Great Lent

Great Lent is a time of reflection...introspection... Fasting also includes, fasting from idle chatter, gossip, lusting (eh)....if one can abstain from the stuff you adore, like kibbee, shish-ka-bob maybe one can think about one's faults, weaknesses, sins....even people you do not like...which is why we have Forgiveness Sunday...at least to make the gesture....and one can pray for one's enemies. Lent is a time to slow down...and fasting includes doing good deeds for others such as extending oneself to the wounded and the broken and the " least of the brethren."
More services...too concentrate on God..which in this society..as we know from the recent MTC initiative, is totally absent...Great Lent can be a creative time to not be "pharisaic" but gently humble..in approaching the Holy One....and making HIM more present in our lives......in another words....it is the time of hope that one can change their lives for the better...more human and more divine...

Response to MTC boards denouncing God...

MTC's announcement regarding ads that denounce God, make me and will make me laugh........if God does not exist, why does anyone waste so much ink and energy denouncing what does not exist...this is like the proverbial squirrel in a cage chasing the "nut" round and round...going no where. Who exactly are they trying to convince? Also, the secularists are working hard at leveling any divinity in life and guess what? Is our society better off with no accountability?

Look at the Wall Street greed...the killings in schools........the pre-pre-sexual activities........the disrespect and on and on goes the list of aggressive and inappropriate behavior by the youth of today. They live in a moral vacuum. Lawlessness is the result of no rules, no God, no accountability for one's actions.

This whole idea is repulsive.......it is like renouncing your parents and probably, those engaged in this so-called movement, have dysfunctional family relationships. It often goes hand in hand...Where there is no love, God is absent. So they reject God as they have been rejected. Darwin and Einstein both admitted that there is a mysterious force in the universe.........I believe, if there is no God, there can only be chaos. And by the way, at the moment of truth, like a life threatening disease...I have seen the most hardened person turn towards THE ONE! There is so much to write...wow.........it is said that an insensitive soul is already a corpse.........it seems to me, finally, that without God, a shell is built around the heart.........May He have mercy on those poor souls who live in a void...........

OH BOY! On marriage:

Nadia Lawand who attended our latest session on marriage in preparation to her union with the other half of the web-site Jason Bolanis.....they are really a virtual reality couple! In any case, said she, put something on my BLOG on the subject. Having been there and done that for close to 50 years, I might have some advise. WAIT! No, just be ready, spiritually, emotionally,and above OH BOY! On marriage:all BE REALLY IN LOVE.....NOT IN LUST. A cliché, guess...but I have celebrated countless weddings where there was great sex but no intimacy. The earth can move but do the souls unite? I have suggested mutual prayer together, and some even chuckle..ha! Ha! Me pray and for her!? Oh, well such emptiness. I think that couples need to move together ....in the rhythm of their souls and hearts through worship and mutual prayer. An Odd idea, huh,,,Guarantee everyone is "praying" that the economy gets better or the weather will permit skiing this weekend...so why not for one another...thanking God for this special relationship. Orthodox weddings are rich in rituals but have more real depth in the meaning of the actual ceremony...all of which is participation in the love of God that flows from the communion of the Holy Trinity......who crowns and

consecrates the relationship into a union.....which flows from the Ultimate Union of the Godhead. Flowers do not make a wedding, nor the fluff on the wedding,day nor exuberance of the festivities afterwards......this is only a prelude, that cost lots of $s. What is important is the idea, that God enters the lives of the couple through the power of the holy Spirit. If some are already at the physical level and not married, I suggest " provisional celibacy" to have something special on your day....after this is the "Day that the Lord "has made"....There are no accidents....there are reason that you have been brought together, dig deep in your hearts and finds that center, that core...and unfold it to one another. One last word.....no material object nor the pursuit of

external wealth will ever replace the richness that is discovered within one another! "The pearl of Great Price, Christ."

Fr. Antony Becomes a Star!!

This past summer I was featured in a documentary 'Strength Through Unity', which, documented the life of Metropolitan Philip. Here is just a small clip of what turned out to be a fantastic little film.
If you with to obtain a copy or have more information behind the making of this film, you could either contact St.George Montreal at 514.276.8534 or e-mail Jason at jasonbolanis@gmail.com

On Laughter

Tonight I visited a fellow sufferer...is there such a word...? One who has cancer..it was a lousy night, but I made the visit and when I walked into the house all was dark and sad. My funny machine went into full gear and I said to myself...no way! And funny stories and dreams came falling out of my lips and the house roared with laughter.........Besides prayer, nothing is so healing as
laughter ...it is a balm for the soul.....especially when it comes from down deep...and the story is true! To laugh at oneself and pass this on to others is a binding power...it connects soul to soul.....

Thoughts on being sad....

Throughout the past few weeks and even more, there have been so many good people, even saintly folks, who are struggling with cancer. Today, it really got to me, and mid-day, I came home for an hour or so...stuck myself under the covers and slept from sheer exhaustion of speaking and feeling with those who are suffering. Their pain is deeply felt by yours truly, especially, since I journeyed along this path, and know the sense of dread, that one feels when confronted with the possibility of mortality. And there are so many new families who are undergoing the trauma of cancer. A wounded healer reaches out to each and everyone of them with a prayer of hope for their victory over this dreaded disease. We will have a special prayer of anointing on January 31st mid day..... just to let everyone know of our love and concern.....It just makes me sad to see my friends in so much pain.....