Featured Author of the Antiochian Archdiocese: Fr. George Morelli
Fr. George Morelli is a seasoned professional in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy. An active pastor and leader, he chairs the archdiocesan Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministry, and is also Religion Coordinator and Liaison of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine. He lives in San Diego, California, where he is Assistant Pastor at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Fr. George has taught university and seminary courses in psychology and pastoral theology, and supervised doctoral clinical psychology interns. He has authored numerous articles in the field of psychology, and is also the author of Healing: Orthodox Christianity and Scientific Psychology. He can be heard on Ancient Faith Radio through his weekly podcast Healing: Orthodox Spirituality and Psychology. Also a regular contributor to OrthodoxyToday.org, Fr. George has graciously allowed the Antiochian Archdiocese to reproduce his writings on this website.
You can also listen to Fr. George teach via his podcast at Ancient Faith Radio.
Featured
Chaplain's Corner: Godless Thanksgiving?
Chaplain's Corner, November 2009
Sadly, a couple weeks ago I heard a line said by the star of a newly released Hollywood film to advertize its opening. The line, a quote from the film’s script, spoken in a derisive tone, went something like this: ‘The last time I thought about God, was when I was high-tailing it away from the cops.’ What is most sad about this is that not only was this mocking the God, who is our Creator and Provider of Blessings, but it was reflecting the attitude of many in today’s society who relegate God at best to a sort of good luck charm or talisman which has about as much value as other magical trinkets, or, at worst, consider that God is irrelevant and to be ignored.
How different is the spirit and tradition in the Eastern Church with its remembrance of God and thanksgiving for His benefits which we have all received. In the Divine Liturgy and daily prayer of the Church thanksgiving is a central theme. The Eucharist, which Eastern Christians affirm as the very real Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning: grateful, thankful. God is acknowledged and given thanks likewise in all the Churchs’ Holy Mysteries and in its many special blessing prayers.