Many sites about pregnancy and infant loss have photos and drawings of babies with wings, butterflies, poetry, etc. I can only speak for myself when I say that my only comfort has derived from reality. Sometimes reality is a harsh thing, but there is something about death that strips away all the fluff. For me, … Continue reading New Page: Comfort
2012 OCAMPR Conference
OCAMPR (The Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion) has announced its 2012 conference: The Child Conceived: Considering Infertility Treatment, Miscarriage and Early Child Loss. It will be held in Chicago on November 2nd and 3rd, but other details are still yet to be announced.
Upon those in the tombs…
...bestowing life.Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!Pascha is a poignant time for most who have lost babies or children. We desperately want our babies with us to celebrate Pascha and their absence is a gaping wound. I've had just as many painful and at times, bitter, thoughts about missing my two boys this year … Continue reading Upon those in the tombs…
Why?
The question we have all asked. The question many of us still ask. How I wish I had an answer to give. I don't.[Note: everything that follows is purely out of my own scattered head, not accepted doctrine. I am neither a theologian nor a spiritually enlightened person, so don't take this as anything beyond … Continue reading Why?
He calls them each by name.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. -Isaiah 40:26 While I know that my sons don't need forgiveness for their … Continue reading He calls them each by name.
New Site about Miscarriage in Romanian
I am very pleased to announce the beginning of a new site on miscarriage in Romanian by a Romanian priest's wife, Matușkăi Euphemia : Prunci Pierduți Și Născuți Înainte De Vreme. O perspectivă Ortodoxă (Lost Babies and Born Prematurely: An Orthodox Perspective). Matușkăi Euphemia lost her son Nectarie when he was 15 weeks gestation. She … Continue reading New Site about Miscarriage in Romanian
Role of Miscarriage and Stillbirth in Seminary Education
A friend told me that after her daughter was stillborn a year ago she had trouble finding a priest to offer a memorial service for her. She wasn't living in the wilds of Montana where there are very few Orthodox churches, she was living in New York in an area stuffed with priests. The priest … Continue reading Role of Miscarriage and Stillbirth in Seminary Education
Holy Innocents
Tomorrow, December 29th, is the day we remember the Holy Innocents, the first martyrs for Christ.Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”-Jeremiah 31:15And 1.2 million holy innocents are killed … Continue reading Holy Innocents
Orthodox Conferences on Conception, Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
I want to draw your attention (those who will be interested) to the OCAMPR [Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion] 2011 conference on "The Science and Theology of Conception" which will take place at Holy Cross seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts on November 4-5. The brochure is here. Of particular interest to me is the fact … Continue reading Orthodox Conferences on Conception, Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
Holy Martyrs Theodore and John
From the Prologue of Ochrid, July 12th:THE HOLY MARTYRS THEODORE AND JOHN (+983)Theodore and John were father and son, and by descent Varangians (Vikings) who were baptized and then settled in the pagan city of Kiev. The enraged pagans destroyed their home with them in it and, thus, both suffered for Christ. Their relics repose … Continue reading Holy Martyrs Theodore and John
Lost Innocents 