Addressing the special gift of physicians to alleviate pain and save lives, St. John Chrysostom would say that "they have an urgent responsibility to share their talents." St. Basil, likewise acknowledging the gift, taught that "God's grace is as evident in the healing power of medicine and its … [Read more...]
THE NEW FACE OF MAYAN CHRISTIANITY
April 23, 2015 by · 5 Comments
Christianity among the Mayan Indians is undergoing a dramatic change in places like Guatemala and Southern Mexico. This shifting of religious identity is part of a larger trend that is enveloping much of Latin America. According to the Pew Research Center report, published in November of 2014, … [Read more...]
A LEGACY OF SERVICE REMEMBERED AND RENEWED
February 28, 2015 by · Leave a Comment
As commemorations of the one year memorial of Fr. Andres Giron continued throughout the villages, the question arises- what made the priestly ministry of this man so compelling to thousands of Mayan people? In an interview, Fr. Andres explained: "I became involved with them twenty-five years ago … [Read more...]
MEMORIA ETERNA! MAYAN ORTHODOX REMEMBER THEIR FOUNDER
February 11, 2015 by · 1 Comment
"A righteous man shall be in everlasting remembrance..." according to the Psalmist David (Ps. 111:6, OSB). One year after the falling asleep of +Fr. Andres Giron (2/16/14), these words seem to ring true, especially for the many thousands of Mayan Orthodox Christians who still hold him in such high … [Read more...]
UPDATE FROM GUATEMALA -ALEXANDRA CHAKOS
February 2, 2015 by · 6 Comments
Things have been busy, to say the least, since our recent arrival in Guatemala. There were 6 of us in our group: Fr. John and myself, Bob Kirschner - project director of our new clinic, Dr. Willie Manteris - a dentist and partner in the building of our clinic, Dave Sevick - computer expert and … [Read more...]
THE MIDWIVES OF AGUACATE: BIRTHING A VILLAGE
December 5, 2014 by · 1 Comment
As we approach the glorious celebration of our Lord’s Nativity in the cave of Bethlehem, the thought occurred to me that there might have been a midwife present to assist with the delivery of Jesus. Although the Holy Scriptures remain silent about this, the Orthodox Church’s iconographic depiction … [Read more...]
IT TAKES A VILLAGE: AGUACATE BUILDS ITS OWN CLINIC
November 29, 2014 by · 5 Comments
The old African proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child” could also refer to other communal endeavors such as building a clinic. We found this to be the case in Aguacate, Guatemala, after a recent visit (Nov. 16th) to see for ourselves how the project was progressing after three months. To … [Read more...]
HEALTH CARE IN GUATEMALA: THE OTHER CRISIS
October 16, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
As I follow the tragic news of the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and now in the United States, I cannot help but wonder what would happen if such an outbreak occurred in Guatemala. The effects of such an epidemic would be overwhelming and calamitous, to say the least. Healthcare, such as it is, for … [Read more...]
MEDICAL MISSION TO AGUACATE BEGINS
August 31, 2014 by · 3 Comments
While construction for the medical/dental clinic in the Mayan village of Aguacate was underway, a dental team headed by Dr. Willie Manteris, and including his daughter Nikki and Robert Kirschner arrived on August 10th. Their plan was to offer fluoride treatment, dental … [Read more...]
Guatemalan Update: The Church Mourns, but not without Hope
August 27, 2014 by · 1 Comment
After the loss of its dynamic and visionary leader- Fr. Andres Giron- the Guatemalan clergy and faithful entered into a difficult period of mourning and readjustment. In every parish that we visited, there was sadness, but no loss of hope. On the contrary, a strong desire to continue the work of Fr. … [Read more...]
