When the civil calendar turns over each year, many see it as a chance to start or re-start new disciplines such as losing weight or learning a new language. The Church also uses a calendar which includes periods of feasting, fasting, daily readings from Scripture, commemoration of various saints, etc. Just as we organize our daily lives around the civil calendar (taxes on April 15, holiday on July 4), the Church calendar organizes our inner life. Therefore, September 1 is always a good time to reflect on the state of our inner life and seek to be transformed through the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2). Here are some ideas:  

1. Read the entire Bible through in one year.

I have been using You Version. They have customizable reading plans that you can tweak to fit your schedule. You can get the day’s reading emailed to you or delivered to your rss reader. They also have apps that will sync your reading plan with your phone. If you prefer to listen instead of read, you can follow the Daily Audio Bible podcast. If reading the whole Bible sounds intimidating read through the New Testament or at least the gospels.

2. Attend services for the 12 Great Feasts.

These feasts teach us so much about our Lord and his plan of salvation for us. They are just as important as sunday morning worship. Plan your calendar ahead of time. As of today, Divine Liturgy will be at 9:30AM on these dates and vigil will be at 6:30 the evening before:

Nativity of the Theotokos - Wed, Sep 8
Elevation of the Cross - Tues, Sep 14
Presentation of the Theotokos - Sun, Nov 21
Nativity - Sat, Dec 25
Theophany - Thurs, Jan 6
Meeting of Christ in the Temple - Wed, Feb 6
Annunciation - Fri, March 25
Palm Sunday - Sun, Apr 17
Ascension - Thurs, June 2
Pentecost - Sun, June 12
Transfiguration - Sat, Aug 6
Dormition - Mon, Aug 15

3. Tithe.

Tithing is not a financial issue. It is a spiritual issue. If you are making money and not giving a portion back to God, then something is wrong. If you think you are struggling financially and can’t afford to give, go here.

4. Pray together as a family.

Our homes should be little churches. Establish a regular time for the whole family to gather around your icon corner and offer prayer to God.

5. Bring a friend to Church.

The number one reason people start going to church is because someone invited them. I might not be Orthodox today if I hadn’t been invited by a friend.

Happy New year!

Fr Daniel