The Long Road Home: My Journey to Orthodoxy

I have always been a seeker. Even as a child, I was fascinated by questions that many people would dismiss. Before the internet was everywhere, I remember reading newspaper articles about big cat sightings in Cheshire and North Wales. I was fascinated by stories of the unknown, by mysteries, by the question of what wasContinue reading “The Long Road Home: My Journey to Orthodoxy”

Matter Doesn’t Matter

Matter doesn’t matter,Though kingdoms rise and fall.Gold will lose its glitter,Proud towers will fall small. Dust returns to dust,As every grave has shown.But Christ has conquered death,And calls His children home. So let my heart seek treasureNo thief or moth can claim.Matter doesn’t matter,Only the love of Christ remains.

Our Union Jack

Three crosses woven, bold and bright,St George in red, St Andrew white, St Patrick’s saltire laid between,Upon the flag where kings have been. A banner born of storm and sea,Of island hearts and history, Three patron saints in cloth entwined,Three ancient peoples, fate combined. It flew through cannon smoke and rain,Through years of glory, loss,Continue reading “Our Union Jack”

Icon she gave me

She placed before me, still and small,The icon in silence, head did fall.Yet in my sorrow eyes were bright,A love that turns the dark to light. The Holy Mother stands in grief,Yet holds the faith beyond belief.Her gaze fixed where the suffering lies,Mercy from the crucified. In this icon, still and true,I see what loveContinue reading “Icon she gave me”

Easter Saturday

The eve of Lenten’s weary old mileof prayerful days and the fasting trialA candle waits in flickering flameIn our victory we call His name.My sons laugh – sweet eggs in sightWe break and share – just one tonightMy wife prepares – the lamb is tenderI tell the boys of deaths surrenderThe table full – theContinue reading “Easter Saturday”

Lord Have Mercy

I have stood in pain and called it lifeAs I grew – a pint in hand masked the strifeBut in the quiet – now the cheers are goneI hear the spirit – I thought I’d outrunNot from the steel I kept close by my sideNot in the noise nor the things that I hideBut inContinue reading “Lord Have Mercy”

Prayer Rope

I sit scared with brass knuckles an knife.Yet useless they lie – dark spirits seek life.I rise for battle – grab my prayer rope.I call on Christ – the source of all hope.Through spirit and chants – have mercy on me.Each knot a firm strike – no steel can be.In the quiet of battle myContinue reading “Prayer Rope”