God’s Mouthpiece The full title for John the Forerunner (feast of his beheading is August 29th) is “The Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John”. (Not to be confused with John the Theologian also called the Apostle, Evangelist and/or “Beloved.”) We call him “Prophet” because of the various ways that he carried out his vocation to […]
Author Archives: Fr. Michael O'Loughlin
Why is September 1st the Byzantine Church New Year?
Historical: The ecclesiastical year begins on September 1. This is an ancient Constantinopolitan custom. In ancient times, the year in Constantinople began on September 23. This date marked, from its institution by the Emperor Constantine (in 313), the beginning of the indiction, i.e., the establishment of the annual land tax. This date was chosen because […]