“It is the day of Resurrection, let us be radiant, O you peoples: Pascha, the Lord’s Pascha!” Before any other land utters the words, it is on Tongan soil that the Feast of Resurrection breaks forth into the world. In the far reaches of the Pacific, where the earth first greets the light of the … Continue reading Where the Celebration of Resurrection First Rises: Orthodoxy at the Edge of the World
Love is a verb
In March 2022, my wife Meghan and I arrived in the South Pacific with our four children to help the Apostolic Ministry in Oceania. Two years of dreary COVID lockdowns were finally behind us and we reached our new tropical home bursting with grand expectations of what projects and programs we might accomplish. We both … Continue reading Love is a verb
Joyful in hope
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) While painting the Icons on the walls of the small chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul, on the Island of Tongatapu – the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga – we have been pondering on the joyful hope of the Christ’s Apostles, their patience … Continue reading Joyful in hope
We remain cheerful anticipating the appropriate time of the Lord
Our family was blessed to visit New Zealand for three weeks, both to help serve Holy Week and Pascha services at the Holy Archangels Monastery in Levin, and to have a short rest from our work in the Apostolic Ministry in the Kingdom of Tonga. Following a beautiful all-night Pascha celebration at the Monastery, filled … Continue reading We remain cheerful anticipating the appropriate time of the Lord
How much we give and how much we receive?
Reflections of Mission Life It is easy to be in Fiji if you are on holiday. The sun, the beaches, the smiles, and the constant `Bula Vinaka’ greetings make you feel noticeably special. It’s a home away from home with resorts catering for every need and want. Yet dig beneath the surface and park yourself … Continue reading How much we give and how much we receive?
Return to the Kingdom of Tonga
When we last wrote an update on the progress of our mission in Tonga (see that article HERE), the Kingdom was still closed to any outside visitors. Thanks to God, the Kingdom of Tonga has re-opened its borders, and all restrictions related to COVID-19 have been lifted. We are very excited to announce that one … Continue reading Return to the Kingdom of Tonga
Vision, Mission and Commitment
This August during the Lent of Panagia our brother and sisters of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity – Thessaloniki came to Fiji, bringing us much joy and service in love of Christ. Dr Katerina, Kyrios Prodromos and Kyria Angeliki travelled together to volunteer their services to our Apostolic Ministry in Fiji sharing their talents and showing … Continue reading Vision, Mission and Commitment
Reflection on how by ministering in the field of the Sacred Mission of the Church we cultivate our own lives
Mission as a voluntary exile Our family has lived in the mission field only one year, and so we are still beginners. At home in Alaska for the summer we have had time to reflect on our experience, and we are quite different than we were when we got off the plane in Fiji last … Continue reading Reflection on how by ministering in the field of the Sacred Mission of the Church we cultivate our own lives