Fashion OR Faux pas?

Dolce & Gabbana released their Autumn/Winter 2013 line at the recent Milan Fashion Week, among other big name designers, such as Emporio Armani & Jil Sander.
























According to InStyle.Co.UK's coverage (read the full article HERE) of the show: "Dolce & Gabbana added a bit of spice to proceedings with a Byzantium meets Vatican theme played out to the sounds of The Spice Girls. With mosaic vistas appearing in intricately appliquéd golden gowns or printed on shrug-on jersey column dresses, we’ve no doubt Hollywood’s finest would have worn it straight of the catwalk."

Be sure to check the tag of your bishop or priest's vestments next Sunday; look for this symbol (view above):




Both for the Women's & Men's line, Dolce & Gabbana added a religious theme with images of Byzantine Orthodox icons/frescos, Catholic statues of the Virgin Mary, ornate Orthodox crosses, and imperial crowns.

From their own press release for the new collection:

"Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana were inspired by the mosaic of Monreale for this collection. The city of Monreale started to become important around the XI century with the arrival of the Normans in Sicily. The Cathedral of Monreale, consecrated to Santa Maria Nuova, was built between 1172 and 1185 under the commission of the Norman King William II of Altavilla, together with the archiepiscopal Palace and its beautiful cloister. Two of these mosaics represent William II crowned by Christ and William II who offers the church to the Virgin. Local artists and experts from Byzantium and Venice were called in to realize those striking works of art. Dolce & Gabbana made use of the abilities of artisans of the highest level to create mosaics on shoes, dresses, jewels and bags. As the art of mosaic-making is a slow and precise one, achieved by placing single piece next to the other, at the same time tailoring is made by single stitch after single stitch."

Below are a few examples from the collection; to view the entire collection (and I suggest you do so), visit HERE and HERE:

















- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Teen Talks 2013

With the new year upon us, I'd like to gather our dedicated Orthodox teens together for Great Vespers, discussion sessions, and dinner. We will meet at St George Orthodox Church on Saturday evenings at 5:00p for our "Teen Talks" and then worship together during Great Vespers at 6:30p, followed by a Dinner Outing.



Please invite your friends and family to join us for these SOYO activities during the next few months. Restaurant suggestions are greatly appreciated.

January 19 - Teen Talk theme: "Making Disciples of All Nations: An Orthodox Mission in America." We will discuss the history of Orthodoxy in America; our Orthodox presence in American society today and how it relates to our Faith at home and school.

January 26 - Teen Talk theme: "Science & Religion: An Orthodox Perspective." We will discuss our God as Creator and how to use what we learn in classes that deal with Science to strengthen our faith in our Creator.

February 23 - Teen Talk theme: "A Voice Crying Out in the Wilderness: St John the Baptist." Prior to the Feastday of the 1st & 2nd Finding of the Honorable Head of St John the Baptist (February 24), we will discuss the importance of St John the Baptist in the History of Salvation focusing on his Life and example for us as Orthodox Christians.

March 9 - Teen Talk theme: "Praying at Home: How Can I Find the Time?" We will discuss the importance of praying to our Lord, and building a personal relationship with our Savior, especially at home.

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Orthodox Young Adult Book Club continues in 2013

Young Adult Ministries of Greater Houston is hosting its 3rd installment of our Orthodox Young Adult Book Club. Join us on Wednesday evenings (beginning January 23) at St George Antiochian Orthodox Church at 7:00p (Daily Vespers at 6:30p).

We will set up a "hosting" schedule at our first gathering for the remainder of our sessions. The book selection is The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by Archimandrite Irenei. You can read his Bio HERE. This work is available in our St George Bookstore for $12.00 per copy. Please confirm with Paul Fuller of your participation, so we know how many books we need for the group.

Below is the book description from the backcover:

"The beginnings of prayer arise from the longing of the heart to know God, to rest in Him Who showed His love upon the precious Cross, to abide in the fullness of communion with Him. In the present book - a primer on prayer - Archimandrite Irenei first prepares the ground by helping us to count the cost (Luke 14:28) of our lives as Christians, to take stock of the spiritual struggle we must undertake if we are to ascend toward God in prayer. Then, based on a sober appraisal of our lowly condition and of the worldly and demonic influences that assail us, he helps us to adorn our inward beings as temples of prayer.

With an eye ever on the practical application of Orthodox Christian teaching to the spiritual life, the author raises our minds and hearts to a greater awareness of the holiness and majesty of God, and at the same time of the potential for us - unworthy though we are - to enter into intimate communion with Him. This awareness inspires us to explore with the author the depths of prayer, and to strive more fervently toward eternal life in Christ - the end for which we have been created."

Book Club Discussion Schedule (Wednesday evenings at 7p):

*January 23:  Introduction & The Call of Christ toward Self-Examination [pp. 7-19]
*January 30:  Attending to our Struggles [pp. 20-35]
*February 6:   Attending to our Struggles (continue) & The Transformative Power of the Attentive Heart [pp. 35-54]
*February 13:  The Beginnings of Prayer [pp. 57-70]
*February 20:  A Century of Prayer & Watchfulness [pp. 71-92]   
*February 27:  Second Century on Prayer – On the Preparation of the Mind & Heart [pp. 93-109]
*March 6:  A Second Century on Prayer & A Postscript – Prayer & the Cross [pp. 109-122]

For more information, please contact Paul Fuller, Youth & Young Adult Director of St George (paulf518@yahoo.com) and visit our Facebook Group: "Young Adult Ministries in Houston TX."

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

The Friend of the Bridegroom: St John the Baptist

In the Life of the Church, it is customary on the day following Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior.


Baptism of our Lord

St John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. St John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most-Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior's Baptism.

"He must increase, but I must decrease": the words of St John the Baptist as quoted in Gospels (John 3:30) is a beautifully stated and essential reminder for all Christians. He is explaining to his followers the fulfillment of his ministry in proclaiming the good news of the coming of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ into the world.

Forerunner & Baptist, John

St John calls himself the "friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. "Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled" (John 3:29). What a remarkable example of the love of God and understanding of one's purpose in life!

Our Lord says of John, "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he" (Luke 7:28).

I am currently reading for the second time an amazing book reflecting on the life and purpose of St John the Baptist entitled The Friend of the Bridegroom: On the Orthodox Veneration of the Forerunner by Sergius Bulgakov. I strongly encourage you to read it as well.

Through the prayers of the Forerunner, O Lord our God, have mercy upon us!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

The Digital Story of the Nativity

Wishing you and your family a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord!

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!


Below is a modern digital story of the Nativity; enjoy:

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Advent Psalter Reading Group

During our Advent journey towards the Nativity of our Lord, you're invited to participate with a group of Orthodox Christians who will bedaily reading through the Book of Psalms. The concept is pretty awesome and simple, and has truly made a big effect on me during my Lenten journey this past Great Fast. You gather a group (dedicated) and break up the Psalms to assign different ones to be read by each person daily. You end up reading through the entire Book of Psalms twice throughout Great Lent, but the really amazing idea to keep in mind is that as a group, the entire Book of Psalms is read each day!

Prophet David, composer of the Book of Psalms

Image Source

During Advent, most people associate this season with endless Christmas parties and shopping. However, the main reason for "fasting" during this season of preparation is to focus on our dependance on the mercy of God. While limiting certain aspects of our daily life, whether it be food, entertainment, selfish acts, etc. is not the goal of participating in any fasting season, it allows for the oppportunity to increase in other aspects of our life. We are called to increase our prayer life (individual and communal), charity towards others, especially those in great need, and draw closer to the knowledge of our merciful God.

Image Source

One great tool for this drawing closer to our Lord is to read more, not necessarily a spiritual work, but it certainly can't hurt. That's why I think joining this "reading group" during the Advent season will be very beneficial to those participating. It "forces" us to take time out of our busy day and focus on our Lord through reading the Scriptures. I have to plan my day to include time to participate (I certainly don't want to be the person who becomes lacking in my reading, as I said earlier, if all participate the entire Psalter is read daily).

If you are interested in joining this Psalter Reading Group during this upcoming Advent season, please contact me for more details!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Holy Great-martyr Menas

Today (November 11), in the Life of the Church, we commemorate the Great-martyr Menas of Egypt. St Menas was a Roman soldier who served in the 4th century under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. When the emperors began the fiercest persecution against Christians in history, the saint refused to serve these persecutors. He removed his soldier's belt (a sign of military rank) and withdrew to a mountain, where he lived an ascetic life of fasting and prayer.

Once he happened to arrive in the city of Alexandria during a pagan festival. At the climax of the games the saint's accusing voice rang out, preaching faith in Christ, the Savior of the world. At his trial before the prefect Pyrrhus, the saint bravely confessed his faith, saying that he had come to denounce the impious. The prefect was angered, and had Menas arrested.

Holy Great-martyr Menas

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Pyrrhus offered to restore the saint's former rank if he would offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. When he refused, he was put to cruel tortures, then he was beheaded. This occurred in the year 304. Christians gathered up the martyr's relics by night and hid them until the end of the persecution. Later, they were brought to Egypt and placed in a church dedicated to St Menas southwest of

Alexandria.
The saint received grace from God to work miracles, and to help those in need. St Menas is noted for healing various illnesses, delivering people from possession by demons, and as a protector, especially during times of war. We also ask his help in finding lost objects.

Life of the Saint taken from OCA Feasts & Saints

The Great-martyr Menas has always been a special saint for intercession for me personally. My maternal grandmother's last name was Meena (hailing from Lebanon via Pittsburgh, PA). I'm sure many others can relate, but I always had a special relationship with my Sito. It's comforting for a grandson to know he could do no wrong in Sito's eyes. She's also the source for my deep faith; she's the one who taught me how to pray, especially turning to the saints for intercession.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love "collecting" Orthodox icons. But, for the longest time, I could never find one of St Menas (until this year - which now hangs in my office).

Through the intercession of the Holy Great-martyr Menas, O Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director