8 April 2018. It’s Here… The Holiest of Holy Days for Orthodox Christians

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It’s here. This day defines what we are as Orthodox Christians. As the Apostle wrote:

If Christ be not risen from the dead, your faith is in vain.

If you don’t confess this in your heart of hearts, you’re no Christian, no matter how many pro-life placards you wave, how many guns you own, how many Republicans you vote for, or how many “faggots” you’ve hated and scorned. If Christ be risen truly in your heart, people know it. Trust me, if He isn’t, people know that too. Follow real Christians like HH, who was friends with Comandante Fidel and is friends with Comrade Zyuganov and the rocker Kostya Kinchyov. He spends his holidays with the homeless, sick, and imprisoned. Now, there’s a Christian with the Risen Christ in his heart… may we do likewise! Say it loud:

Христосъ воскресе!

Воистинну воскресе!

This is why we believe and continue to believe. Stay focused, stay the course, and stand firm. The plug-uglies can’t win as long as we face forward and keep on truckin’. Take my hand… the road does twist, turn, and have its bumps and furrows…

BMD

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14 January 2018. Only in Russia… It’s Old New Year!

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Today is Old New Year in Russia! Yes… that’s an unofficial Russian holiday. You see, 14 January is 1 January on the Julian Calendar that the Orthodox Church uses. Therefore, many people (including many non-religious sorts) hold a second New Year celebration on that day. A leftist friend of mine emailed me:

People are abandoning the Fast less and less at New Years. There are Communist New Year’s Parties where (out of respect for Believers) a table groans under the weight of delicious Lenten delicacies… lobster, shrimp, oysters, herring, caviar, savoury Persian and Caucasian vegan treats, Lenten pirozhki, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, and so much more. Plus, there’s an open bar of the best champagne, vodka, and Cuban & Haitian rum. Of course, they have a table full of meat and dairy items for secular people. However, those Comrades who observe the Nativity Fast can keep both the letter of the Church’s law and, with moderation, its spirit.

That’s why many keep the Old New Year… it allows them to have the meat n’ dairy delicacies that they abstained from on 1 January (many Orthodox Christians abstain until 7 January, the Julian date for the Nativity). Then, there are the party animals, for whom any excuse will do for a shindig.

To the Old New Year! Lift a glass and cheer!

BMD

16 December 2017. ‘Tis the Season for “Christmas Cards”… Here’s Mine

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The original painting is by Yelena Stepura, a Moscow-based painter. All of y’all can download and use this, with no charges or fees… Russians aren’t Anglo Americans… we’re not greedy nor are we self-centred attention hounds.

Have a most wonderful and joyous holiday… whichever one you celebrate. Raise a glass and cheer!

BMD

2 January 2017. My New Year Wish For ALL Of You

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Well, it’s a new year… I’ll see my 63rd birthday, God willing. I wish all of you the best… my supporters, my followers, and even my foes. I wish that God’s sun and grace shine on all of you. I’ve been around long enough to know “what goes around, comes around”, and if you wish ill on anyone, the Good Lord hears it… not only hears it, but sees to it that you get it in some way or another. “What about the Donald Trumps of this world? They get away with it!” No… they don’t… there’s no one in the world who respects Trump (and those of his ilk). Fear? Yes. Hatred? Yes. Obsequity? Yes. However, such sorts never get a scrap of real respect or friendship… and they know it. They hurt people who discomfit them… yes… but no respect comes of it, I assure you.

If you want to spread evil, evil comes back on you, one way or another. If you try to spread good, the good will return to you, one way or another. All religions teach this. All people of good will and decency know this. So, as the postcard above wishes us, have HAPPINESS. Another year is upon us…

BMD