The Family Wellness Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco are offering the much-anticipated relationship series, Eight Dates, based on the book Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman, PhD, and Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD. You will meet the Family Wellness Team who will guide you on your Eight Dates journey and get you ready to transform your relationship with each other. Over the ... [Read more]
Reflections
This category contains 24 article(s).
Why Connection Counts: Parenting From the Heart
The Property Value Principle We've heard it said that real estate is one of our best investments. According to experts there are three factors that contribute to the value of real estate, as well as helping property maintain its worth during difficult times: location, location, location! As we take a moment to reflect on our parenting efforts and consider viewing our kids as our most valued investment, we find that similar principles apply. Much like the real estate principle, ... [Read more]
TO LOVE AND TO BE LOVED
Developmental psychologists and adherents to Attachment Theory say that the two greatest needs of an infant are to feel safe and secure. If a child’s development occurs over time in an environ- ment where they experience safety, security, and healthy relational connections, they will mature into a securely attached adult and move on to healthy interdependent relationships. On the other hand, if a child’s developmental years are scared by the experience of some form of relational trauma, such as ... [Read more]
The Teachings of St. Paisios on Marriage – Part 1
Introduction: The Teachings of Saint Paisios on Marriage (Part 1) This is the first in a series of articles in which we will explore the pastoral advice given to married couples by St Paisios the Athonite, one of the more beloved saints of our Church. The Elder was given the gift of discernment by God, and in turn he has blessed us with his simple and poignant counsels that touch the heart in a powerful way. Most of the quotations that I will use in this series are taken from The ... [Read more]
A Message from Papou
The Prayer To The Holy Spirit Young friends, We start our prayer by inviting the Holy Spirit to come in us, to help us pray the right way. Did you notice how many "adjectives,” names we attach to the name of the Holy Spirit? We call the Holy Spirit: “Heavenly King ” - he is the highest Ruler in the universe, together with God the Father and God the Son. “Comforter” - he comforts and protects us in our suffering and pain. We are not alone to be afraid. He is ... [Read more]
In Times of Growing Uncertainty
As the COVID-19 virus reaches most of our cities and towns, it’s important to step back and recognize the impact this ordeal has on our mental and spiritual health. As an educator, presvytera and also someone who is immune compromised due to recently completing chemotherapy for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I’m acutely aware of the anxiety, stress and worry a pandemic of this proportion has wrought on many individuals and families. When things feel unsure or when we don’t generally feel safe, ... [Read more]
Saturday of the Souls – Memorial Day
Every Saturday is a Memorial Day for the Souls. Our Church remembers and commemorates all the “fallen asleep in the Lord.” We pray for all our beloved who have died and await the General resurrection at the Second Glorious Coming of our Lord. All the departed would be resurrected and would then receive their reward for their benevolent deeds on earth. Since the final Judgment has not yet taken place, our beloved ones experience much consolation from our prayers, as a vision of a monk tells us. ... [Read more]
How Do We Charge Our Spiritual Batteries?
How do we Charge our batteries, physical and spiritual? The strength of the batteries is the electric charge that they carry within their cells. In our everyday life, we strive to have the batteries charged so that they can do the job when we try to start the car, for example, or to give us light at night when we need it. We also have biological batteries in ourselves. We charge our bodily batteries with the energy we gather from food we eat and the liquids we consume ... [Read more]
Horizontal and Cyclical – Our Life on Earth
Icon of the Publican and Pharisee Our life on earth is horizontal and cyclical. We are born, grow up, and then we join eternity. The seasons of the year are also cyclical: spring, summer, fall, winter. Our life becomes history and nature bears seeds to prolong its life. Our church calendar with its Feasts is cyclical and it helps us grow spiritually to look forward to our eternal existence. The parable of the Publican and Pharisee opens the season of ... [Read more]
Life After Divorce
Having a life after divorce may seem difficult to imagine during the early stages. You may feel a combination of emotions such as sadness, depression, and anxiety as well as anger and loneliness. Some days may seem better. Other times, life may feel overwhelming. Those feelings are normal when recovering from divorce. Just as a train passes through a tunnel to get to the other side of a mountain, those difficult emotions we experience are part of the healing process and are necessary in ... [Read more]
