The RC Deep Dive Podcast

I've been blessed to be able to help out with a group of vintage RC car hobbyists with a new daily podcast about radio controlled cars called the RC Deep Dive. Here is the announcement that they have been making after posting our 100th episode yesterday, so I wanted to share it here too: 

Our new podcast, The RC Deep Dive, just posted its 101st episode, so we thought we would dare to come announce our podcast to the RC hobbyist community! After 101 episodes, we want your questions and topic ideas for future podcasts. Our focus is on vintage, classic, rere (re-release), and modern RC cars, buggies, trucks, and vans. We review RC model vehicles, hop-ups, and give you advice on how to fix, upgrade, repair, and improve your radio-controlled vehicles and teach you about the history of the RC hobbyist community and culture. We are all about that RC life!

You can find all our links to Podcast aggregators that host the RC Deep Dive podcast at https://linktr.ee/rcdeepdive . We are available on Android Podcasts, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, BoomPlay, CastBox FM, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Player FM, Podbean, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast App, Podcast Guru, Podcast,ru, PodChaser, Poddtoppen, Podmailer, Podtail, Rephonic, YouTube, and YouTube Music. Our podcast host website is at https://rcdeepdive.podbean.com/ .

We look forward to your comments, likes, subscriptions, and creating podcasts based on your suggestions and questions!

Here are our episodes so far and our planned episodes for the future, along with the dates that they were published or will be pushed to podcast aggregator apps: 

1. The Tamiya Frog Hop-Ups: CVD or UJ Drive Shafts over the Dog Bones or Hex Drive 2025-03-27
2. The Tamiya Grasshopper Hop-Ups: Oil-Filled CVA Shock Dampers using Grasshopper II Parts 2025-03-28
3. Hidden Upgrades for the Grasshopper II from the Rising Fighter 2025-03-29
4. Which Grease to Use? Moly vs. AWG vs. Cera HG 2025-03-30
5. Which Battery Should I Use in my R/C car? 2025-03-31
6. Hop-Up Tires and Wheels for your Tamiya and other brand R/C Buggies, Cars, Trucks, and Vans 2025-04-01
7. Stabilizing Gearboxes in the Tamiya Grasshopper, Hornet, Grasshopper 2, and other R/C Vehicles 2025-04-02
8. The MIP Super Ball Diff for Tamiya ORV R/C Vehicles, including the Frog, Brat, Blackfoot, and Super Beetle 2025-04-03
9. HOW-TO: Upgrade your Tamiya Grasshopper to a Hornet and your Grasshopper II to a Super Hornet 2025-04-04
10. 380 Tuned Motors vs 540 Motors: What's the right choice? 2025-04-05
11. The Special Color Edition R/C Cars 2025-04-06
12. Who Really Owns your Local Hobby Shop and R/C Car Brands? 2025-04-07
13. Let's Get into Traxxas! 2025-04-08
14. The Elusive Super G Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-04-09
15. What Causes Grubscrew Issues in the Grasshopper 2 with a 380 Sport Tuned Motor? 2025-04-10
16. What are the Top 10 Selling R/C Vehicles of all Time? 2025-04-11
17. A Simple 3-D Printed ORV Trailing Shock Arm Can Save your R/C Car! 2025-04-12
18. Which Cements, Glues, and Solvents to Use on your R/C Cars? 2025-04-13
19. Do Low-Profile Servos Allow you to use Larger Batteries in your Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-14
20. What are the Best Tools to Build your R/C Vehicle? You Might be Surprised! 2025-04-15
21. The Missing Cera Grease HG Mystery 2025-04-16
22. Sticks or Pistol Grips: Which is best for your R/C Vehicles? 2025-04-17
23. Tamiya vs. HobbyWing: Which ESC is Best for You? 2025-04-18
24. The Flysky and DSServos Takeover of R/C 2025-04-19
25. R/C Cars and Trucks in Pop Culture 2025-04-20
26. Cutting, Sanding, Masking, & Painting Lexan (Polycarbonate) R/C Vehicle Bodies 2025-04-21
27. HOW-TO:  Fix Common Throttle and Transmitter Issues 2025-04-22
28. BRAT Attack! Why those Subaru BRAT Wheels & Tires are so Popular On R/C Buggies 2025-04-23
29. What is that Cardboard Disk that goes on your 540 Motor? 2025-04-24
30. What do Shock Damper Oil Colours and Numbers Mean? 2025-04-25
31. Which Shock Oil is Best for the Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-26
32. What is the Best Shock Damper Oil for ORV Chassis Based Tamiya R/C Models? 2025-04-27
33. HOW-TO:  Easily Fix R/C Vehicle Steering Issues 2025-04-28
34. Is Using Marine Grease in R/C Cars a Good Idea? 2025-04-29
35. HOW-TO:  Fix Broken Shock Towers 2025-04-30
36. HOW-TO:  Solve Servo Woes 2025-05-01
37. Aftermarket Third Party Hop-Up Option Makers 2025-05-02
38. HOW-TO:  Lower  the CoG on the Lunchbox & other R/C Monster Trucks 2025-05-03
39. Upside Down Shock Dampers? 2025-05-04
40. 
    The RC Deep Dive Podcast Theme/Intro song 2025-05-05
41. Is a Frog with a MIP Super Ball Diff Slower? 2025-05-06
42. Why is the Tamiya Frog Called the Mighty Frog in Japan? 2025-05-07
43.  R/C Boy: The Radio-Controlled Vehicle Manga 2025-05-08
44. R/C Street in Hong Kong 2025-05-09
45. The History of R/C Vehicles 2025-05-10
46. What are LiFe Batteries and are they Worth the Tamiya Tax? 2025-05-11
47. What are RTR, XB, & XSA R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-12
48. Minimum & Maximum Temperatures for R/C Components 2025-05-13
49. What was the CPR Unit in R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-14
50. What is the Best Wheel and Tire Choice for your 4WD R/C Cars? 2025-05-15
51. What is Understeer & Oversteer, and How Do You Fix It? 2025-05-16
52. Tamiya R/C Vehicle Promo Videos 1976-2025 2025-05-17
53. Steel vs. Aluminium Pinion Gears: Does it Really Matter? 2025-05-18
54. What is a Square Set Up? 2025-05-19
55. HOW-TO: Upgrade your Grasshopper with Hornet Parts 2025-05-20
56. HOW-TO: Upgrade to Oil Filled Shocks on the FAV & SRB Chassis R/C Buggies 2025-05-21
57. Why are Ball Bearings an Essential Hop-Up and Which Bearings are Best in R/C Cars? 2025-05-22
58. Red vs. Blue vs. Green vs. Orange Thread Lock in R/C Cars 2025-05-23
59. What was the R/C Vehicle Golden Age? 2025-05-24
60. Our Potential New Theme Song for the RC Deep Dive Podcast 2025-05-25
61. Shock Spring Sizes & Colours: What Does it All Mean? 2025-05-26
62. HOW-TO:  Clean and Maintain Your R/C Vehicles 2025-05-27
63. What R/C Cars Have Different Names in Japan vs the RotW? 2025-05-28
64. Where are R/C Vehicles Most Popular? 2025-05-29
65. Why Tamiya Subaru BRAT Wheels and Tires Instantly Sellout! 2025-05-30
66. Are O-Rings Needed in CVDs and UJs? 2025-05-31
67. ORV Gearbox Bearings: Tamiya Metal or Fast Eddy Rubber Seals? 2025-06-01
68. R/C Cars and their Place in Japanese Culture 2025-06-02
69. Is the Vintage 3-Piece Wheel Actually Superior? 2025-06-03
70. The Evolution of R/C Car Wheel Connectors 2025-06-04
71. What is Binding and How to Fix it? 2025-06-05
72. Are CVDs Necessary in the HotShot Family of R/C Cars? 2025-06-06
73. The T-Tool: The Iconic 4-Way or Cross Box Wrench History 2025-06-07
74. HOW-TO: Identify Causes and Fix Rear Axle Slop 2025-06-08
75. The Importance of Getting the Frog's Front Arms Right 2025-06-09
76. Beyond the Frog: Tamiya's Racing Championships 2025-06-10
77. Pro-Line & CRP Bumpers: Improved Function & Fashion! 2025-06-11
78. Best Wheels & Tires for the GH2 or Super Hornet 2025-06-12
79. Best Foam Inserts for Hornet Large Diameter Wheels 2025-06-13
80. What is Camber and How Do you Adjust it? 2025-06-14
81. What to do About the Extra-Long Frog Body Mounts? 2025-06-15
82. Where in the World are the Best Vintage R/C Car Racetracks? 2025-06-16
83. Design Thinking in Tamiya's First 100 R/C Buggies 2025-06-17
84. Hacking Flysky R/C Vehicle Transmitters 2025-06-18
85. HOW-TO: Remove Decals from R/C Vehicles 2025-06-19
86. Why do the FGH R/C Buggies Remain Iconic After Over 40 Years? 2025-06-20
87. Why is Tamiya’s Lavender Paint not the Correct Hue? 2025-06-21
88. What Exactly do the ORV Radius Arms Do? 2025-06-22
89. Let’s Get into Kyosho! 2025-06-23
90. The Bumper Paradox: How Stronger Parts Wreck your R/C Cars! 2025-06-24
91. HOW-TO: Prepare, Glue, Vent, and Balance your R/C Tires 2025-06-25
92. Decoding Different Diff Oils for your R/C Vehicle’s Differential Gears 2025-06-26
93. Can Washers Fix Axial and Radial Play in R/C Ball Bearings? 2025-06-27
94. Which Screws are the Best to Use in R/C Vehicles? 2025-06-28
95. HOW-TO: Get a HobbyWing 1060 Power Switch to Fit Correctly in a Tamiya R/C Model Chassis 2025-06-29
96. The 10 Must-Have Hop-Ups for the Tamiya Frog 1/10th Scale R/C Buggy 2025-06-30
97. Tamiya RC Cleaner Products Reviewed 2025-07-01
98. To Paint On-Sprue or Off-Sprue? 2025-07-02
99. What Exact Colour of White or Yellow Paint Ought to be Used for Headlights? 2025-07-03
100. What is Tamiya Gear Diff Putty and How Do You Use It? 2025-07-04
101. What are the Dry and Cure Times for Tamiya AS, PS, TS, X, and XF Paints? 2025-07-05
102. Vintage BRAT Attack vs. RestoMod Hornet Large Diameter Hop-Ups 2025-07-06
103. The RestoMod Movement, Blockhead Motors, and Jun Watanabe 2025-07-07
104. R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-08
105. Do Softer Shock Springs Require Hard Damper Oil? 2025-07-09
106. What are Parma Double Wheel Adapters and How Do They Work? 2025-07-10
107. R/C Jargon: Racing, Bashing, Crawling, Driftin, Speed Running, and More! 2025-07-11
108. HOW-TO: Fix Lexan (Polycarbonate) Body Shell Cutting Mistakes 2025-07-12
109. R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-13
110. Should You Grease Your Gearbox Where it Connects to Your Chassis? 2025-07-14
111. HOW-TO: Fix White Stress Lines in Your R/C Model Chassis 2025-07-15
112. The Evolution of the Vintage and ReRe Grasshopper/Hornet Family Chassis 2025-07-16
113. HOW-TO: The Rock Hopper Custom GH2 Build 2025-07-17
114. The (Mighty) Frog's Superiority Amongst Vintage and ReRe 2WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-18
115. HOW-TO: Use Pearl PS Paints on RC Model Polycarbonate Body Shells 2025-07-19
116. Team Associated Green Slime, Black Grease, and Stealth Diff Lube 2025-07-20
117. Why Aluminum Knuckles for the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies? 2025-07-21
118. CA Super Glue vs. Clear Silicon Sealant for Tire Glueing 2025-07-22
119. Are Grasshopper and Hornet Shock Brace Bars the Real Deal? 2025-07-23
120. Fixing All Front End Slop in the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-24
121. What is the History of the R/C ORV Chassis and it's Many Colors? 2025-07-25
122. Why are the Pro-Line and CRP ORV Hop-Up Bumper Exactly the Same? 2025-07-26
123. Hopper to Rocket: The History of Speedrunning the Tamiya Grasshopper 2025-07-27
124. HOW-TO: Fix Mismatched Electronics Connectors in R/C Vehicles? 2025-07-28
125. What is the CRP ORV Chassis Stiffener for the BRAT, Frog, Blackfoot, Super Beetle, etc.? 2025-07-29
126. What are the Most Popular Colors to Paint the Tamiya Frog R/C Buggy? 2025-07-30
127. Anytime Baby! The Wild Story of Tail Wing Mottos on Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-07-31
128. The Super Sabre v Thunder Shot Problem of 1987 and 2022/2023 2025-08-01
129. Should you Combine Ball Diffs with Carbon Fiber Gearboxes and Support Tensioners? 2025-08-02
130. HOW-TO: Paint Chrome Details on Your R/C Model Vehicles? 2025-08-03
131. Changing Chassis: Why Some Tamiya ReRe R/C Models Have Very Different Chassis 2025-08-04
132. Power to the People: Alternate Placements of the Power Switch 2025-08-05
133. The Electric Handy Drill: A Great Hop-Up Tool that Need Hop-Ups Inself! 2025-08-06
134. To Paint the Windows or Not to Paint the Windows? That is the Question 2025-08-07
135. What are Hop-Up Nerf Wings , and Do You Really Need Them Today? 2025-08-08
136. HOW-TO: Get the Most Out of Your A3 Hobby Mats and R/C Car Stands 2025-08-09
137. How Can the Miniature Manufacturing CNC Alloy Heatsink Save Your R/C Model Vehicle? 2025-08-10
138. HOW-TO: Fix the Hornet Shocks Preventing Proper Grasshopper Bofy Fitment 2025-08-11
139. What is the Best Material for Static Balancing R/C Model Vehicle Wheels and Tires? 2025-08-12
140. HOW-TO: Fix the Front Top Shock Mount Screws From Sticking Out So Far 2025-08-13
141. The Frog Fit: The Proper Way to Mount Your R/C Buggy Body Shell 2025-08-14
142. What Does the CRP HotShot Nerf Wing Do, and Can it Fit the Super HotShot? 2025-08-15
143. C-Ring Necessity in Stock vs. Hopped-Up Frogs 2025-08-16

Christ Opening the Eyes of the Blind Man through the Works of His Apostles and their Disciples

Just like previously with my physical therapist, my doctor at MyoCore (MyoFascial Release and Chiropractic) and I were talking about the stories behind the stories in the Holy Writ, such as how the reason that Jesus used dirt to make the blind man see was because the blind man was born without eyes and Christ was showing us that he was God by making human organs from the dust, like he did when he created Adam in the Garden of Eden on the sixth day. 

He, being unaware of many of these connections that fascinated by them, asked for 5 or 6 books that would open his eyes to these connections. Thus I suggested the following: 

1. The Orthodox New Testament Volume One: The Holy Gospels (Evangelistarion)
2. The Orthodox New Testament Volume Two: Acts, Epistles, & Revelation (Praxapostolos)
3. The Orthodox Psalter: The Psalterion According to the Seventy, With the Nine Odes, & Patristic Commentary
4. The Lives of the Holy Prophets: The Major & Minor Prophets of the Old Testament
5. The Lives of the Holy Apostles: Saints Peter, Paul, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Jude, Simon, Matthias, Mark, Luke, & James
6. The Life of the Virgin Mary, The Theotokos

I also pointed to him to the following three blog articles I wrote on this blog:

1. The Gospel According to Saint John, Chapter Six: A Parallel of the Passover & the Exodus of Israel
2. The Theophanies of Christ in Both the Old & New Testaments
3. Types & Anti-Types in the Holy Bible

If you or anyone you know are interested in the connections of the Old Testament to the New Testament, or the stories behind the stories in the Bible, as explained by the apostles and their disciples, check out these books and articles, which will help you see what perhaps you were once blind to and you too can have your eyes opened like the blind man that Christ healed. 

I'm so Sick and Tired...

 ...too many people, not only Orthodox Christians, but people who declare any faith, or even no faith at all, have made it clear their one and only true religion. It is, sickeningly, whatever their political party tells them to believe. Their only 'saviour' is their favoured political candidate. 

It should be clear to any person of faith, that neither American party of the duopoly teaches the same as the Bible. Each pick and choose parts to say that they do, and show how their opponents' teach the opposite, but as politics prove time and time, politicians and political parties cannot be trusted. 

"Do not have trust in rulers, in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation." 

-Psalm 145(146):3

Bible verse comes from THE ORTHODOX PSALTER: THE PSALTERION OF THE PROPHET AND KING DAVID, With the NINE ODES and the interpretation of how the Psalterion ought to be recited during the whole year Translated into English from the Greek according to the Seventy, and compiled, arranged, and versified according to the Greek Psalterion, including Patristic Commentary.

Politicians aren't Saviours and Political Parties are NOT the Church!

 

While I have blogged about government before such as in the post titled, "What the Bible says about those who govern us?", there are some essential verses of the Bible that it seems some politically-motivated Christians seem to forget in both the United States of America and other countries. Here is a verse that many seem to be forgetting as of the last decade or so. Here is a quick reminder.

Psalm 145(146):2 Do not have trust in rulers, in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.

Verses from The Orthodox Psalter: The Psalterion of The Prophet and King David, According to the Seventy, With the Nine Odes, And Patristic Commentary.

A Prayer in Time of Pestilence and Pandemics

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray to the Lord. Lord have mercy.

Heavenly Lord and Creator of all things, have mercy on us your people, for we have strayed from the path which You have given us.

Forgive our many offenses and grant us your mercies.

We come to you today with tears of repentance and ask for your protection from the terrible disease that threatens us.

We have sinned, Oh Lord, and we have disobeyed your Commandments, but we beseech your mercy and compassion; have mercy on your servants, on the elderly and the children; have mercy on us all, and keep away from the terrible diseases and viruses  which appeared in our days.

Send your holy angels, Oh Lord, to disperse every disease and calamity and keep us safe and healthy that we may worship and glorify your Most Holy Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and of all your Saints.

Amen.

The BEST Lean Six Sigma Books on the Market for Those Interested in Continuous Process Improvement and Change Management

As a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt who uses Agile Project Management Methodologies, I am often asked what are the best books to read on Lean Six Sigma, Lean Startups, Lean Enterprise, Kaizen, and the TPS (Toyota Production System).

Here I have categorized them into sections based on topics or philosophies and broken them into groups of books that I feel are best read together.

SIX SIGMA:

• The Six Sigma Way: https://amzn.to/38AGCB1
• The Six Sigma Handbook: https://amzn.to/2W8GDK3
• The Big Book of Six Sigma Training Games: https://amzn.to/2TPELCZ
• The Six Sigma Complete Step-by-Step Guide: https://amzn.to/3aDghng
• The Basics of Process Mapping: https://amzn.to/2PZvHdH

TPS: Toyota Production System

• A Study of the Toyota Production System: https://amzn.to/337qiGW
• The Toyota Way: https://amzn.to/333DUTg
• Toyota Culture: https://amzn.to/3aCcyGD
• Toyota Talent: https://amzn.to/2PUog7B
• Toyota Kata: https://amzn.to/2W8I4bp
• The Toyota Way to Service Excellence: https://amzn.to/2PZwkE5
• The Toyota Engagement Equation: https://amzn.to/39D4ntB
• Just-In-Time for Today and Tomorrow: https://amzn.to/333Mb9T
• Toyota's Production System Beyond Large-Scale Production: https://amzn.to/2v600bk

LEAN:

• Lean Thinking: https://amzn.to/38zCqkX
• Lean Solutions: https://amzn.to/2TyyFrN
• The Lean Strategy: https://amzn.to/2wIrCnc
• The Lean Enterprise: https://amzn.to/2vPd8BW (This title is popular for Lean & Lean Startup books, but not all of them can be recommended!)
• The Lean Turnaround: https://amzn.to/2TSVjKb
• Gemba Walks: https://amzn.to/3aH08NK
• Lean UX: https://amzn.to/2TU1NZm
• 2 Second Lean: https://amzn.to/2TODOLk
• Lean Customer Development: https://amzn.to/39BK93l
• The Basics of Hoshin Kanri: https://amzn.to/2ItDOuZ
• Hoshin Kanri for the Lean Enterprise: https://amzn.to/2vUvKRd
• Lean Sustainability: https://amzn.to/39BPWG9

LEAN STARTUP:

• The Lean Startup: https://amzn.to/38wotUN
• The Startup Way: https://amzn.to/2VXgE8c
• Lean Impact: https://amzn.to/2Itm3Ma
• The Lean Entrepreneur: https://amzn.to/2xoNODp
• Running Lean: https://amzn.to/2IAQH6c
• Scaling Lean: https://amzn.to/2W1ibKj
• Lean Analytics: https://amzn.to/3aJzeEH
• UX for Lean Startups: https://amzn.to/2VYlvWM
• Lean Branding: https://amzn.to/2TBtgjS
• Lean Enterprise: https://amzn.to/3cHY5uD (Yes, there are 2 books with this title on this list, and they are completely different books!)
• Lean AI: https://amzn.to/2VSXro6
• The Lean Product Playbook: https://amzn.to/2TNKklm

LEAN KAIZEN:

• Gemba Kaizen: https://amzn.to/2TCKj4V
• The Toyota Way to Continuous Improvement: https://amzn.to/337C6sv
• How to Succeed with Continuous Improvement: https://amzn.to/3cL63mv
• Streamlined Process Improvement: https://amzn.to/332fZUo
• Understanding A3 Thinking: https://amzn.to/2TxXKD4

LEAN & SIX SIGMA COMBINED:

• Lean Six Sigma: https://amzn.to/2vQF2h2
• The Lean Six Sigma Guide to Doing More with Less: https://amzn.to/2vFB373
• Lean Six Sigma for Good: https://amzn.to/3aGuxf8
• Value Stream Mapping: https://amzn.to/2v5Z9HE

LEAN & SIX SIGMA LEADERSHIP:

• The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership: https://amzn.to/2VYxGTe
• Tree-Ring Management: https://amzn.to/330T4Jc
• Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels: https://amzn.to/2VW8Gw3
• Lean Six Sigma for Leaders: https://amzn.to/39EaygT
• Leading Lean: https://amzn.to/2ICZ9lr
• A Pocket Guide to Toyota's Management Principles: https://amzn.to/3cLHLZA
• Taiichi Ohno's Workplace Management: https://amzn.to/2IvHRH3
• Management Lessons from Taiichi Ohno: https://amzn.to/2VVwKiA
• Courageous Leadership: https://amzn.to/2TzaYQ8

LEAN & SIX SIGMA ELEMENTARY INTRODUCTIONS:

• Six Sigma for Dummies: https://amzn.to/3cIwbOW
• Six Sigma Workbook for Dummies: https://amzn.to/2IuB9Rt
• Lean for Dummies: https://amzn.to/2W3Rx3H
• Lean Six Sigma for Dummies: https://amzn.to/2Tzct0w

LEAN & SIX SIGMA POCKET MEMORY JOGGERS:

• The FMEA Pocket Handbook: https://amzn.to/38xiUFT
• A Pocket Guide to Toyota Management Principles: https://amzn.to/2TPS9a7
• The Lean Office Pocket Handbook: https://amzn.to/331mSFo
• Today's Lean: https://amzn.to/330ToHS
• The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook: https://amzn.to/38BhD0c
• The A3 Pocket Handbook for Kaizen Events: https://amzn.to/2TQ4N9d
• The Kaizen Pocket Handbook: https://amzn.to/2TRhuQZ

What is Wood Badge and Seabadge?

The Boy Scouts of America offers two high-level leadership and management courses for BSA leaders that are internationally recognized so much that many companies will give time off and/or pay for Scouters to attend the courses, as it makes them not only a better Scout Leader, but a better employee, spouse, and parent. Generally, it is suggested that you attend Wood Badge Basic Leadership Training before you attend Seabadge Advanced Leadership Training, as Seabadge will take the skills you learned in Wood Badge to an all new level. The American version of Wood Badge is celebrating it's 70th anniversary this year and Seabadge will celebrate it's 50th anniversary in 2020.

The purpose of Wood Badge Basic Leadership Training is to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Open to adults, including Scouters in any BSA program and Venturers and Sea Scouts ages 18 and older. The Wood Badge course is either held as a 6-day course or two 3-day courses and is run by the local council.

Wood Badge serves as the basic leadership training program for all branches of Scouting, including the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Sea Scouting, and Venturing programs. Wood Badge allows an in-depth exploration of leadership skills as well as a supervised implementation of the skills through a multi-part, post-course delivery plan referred to as a “ticket.”

Besides position specific training, Leaders of each Scouting program have other preresiquites before they can take Wood Badge.

• Cub Scout leaders are recommended to have taken BALOO: Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation
• Boy Scout, Venturing, and Sea Scout Leaders are recommended to have taken IOLS: Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills
• Venturing participants must have completed ILSC: Introduction to Leadership Skills for Crews
• Sea Scouts participants must have completed ILSS: Introduction to Leadership Skills for Ships

Wood Badge teaches participants the basics of listening, managing conflict, leading change, stages of team development, coaching & mentoring, leadership for different stages, servant leadership, project planning, communicating, valuing people, and more. Once the skill is learned, each member is given the opportunity to use the skill as a member of a successful working team. At the conclusion of the course, each participant develops a set of personal goals related to his or her Scouting role known as "the Ticket." Working toward these goals allows each participant to practice and demonstrate new skills.

Seabadge Advanced Leadership Training teaches leadership skills for unit, district, and council Scout leaders. Seabadge is intense leadership and management training focused on the “how-to” aspects of managing a successful youth led Scout program. While Seabadge was originally developed as an advanced leadership training program for experienced Sea Scout adult leaders the course is open to all adult Scout leaders. The driving theme for the training is to “Focus on Youth”, which makes the course especially valuable for any Scout leader dealing with older youth. Seabadge does not cover topics like boating, knots, or other program-related materials found in the Sea Scout Manual.

Seabadge is an intensive 3-day course. Course participants and staff function as a model ship to help participants understand how a ship or youth-led unit should function. The curriculum includes twenty sessions, with established objectives, that are presented in a motivating and informative forum. After the course, participants have 18 months to complete their Praxis, (previously known as the Rutter) similar to the Wood Badge Ticket.

The objectives of Seabadge are to:

• Improve the understanding of leadership, management, and motivational skills among adult leaders.
• Provide management, leadership, and presentation skills and tools to adult leaders so that they may use and share them with others in their day-to-day Scout activities.
• Use the skills and tools acquired at Seabadge to improve the quality of their Scouting program.
• Encourage the development of lifelong contacts and sharing of resources by and between course participants and staff.

Course applicants must meet the following minimum standard requirements prior to consideration for participation in a Seabadge course:

1. Is a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.
2. Has completed the basic training courses for their Specific Scouting  position(s) and Leader Specific: Sea Scout Adult Leader Basic Training.

To find your next local Wood Badge course, check the website if your council and/or that of surrounding councils. For the next regional Seabadge check https://seascout.org/adult-training/seabadge/

HOW-TO: Find Orthodox Christian Camps for Summer and Winter in America

Every Summer, parents look for (spiritually, physically, and mentally) healthy, enlightening, and educational activities for their children. In order to help with that, I have done my best to find all the Orthodox Christian Camps available for Orthodox Youth in America. I have also added them to one of the side sections of my blog as well. I hope parents and grandparents find these useful. If I have missed any Orthodox Camps, please let me know in the comments below with their name, location, and website, so that I can add them to both lists!

ARIZONA

• All Saints Camp in Prescott

CALIFORNIA

• Ascension Camp in Redway
• Camp Saint Sava in Jackson
• Christ in the Wilderness on Mount Tamalpais
• Saint Nicholas Camp in Dunlap
• Saint Sophia Camp in Crestline

COLORADO

• Theophany Camp in Bellvue

CONNECTICUT

• Camp Saint Paul in Litchfield & Bantam

GEORGIA

• Saint Seraphim & Saint Sophia Camps in Conyers

IDAHO

• Camp Saint Mary of Egypt in Post Falls

ILLINOIS

• Saint Seraphim ORPR Camp in Rock City

INDIANA

• Saint John Camps in Mitchell

IOWA

• Camp Saint George in Coggon

KANSAS

• Holy Trinity Camp in Linwood

KENTUCKY

• Saint Nicholas Camp in Leitchfield

MARYLAND

• Camp Good Shepherd in Chesapeake Bay
• Saint Nina's Camp in Union Bridge

MICHIGAN

• Vatra Camp of the Theotokos in Grass Lake
• Saint Nicholas Camp in Rose City

MINNESOTA

• Saint Mary Camp in South Minneapolis

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Saint Methodios Camp in Contoocook

NEW JERSEY

• Camp Good Shepherd in Sandyston

NEW MEXICO

• Camp Emmanuel in Torreon

NEW YORK

• Saint Andrew Camp in Jewell
• Saint Timothy Camp in Croghan

OHIO

• Saint Vladimir Camp in Farmdale

OKLAHOMA

• Camp Saint Raphael on Lake Fort Gibson in Fort Gibson

OREGON

• Camp Angelos in Corbett

PENNSYLVANIA

• All Saints Camp in Emlenton
• Antiochian Village Camps in Bolivar
• Camp Nazareth in Mercer
• Saint Sava Camp at Shadeland in Springboro
• Saint Tikhon Camp in Waymart

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Camp Saint Thekla in Cleveland
• Saint Stephen Camp in Salem

TEXAS

• All Saints Camp in Fayette

WASHINGTON

• All Saints Camp on Raft Island in Gig Harbor

WISCONSIN

• Fanari Camp of Saint Iakovos in Kansasville
• Saint Edward Camp in East Troy

Saint Meletios the Confessor of Mount Galesion on the Aerial Toll Houses

The following is from The Departure of the Soul, the first comprehensive presentation of the teachings of over 120 Orthodox Saints and dozens of holy hierarchs, clergy, and theologians on the subject of the soul's exodus to the next life. With over 750 pages of source material featuring many rare images and dozens of texts translated into English for the first time, The Departure of the Soul is unique as both the sole reference edition on the subject and a fascinating and spiritually profitable book for anyone seeking insight into one of the greatest mysteries of all. The book also reveals over 100 falsifications, misrepresentations, and errors contained in the publications of authors who oppose the teaching of the Church, thus definitively ending the 40-year controversy in the Church. The book features: ~ Full endorsements by eight Orthodox hierarchs ~ Foreword by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki (Church of Greece) ~ Spans the 2,000-year history of the Orthodox Church with chapters on Holy Scripture, The Liturgical Services, The Writings of the Fathers of the Church, The Lives of the Saints, Iconography, Commemoration and Prayer for the Departed and Contemporary Opponents of the Church's Teaching. Many rare images and dozens of texts translated for the first time from the original languages. Think of it as a massively expanded and more detailed version of The Soul After Death.

Called by God at a young age, Saint Meletios abandoned his homeland and his beloved family and set out as a pilgrim for the Holy Land. Becoming a monk on Mount Sinai, he spent weeks without food and nights without sleep, continuing in fasting, vigils, and ceaseless prayer to the astonishment of all his fellow monks. Having wandered through the desert, like a diligent bee gathering the nectar of the virtues from the holy ascetics he met, St. Meletios settled on Mount Galesion at the Monastery of St. Lazarus, becoming perfect in obedience and the ascetical life.

Christ the Lord appeared to him in glory, commanding him to go to Constantinople to defend the Orthodox Faith, which was in danger from compromises with the Latins that Emperor Michael VIII had made for political reasons. Presenting himself at the imperial court, St. Meletios boldly reproached the emperor for betraying the Faith. Thrown into prison, he was then exiled to the island of Skyros where he authored a long poem, excerpted here, in which he desired to set forth all the essentials of the Orthodox Faith in a single Gathering. Sent to the pope in Rome for trial, St. Meletios continued to boldly confess the Orthodox Faith, confronting the Latin scholastic theologians and rebuking their errors. Imprisoned for seven more years, he was then sent back to Skyros and shut up in a dark dungeon. The peoples’ proclamation of the saint as a confessor of the Orthodox Faith stirred the Emperor to summon him back to the imperial court. Steadfast as ever in proclaiming Orthodoxy, the saint was condemned to torture. He was hung on a dry tree which burst into leaf upon receiving him. His tongue which had so bravely spoken the truth was cut out, but miraculously he was able to continue proclaiming the true Faith. Finally released from imprisonment on the death of Michael VIII, St. Meletios played an important role in re-establishing Orthodoxy. When he departed from this world to God, his face shone like the sun. His body remained incorrupt, becoming a wellspring of
countless miracles.

The texts excerpted below provide a significant early witness to the saints of the Orthodox Church embracing not only the teaching of the toll-houses but also the Life of St. Basil the New, the most complete and vivid description of the toll-houses:

“The soul that yearns for God and does good things, gladly departs to Him when it is called. It soars above the evil demons and with peace proceeds to the assembly of the angels, having certainly passed through safely. The things that are said about the toll-houses are from experience which the divine Theodora has stated wonderfully. You certainly know these things, how fearsome, how terrible, how frightful, how full of shock the time of death is.… The venerable Basil says that they examine that [dissolute] life as well….”

T. Simopoulos, ed., Μελέτιος ὁ Γαλησιώτης (Meletios Galesiotes) (Athens, 1978), no. 180, “On the Remembrance of Death,” p. 492, lines 49–57, 71. (In Greek.)

“The Savior at the time of the Passion said that the ruler of this world will find nothing in Me (John 14:30). But in someone else he will find many or few things. However many passions someone says he has, he has the same number of demons. Each one is marked by the corresponding toll-house. According to the words of the venerable and divine Theodora, each demon incites us towards sin.”

Ibid., no. 181, “On the Separation of the Soul and the Resurrection of the Body,” p. 493, line 15–20. (In Greek.)

Besides these above linked amazing books, you can find more information about the ancient Orthodox Christian teaching of the Aerial Toll-Houses/Toll-Booths at the following links:

• The Soul After Death: How Does It get from the Body to Hades or Paradise?
• Life After Death: A Description of the First 40 Days After Death by St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco
• Our War is not Against Flesh and Bones: On the Question of Toll-Houses by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky
• State of the Soul After Death: According to the Teachings of St. John of Damascus
• The Aerial Toll-Houses After Death by St. Boniface, the Apostle to the Germans
• On the Toll-Houses by Saint Columba (Columbcille/Columbia/Columbanos) of Iona in Soctland
• A Conversation About the Toll-Houses in the Holy Bible by St. Luke the Apostle & Evangelist and St. Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles

The Green Patriarch on Environmental Peace

"If human beings were to treat one another’s personal property the way they treat the natural environment, we would view that behavior as antisocial and illegal. We would expect legal sanctions and even compensation. When will we learn that to commit a crime against the natural world is also a sin?"

"The way we respond to the natural environment is directly reflects the way we treat human beings. The willingness to exploit the environment is revealed in the willingness to permit avoidable human suffering. So the survival of the natural environment is also the survival of ourselves. When we will understand that a crime against nature is a crime against ourselves and sin against God?"

"We have traditionally regarded sin as being merely what people do to other people. Yet, for human beings to destroy the biological diversity in God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by contributing to climate change, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, land and air – all of these are sins."

"We are treating our planet in an inhuman, godless manner precisely because we fail to see it as a gift inherited from above. Our original sin with regard to the natural environment lies in our refusal to accept the world as a sacrament of communion, as a way of sharing with God and neighbor on a global scale. It is our humble conviction that divine and human meet in the slightest detail contained in the seamless garment of God’s creation, in the last speck of dust."

"It should not be fear of impending disaster with regard to global change that obliges us to change our ways with regard to the natural environment. Rather, it should be a recognition of the cosmic harmony and original beauty that exists in the world. We must learn to make our communities more sensitive and to render our behavior toward nature more respectful. We must acquire a compassionate heart – what Saint Isaac of Syria, a seventh century mystic once called "a heart that burns with love for the whole of creation: for humans, for birds and beasts, for all God’s creatures"."

"The fundamental criterion for an ecological ethic is not individualistic or commercial. It is deeply spiritual. For, the root of the environmental crisis lies in human greed and selfishness. What is asked of us is not greater technological skill, but deeper repentance for our wrongful and wasteful ways. What is demanded is a sense of sacrifice, which comes with cost but also brings about fulfillment. Only through such self-denial, through our willingness sometimes to forgo and to say “no” or “enough” will we rediscover our true human place in the universe."

"This sacrifice for the sake of sharing means learning to give, and not simply to give up. It is learning to share and to connect with others and with the natural world. It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs. It is liberation from fear, greed and compulsion. It is regaining a sense of wonder, being filled with a sense of goodness, seeing all things in God, and God in all things."

"If we are guilty of relentless waste, it is because we have lost the spirit of worship. We are no longer respectful pilgrims on this earth; we have been reduced to careless consumers or passing travelers. This spiritual vision of worship guides us to a life that sees more clearly and shares more fairly, moving away from what we want individually to what the world needs globally. Then, we begin to value everything for its place in creation and not simply its economic value to us, thereby restoring the original beauty of the world, seeing all things in God and God in all things."

"We have been commanded to taste of the world’s fruits, not to waste them; we have been commissioned to care for the world, not to waste it. When Christ fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fish on a hill in Palestine, he instructed his disciples to “gather together the fragments which remain over, that nothing might be lost.” (John 6:12) This instruction should serve as a model in a time of wasteful consumption, where even the refuse of affluent societies can nourish entire populations."

"It is a qualitative element of our faith that we believe in and accept a Creator, who fashioned the world out of love, making and calling it “very good.” Tending to and caring for this creation is not a political whim or a social fashion. It is a divine commandment; it is a religious obligation. It is no less than the will of God that we leave as light a footprint on our environment."

"It is never too late. God’s world has incredible healing powers; and human choices can change the tide in global warming. Within a single generation, we could steer earth toward our children’s future. With God’s blessing and help, that generation can begin now. For the first time in the history of our world, we recognize that our decisions and choices directly impact the environment. It is up to us to shape our future; it is up to us to choose our destiny. Breaking the vicious circle of ecological degradation is a choice with which we are uniquely endowed, at this crucial moment in the history of our planet."

"Ecology cannot inspire respect for nature if it does not express a different worldview from the one that prevails in our culture today, from the one that led us to this ecological impasse in the first place. What is required is an act of repentance, a change in our established ways, a renewed image of ourselves, one another and the world around us within the perspective of the divine design for creation. To achieve this transformation, what is required is nothing less than a radical reversal of our perspectives and practices."

"Poverty is not caused by the lack of material resources. It is the immediate result of our exploitation and waste. There is a close link between the economy of the poor and the warming of our planet. Conservation and compassion are intimately connected. The web of life is a sacred gift of God -- ever so precious, yet ever so delicate. Each of us dwells within the wider ecosystem; each of us is a part of a larger, global environment. We must serve our neighbor and preserve our world with both humility and generosity, in a perspective of frugality and solidarity."

"All of us have to work, each from his or her own place in the world; indeed, we must work together, irrespective of religious conviction, racial origin, and professional discipline. Our efforts will remain meaningless and fruitless if they remain fragmented and isolated. For, the protection of the world’s natural beauty is one consideration, one concern, one song, to the glory of God and all creation."

"Climate change is much more than an issue of environmental preservation. Insofar as human-induced, it is a profoundly moral and spiritual problem. To persist in our current path of ecological destruction is not only folly. It is suicidal because it jeopardizes the diversity of our planet. Moreover, climate change constitutes a matter of social and economic justice. For, those who will most directly and severely be affected by climate change will be the poorer and more vulnerable nations (what Christian Scriptures refer to as our “neighbor”) as well as the younger and future generations (the world of our children, and of our children’s children)."

"Indigenous peoples throughout the world are the stewards and guardians not only of the forests and the seas, as well as of a vast store of knowledge about the natural world, which they regard as the “library of life.” They know the properties and potential uses of every living thing around them. The rest of the world is sometimes jealous of that knowledge, and indigenous peoples are understandably, and often justifiably, cautious about sharing it."

"The word “ecology” contains the prefix “eco,” which derives from the Greek word oikos, signifying “home” or “dwelling.” How unfortunate, then, and indeed how selfish it is that we have reduced its meaning and restricted its application. This world is indeed our home. Yet it is also the home of everyone, just as it is the home of every animal creature and of every form of life created by God. It is a sign of arrogance to presume that we human beings alone inhabit this world. Moreover, it is a sign of arrogance to imagine that only the present generation enjoys its resources."

"Whenever we narrow religious life to our own concerns, then we overlook the prophetic calling of the Church to implore God and invoke the divine Spirit for the renewal of the whole polluted cosmos. For, the entire world is the space within which this transformation is enacted. When we are transformed by divine grace, then we discern the injustice in which we are participants; but then we will also labor to share the resources of our planet; then, we realize that eco-justice is paramount -- not simply for a better life, but for our very survival."


"As Orthodox Christians, we use the Greek word kairos to describe a moment in time, often a brief moment in time, which has eternal significance. For the human race as a whole, there is now a kairos, a decisive time in our relationship with God’s creation. We will either act in time to protect life on earth from the worst consequences of human folly, or we will fail to act. May God grant us the wisdom to act in time. Amen."

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SOURCES:
• Holy Apostles Convent, The Orthodox New Testament Volume One: The Holy Gospels or Evangelistarion
• Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
• Patriarch Bartholomew, Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today
• Archdeacon John Chryssavgis, On Earth as in Heaven: Ecological Vision & Initiatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
• Deacon Ioannis Chryssavgis, Cosmic Grace, Humble Prayer: The Ecological Vision of the Green Patriarch Bartholomew I

Saints Olga the Empress & Vladimir the Prince, and the Baptism of Rus'

In 957, Saint Olga visited Emperor Constantine VII in Constantinople. He admired her looks and intelligence, noting to her that 'You are fit to reign in this city with us.' She agreed to be Baptized and thus became a Christian, with name Helen, after the Patriarch Polyeuctus had instructed her in the faith. Before her Baptism, Constantine asked her hand in marriage, but Olga deferred claiming that she wanted to be Baptised an Orthodox Christian first. Again, after the Baptism, Constantine requested her hand in marriage, but the quick-thinking Olga tricked him (since he was her Godfather in Baptism), noting that he called her his daughter in Baptism and so such a union is forbidden under Christian law. While Constantine commented to Olga about her trickery, he lavished gifts on her when she returned to Kiev. In Kiev she instructed her son, Svyatoslav, and entreated him to be baptized. While he could not bring himself to commit to Baptism, he would not forbid others.

In 968, while Svyatoslav was occupied elsewhere, Pechenegs surrounded Kiev in a siege where Olga was living, caring for her grandsons Yaropolk, Oleg, and Vladimir. As the people became weaker with hunger and lack of water, Olga inspired a lad to escape the siege and bring relief. By this time sickness had come upon the aging Princess Olga. At the same time her son wanted to move his residence to Pereyaslav on the Danube River, leaving Olga in Kiev. Olga restrained Svyatoslav from leaving until after she had died. She died on July 11, 969 and was buried by a priest, having ordered that there would not be a funeral feast.

While Olga was not successful in converting her son or many others to the Christian faith, her example may have been a great influence on her grandson, Vladimir, who in 988 became an Orthodox Christian and led the inhabitants of Kiev and Rus' to follow him in the Baptism of Rus'. For her leadership in bringing Christianity to Russia, she is considered the first saint of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Introduction of Christianity into the lands of the Slavs began at least a century before the great event in Kiev. Traditionally, the missionary brothers Saints Cyril & Methodius are credited with bringing Orthodox Christianity to the Slavs, in their own language, in the 860s, although the southern Slavs had already known Christianity thanks to Saint Andrew the Apostle. Among the eastern Slavs, whose ruling princes, the Rus, were descended from the Varangian (Norse) chieftains/traders, introduction of Christianity appears to have occurred in several stages.

As early as 867, Patriarch Photius of Constantinople advised the other Orthodox Patriarchs that members of the Rus, who had been baptized by his bishops, had become enthusiastic Christians. As the Primary Chronicle and other sources noted the Rus of the ninth century remained staunch pagans, and the outcome of the missionary efforts of Photius’ bishops is not clear. Constantine VII and later Byzantine historians, including John Skylitzes and John Zonaras, continued to maintain a story of Christianization of the Rus, including enumeration of Orthodox Sees among the Rus.

The Primary Chronicle notes that a sizable part of the population of Kiev was Christian in the mid tenth century although noting the ruling princes continued following pagan customs. The Chronicle describes the actions in the mid tenth century of the ruling regent of Kiev, Princess Olga of Kiev, who visited Constantinople with a Priest Gregory. While it is unclear when and where she was Baptized, she became an Orthodox Christian and attempted to convert her son, Svyatoslav. But, he remained a stubborn pagan to his death in 972. His son and successor, Yaropolk I, appeared to be conciliatory towards Christianity and may have entertained visiting Christian missionaries.

After Yaropolk’s death in 980 and the ascension of his brother Vladimir as the ruling prince, Vladimir led a pagan reaction to Christianization efforts. This revitalization of pagan worship failed, however. By the mid 980s Vladimir realized the need to adopt the true religion. In 987, as reported in the Primary Chronicle, and after consulting with his boyars (knights), Vladimir dispatched envoys to study the religions of neighboring nations. Upon returning, the envoys reported their impressions, noting their objections to the religions of the Muslims, Jews, and German Christianity, while expressing the joy of the festive ritual in the cathedral Hagia Sophia in Constantinople.

Concurrently, Emperor Basil II in Constantinople approached Vladimir for aid suppressing a revolt of some of his generals. In response, Vladimir sent troops to help Basil put down the revolt. As part of their earlier agreement, Vladimir was baptized with the Christian name Basil, and followed his baptism by a marriage to Basil II’s sister, Anna Porphyrogenita in the town of Chersonesos in Crimea.

Having accepted Christianity, Vladimir then called the people of Kiev to Baptism in the Dnieper River - the iconic event of the Baptism of Rus'. First, Vladimir’s twelve sons and many boyars were baptized. Then, the next day all the residents of Kiev were called to the river, where the Orthodox priests completed the sacrament of baptism. In the following days the ceremony was observed throughout the realm of Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev and Novgorod.

By the act of Baptizing his subjects, Vladimir signaled the acceptance of Orthodox Christianity as his state religion. Also, it was this event that Russia, the lands of the Rus and the Slavic east, entered into the greater Christian world as part of the Hellenic Christian heritage. For the Byzantines, the Baptism of the Russians signified their integration into the Byzantine Roman empire itself."

Saint Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner. His Feast Day is celebrated on March 17th in the Orthodox Church.

Apolytikion 

O Holy Hierarch, equal of the Apostles, Saint Patrick, wonderworker and enlightener of Ireland: Intercede with the merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offences.

Kontakion

The Master revealed thee as a skillful fisher of men; and casting forth nets of Gospel preaching, thou drewest up the heathen to piety. Those who were the children of idolatrous darkness thou didst render sons of day through holy Baptism. O Patrick, intercede for us who honour thy memory.

Even the Founders of the New Protestant Religions Agreed with the Universal Teaching of the Early Church Fathers on the Theotokos' Perpetual Virginity

Most Christians today still believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary (All Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics as well as some Protestants). The practice of Evangelicals today of denying the perpetual virginity of Mary is a fairly recent innovation - a peculiar historical aberration, particularly since evangelicals would consider themselves to be conservative Christians - that can't even find historical precedent among the primary magisterial Reformers; for that, one can only look to a hand-full of 4th century teachers of heresy who were otherwise universally rejected as heretics expressing new and unfounded ideas.

Of course one can go right to the source, Saint Iakovos (James) the son of Saint Joseph the Betrothed from his first marriage, who wrote a document in the early 100's explaining the lie of his step-mother, Mary, the Theotokos. It wasn't included in the Bible, because it was not telling us how to work out our salvation, as the rest of the New Testament does. But you can read it here on this blog: The Protoevangelium of James.

Martin Luther (Founder of the 1520 A.D. Lutheran Religion) believed that Mary did not have other children and did not have any marital relations with Joseph. The Latin text of the 1537 Smalcald Articles, written by Martin Luther, used the term "Ever Virgin" to refer to Mary. The perpetual virginity of Mary was Luther's lifelong belief, even after he rejected other Marian doctrines.

Huldrych Zwingli (A Founder of the 1522 A.D. Reformed Protestant Religion) directly supported perpetual virginity and wrote: "I firmly believe that the Theotokos, ... forever remained a pure, intact Virgin." Like Zwingli, the English reformers also supported the concept of perpetual virginity. Luther and Zwingli's support of perpetual virginity was endorsed by Heinrich Bullinger and was included in the 1566 Second Helvetic Confession.

John Calvin (Founder of the 1530 A.D. Calvinist Religion) cautioned against "impious speculation" on the topic.

King Henry VII of England (Founder of the 1534 A.D. Anglican and Episcopal Religions) supported perpetual virginity "on the basis of ancient Christian authority".

John Wesley (Founder of the 1739 A.D. Methodist Religion) one of the founders of Methodism, also supported the doctrine and wrote that: "... born of the blessed Virgin Mary, who, as well after as before she brought Him forth, continued a pure and unspotted virgin.

A passage all the Protestant Founders used to support the doctrine of perpetual virginity is of the sayings of Jesus on the cross, i.e. the pair of commands first to his mother "Woman, behold your son!" and then to his disciple "Behold, thy mother!" in The Gospel According to Saint John 19:26-27. The Gospel then states that "from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home". Since the time of the Church Fathers this statement has been used to reason that after the death of Jesus there was no one else in the immediate family to look after Mary, and she had to be entrusted to the disciple given that she had no other children.

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YES! It is true! Jesus Christ did have a Bride and still does to this day!

Yes it is true that Jesus Christ is married! He had a Bride and He still does until this very day! He will not divorce Her and He will not be an adulterer with other sick adultresses claiming to be His Bride, His Bride's sister, or His Bride's daughter.

Who is this Bride? The New Testament of the Holy Bible tells us! It is the Church, the New Jerusalem. Read it yourself in the Epistles of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Chapter 5), Second Corinthians (Chapter 11), Romans (Chapter 7), and Galatians (Chapter 4).This is further detailed in the Revelation of Saint John (Chapters 3, 19, 21, and 22). You can also see this mentioned in The Gospels According to Matthew (Chapter 9 and 25), Mark (Chapter 2), Luke (Chapter 5), and John (Chapter 3)!

Where can this Bride be found? How do you make sure we are not bound to a false wife or one of the false sisters or daughters of the Bride? Read about the almost 2,000 history of the Bride of Christ, the Church, the New Jerusalem here.

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Don't Trust Hollywood (For True Theology or Biblical Truths)

The movie, "Noah", looks to be another Bible movie travesty. Why? Because it is only very loosely based on the Bible. It is based the fictional graphic novels of film's director, Darren Aronofsky, NOE/NOAH and NOE2/NOAH02. See this quote from Brian Godawa:

“Having got a chance to read an undated version of the script for Noah I want to warn you. If you were expecting a Biblically faithful retelling of the story of the greatest mariner in history and a tale of redemption and obedience to God you’ll be sorely disappointed. Noah paints the primeval world of Genesis 6 as scorched arid desert, dry cracked earth, and a gray gloomy sky that gives no rain – and all this, caused by man’s “disrespect” for the environment. In short, an anachronistic doomsday scenario of ancient global warming.”

According to the website, Beginning And End, In this movie Abel and Cain befriend the Shaman Noah as a child. Adding to the Biblical confusion, King Og of Bashan, an evil Nephilim King in Scripture, is portrayed as good being in Noah. In Scripture, Og lives after the flood and is one of the most powerful Kings of his day. He hated the ancient Israelites and sought to conquer them as they migrated to the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, after being led out of slavery in Egypt. The battle against Og, led by Moses, took place over 1500 years after the flood.  In Noah, Og is one of the fallen angels or "Watchers", who now, despite rebellion against God, decide to help Noah build the ark and protect it. In a scene in which a small army of men try to take siege of the ark, it is the fallen angels who fight to make sure that Noah and his family can enter safely. Not only that, but Noah tries to kill his own granddaughter once she is born in the Ark!

You wouldn't stand for going to church and the Bible being preached in a way that it was changed "to be more exciting", so why would you pay people to do this very the same blasphemous thing?

This is not the first movie that Hollywood has done this with. What other Biblical movies has Hollywood messed up? Pretty much all of them, but here are just a few:

• The Passion of the Christ's principal source is The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the reported visions of the stigmatic German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774–1824), as written by the poet Clemens Brentano. Even the Vatican position on the authenticity of the books produced by Brentano was stated by Father Peter Gumpel, who was involved in the study of the issues for the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints: "It is absolutely not certain that she ever wrote this. There is a serious problem of authenticity".

• The Last Temptation of Christ's eponymous final sequence depicts the crucified Jesus—tempted by what turns out to be Satan in the form of a beautiful, androgynous child—experiencing a dream or alternative reality where He comes down from His cross, marries Mary Magdalene (and later Mary and Martha), and lives out His life as a full mortal man. He learns on his deathbed that He was deceived by Satan and begs God to let Him "be God's son," at which point He finds Himself once again on His cross. At other points in the film, Jesus is depicted as building crosses for the Romans, being tormented by the Voice of God, and lamenting the many sins He believes He has committed.

• The Prince of Egypt shows Moses is adopted by Pharaoh’s wife, instead of his daughter. Miriam walks off and leaves Moses as soon as he is found, rather than approaching Pharaoh’s daughter wife to offer her mom as a milk maid. Moses kills the Egyptian entirely by accident, and he never hides the body, because in the film this all happened in sight of everybody. He flees the very same hour, and that because of his own feelings of guilt, not because Pharaoh was trying to kill him. Pharaoh wasn't trying to kill him, not having heard about anything yet, and not having been given the opportunity before Moses left. Moses approaches the Burning Bush, to the point of putting his hand into the fire. Moses did not hide his face, neither was he afraid to look at God. Moses' reason for not wishing to return to Egypt at God's command is his guilt at having been party to the oppression of the Israelites, not because he was a poor speaker. Moses does not set his wife and children upon a donkey, but sets his wife upon a camel. He doesn't have any children. Aaron does not come forth to meet him, but rather avoids him, because Aaron is Moses' enemy.  Aaron is therefore not Moses' spokesman, does not even go in with him to Pharaoh, and manifestly does not perform the miracles. Moses demands the entire and permanent liberation of the Israelites, rather than just three days’ freedom to worship God outside the country. Pharaoh’s response is to double the workload of the Israelites, rather than to make them gather their own straw. Moses is not eighty years old by any stretch of the imagination. The carcasses of the Passover lambs continue to lie in the street after the blood has been put on the door posts, and are not eaten.  The Red Sea is parted because Moses strikes the water with his rod, not because he lifted his hand over it, and, conversely,  it returns without him doing anything at all. Pharaoh is in the midst of the sea and survives.

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