal responsibility to follow the ideal is potentially lax (when in conference with a spiritual father) and the guidelines for fasting/abstinence in the Roman church is quite relaxed while the personal responsibility is quite strict. Like so many parts of our faith, East and West are two sides of the same glass. 

image from St Sofia Ukrainian Catholic Church

Orthodox & Catholic- Byzantine Lent: pray, fast, give alms during this tithe of the year

ON FASTING: Father, make me poor before you. Grant me grace that through fasting I may understand how much I need you. Grant that through fasting my desire for You may grow, that my heart may long for you as the deer longs for the running waters and the desert for the clouds of rain. Father, I pray to you , grant that through this fast my understanding of the hungry and the thirsty, of those who do not have enough of material goods, may especially grow. help me see what I do not need but possess, that I may give it up for the benefit of my brothers and sisters. O Father, I especially pray to You. Grant me the grace to become aware that I am but a pilgrim on this earth, that, when passing away to the other world I shall not take anything with me but love and good deeds. Let the awareness grow within me that even when I possess something I cannot call it my own for I have only received it from You to manage it. Father, grant me grace that through fasting I may become humbler and more willing to do Your will. Cleanse me of my selfishness and haughtiness. Through this fast cleanse me of all bad habits and calm down my passions, and let virtue increase in me. Let the depth of my soul open to Your grace through this fast so that it may totally affect and cleanse me. Help me to be always like your Son in trials and temptations; to resist every temptation, so as to be able to serve You and see Your Word more and more, day after day. (Father Slavko Barbarič)

Forgiveness Sunday

Today the Church remembers the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. The Church also calls us to seek forgiveness as we enter the time of the Bright Sadness, the Great Fast, tomorrow.

God created Adam and Eve to live in communion with Him forever. They were given two commandments in the Garden, one positive and one negative. The first was to be fruitful and multiple (see Genesis 1:28) and the second was to fast from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. (see Genesis 2:16-17)

Sadly, they did not obey and because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and lost the life of blessedness, knowledge of God, and communion with Him, for which they were created. Both they and their descendants became heirs of death and corruption.

Let us consider the benefits of fasting, the consequences of disobedience, and recall our fallen state. Today we are invited to cleanse ourselves of evil through fasting and obedience to God. Our fasting should not be a negative thing, a mere abstention from certain foods. It is an opportunity to free ourselves from the sinful desires and urges of our fallen nature, and to nourish our souls with prayer, repentance, to participate in church services, and partake of the life-giving Mysteries of Christ. (taken from Byzantium on Brew)

Saint Philip's Fast, The Nativity Fast, Advent: Preparing our hearts for Jesus and Christmas

The Nativity Fast gifts us Byzantine Catholics and other Christians with 40 days to prepare for the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. The twelve days of Christmas begin then and continue with the feast of Jesus' Transfiguration. So, forty days of fasting, forty days of feasting. Every year, the Christian life is a roller coaster, a see-saw, a winding road

May Our Lord bless you this season of the Nativity Fast! 

A Simple Woman's Daybook for November

For Today

Looking out my window... I wish I could say that I am enjoying the brightly colored leave of autumn, but alas- reality gets in the way. Ash is being blown about because of the latest fires. The closest fire is about one mile away. Lord, have mercy!

I am thinking and wondering... why do politicians get away with spending $1 trillion on high speed rail which is no where complete when they could spend it on burying the electric wires that cause these yearly infernos? 

I am thankful... for our safety, for health, for my children, for this month of thanksgiving after the month of 'spookiness.' My sensitive kiddos are just about done with all the gore and guts they would see in the neighborhood and at stores. 

One of my favorite things... my small mug collection for all day tea guzzling! 

I am creating... a few simple quilts to give as Christmas gifts for the youngest babies in the extended family. 

I am wearing.... nothing special. just my go-to at-home all-black ensemble.  

I just finished reading... Agatha Christie's Curtain- Poirot's last case and The Gift of Dyslexia. I try to have a fiction and non-fiction going at the same time- that way I don't read too much non-fiction. In audio books with the kids, we are always listening to the Chronicles of Narnia on repeat or a new library find. We finished From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler- highly recommended. 

I am hoping... that my heart and the entire world are converted to Jesus

I am learning... that I really cannot satisfy everyone with my blog posts. Either I am too superficial or too cranky, too Eastern or too Western... that is why I don't blog. I need to get over that. 

In my kitchen... I am using my instant pot a lot! Usually I sear whatever meat I have, add onions and garlic, saute a bit, add more veggies and half a cup of broth (or more if I want it to be soup) and then pressure cook for 20-30 minutes, Easy!  

In the school room... our 7th grade son (!) is doing IEW Writing and Pre-algebra out side the house this year. Both classes are 1.5 hours long with about 8 students total. I think this will be a great benefit to him as he enters high school level work. Lots of homework and learning to figure out the instructor's expectations and dealing with other students in an academic environment instead of just 'fun' classes like art, theater, and sports. 

In my garden... my (potted) vegetable are just about done. I have two beautiful eggplants that did not produce one fruit. Ah well... 

Post Script

Everyone knows this blog, right? http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/ I am hoping that Leila will publish her home and family book soon...she hints... 

Shared Quote

It might be cliche, and I don't live in a place with nice Octobers, but I remember and I can dream.... "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

A moment:  11 years ago- but I couldn't resist!

May November be blessed and joy-filled for us all! 

why I didn't receive the Holy Eucharist at our Easter Divine Liturgy

Christ is risen! Hristos a inviat! 

We got home on Great and Holy Friday after midnight. Saturday was filled with activity, baking, cleaning, preparing for Pascha; my priest husband left at 4 PM to drive 90 miles to replace a priest who moved back to Romania so that the community could have an Easter vigil. He got home after midnight. Of course, I did not sleep. We got up at 3:30 and arrived to set up our mission (the Roman Catholics allow us to have services there) at 4:30. Resurrection Matins and the Divine Liturgy started at 5 AM. A person who I did not recognize called Father away about 15 minutes before the services started. Confession perhaps? In any case, we weren't able to get the clergy, altar servers (a few guest servers), and cantors (me and my server/cantor son) together for a debriefing on the services. 

At 4:55, a parishioner came up to me and asked how to help. I froze. I am sure I had a rude expression on my face. I can give excuses. I was exhausted. I was hungry. I was frustrated that the most important service of the year was 'hijacked' by a visitor who wanted to talk to my husband. I was also frustrated that he did not ask the person to wait until after the services. But then he didn't physically have time after our services because he had three more to celebrate Easter Sunday.  

So, I decided not to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist until I could find some peace with the parishioner. I do not suffer from scrupulosity, but I 100% agree in making peace with your brother before you approach the altar. 

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Dear reader, you might be scandalized by this post, and I ask your forgiveness. That is the main reason why I post almost never. I have been accused of being bitter, angry, anti-Roman, anti-Orthodox, a bad Christian. It is never my intention to bring scandal or to hurt anyone's feelings. I would love to share the entire truth of my life. In any case, I hope this post inspires you to be compassionate to the humanity in your clergy (celibate or not) and their families (if they have a family) and also to make their burdens a bit lighter. See if there is something you can do to help. They might be so busy keeping their heads above water that they will not have a good response to 'how can I help?' 5 minutes before a service begins. 

and yes- multiple people ask me why when I do not receive the Eucharist, I sometimes forgo because I am cantoring and my throat is very sensitive. If I swallow the wrong way, I will not be able to sing the responses. Luckily, we go to a second service as a family so I can receive then if my soul permits) - and yes- this is a doozy of a post after months away.... Christ is risen! 

how to be a Christian in our nit-picky, negative world: a guest post by Judie Jolma

"I recently began studies for a Masters of Theology and was surprised by my impressions after the first class. Introduction to Theology was almost entirely apologetic in nature. Instead of embarking on a study to delve deeper into an understanding of what our hearts love, it was a defense - an argument - to prove our position‘s validity for those who don’t believe. Are we insecure in our belief? Do we think that love can be inspired by arguments? (Don’t mistake these comments as relativistic slop that does not demand holiness. That is not my point.) 

There is a place for apologetics, to be sure. But when so many encyclicals are specifically drafted for this cause it colors the nature of our faith. We have somehow abandoned our first love, abandoned the way of the lover in Song of Solomon who searches for the fairest of ten thousands, whose hands drip with myrrh. And this departure has come from the shepherds (hirelings) who lead us. Do our hearts faint being love-sick for our Lord, our bridegroom? Or do we live in a passionless faith where we choose sides like a political party? 

Do our faces shine because they reflect the light of the Father - like the moon reflecting the sun? Or do we live a cold, calculating faith inspecting the correctness of our brother’s beliefs? We worry about definitions and proper form. We check the boxes, and like the Pharisees thank God that we are not like that tax collector. 

The whole church needs a course correction. We are all guilty of the sin of the older brother in the story of the prodigal son. We need to abandon the notion that intimacy can be charted and measured. We need to stop running away from the negative and run toward the true, good and beautiful.

Put away these petty arguments. Pray like a lover. Reach out in the liturgy to touch the priest’s vestments and be healed of all that hurt that inspires you to fight and strive. Can’t we all see how much woundedness there is coming from each person around us? Hurting people hurt people. But only the lover sings.

Go to liturgy and sing."

---Judie Jolma 

I saw satan laughing with delight- when a priest abandons his priesthood

Is there a just man in Israel? Is there any person who will die and be told straight away by God- Well done, my good and faithful servant? Or will we all have to be purified by the cleansing fires of purgatory or perhaps sadly, go to hell forever because of our rejection of God's love and law?

Who does satan hate the most? The devil is not a creature with god-like abilities; he is merely a fallen angel. The devil must conserve resources and perhaps focus on those that especially need his 'help' to fall. We might imagine that he hates Christians the most or perhaps all of God's creation because everyone, Christian or not, is made in the image of God. May I suggest that he hates consecrated people the most and- most of all- Catholic priests.

Evil cannot destroy or even damage God. Jesus gave Himself willingly to die on the cross for us; Jesus has destroyed death forever. So, if satan cannot kill Jesus, does he just resign himself to defeat? Of course not! Evil will go for the next best person- the Catholic priest, the person who IS Christ at the altar. If satan can encourage the priest to fall, it is a great triumph for evil. It is only 'small potatoes' if a teenager forgets his baptism and fornicates, but if the priest with promises of celibacy and chastity does the same, what a triumph for hell! What a scandal! What a disappointment! Many people will lose their faith because their priest was discovered to be the worst kind of hypocrite. Perhaps it would have been better if he had never been born than to scandalize God's children...

Why do so many priests seem to be forgetting their vocations these days? Why was it that I breathed a sigh of relief when the last four priests I know that left the priesthood (Roman and Byzantine rite, all happened to be celibate priests) got 'married' in Las Vegas-style marriages? They broke solemn promises to God and scandalized lay people and got 'married' irregularly after years of service so someone could serve them their breakfast cereal? Should I be happy that they weren't abusers and that they are finally living their God-given vocation? Or was the priesthood their true vocation and they gave it up for a warm body in bed?

You may be shocked at these words. I strongly advocate for married men being able to be ordained priest in the Eastern rites. I also have respect for those celibate priests who, with dignity and respect for the priesthood, ask for laicization because they have prayerfully determined that the priesthood was not their vocation and then later get married with dignity. I'm sorry; I see no room for quicky Vegas-style 'weddings' here (yes, I know there are plenty of churches in Vegas- two Byzantine I believe. I am not down on Vegas, just Vegas-style. You know what I mean)

Why have there been so many scandals lately? I'm not going to do internet research and see if it is statisically more than earlier years. I understand that sexual scandals within the priesthood are less than other groups. I understand that financial scandals are less than other kinds of people as well. But one priest falling is equal to ten or perhaps one hundred, thousand or a million people falling (because of the 'scandal' factor). Priests are In Persona Christi. God expects more from them; I expect more from them. I will fulfill my obligations as a Catholic. I will say my prayers while I am scrubbing the floors. I will bear the pain of childbearing and childrearing which is my duty to my vocation. I will work out my salvation in fear and trembling as any Christian should. This is nothing compared to the spiritual duties of the priest. But my answer to 'why so many scandals' scares me- because I think the answer might be that these priests who fall don't really believe in Heaven or hell or final judgement. I pray that I am wrong and that these priests are able to make it right with their Creator.

I have posted before the prayer for priests from the blue 'Pieta' prayer book. It says to never talk badly about a priest- and I agree that one should never gossip about our priests. We lay people should also have mercy on our priests when it is not about sinful things. If he has a bad singing voice, never mention it to anyone. If the homily wasn't that interesting, never complain. If the religion classes are sub-par, see if you can help, but don't gossip. If he has spinach in his teeth, take him aside, but don't 'make fun' of him. All priests (celibate and married) can benefit from good clean fun with adult male parishoners especially. Don't get upset if you see a priest on a golf course. Maybe he put in a 60-hour week of service and a parishioner is providing the tee time. If you see a priest at a nice restaurant, assume that the people with him are footing the bill- not the collection basket. With all that said- priests must realize that they are risking their eternal souls when they fall into sin (as we all are).

‘Son of man, prophesy against the pastors of Israel to pastor themselves.  Should not the pastors feed the flock? You have been fed with milk, you have dressed yourselves with wool.  You have not strengthened the weak lambs, cared for those who were sick, healed those who were injured.  You have not restored those who have strayed, searched for those who were lost.  But you have governed them with violence and hardness.’ (Ezekiel 34: 2-4)

I am saying this to you and I am saving my soul.  If I will have kept silent, I won’t be in great danger, I’ll be rather in utter ruin.  But when I will have spoken, and when I will have fulfilled my duty, pay attention then to your own danger.  What, after all, do I want?  What do I desire?  What do I long for? Why am I talking?  Why am I sitting here?  Why am I even alive, except for this intention: in order that we may live together with Christ.  That’s my desire, that’s my honor, that’s my treasured possession, this is my joy, that’s my glory.   But if you will not listen to me and if I haven’t been silent, I will save my soul.  But I don’t want to be saved without you (St Augustine)---quotations found today at Fr Z's blog

.....but...no more excuses- our 'soul is our own' even if the cause has not been so honorable- from Henry V:

So, if a son that is by his father sent about
merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon the sea, the
imputation of his wickedness by your rule, should be
imposed upon his father that sent him: or if a
servant, under his master's command transporting a
sum of money, be assailed by robbers and die in
many irreconciled iniquities, you may call the
business of the master the author of the servant's
damnation: but this is not so: the king is not
bound to answer the particular endings of his
soldiers, the father of his son, nor the master of
his servant; for they purpose not their death, when
they purpose their services. Besides, there is no
king, be his cause never so spotless, if it come to
the arbitrement of swords, can try it out with all
unspotted soldiers: some peradventure have on them
the guilt of premeditated and contrived murder;
some, of beguiling virgins with the broken seals of
perjury; some, making the wars their bulwark, that
have before gored the gentle bosom of peace with
pillage and robbery. Now, if these men have
defeated the law and outrun native punishment,
though they can outstrip men, they have no wings to
fly from God: war is his beadle, war is vengeance;
so that here men are punished for before-breach of
the king's laws in now the king's quarrel: where
they feared the death, they have borne life away;
and where they would be safe, they perish: then if
they die unprovided, no more is the king guilty of
their damnation than he was before guilty of those
impieties for the which they are now visited. Every
subject's duty is the king's; but every subject's
soul is his own. Therefore should every soldier in
the wars do as every sick man in his bed, wash every
mote out of his conscience: and dying so, death
is to him advantage; or not dying, the time was
blessedly lost wherein such preparation was gained:
and in him that escapes, it were not sin to think
that, making God so free an offer, He let him
outlive that day to see His greatness and to teach
others how they should prepare.

† The Beheading of the Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

Today is kept as a strict fast day, on whatever day of the week it falls. Because the holy Forerunner's head was brought to Herod on a platter, it is a pious custom not to eat anything from a plate or platter today.

Troparion of St. John the Baptist

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise but the Lord's testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner, for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom thou didst proclaim. Then having endured great suffering for the Truth, Thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh takes away the sin of the world and grants us the great mercy.

Kontakion of St. John the Baptist

The beheading of the glorious Forerunner was a divine dispensation that the coming of the Savior might be preached to those in hell. Lament then, Herodias, that thou didst demand a murder despising the law of God and eternal life.