𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻!
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This year on Holy Saturday, April 11th 2026, my wife and I were received, through Holy Baptism, into the Eastern Orthodox Church!
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The Orthodox Church isn’t simply another denomination of Christianity. Rather, it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and
died for the Faith of the Apostles since Christ established His Church 2000 years ago. It is unchanged, original, and authentic.
This is the unchanged Faith. The Faith that converted Greece and Rome; Africa and Russia; Ireland and Scotland. The Faith that proclaims the same Good News today, just as it did then.
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It is a great gift to be united to the body of Christ. Now, God willing, we can start the real journey.
At Baptism, Orthodox Christians choose a Saint as their patron - often with whom they feel a personal connection, or perhaps one whose name they already share. It’s not uncommon for the Christian to go by that name in daily life.
Erin chose Saint Demetrios (or Demetra in the feminine) - a protector and namesake of her Greek family for generations.
I chose Saint Columba (or Collumcille in his native Irish) - the 6th century Saint who brought Christianity to Scotland and established the monastery of Iona
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We feel so blessed by our home parish and community at @stmatthew_torrance , and especially by our very beloved Priest, Fr. John Mahfouz, who’s guidance and wisdom has truly been inspirational for both of us
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𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱! 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲!
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#orthodoxy #christian #baptism #easternorthodox
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀!
My lovely wife has somehow put up with me for three years!
Being married to you has been the best time of my life, and I can’t wait to many more adventures to come! God really blessed me when I met you, and even more so when you said “I do,” and it’s crazy to think that was already three years ago!
Love you Erin! Here’s to many more ❤️
-Wedding and Engagement pics by @mirandatatephotography@erintheodorakis #onceinamillinder
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Sometimes the movies gotta be dark.
I gotta say though, pulling in 4k with @smallhd cine13 and @teradek bolt 6 xt has really made it a good time
pc: @donqhannahphotography
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#1stac #focuspuller #cinematography #camerateam #local600 cameraassistant wcu4 smallhd teradek @arri@blackdiamond@therobocup
𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵
Recently was fortunate enough to visit Portsmouth, England
Portsmouth has long been a major bucket list site for me, specifically the historic Naval dockyard. The entire area is one big museum, with famous ships such as the HMS Warrior - the largest war ship ever built up to that point, the salvaged remains of the Mary Rose - Henry VIII’s prize ship, and, the star attraction, HMS Victory - Admiral Lord Nelson’s famous flag ship during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
I’ve long been interested in the age of sail, notably my obsession with pirates when I was a kid. And to that tune I was even able to see one of two confirmed (and remaining) pirate flags in the world on display here!
I even managed to stay in the lodgings of a historic pub, the Lady Hamilton, which I can’t recommend enough! I had a grand view of the HMS Warrior right outside my window. Later in the evening I got to meet up with my cousins who took me around town and made sure I made the most of my short, yet very fulfilling, day in town.
One could go on for hours talking about the significance of each and all of the massively historical spots and ships within Portsmouth’s dockyard. It really is worth the trip and ticket for anyone considering going or who’s interested in that period of history.
Today marks the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar - the key battle that made HMS Victory famous (along with her already famous Admiral Lord Nelson) and stopped Napoleon’s planned invasion of the UK. One of those battles that truly shaped history!
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
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#portsmouth #england #trafalgar #hmsvictory #hmswarrior #maryrose #nelson #masterandcommander #uk #history #travel
Full Canvas
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Some pics and videos from the Dana Point Maritime Festival
@tallshipschool #DanaPoint #danapointharbor #maritime #danapointmaritimefestival #tallship #sailing #historic #pirate #masterandcommander
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝟵𝟬 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆
I was able to attend @thequeenmary 90th birthday a few months ago. I’m just getting around to posting the pics, but we had a great time celebrating the occasion!
The Queen Mary launched on September 26, 1934 in Clydebank, Scotland. Shes served as a luxury ocean liner, a troop carrier in WWII, a hotel, and even brought my grandmother to America.
Cheers to the Queen! To many more years afloat.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁
The other day, while in Richmond, Virginia, some friends and I visited the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar Ironworks.
While there, after we toured the stunning museum, we got the rare opportunity to go “back stage” into the vault with the museums curator to view, up-close, the frock coats worn by Captain Charles S. Fleming, and his brother Lieutenant Francis P. Fleming, as well as some Florida buttons worn by troops in the war.
Charles Seton Fleming died at the battle of Cold Harbor, bravely leading his troops on a charge to e morning of June 3, 1864. He was 25 years old.
Francis would survive the war and go on to become the governor of Florida. After the war, he would diligently work to find where his brother was buried - on the field that where he died - and would exhume him in order to rebury him properly in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Va
It was an unbelievable experience viewing these times, and even being in the Tredegar vaults was breathtaking. Filled floor to ceiling with priceless relics, it was truly an honor. We can’t thank the museum enough for this opportunity.
@acwmuseum
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@independent_western_rifles@dylan_obney42@chris_beresovoy@gimcrackandbunkum@sabresine #tredegar #civilwar #history #ushistory #civilwarhistory #america #americanhistory #museum
𝗧𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆!
April 6 is #tartanday ! A celebration of #tartan and #scottish culture/heritage, along with the many cultural contributions of Scottish figures throughout history!
I couldn’t let the day go by without sharing (or rather resharing) some of my favorite pics from our wedding, which I was very grateful to have featured many different tartans. My brother and I wore the Baird tartan, our grandmothers maiden colors.
If you’re interested in tartan history, read on
While tartan has been around for centuries - the oldest known tartan, the Glen Affric, being dated to the mid 1500s - Clan/family tartans as we know them today is very much a modern invention. The word “tartan” refers to a patterned cloth with horizontal & vertical bands in multiple colors. It’s most commonly affiliated with the kilt, which up until 1746 was a large pleated garment worn daily in the highlands. While not specific to family or clan, traditionally tartan was woven primarily with locally available dyes and colors. Thus, in the high point of clan culture & tartan wearing, one could loosely deduce where someone was from/what clan they might be affiliated with, although neither seems to be a common practice or exact science.
After the Jacobite uprising of 1745/6, the kilt was banned in the highlands, almost leading to its extinction. An exception was made, however, for members of the British Military, who would wear specific colors based on regiment.
In 1781 the ban was lifted, and a romanticized craze of “Scottishness” swept the UK, a euphoria greatly enhanced by Sir Walter Scott and his writings. In 1822, Scott organized the first registry of “clan tartans” for King George IV’s visit to Edinburgh. Highland Chiefs and lowland families alike essentially “chose” their tartan, and their “clan” all wore a uniformed militaristic outfit for the event. Furthermore, the kilt they wore was not the large sheet held up by a belt as was the case before, but a sewn pleated, pressed garment. This is the style of kilt we know today!
I can talk about this for ages, if you’re interested lets talk all things tartan!
Happy Tartan Day!
PC: @mirandatatephotography
