The Bishop's Blog
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – a pilgrimage of prayer
Jerusalem is by no means a city of prayer for all people. Psalm 87 mysteriously says this: “Of Zion it shall be said, ‘Everyone was born in her.'” Billions would take umbrage. But while the city’s...
The Bishop’s Blog: Daily prayer 8-23-22
O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty,...
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – A tailor’s shop and David’s Tower
I first met Sami Barsoum in 2007 when I walked into his tailor’s shop at No. 26 St. Mark’s St. in the Old City and walked out with my favorite white stole. Red and green on subsequent visits. Today,...
The Bishop’s Blog: Daily prayer 8-22-22
Almighty God, whose Son had nowhere to lay his head: Grant that those who live alone may not be lonely in their solitude, but that, following in his steps, they may find fulfillment in loving you...
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – St. Anne’s Church, nexus of a great power struggle
On a quiet Saturday morning in Jerusalem, visiting breathtaking St. Anne’s Church in the Old City, for just a moment, I thought I could hear the guns in Ukraine. It was the sound of the authority of...
The Bishop’s Blog: Daily prayer 8-21-22
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord,...
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – Wedding of Sami and Seka Qumri
A few scenes from the blessing of the marriage of Sami and Seka Qumri Saturday at St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem in East Jerusalem, with the Most Rev. Hosam Rafa Naoum, archbishop of Jerusalem,...
The Bishop’s Blog: Daily prayer 8-20-22
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties as our earthly...
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – Archaeology as power and agony
In Jerusalem, a holy city to warring peoples, archaeology is power. Archaeology is also agony. Riddle me this. Is the property at Jerusalem’s heart Har ha’Bavit, the Temple Mount, where Jewish...
The Bishop’s Blog: Daily prayer 8-19-22
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may...
The Bishop’s Blog: Jerusalem – The Western Wall
I got to the Western Wall tonight just in time to witness a successful marriage proposal and Thursday evening prayers. This was 9 p.m., and the holy place was hopping, both the women’s and men’s...
The Bishop’s Blog: The peace of Jerusalem
I’m decamping to Jerusalem for a week, in search of peace. At first blush, not the most logical maneuver, since the land of the Holy One is understood to be a place of intractable and unceasing...