Welcome

Father David Smith begins our first devotion:

Devotional for 9/1/04

Welcome to day one of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocse of North America web site daily devotional!  We want to give you a reason to visit “antiochian.org” often; in fact, every day!  To this end, we will post a new reflection every day to this Archdiocese web site.  Make us a part of your daily routine - take a few moments to focus on spiritual things during the course of your busy day.

Of course, the best thing is to spend every day, all day praying and worshipping in the church - and some Orthodox Christians, like monastics, do just that.  But we all cannot do this.  Most of us have jobs, school, tasks and errands, families and friends, troubles and ... you get the picture!  To what kind of committment does God call us?

First, we surround ourselves with icons.  When I sit down most mornings to have my first cup of coffee, I’m sitting under an icon of St. Seraphim painted over 100 years ago.  I love this icon.  I look at it, and cross myself, and bring to mind this great saint’s life and teachings. 

Secondly, we pray.  At the beginning of the day and at it’s end, before meals and many times in the car, I turn my heart toward God and ask for His mercy.  I sense His presence in these moments, His comfort and encouragement, His mind.

Thirdly, we fast.  Nothing touches us quite like our food, and thanks to God the church uses this as a great tool for us to grow in our faith - its cyle of feasts and fasts!

And fourthly, we read.  That’s what you’re doing now.  We have the readings the church assigns from the scripture, and we have the writings of and about the saints.

We do not intend, by offering this daily reflection, to replace any reading you might be doing now.  It’s another resource for you - for all of us!  Each day, different priests of the Antiochian Archdiocese will offer some thoughts for your spiritual edification.  Come often!