Psalm 104
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all…
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great!
(Psalm 104: 24,1)
Saint Gregory of Nyssa said, “Concepts create idols; only wonder grasps anything.” This is the motto of the OCA’s youth blog, “Wonder”. This is also at the heart of Psalm 104, the loving meditation on creation that opens every Vespers service. The two verses above frequently punctuate the liturgical year as prokeimenon or communion hymn, notably on the feast of Transfiguration.
“Wonder” could also be the theme of all that is best wherever truth—in contrast to ideology—is honestly pursued. The other day I saw the film Particle Fever and walked away in awe of the universe and of the capabilities God has implanted in human beings to explore His creation. The film follows six scientists as they work toward the launch of the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. This is the biggest and most expensive experiment in the history of the planet, and is meant to investigate the subatomic particles—especially the Higgs boson—that tie the material universe together. It involves 10,000 scientists from over 100 countries. Much of the science was beyond me, but what I understood was the dogged discipline of the scientists, their utter honesty in pursuit of evidence-based truth, and their genuine human emotion when faced with the wonders of a vast and incomprehensibly complex universe.
A New Era for Saints Cosmas and Damian Human Services Board
Last Saturday the Saints Cosmas and Damian Human Services Board met at the Chancery, under the leadership of CEO Father Joseph Lickwar (Chancellor of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey.) The OCA Metropolitan and Chancellor are ex-officio members of the board, but this was the first time the group met in Syosset. There have been major changes in the last year, but the project now enters a new era. I was impressed and grateful to God for the efforts made by staff and board members over many years (I have a personal connection, since I was Administrator 1980-82). There are inspiring possibilities for the future.
For thirty-five years the board ran an assisted-living residence for seniors in Staten Island, New York. Over the years, the facility served hundreds of people, including many Orthodox clergy and faithful, and the Saint Iriney Chapel held regular services for residents and others in the local community. But, over the years, changes in regulations and a host of other factors led the board to sell the residence in December 2013 for around $ 7 million, with the board holding the mortgage for the new owners (this is part of an agreement overseen by the State of New York, under which the board is incorporated). Part of that will go toward repaying debt, but over the next five years the board will turn its attention to new ways in which it can serve the needs of Orthodox and other seniors.
One of the first tasks of the board will be to expand its membership. If you or someone you know has interest, education or experience in the area of senior care, and would like to be considered for board service, please contact Father Joseph Lickwar (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).