God does not call all of us to leave our homes and families and live in a monastery on Mount Athos. But, he does call us to lead lives devoted to love, compassion, and prayer. This blog is an expression of my pursuit of faith.

Simon of Cyrene
Simon of Cyrene was compelled by the Roman guards to carry the cross for Jesus Christ in the synoptic Gospels. In Mark’s account, he was the father of Alexander and Rufus whom was to be greeted as a leader of the early church in Paul’s letter to the Romans. I believe Simon and his sons were black since Cyrene is in Africa and Simon must have stood out from the crowd of other Jews that were there to see Jesus on his way to Calvary. This view is supported further by the presence of dark-skinned Africans in the Greco-Roman world and that another Biblical character and church leader, Simeon (called Niger) was certainly black.
Simon must have indeed been spiritually compelled by our Lord and the Gospel as his own sons were active in a cosmopolitan and universal faith. Likewise, we must sense a compulsion to serve Jesus Christ and share our faith with one another beyond the narrow confines of race, class, sex, and nationality. Have a regular, daily discipline of worship through out the day every day. Practice the faith with those outside of your usual religious circles. Live in honesty, modesty, and simplicity.
I enjoyed reading this website.
Archbishop James Salisbury OSB
St. Simon the Cyrenian African Orthodox Church
Maryland, USA
Thank you sir. May the Lord bless you in all things.
This was wonderful.
Fr. Sean Melvin Britt, OSB
Mission of St. Lazarus(African Orthodox)
Newnan, GA
Thank you such clear insightful thought
Thank God for his mercy and you for your kind words.
This is a fantastic blog and has been an inspiration to my step son who has converted from Islam to Christianity. He is from Guinea West Africa. I encourage you to keep writing. Arthur Firkins PhD Sydney Australia
Glory to God! I haven’t been posting as often because I am working on exam essays. My best to your step son and to you, kind sir.