Why are more men becoming Orthodox

Men and Orthodoxy - Frederica Mathewes-Green
Friday, July 18, 2008
Why is Orthodoxy the noted exception when it comes to the declining interest in religion by men? Noted author and speaker Frederica Mathewes-Green tells us in this hard hitting talk.

Why does Orthodoxy have a higher percentage of men in the galley? This video looks this question.

[Saint-george-taybeh] Ecumenical Letter

Dear Friends of Saint George Taybeh,

I pray and I hope all of you will have a most blessed, healthy and happy New Year.  Yesterday was Orthodox Christmas in the Holy Land and I am very sad to say that the Holy Land did bury another child named Christina who never made it for this holy Christmas celebration reaching the death toll of 710 killed and over 3000 injured. (Those who follow Holy Land news might remember the ten-year-old Christina that was also killed on March 28, 2003 as a victim to Israel’s cruel and unlawful assassination policies. I have a special connection to the name “Christina” because she is my ideal Orthodox character)

This is one child. One story.  There are hundreds more and yet hundreds more about to happen tonight, and tomorrow ... until this madness ends.  Please help by contacting your local senators and representative.

The US Senate is preparing to vote on a extremely unbalanced resolution on the War in Gaza. The resolution can be seen here:http://aipac.org/Publications/SourceMaterialsCongressionalAction/SenateRes.pdf <http://aipac.org/Publications/SourceMaterialsCongressionalAction/SenateRes.pdf>

CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW and let them know you oppose any legislation which places blame on only one side, fails to recognize the plight of the Palestinian civilians suffering under Israel siege for years before the war, and does not hold Israel accountable for any violations of International and American Law and the Laws of War.

With sincere appreciation for your support and solidarity, maria

I have also just added my name to the ecumenical Christian letter to President-elect Obama and I thank you if you have done the same but I am writing to encourage others to do so.  American Christian leaders and congregants of the Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions have joined together to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and urge President-elect Obama to make Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority of his Administration.

You can support this Christian Call for Holy Land Peace by adding your name to the ecumenical letter that has been signed by Christian leaders and congregants from across the nation.  Visit http://www.cmep.org/letter <http://www.cmep.org/letter> to sign the letter and join your fellow American Christians in supporting vigorous U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure a just and lasting two-state solution.

To view the letter and a list of the national Christian leaders signatories, and to add you name, go to http://www.cmep.org/letter <http://www.cmep.org/letter> .  

The last day to add your name is January 16, 2009.  The letter signed by national Christian leaders was sent to the Obama transition team on December 1, 2008.  The final letter signed by leaders and congregants will be delivered to President Obama during the time of inauguration.  Please stand with those calling for peace in Holy Land by adding your name today at http://www.cmep.org/letter.

An Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy for Western Christians

These two videos are An Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy for Western Christians.
James R. Payton Jr., author of "Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition," discusses his own study of Orthodox theology and how he explains Eastern Christianity to Western Christians. Also, Fr. John McGuckin, an expert in the writings of the Early Church Fathers, on the power of the Jesus Prayer and how the teachings of the Ancient Church can illuminate life in the modern word.

Holy Qurbana

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

At the beginning of the public service, the veil closing the sanctuary is drawn aside, signifying the appearance of the promised Messiah. At this time we speak of St. Mary who brought forth the Christ and John the Baptist who baptized Him. The whole congregation sings a song of praise while the priest, the deacon and the servers go solemnly around the altar carrying lights and incense, and waving the fans. These two Saints are remembered and their prayers are asked for because they were the two most intimately connected with the incarnation of the Lord, Mary who brought Him forth and John who prepared His way.

The priest offering incense along with deacons holding candles move in a procession around the altar. The priest represents Christ, the High Priest. The deacon who leads the procession represents John the Baptist, and the other deacons represent the Apostles and Disciples of Christ.

Trisagion

“Holy art thou, O God!

Holy art thou, Almighty,

Hoy art thou, Immortal,

Crucified for us,

Have mercy on us.”

According to Bar Sleebi three sets of angels came down at the time of burial of Christ. They sang, the first set ‘Holy art thou god’, the second, ‘Holy are Thou mighty’, and the third ‘Holy art Thou immortal’ and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemose (Mark 15:43) inspired by the Holy Spirit burst forth ‘Thou that was crucified for us have mercy on us’.

God is a trinity and so the number three has special significance. After the Trisagion the priest and the congregation chant kurielaison (Lord have mercy upon us) thrice.

Readings of the Scripture

In the Syrian Orthodox Church, there are three readings, one from the Acts, one from St. Paul and one from the Gospel. They are each preceded by a chant.

· The first reading is done by the deacon from the northern side of the chancel, standing on the steps. It

represents preaching of the gospel to the Jews.

· The second reading is done form the southern side, representing preaching of the gospel to the gentiles.

· The reading from the Gospel is done with great solemnity, as in all liturgies, the priest standing in the center of the sanctuary, while the servers carry lights and incense.

Proemion and Sedro

The proemion and Sedro are the typical form of solemn prayers in the Syriac church. It first offers praise and thanksgiving for the blessing which God has bestowed on us, above all in the sacrifice of his Son, then makes petition for his grace to be given to his people. There are seven different proemions and sedros which may be used for the Qurbana.

Blessing of the Censer

The prayers for the blessing of the censer are proclamations of the faith in Trinity. The chains on the censer represent the Holy Trinity. The first chain stands for God the Father. The second and third chains represent the human and Godly nature of the son. The fourth chain represents the Holy Spirit.

The priest puts incense in the censer and grasps one of the chains and makes sign of cross over it and says: ‘Holy is the Holy Father’. Grasping two more chains the priest proclaims: ‘Holy is the Holy Son’ and finally he grasps the last chain and says ‘Holy is the Holy Spirit’.

The Nicene Creed

We believe the following:

· In the one True God, the Father Almighty

· In the one Lord Jesus Christ who took birth for the salvation of humanity

· In the one living Holy Spirit

· In the One Holy, Catholic (universal) and Apostolic Church

· We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins

· In the Resurrection of the dead

· In the new life in the world to come

· St. Mary is described as the Mother of God and so this is a confession of faith against Nestorians

What does the priest pray privately in the kneeling position?

While the creed is being said, the priest turns to the clergy and people and asks for forgiveness and requests them to pray to the Lord to accept his oblations. The priest then kneels before the altar and beseeches the Lord for remission of sins and acceptance of his offering. The priest prays for and makes the sign of the cross with his right thumb on the altar mentioning the names of those alive and departed for whom prayers have been requested.

The deacon goes about the whole nave and returns to the altar. This signifies that:

o God the Word came down from heaven and offered himself for us all

o This is a sign for the un-baptized to leave

THE ANAPHORA OF THE FAITHFUL

The word ‘Ana’ means ‘Up’ and ‘Phora’ means ‘to carry’. The Anaphora is the solemn prayer of thanksgiving which our Lord uttered at the Last Supper and the works and actions which He used when he instituted the Eucharist. The original Anaphora of the rite of Antioch is that of St. James, but there are a great many others, eighty-eight in all, which were introduced in later times. Of these about sixty-four have their authors identified, which may be used for celebration.

The Kiss of Peace

The kiss of peace is of apostolic origin (Rom 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20) and is used in every liturgy to signify the ‘fellowship of the Spirit’ of which the Eucharist is the outward sign. It shows the love and harmony which should exist among the followers (disciples) of Christ. By this we fulfill the word of the Lord which says, “If thou offer thine offering and remembers that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave thine offering, and go, be reconciled with thy brother” (Mathew 5:23)

Bowing of Head

After the kiss of peace, we bow our heads. This is to express our humility and receptive mood for Gods blessings. According to Bar Sleebi, we collectively bow before Christ who sees all secrets and cleanses, lightens, and completes each one as he or she deserves.

The covering and Lifting of the Anaphora

When the Holy sacrifice is about to begin the veil is lifted form the paten and chalice and solemnly waved over the offering. The prayer which the priest says, compares the veil to the stone which covered the sepulcher (tomb) of Christ, which is now rolled away and to the rock of the desert which gave water to the people of God, signifying the water of life which Christ gives to his people in the Qurbana (2 Cor. 10:4).

Benediction given by the priest

When the celebrant turns to bless, he turns to the right side after making the sign of cross on him-self and then makes the sign of the cross on the people. The priest blesses the people three times during the Qurbana. The first blessing is using the words of St. Paul: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14)

The Eucharistic Prayer

The dialogue between the priest and people which follows is one of the most ancient liturgical formulas found in all liturgies at this point. The people are asked to lift up their hearts and minds to where Christ sits, at the right hand of God the Father, and then to give thanks. Then the congregation breaks with the song of the angels ‘Holy, holy, holy…’ (Isaiah 6: 3) and ‘Blessed is He that cometh…’ (Psalms 118: 26) recalling that the angels are present at this solemn moment, joining their praise to that of the church on earth.

“The people are directed to lift up their heart to heaven, to see heaven not earth, the heavenly altar not the earthly altar, the heavenly priest not the earthly priest, the heavenly Body and Blood, not the earthly bread and wine, the heavenly worshipping host, not the earthly congregation.” (Bishop Pakenham Walsh p. 36)

Celebration of the Holy Qurbana

The priest narrates that which the Lord did, and blesses the bread and wine by making the sign of the cross. Thus, they become the Body and Blood of our Lord. If we allow Him to bless us, just as the ordinary bread is changed to His Body, we ordinary men and women, our ordinary lives, are thus transformed into the vehicle of God’s grace (Jn 2:9). By giving His blood, our Lord has given us everything He has. He makes our whole being His, when He blesses us.

Anamnesis or the Sacrificial Memorial

The priest and the people together recall the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ which is made present in all its saving power, while they look forward to the second coming of Christ, for which this mystery prepares them.

The spoon and cushion are lifted up and placed on the left side of the Thronos (Altar). The priest lifts them over head in his right hand quickly, signifying the second coming of the Lord on the last day, which will be like a flash of lightning. “For just as lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27).

Invocation of the Holy Spirit

The consecration is followed by invocation of the Holy Spirit in which the Holy Spirit is called upon to descend upon the gifts. The mystery of the Holy sacrifice is considered to be complete and perfected by the action of the Holy Spirit. The priest waves his hands over the bread and wine with a fluttering motion, signifying the descent of the Holy Spirit. We find the deacon warning the people to stand in awe as the Holy Spirit is descending and hovering over the mysteries. The Holy Spirit is here represented by the dove, flying and hovering over (Mark 1:10). The hands signify the wings of the dove.

This is followed by the thrice repeated earnest prayers of the priest. “Answer me, O Lord” and the people respond with a three fold, “Kurie-elaison” meaning “Lord have mercy”. This reminds us of the repeated prayer of Elijah on Mount Carmel to send down fire from heaven upon the sacrifice - “Hear me, Lord, hear me” (1 Kings 18:36-39). The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the offering is to transform the offerings into the Body and Blood of our Lord.

Diptychs (Thubden) – The Great Intercessions

1. For the living spiritual Fathers who tend the Church

2. For the living faithful brethren

3. For the living faithful rulers

4. Intercession of the Mother of God and Saints

Ø St. Mary – Most revered saint of the church

Ø John the Baptist – The forerunner of Christ (Feast on 7^th of January)

Ø St. Stephen – Known as the head of deacons and is the first martyr of the Church. He was stoned to death. Death looming, he saw the heavens open and the Son of God standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). The church commemorated his memory through the feast held on the 8^th of January.

Ø St. Peter – Was called to tend the Church by Lord Jesus Christ and is thus known as the chief of the Apostles. He is the foundation of the One Apostolic and Catholic (Universal) Church and was the first Patriarch of the Church of Antioch (Mathew 16:17). He was publicly crucified by the Emperor of Rome. He was nailed to the cross with his head downward, at his own request, symbolically kissing the feet of His Lord (Pollock, 1985).

Ø St. Paul – The greatest evangelist of the church. Originally a persecutor of the Church, he transformed into its most eloquent leader. He was born at Tarsus and was known as Saul. He was finally condemned by the Roman Senate and was beheaded on the same day St. Peter was crucified. His memory is commemorated by the Church on the 29^th of June along with that of St. Peter.

Ø St. Thomas – It is traditionally believed that He arrived in Malankara (Kerala) in A.D. 52. It is believed that St. Thomas installed seven crosses in different parts of Kerala and performed several miracles. St. Thomas was martyred at Mylapore, near Madras, India in A.D. 72. His mortal remains were transferred to Uraha (Edessa) in A.D. 394. The feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on July 3^rd, presumable the day the mortal remains were transferred to Uraha.

5. For the departed spiritual Fathers of the Church

6. For the faithful departed – The names of the departed for whom the Qurbana is said are remembered, after a silent prayer. The priest draws the sign of cross on the right rim of the paten while remembering the names of the departed.

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

The Church believes that the faithful departed are present in the Holy Mass along with the living faithful. St. Peter ascertains that the judgment is for both the living and the dead. Therefore, Jesus Christ preached the Gospel to the departed. “That is why the Good News was preached also to the dead” (1 Peter 4:6). Thus the congregation intercedes for the remission of sins of the faithful departed, so that the Lord may make them worthy of inheriting the heavenly kingdom.

Why is the Sanctuary closed after the above?

The veil is pulled over the sanctuary as a reminder of the time of His redemptive passion, death, burial, and resurrection, when the earth was engulfed in darkness (Luke 23:44, 24:1; Mat 28:1; John 20:1)

The Fracture and Commixture performed by the priest while the sanctuary is hidden: The breaking of the host (bread) signifies the suffering and death of our Lord. The priest breaks the bread and anoints it with the precious blood, signifying that the body and blood of Christ, which are separated in death, were reunited at resurrection. Then the host is lifted signifying our Lords resurrection.

The Seraphic Hymn (While sanctuary is hidden) – “Anpudayonae (Hearken gracious)”: Hymn is based on Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah Ch. 6). It describes the worship of the seraphim and our desire to draw near to our Lord.

The veil is opened symbolizing the appearance of our Lord to His disciples after his resurrection several times, before Pentecost.

The Lords Prayer (Mat. 5:6)

It is the family prayer of the Church, addressed to the Father in heaven by His little children. It is all inclusive, and can be used for every kind of intention. Every clause is wonderful in its combined depth and simplicity. But its very familiarity makes men repeat it hurriedly without thinking of its meaning in other words, saying it, instead of praying it. This we must avoid.

Elevation of the Holy Mysteries

The priest holds up the sacred mysteries, bells rings, two lighted candles on either side, and fans on either side shaken (Acts 1:10). The deacon calls to watch with fear and trembling, emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion. This commemorates the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ to heaven.

Hymns of Eucharistic Devotion

The Church commemorates the saints and seeks their intercession through these hymns. The Church venerates the memory of St. Mary, the mother of God, the patron saint of the parish or the saint whose feast is being celebrated. The congregation also intercedes for the departed clergy and the faithful departed through these hymns, based on Psalms:

· “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree…” Psalms 92:12-14

· “Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness…” Psalms 132:9-10, 12

· “Just as a father has compassion on his children...” Psalms 103:13, 15

Why is the sanctuary closed again?

It symbolizes that our Lord is now hidden to our bodily eyes and also the age in which the Church awaits the second coming of our Lord.

THE SECOND COMING

The veil is then opened symbolizing the second coming of our Lord and the Day of Judgment. The priest, carrying the paten in his right hand and the chalice in his left hand, turns counter-clockwise to face the congregation to specially signify the coming of the Lord of judgment. This is in contrast to the usual clockwise turn, which is symbolic of the first coming of our Lord as the Redeemer. The priest then proceeds west in a procession which signifies the anticipated second coming.

The accompanying deacon’s with lighted candles, marvahtso (fans), and bells represent the tumultuous second coming of the Lord with trumpets and accompanied by the angels. (Mathew 25: 31 - “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds…”)

The priest returns to the altar where he sets the paten and chalice on the tablitho.

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Also known as the concluding prayers, the priest thanks the Father on behalf of the congregation for having considered us worthy of partaking in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. After the prayers of thanksgiving, the faithful are dismissed by saying ‘depart ye in peace and pray for me always’.

How is the Holy Qurbana concluded?

The Qurbana is concluded behind the veil when the priest completes his communion. He concludes by kissing the altar three times saying: “Farewell, O Holy and divine altar of the Lord. Henceforth, I know not whether I shall return to Thee or not…” This reminds that death is always at the door and makes us vigilant in preparing ourselves to meet the Lord whenever the call comes.

source: http://www.stignatious.com/qurbana/qurbana2.html

Contact the White House

Dear Friends of Saint George Taybeh,

Many of you know that I am still in Boston but as you have heard the news from Palestine is tragically bad.  As of this writing, Israeli Air Force attacks on the occupied Gaza Strip have killed an estimated 640 Palestinians and injured 2850. These Israeli attacks come on top of a brutal siege of the Gaza Strip, which has created a humanitarian catastrophe of dire proportions for Gaza's 1.5 million Palestinian residents by restricting the provision of food, fuel, medicine, electricity, and other necessities of life.  Although all of the Israeli leaders falsely claim on international media that they have left Gaza since 2005, you must understand that Gaza has been a complete prison and under the total control of Israel since 1967.

I am sure you know that Israel carried out these attacks with F16 fighter jets and missiles provided by the United States taxpayers. From 2001-2006, the United States transferred to Israel more than $200 million worth of spare parts to fly its fleet of F16's. In July 2008, the United States gave Israel 186 million gallons of JP-8 aviation jet fuel. Last year, the United States signed a $1.3 billion contract with Raytheon to transfer to Israel thousands of TOW, Hellfire, and "bunker buster" missiles. (source:  AAI)

Israel’s lethal attack on Gaza could not have happened without the active military and political support of the United States. Therefore, I urge you to take action to protest this brutal attack and demand an immediate cease-fire to help save innocent lives.  I am not a Hamas supporter and I do not condone the rockets that fall upon Israel but in 1987 when my son Canaan was born, Israel was supporting Hamas to organize so they could break the unity of Palestinians supporting the late Yasser Arafat.  

While firing rockets at civilians is a crime so, too, is the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which is a grave violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Israel is trying to have a military solution to a problem that needs negotiation and a political solution.

Contact the White House to protest the attack and demand an immediate cease-fire. Call 202-456-1111 or send an email to comments@whitehouse.gov <mailto:comments@whitehouse.gov>

Please contact your Representative and Senators in Congress at 202-224-3121.

On this holy day of Epiphany and the holy Christmas Eve on Julian calendar, I ask you to please pray for peace in the Holy Land and thank you for your personal prayers to keep our undying hope for a better future,

In helping keep our Christian presence in the sacred Holy Land we try to reinforce that God is Light and has appeared to illumine "those who sat in darkness," and "in the region of the shadow of death" (Mt 4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace.


More than ever, may the Light of Christ shine within our soul since we appear, year after year, to becoming more and more barbaric as Floyd Frantz wrote me from Romania.

in Christ, maria

Christmas Papal Message - His Holiness Pope Shenuda

My Beloved Children in the lands of immigration, Clergy, Laity.

It gives me joy to congratulate you on the glorious feast of nativity
and with the start of the New Year. We pray that it is blessed and
joyful in the life of each of us.

The birth of the Lord is full of deep spiritual contemplations; we
hope that they may be a lesson to us all, having its effect and
results.

 Firstly, he came down to us, to visit us, reconcile us and save us.
One of the fathers the saints said: "With sin there was contention
between man and his creator, and since man could not ascend to God
and reconcile with Him, God came down to man." Yes, He came down and
continues to knock on the door of the human heart so it may open for
Him.

 In His coming down, He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the
form of a bondservant∑∑∑.and being found in appearance as a
man∑∑∑."(Philippians 2: 7,8) He did not desire to frighten us with
His divinity, but attracted us with Him humility. He also attracted
us with His love, as He went about doing good. And this is another
lesson for us.

 In his nativity, He was born in an amazing simplicity; He did not
come down upon the wings of the Cherubim, engulfed by a choir of
angels. Instead HE was born from a poor orphan virgin, who was in the
care of a simple carpenter. His birth was in a manger, on a day not
known to anyone, but was proclaimed to some shepherds, and then
visited by three Magi representing the estranged Gentiles∑∑..It is a
mixture of simplicity and humility, which was a third lesson for us
to be far from outer appearances.

 The Lord Christ lived an alienated childhood far from being famous.
A part of this childhood was threatened by the sword of Herod, and in
a part of this childhood, He was a stranger in the land of Egypt,
although He blessed it. As for His youth days, we do not know
anything about it. And the little that the Jews gave Him was "the
carpenter's son."( Mathew 13: 55)

 When He started His ministry, He lived for more than three years
without a position of leadership in the Jewish community. The little
that He was known by among His beloved was "Teacher." He did not
possess a house for the ministry, He did not even have a place to lay
His head (Luke 9:58). HE sometimes preached from the mountain, or in
the wilderness, or the fields, or upon the sea shore∑∑∑∑∑∑∑..

 His strength was in His personality and not in any appearance that
surrounded m; loved by the people and envied by the leaders, but He
was a source of love to all, being compassionate upon everyone in
need every sick person and upon those tormented by evil spirits.

 He had disciplined who wee also simple; and E filled their heart
with love, filled their minds with knowledge, granted them His Holy
spirit, and also granted them gifts.

 This is The Christ whom we celebrate His Birth, and we are proud
that His Name has been called upon us. Blessed is the day of His
birth and may we also celebrate His characteristics as well.

Finally, be all well and healthy in the Lord, absolved from His Holy
Spirit.

Pope Shenouda III
Pope of Alexandria and
Patriarch of the See of St. Mark
Feast of Nativity 2008

Source:

http://st-takla.org/News/Coptic-Papal-Messages/Christmas-Papal-Message-for-2008.html
 
 

Some think we held a prayer service and no one came. Wrong!

For those  who are not Orthodox, they think we held a prayer service and no one came.  They are wrong!  We know that Jesus Christ and all the saints were there.  It was standing room only. This Saturday (yesterday), we held a prayer service at St. Mary’s for peace and healing in Gaza and all of the Holy Land.  Father Theodosius was there, as were a reporter for the South Bend Tribune and a newspaper photographer.  We guess that Jesus taped the reporter on the shoulder and whispered in his ear because he wrote a great story. It takes up most of the front page of Sunday’s South Bend Tribune.

Thank you to all who while unable to join us, did joined your prayers with ours. There is great power in prayer.  And because of that, there will continue to be prayers for peace and healing every day in our the parish church.  The prayer service for peace and healing will continue this next week, Monday through Friday, at 12 noon.  St. Mary’s is located at 1000 South Michigan Street, Plymouth, Indiana.  If you need directions to the church, please call the church at 574-952-4671.

We also want to thank Tom Moor the South Bend Tribune reporter and his photographer, and Tom’s editor for writing and running the story.  You can read Tom’s story online at:  http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090104/News01/901040301/1129/News  Tom’s email is at the end of the article.  Why don’t you write Tom and telling what you think.

Also here is the story as it appears:


Muslim, Orthodox Jew inspire Plymouth pastor's prayers for peace
By TOM MOOR
Tribune Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Father Theodosius Walker was praying at St. Mary's Orthodox Community Church New Year's Eve when two men walked inside, looking for a place to pray.

One was an Orthodox Jew; the other a Muslim.

Walker said the men, whom he had never seen before in his life, came within a couple minutes of each other.

"All three had very different viewpoints on what was going on," Walker said. "But the fact all three could pray and not say it's your fault and point fingers, said something.

"My perception is that it was two older men who knew their faith, whether it was Jewish or Muslim, and knew that God called on us to pray. They stayed awhile and had a coffee without any political discussion. Both made comments about praying for peace and an end to the conflict.

"That was providence."

It was the kind of coming together of three very different viewpoints that led someone like Walker to believe there is still hope in this world, despite a conflict thousands of miles away in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Israel.

The conflict has killed more than 460 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, and four Israelis, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

Walker held a prayer service Saturday morning "for peace and justice in Gaza and rest of the Holy Land," which the pastor said was recently suggested last week by the heads of the Christian churches in Jerusalem.

Nobody showed up at St. Mary's on Saturday, but Walker prayed anyway.

"There has to be another way, another choice," Walker said.

Because the service was advertised in the newspaper, Walker said, he received 15 or 20 e-mails and about seven or eight phone calls from people around the world — all positive toward what he was doing.

"People saying, 'We can't be there but will be praying with you,'" Walker said.

But two people, he said, including a Christian pastor, called him anti-Semitic for holding such a service, and another called him un-patriotic. Walker said he does not believe in war, but supports this country's armed forces, of which his son-in-law and daughter are members.

"It bothered me," Walker said. "This is not a protest. This is not to make a statement, but to do what God has called on us to do. I received a proclamation."

Walker says both sides should take blame for what is going on and called the battle in Gaza "downright wrong."

"They have to find a better way," he said. "There's definitely another choice. We need to spend time to fix both sides of it."

Walker, meanwhile, will continue to pray. And like on New Year's Eve, everyone is welcome.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6555