Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, whose many literary works did more than any single author's in the 20th century to introduce the West to Orthodox faith and culture (among other things), died on Sunday at the age of 89.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to read his noted -- perhaps infamous -- address to the Harvard graduates of 1978, in which he said:

The numbers are astounding. According to a variety of surveys conducted over the last few years, the average American teenager spends more than 72 hours a week using "electronic media."

That's 3 whole days!

While that alone should catch the attention of any clergyman or religious educator, the numbers themselves don't tell the full story of teenage media usage, most especially when it comes to the Internet, cell phones, iPods and video games.

The ministry of Christ in the world is the reconciliation of God and man. Every sermon, every trip, every miracle, every chastisement, they all have the goal of showing the audience the way back to God. In our Church, this can’t be stressed enough.

 Not perfect, but wouldn't it be great if every local Orthodox parish could generate thoughtful coverage on local TV stations?

A truly beautiful documentary, which provides the viewer with stunning shots of Meteora from above, as well as insight into the history, worship and spirituality of the second largest complex of Orthodox Christian monasteries in the world.

More about Meteora available here.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Old Testament Prophet St. Elias, or Elijah (not to be confused with his successor, Elisha). St. Elias has always been one of my personal favorite figures from the Old Testament. So this morning I’d like us to think a little about what it means for a man or woman to be a prophet of the Most High God, and then look some at the life of St. Elias.

Our Gospel reading this morning (John 17:1-13) was the first half of the 17^th chapter of the Gospel of St. John, which is often called the “High Priestly Prayer of Christ.” This prayer is called the High Priestly Prayer because in it Christ prays as high priest, as one who is making an offering to God (and as one who is making an offering on behalf of others). This morning, I’d like us to look at the words of Christ’s prayer in the context of prayer, and specifically, in the context of the liturgical prayers of the Church.

In the Gospel reading this morning, Christ very succinctly gives us the Christian perspective on life: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (everything we need) shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). I hear the question very often: how do we do this?