Samara - Haggard Updated: Wed, Sep 21, 2011 Dr. and Mrs. E.N. Scott Samara, of Oklahoma City, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Elizabeth Dee Samara to Christopher Charles Haggard. Elizabeth is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central... Read More

An Orthodox speech on an elevator Published: Wed, Aug 24, 2011 There is nothing unusual about a priest who is dressed in clerical garb having a stranger ask him a religious question during a long airline flight. "You ask a guy where he's from and what he does and then he asks you the same thing. Many people just want to talk," explained Father John David Finley, a missionary... Read More

Orthodox bridge to the evangelical world Published: Thu, Jun 16, 2011 As point man for Russian Orthodox relations with other faith groups, Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev is used to talking shop with Catholics, Anglicans, leaders in older brands of Protestantism and other world religions. These duties have long been part of his job description. Meeting with leaders from the world's... Read More

The role of saints Published: Sat, Jan 22, 2011 Sister Marie Simon-Pierre was a soft-spoken nurse in the South of France when her life was changed by what the Vatican has decided was an answered prayer. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2001 and, with other nuns in France and Africa, immediately began prayed for healing. However, her symptoms worsened... Read More

Shanbour - Williams Updated: Fri, Aug 6, 2010 Dr. & Mrs. Gregory S. Shanbour of Oklahoma City are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Noelle Kristin Shanbour to Tyler Mark Williams of Oklahoma City. Read More

Shocking words to the Presbyterians Published: Thu, Jul 29, 2010 Anyone who attends one of the national church assemblies that dot the calendar every summer knows that they are highly ritualized affairs. Officers will be elected. Political issues will be discussed. Lofty resolutions will be passed. At least one long business session will include a proposal about clergy... Read More

Sitka: America's Tiny Colonial Russian Town Updated: Wed, Jul 7, 2010 St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral -- Sitka, Alaska's main landmark -- is a rather simple building but with the typical ornate onion dome. Inside are a gold chandelier and gorgeous, glittering, colorful religious icons and portraits. I felt as though I were back in St. Petersburg or Moscow. Read More

The Orthodox question for 2010 Updated: Wed, Jun 9, 2010 The first Orthodox missionaries to reach Alaska traveled with the early Russian explorers and, in 1794, a party of monks established the Orthodox Christian Mission to America. Read More

Quest for the common Easter Updated: Wed, Apr 7, 2010 Motorists across America saw a strange sight this past Sunday morning if they stopped at a traffic signal near an Eastern Orthodox sanctuary and then, shortly thereafter, passed a Catholic parish. What they saw was worshippers singing hymns and waving palm fronds as they marched in Palm Sunday processions at... Read More

Fasting, for evangelicals? Published: Fri, Mar 19, 2010 Elmer Towns had a big problem three decades ago after he moved to Lynchburg, Va., to help a Baptist preacher named Jerry Falwell start the school that grew into Liberty University. Month after month, Towns faced two house payments -- a real family crisis. Thus, the veteran Bible professor decided to try something... Read More

Now THAT'S a tough Lent Published: Thu, Mar 18, 2010 It was a decade ago during Lent that author Lauren Winner was visited by an angel, unawares. "Actually, it was my priest," said Winner, who teaches Christian spirituality at Duke Divinity School. "I have learned that people in my life often tell me what I need to do during Lent. ... It's kind of like hearing from... Read More

Fasting, for evangelicals? Published: Thu, Feb 25, 2010 Elmer Towns had a big problem three decades ago after he moved to Lynchburg, Va., to help a Baptist preacher named Jerry Falwell start the school that grew into Liberty University. Month after month, Towns faced two house payments -- a real family crisis. Thus, the veteran Bible professor decided to try something... Read More

Civil disobedience debate Published: Thu, Dec 10, 2009 There is nothing new about Christians deciding that, when political push comes to legal shove, they cannot render unto Caesar what they truly believe belongs to God. Nevertheless, it still makes news when believers vow to act on this conviction. "Through the centuries, Christianity has taught that civil... Read More

McKeel Haggerty Updated: Tue, Nov 3, 2009 Insurance guys aren't usually built this way. They aren't supposed to own "Chopper" motorcycles or be particularly interesting . . . or really into cars. But McKeel Hagerty never met a stereotype he couldn't shatter. "I have a weird background," Hagerty says during a telephone interview from his home... Read More