Besides having a compelling title, a new book I am poring over is exceedingly engaging. The ho-hum geometric cover just does not do it justice, and had I not read this great review from World magazine, I might never have made it past the cover.
Now, rather than give you, dear reader, another overview that you might read at the book’s website, I prefer to dive in to one of the funniest bits so far. Continue reading
For those of you not quite in the loop, Downton Abbey on PBS, shot in England by the BBC is a terrific television series. Season 3 premiered last Sunday and is running every Sunday on your local PBS station. Watch it!
I am always a bit ashamed in traveling to Russia and other places in the world that I come from a country where shared folk singing is not as strong as in other cultures. That is until I consider the great American and British tradition of carol singing around Christmas time. Continue reading
Three King’s Bread
I have always loved this time of year between the two Christmases (New Style and Old Style) which falls for West during the twelve days of Christmas right before Epiphany on January 6. Unlike those in America who might feel that the lights have all been extinguished and it is time to go back to business as usual, I feel like the party is just getting started and not only for the Orthodox Christians who might be known for their extensive pre- and post-festive extravaganzas.
Happy New Year and glory be to God for a first snowfall in Boston. The snow is not so much to cause too much back strain to shovel, yet just enough for the kid’s to have endless hours of enjoyment: skating, snowmen, and sledding have already transpired in the first 24 hours. Looking forward to more adventures in this winter wonderland…
Wonderland Outside Our Front Porch
Hello faithful readers… Wanted to let you know about a new paper I uploaded to my Academia page about a year in the life of an Orthodox Church my family and I attend. Would love to know what you think.
Much has been abuzz in the media lately about the latest Pew Forum Religious survey reporting that those who have no religious affiliation are greatly on the rise in America and actually threaten to reduce the Protestant majority to under 50%. Continue reading
No one, including yours truly, likes it very much, but without it, our respective worlds would become incredibly cramped and selfishly narrow. I am personally very grateful tonight for some Russian friends who have been telling me for years to read Russian books by Russian authors, even if I have to succumb [temporarily] to the English translations. For a long time, I fought every Dostevsky novel, every Gogol compendium, every maddening Chekov anthology. Even now that I am married to a Russian, I still resist. But little by little, by obeying the advice of my Russophile friends, my resistance is wearing thin. Continue reading
There are many great classic Christmas specials I remember growing up. Most of them now are available on DVD or on some form of online streaming. 
I introduced my own children recently to one of my favorites, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In this particular story, there is a scene in which a distressed Santa Claus makes an announcement to all of his North Pole staff that due to inclement weather, Christmas this year would have to be cancelled. Of course, Rudolph with his nose so bright, saves the day and gets Santa to put his game face back on, but the thought that someone, even of Santa’s caliber, had the authority to cancel such an extraordinary feast sent shivers down my prepubescent spine. Continue reading
Just finished updating myself on the recent tragedy at the Sandy Hook School in Newtown, CT last Friday. This story is very close to me not only as a parent, but also as a teacher. I want to know what I can do now to prevent such a future tragedy from occurring again. What powerful posture of defense can I take to ensure the safety of my own children and of the innocents given over to my care during the school day?
Combing the excellent coverage given to the event by the New York Times, I was most struck by the courageous and quick response given voluntarily by one of the fathers of the many young victims:
Like Mendicant Monks... 