Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was famous as an innovative playwright in the late 19th and early 20th c.  Yet, he is also considered one of world literature’s greatest short story writers. His works continue to be published in new translations and anthologies to this day.  Although considered to be an avowed agnostic, he has written some wonderful stories that reveal his great familiarity with the over-all culture of the Russian Orthodox Church.  We will read some of these ecclesial tales – such as "The Student" and “The Bishop,” as well as others – that in addition to being wonderfully descriptive, also depict the various “types” that populated his world and which he portrayed with much humanity and insight.

Plan on joining us for yet another fascinating literary excursion!

Download the flier in printable PDF format here.


Books for Winter Reading Circle
January 11, 2012

Dear Parish Faithful,

Try as I might, I could not find a single volume of Chekhov novellas or short stories that contained the works that I would like our group to read together for our upcoming Winter Reading Circle in February.  So, I will supply the information for the two books that we will read from.  The novellas and stories we will read are:
 
First Session, Feb 6 – “Ward No. 6,” “Panikhida” & “Vanka”
Second Session, Feb 13 – “The Murder”
Third Session, Feb 20 – “The Student,” “The Bishop,” & “Easter Eve”
 
The reading material for the first and third sessions is found in Anton Chekhov – Stories, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.  It sells on amazon.com for $10.20.  The material for the second session is found in Peasants and Other Stories, selected and with an introduction by Edmund Wilson.  This sells for $15.56.  Both editions sell for less from the independent sellers listed on amazon.com.  Sorry for the inconvenience or the cost, but you will be purchasing two books with an extraordinary collection of the best works of Chekhov – endless reading delight for the future.

For those with an Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle device, see below for a very affordable Digital eBook Edition.
 
Fr Steven

St John Chrysostom famously said that without continuous study of the scriptures, we can scarcely hope to be saved, and St Seraphim of Sarov taught that we should be "swimming in the law of the Lord."

How fortunate therefore for us that our pastor, Fr Steven, has established an annual regimen of insightful studies to build us up in our most holy faith. Broken up roughly into semesters, we have a multi-week Summer Bible Study, a six-week long Fall Adult Education Class, a special Winter Reading Circle in which we read and discuss some work of classic literature, and occasional parish-wide discussion events, in which we concentrate for an evening or two on key topics of interest.

While these ongoing efforts are essential, we must not overlook our Catechumen and Inquirers Classes, which have been virtually continuous of late. Designed especially for those new to Orthodoxy, parishioners are always welcome to join these introductory classes to refresh themselves with the basics of our faith.

On this page, we feature the current semester's program, as well as a link to an archive of past classes and resources.

For further information, or if you have any questions, please contact Fr. Steven.

From Fr Steven:

Dear Parish Faithful,

LIVE DANGEROUSLY!   COME TO THE BIBLE STUDY!
 
Due to the importance I ascribe to our annual Summer Bible Study – one reason being that the Bible comes from and belongs to the Orthodox Church - I always begin with a letter of exhortation to try and “recruit” new participants before we begin each year.  Whether or not that exhortation falls on deaf ears or not, is beside the point.  My pastoral conscience impels me to make the effort, and every year it seems as if we have some new members that join our circle.  So, if you belong to the species of homo sapien, and if you are simultaneously a member of our parish, then this letter is meant for you.   Continue reading...