All Saints’ Day, celebrated on 1 November every year, is the only “Principal Feast” in the Christian Year which can also be observed on the Sunday following that date. It is a commemoration of the intercommunion of living and dead Christians throughout time, those renowned and unknown. Traditionally, the Gospel reading assigned for All Saints’…
Hymn Guide: For All The Saints
Long before I thought about its lyrics, I loved to sing “For All the Saints.” The marching rhythm, the majestic tune, the repeated Alleluias: these would stir in my heart and inspire devotion to God. How wonderful, then, to discover that the hymn is also deeply theological, offering a profound reflection on the meaning of…
St. Philip the Evangelist: Deacon, Preacher, Scholar, Dad
St. Philip the Evangelist is best remembered for his witness to the Ethiopian eunuch, a conversion story recorded in Acts 8. But this is only one of the remarkable stories of Philip, who appears in the Book of Acts as a deacon, a preacher, a scholar, and a dad. In this article, I briefly survey…
The Michaelmas Sword and the Christian Knight
A peculiar Anglican tradition I recently learned about is the tradition of carrying a sword at the head of the procession during the Feast of Holy Michael and All Angels, which we commonly call Michaelmas. This might seem a bit aggressive to many, and I suspect that’s why it is no longer a widespread practice. At first, I…
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Barnabas
On June 11th, we celebrate the Feast of St. Barnabas, a true pioneer of the early Church. St. Barnabas may not be as well known as Peter or Paul, but his faithfulness, generosity, and encouragement changed the course of the Church. He reminds us that sometimes the most powerful witness comes not from preaching, but…
The Liturgical Home: St. Matthias, the Apostle Who Replaced Judas
The Church commemorates St. Matthias on February 24th, recognizing him as the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. A devoted follower of Jesus, Matthias was selected through prayer and casting lots. His legacy emphasizes God’s call to ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, highlighting themes of faithfulness and humility in service.
Polycarp: A Martyr Who Bore Much Fruit
In the providence of God, a person’s name sometimes accurately reflects the meaning of his life. Such is the case with Polycarp, the 2nd-century bishop and martyr. Polycarp is a Greek name that means many (poly) fruits (carp), and in light of scripture, this is an especially appropriate name. Jesus himself said: Truly, truly, I…
Hymn Guide: Good King Wenceslas
“Good King Wenceslas” is a Christmas Carol that celebrates generosity, sacrifice, and the power of holy imitation.
The Liturgical Home: The Feast of St. Andrew
Each year on November 30, Christians worldwide honor the life and legacy of a devoted disciple and father of the early Church, St. Andrew.
Holy Sovereigns Day: The Feast of the Church in Hawaii
At the end of November, we will make a big-to-do at All Saints Honolulu. A large, light-strung canopy will be set up in my front yard. Chairs, benches, and carpets from the sanctuary will be arranged, with an altar and lectern on the grass, dressed for Holy Communion. A reredos and boughs of leaves will…
