BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: A NEW SEMINARY/MISSION CENTER BEGINS

The Saints Peter and Paul Formation Center in Huehuetenango will house the future seminary and mission center. Excitement is growing in Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico, as the Orthodox Church carries out the vision of Archbishop Athenagoras of Mexico to take the Gospel message into all of … [Read more...]

TOUCHING HEAVEN IN GUAXACANA

One of the joys in visiting a parish in Guatemala is the warm welcome given to the visiting clergy. Such was the case upon our arrival at the village of Guaxacana (wa-sha-ca-na) on January 28th. Not only was the Orthodox community celebrating the 14th  anniversary of its founding, but also the … [Read more...]

MIRACLE IN THE JUNGLE: A FAITH REBORN, A VISION FULFILLED

On May 28, 2012, Fr. Andres Giron and I made an historic visit to the humble village of Los Angeles in the region of Ixcan. It would be the first time that Fr. Andres would meet with them on their spiritual journey to the Orthodox Church. To celebrate this special occasion, some of the village men … [Read more...]

NEW VIDEO UPDATE ON CLINIC

Archbishop Athenagoras of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico, motivated by his pastoral concern and deep love for the Mayan people, initiated the construction of the FATHER ANDRES GIRON CLINIC in the remote village of Aguacate, Guatemala. Now after two years of compassionate medical outreach … [Read more...]

CATHEDRALS OF THE POOR IN GUATEMALA

The experience of worshipping with the indigenous people in their small churches made of baked mud and clay or wooden planks defies description. These are the cathedrals of the poor, every bit as magnificent as the hallowed shrines of Orthodoxy in the great centers of the world. What a great mystery … [Read more...]

CUBAN MISSION: Church Growth in a Land of Forced Frugality

  As is often done in the movies, we are offering a "prequel" with this blogpost.  On December 5 - 10, 2012, we, along with Fr. Andres Giron of Guatemala, were invited to join the combined pilgrimage of church Archons and Philoptochos members to Havana, Cuba.   This was an opportunity to … [Read more...]