Author: Nate Ijams

July 3, 2025
Blessed John of Moscow, Fool for Christ

Faithful in Christ,

Summer is here. Along with it many of us will be traveling and our attendance at the divine services made more difficult. I encourage you this summer season to rest, relax and see family. The Orthodox way is one of balance and rhythm. There is a season for all things, “a time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecc. 3:4).

I also encourage you to maintain your prayer life and almsgiving. We are all creatures of habit and when our routines change it is not uncommon for our holy habits to fall by the wayside. If you are traveling, make an honest effort to attend services near you. If you are unable, pray by yourself. Lastly, do not neglect your giving during this time. Your parish and the poor still need your support.

I wish you a blessed summer and leave you with this proverb, knowing that in the Kingdom of God our only possessions are the things we freely give: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the firstfruits of your hands; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9-10).

Many Blessings,
Father Matthew

December 20, 2024

Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer, Bishop of Antioch

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It is customary during fasting seasons to increase our spiritual efforts. Of particular importance during the Nativity Fast is the giving of alms. Saint Nicholas, one of the Church’s most beloved saints and a hallmark of the Christmas-season, is best known for his generosity and charity. He stands as an example to us of how we ought to prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In a society that occupies itself with gift giving in the time leading up to Christmas, this practice commonly serves to obscure the meaning of Christmas. God in his love for his creation gave his very self. This is the meaning of Christmas, that all of life is gift and the proper posture towards it is gratitude. Such gift giving is a praiseworthy ascetical practice when we give as did Christ in the cave of his birth and in his death on the cross. Moreover, when we give to those who cannot reciprocate, that is Christ’s poor, we imitate our Lord and his love for ‘the least of these.’ Christian gift-giving is always the giving of oneself and the gift acting like a sacrament elicits communion with our fellow man. In this spirit, and not the indulgent and consumerist one of our present age, let us give.

It is customary during fasting seasons to increase our spiritual efforts. Of particular importance during the Nativity Fast is the giving of alms. Saint Nicholas, one of the Church’s most beloved saints and a hallmark of the Christmas-season, is best known for his generosity and charity. He stands as an example to us of how we ought to prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In a society that occupies itself with gift giving in the time leading up to Christmas, this practice commonly serves to obscure the meaning of Christmas. God in his love for his creation gave his very self. This is the meaning of Christmas, that all of life is gift and the proper posture towards it is gratitude. Such gift giving is a praiseworthy ascetical practice when we give as did Christ in the cave of his birth and in his death on the cross. Moreover, when we give to those who cannot reciprocate, that is Christ’s poor, we imitate our Lord and his love for ‘the least of these.’ Christian gift-giving is always the giving of oneself and the gift acting like a sacrament elicits communion with our fellow man. In this spirit, and not the indulgent and consumerist one of our present age, let us give.

It is customary during fasting seasons to increase our spiritual efforts. Of particular importance during the Nativity Fast is the giving of alms. Saint Nicholas, one of the Church’s most beloved saints and a hallmark of the Christmas-season, is best known for his generosity and charity. He stands as an example to us of how we ought to prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In a society that occupies itself with gift giving in the time leading up to Christmas, this practice commonly serves to obscure the meaning of Christmas. God in his love for his creation gave his very self. This is the meaning of Christmas, that all of life is gift and the proper posture towards it is gratitude. Such gift giving is a praiseworthy ascetical practice when we give as did Christ in the cave of his birth and in his death on the cross. Moreover, when we give to those who cannot reciprocate, that is Christ’s poor, we imitate our Lord and his love for ‘the least of these.’ Christian gift-giving is always the giving of oneself and the gift acting like a sacrament elicits communion with our fellow man. In this spirit, and not the indulgent and consumerist one of our present age, let us give.

The Christian ought to prioritize the giving of alms over the typical exchange of gifts to loved ones. In that way we sanctify our gifts by rooting them in the Christian practice of almsgiving and mystically participate in the gift of God’s only Son – a birth where rich magi and poor shepherds, dumb animals and chanting angels, Jews and Gentiles, even heaven and earth are all brought together in a communion of love and joy. It is Christ who unites us, in whom all creation is being and will be brought together. What good news it is. Who then could restrain themselves from giving generously and abundantly in gratitude for the gift of Christ which exceeds all debts.

This Christmas season Saint Mary Magdalen offers three ways to give alms. The first is giving to our own beloved community to further its ministry and worship of God. The second is the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors established by our Archbishop to fund the founding of new missions, the revitalization of struggling parishes, scholarships for seminarians, and other diocesan programs such as our youth ministry. The third is a collection for the diocese of Alaska, a diocese of the native peoples of Alaska which is afflicted with poverty. That collection will be held this coming Sunday at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. I urge you fellow members of our holy community to give to one or all of these worthy causes this Christmas season.

Donations given by check should note in the memo what they are being given towards. Donations may also be made through Zelle (polistinae@msn.com), Paypal (smmparishcouncil@gmail.com), and Venmo (@vespulal).

May God bless you this Nativity season and may the birth of Christ shine brightly in your hearts.

In Christ Jesus,

Father Matthew Brown, Rector