Lunch at work!

What is Orthodox Christianity?

Greetings,

I wanted to share with you that after three years, What is Orthodox Christianity? An Answer in Three Parts is finally complete!  It is a three-part slideshow movie that aims to:

1. Answer the question for a contemporary American audience with some familiarity of Christianity.

2. Offer some basic orientation for those who may be exploring Orthodox Christianity. 

It tries to do this using the aesthetics and resources of the Church, rather than conventional movie-making techniques. Therefore, the decision to use still images, to use readable text (rather than voiceover), and other aesthetic choices are deliberate and are inspired by what is already present in Orthodox Christianity. 

It features 363 icons, 162 photographs, 68 other pictures, and 92 explicit references to Scripture.

The three parts are available here:

Part One; "The Teachings of Christ" (running time 40 minutes): https://vimeo.com/133268270

Part Two: "Falling Away From Christ" (running time 45 minutes): https://vimeo.com/132086893

Part Three: "The Life in Christ" (running time: 40 minutes): https://vimeo.com/132791183

This movie was made to be shared with others...so please do so.

With love in Christ,

Fr. Daniel

  

St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

 

Saint Paisios of Mount Athos (Greek: Ὃσιος Παΐσιος ὁ Ἁγιορείτης), born Arsenios Eznepidis (1924–1994), was a well-known Eastern Orthodox ascetic from Mount Athos, who originated from Pharasa, Cappadocia. He was respected for his spiritual guidance and ascetic life and many people worldwide highly venerate Elder Paisios, especially in Greece and in Russia.
Venerable Elder Paisios was canonized on 13 January 2015 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the church commemorates his feast day on July 12.

The book is amazing: Elder Paisios of Mount Athos Hardcover – 2012; by Elder Isaac (Author)                                     
St. Paisios please pray for us always!

Why Orthodoxy

This is an excellent interview with Fr. Josiah Trenham, a terrific speaker who is very informative!
I highly recommend taking the time to see this video- you won't regret it!
His book is available from: http://store.ancientfaith.com/
"This book has been written for three purposes. First, to provide the Orthodox reader with a competent overview of the history of Protestantism and its major traditions, from its beginnings in the 16th century to the present day. This overview relies heavily upon the Reformer's own words as well as the creeds of various Protestant faiths, in order to avoid misrepresentation and caricature. Second, to acquaint Orthodox and non-Orthodox readers with a narrative of the historical relations between the Orthodox East and the Protestant West. Finally, to provide a summary of Orthodox theological opinion on the tenets of Protestantism.
About the author: Father Josiah Trenham is a native Southern Californian. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1993, and was awarded the Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Durham, England, in 2004. He has served as pastor of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, Ca. since 1998. Father Josiah is the founder and director of Patristic Nectar Publications which produces both recordings of patristic works as well as recordings of lectures and homilies available in direct download formats (www.patristicnectar.org). Father Josiah's weekly homilies and additional theological reflections are published weekly on The Arena podcast on Ancient Faith Radio: www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/thearena. "

"Rock and Sand": Part I : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piVdrtgo7Xw&feature=youtu.be

Zuchini, Moringa and Buckwheat Pilaf

Ingredients:
3 cups of fresh moringa
1 chopped onions
3 cups zucchini cut in 1 inch pieces
oregano, basil, salt, pepper to taste
4-5 garlic cloves, diced
2 cups cream of buckwheat
2 tbsp. coconut oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Directions:
In a stainless steal skillet saute in coconut oil the onions for 10 minutes. Add the spices, zucchini and moringa. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add 1 cup water, lemon juice and cream of buckwheat. Simmer for another 20 minutes.
Note: for more info on moringa see my post from: September 14, 2014:" Tiny leaves- Enormous Benefits: Moringa"

Almond, Walnut, Mango Upside Down Cake

Ingredients: (a no sugar, gluten-free recipe)

1.5 cups of almond meal

3 eggs

2 tbsp. milk

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 box of mascarpone cheese

1 ripe mango

1 ripe banana

2.5 cups of chopped walnuts

 

Directions:

In a mixing bowl add the almond meal, salt, banana, vanilla and milk. Mix all ingredients very well (a blender would make the job easier). Separately, blend together mango and cheese.

Cover a 4X4 inch glass pan with 2 cups of walnuts. Add the almond batter. Bake at 350F for 30 min.  Remove from oven and allow to cool down to room temperature. Cut in the serving portions (6). Cover tightly the pan with a serving dish and invert so the walnut side is up. Cover with

mango-cheese mix.  Serve. Garnish with the left over walnuts. (optional)

 

Avocado-Banana Chocolate Ice-cream

This is a raw & vegan recipe, great for all ages, but especially for kids! For those who are following a paleo diet is a must try:

Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas
1 avocado
2 tbsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. chocolate powder
honey to taste
pinch of salt

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender, mix until smooth. Pour in a container provided with a lid and place in the freezer for 12 hours. Enjoy!
Note: The photo shown has also some Mango Banana Ice-cream too  (1 ripe mango, 1 ripe banana, coconut oil, salt, mint, vanilla extract)