Preparing for Lent
During the four weeks prior to Great Lent, the Church prepares us with several “pre-lenten” themes: repentance and humility, God’s mercy, judgment and salvation, and forgiveness. The pre-lenten Sundays prepare us for our “lenten journey.” They arm us with that … Read More
Quick Chocolate Mug Cake
Some days you just crave a chocolatey treat. I’ve been in the mood for it all week long, but most chocolate cakes, including mug cakes, have eggs – or at least milk. This cake, based on the chocolate mug cake … Read More
Forgiveness Sunday
The Sunday before the beginning of the great lent has two themes: one theme is the expulsion of Adam from Paradise and the other theme is forgiveness.
No-Knead Bread
During Lent, we often are limited on time. Often I want to make homemade bread, but I just don’t have time to do the mixing, kneading, raising, etc. This is the perfect answer to this problem: minimal hands-on time, versatile and easy to make, while still giving you an artisan-style loaf of bread.… Read More
By the Waters of Babylon
Each year before Great Lent, we sing the hymn “By the Waters of Babylon”. The text is from Psalms 136 (137). For years, I found the text to be confusing. It is a cry of lament, but at the end … Read More
On Prayer and Repentance
Written by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov; Translated by Nun Cornelia (Rees) In today’s Gospel, the prayer of the publican is shown drawing God’s mercy to him. This prayer consisted of the following words: God be merciful to me a sinner (Lk. … Read More
Crispy Cajun Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are great for a weekday dinner, especially during the Nativity fast on fish days. I like to make these tacos with tilapia cut into small chunks. Any white fish would work. Make sure to cut the … Read More
Baking, Vegan-Style
As a baker, I want to make sure every baked good is delicious, has good consistency, and is baked properly. There are some obvious challenges when baking vegan foods. I’m sure many of us have experienced them first-hand, myself included. … Read More
Vegetable Barley Soup
This recipe uses a mirepoix base (2 part onion, 1 part carrot, 1 part celery). Use the recipe as a starting point. Mix up the quantity and variety of vegetables – just split them into “long-cooking” and “short-cooking”. Seasoning can … Read More
On the Nativity of Christ (St John of Kronstadt)
He has come upon earth, He Who in the beginning created us from earth and breathed His Divine breath into us; He has come Who “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25.); He has come, … Read More