Saturday, October 15/28, 2023
Mother of God Who Ripens the Grain

Finally most of us are in the thick of the regular fall schedule. Since we are also in the season of electing or re-electing officials in November, it is a time to think about social change. I listened to this commentary about the lack of conservatives in the political activist space and whether or not this poses a problem. The article came down on a very interesting and subtle point: that the way to change the world is not so much by directly agitating the powers that be for social change, but by building enduring institutions which promote healthy and God honoring values. In this time of great social upheaval, I would like to express my gratitude for at least two enduring institutions that have meant the world to me and my family.

The first is our parish, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and the parish school run out of her basement, St. Herman of Alaska Christian School. When I came to Boston in the early 90’s and felt like a fish out of water, this parish and parish school kept me grounded in the life of the world to come. And now that our family has grown up, the parish institutions remain to inculturate my children in a life that is true, beautiful, and good. This month, we first went apple picking with the school, then celebrated the annual Harvest Festival in which one of my children won first prize in the baking contest. These regular rhythms of feast, festival, fasting, and prayer give a shape to our lives that far transcends the momentary tragedies of the twenty four hour news cycle.

Another institution for which I am eternally grateful is New Life Fine Arts out of Concord, MA. Their classical adaptations to musical theatre have kept my family and I engaged for over a decade in creatively faithful theology. In fact, this year as they are now rehearsing another production of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, I am sending four out of five of our children without me. I look forward to being an audience member for a change and not a performer. Come out and see us in Groton for one of eight performances in December! Link to tickets and other information below by clicking on the flier.

These institutions of parish, school, and community theatre do not perpetuate themselves but are nourished and perpetuated by the same God who created the world and everything in it. Glory to Him for all things bright, beautiful, and institutional. Amen.