Greetings in the name of our Lord!

I have no idea what it must have been like to live in Constantinople when it was a thriving Christian society. Growing up in North America I (as you) must learn to balance pluralism yet still maintain our faith. Our Lord said, "will I ever find faith when I return?" We of the Orthodox Christian faith sing "we have found the true faith, we have seen the true light worshiping the Holy Trinity." Would you believe there are many who are fed up with the secular pluralism in our society and in Christianity as well?

I recently had a conversation with a young man who is 20 years of age. Gregory asked me to pray for him and his future. Gregory is looking at being in prison for 3 years. He is filled with anxiety and fear. To my amazement he was very aware of the Orthodox Christian Church. In fact, he was aware of the great schism of 1054 between the east and west. He asked me, "Father, is there anything I can do or practice while I am doing my time?" I thought about it and wondered what I could teach him that will give him the strength of 3 years in a concrete world. I taught him the sign of the cross!

What we do out of habit (at times) was a unique gift of revelation to this young man. I taught him the way to hold his fingers, the direction of signing the cross and the joy of freedom and peace that this sign could bring to him.

I have found that the "simple" practices of our faith can lead to a doorway of deeper way of spiritual combat. The simple sign of the cross was a revelation to Gregory. There are many like Gregory, who are seeking the clarity of the Gospel in this world of confused truth. Here is a letter I just received last week.

Pray for Gregory who is just starting his life in prison, and Paul who has found "life" in prison. And please continue to intercede for captives and their salvation.

In His name I write,
Fr. David