Monthly Archives: August 2018

Early Church Study “From Christ to Chalcedon” Starting – September 20

From Christ to Chalcedon, a study group of the early church as seen through the writings of the early church fathers, is restarting September 20. The Spring 2018 study group ran five-months, one night per month, was well received and attended. The Fall 2018 study group will meet for three-months, and covers the writings of Hermas, St. Melito of Sardis, St. Theophilis of Antioch, St. Athenagoras of Athens, and St. Irenaeus of Lyons.

The study volume is ‘The Fathers of the Church’ 3rd Edition by Mike Aquilina. Participants purchase the book on their own. The study group is sponsored the Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Studies, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, and churchvisits.com. Dr. Lisa Unterseher, and Fr Vasili Hillhouse are faculty, and the moderator is Chris Thompson. The format will be lecture and Q&A. Course fee is $25 payable at the first session. If you are interested, please contact Chris Thompson at churchvisits@gmail.com. This study promises to fill in major gaps in understanding the early development of Christianity, and is religion neutral.

Come join us and learn about those “missing years” in the development of the Christian church.

Alaska Greek Festival –

One of my favorite times of year comes next weekend.  The Alaska Greek Festival arrives at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church just east on O’Malley Road after the Lake Otis intersection.   Detailed information is found here: http://akgreekfestival.com/

2018 Festival Hours

Friday, August 17th, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 18th, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 19th, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

This festival has annually raised money to complete their beautiful church, and has successfully done so for many years.  Their dedicated members pitch in and cook the food, pour the beverages, and serve the desserts.  The food is traditional Greek and most tasty indeed.  After you’ve eaten, sit back and enjoy the Greek music and dancing.  It is a memorable event you can bring the whole family to enjoy.

Take time to enjoy a tour of the church and lecture provided by their engaging priest, Fr. Vasili Hillhouse.  He’ll describe the splendor of the iconography employed to deepen their member’s religious experience.  No matter how many times I’ve heard him speak, I always hear something new. While in the church, look in their gift shop for items found nowhere else in Anchorage. I’ve found books of great interest. Their awesome parish cookbook full of Greek recipes is also for sale within.

I’ll be at the festival. Say hello if you spot me!

Blessings

Chris

 

Eagle River Institute Starts Today – August 1, 2018

St John Orthodox Cathedral – Sanctuary

St John Orthodox Cathedral’s Eagle River Institute (ERI) is slated to start today at 3:30 p.m.  During this wonderful annual event, scholars from across the U.S. present on topics selected by Fr. Marc Dunaway. I’ve attended a number of their institutes over the years and can only say what a spiritual blessing they’ve been.

This year’s theme is Holiness Among the Ordinary.

One track will address “Marriage as a Path to Theosis”. The presenter is Fr Philip LeMasters who is a professor of religion at McMurry University, Abilene, TX.

The other track addresses “Lay People in the Ancient Church: Women and Men”. The presenter is Dr. Susan Ashbrook Harvey, professor of religious studies, Brown University.

A detailed brochure with presentation times and fees is available at the link below.  This is not to be missed.

https://stjohnalaska.org/files/ERI%20Brochures/ERI_Brochure_2018.pdf