A reader recently commented on the amazing balance between joy, hope and sadness in the Orthodox funeral service. It’s true. Like most of our services, it pulls no punches. The hymns and prayers cut right to the core of the meaning of life, death and the coming judgement. They are a stark reminder that we …

Many thanks to Dr. Adam A.J. DeVille, Ph.D. (Th.), Assistant Professor of Theology at University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, IN for his interest in “A Christian Ending.” You can read the interview at his blog site, Eastern Christian Books. (link)

A reader has asked for information about cremation. Question: I’ve not always found the arguments against cremation very strong, but your book has helped me to see anew the wisdom of Orthodoxy on this position. Please explain the Orthodox position on cremation and its theological rationale. Deacon Mark: I would never presume to speak for The Orthodox Church. …

Another question from a reader: Q) North Americans seem to be deeply conflicted about death or even in denial about it. What factors help to explain our culture’s denial and conflicts over death? Deacon Mark: I am not a sociologist. I’m just a guy who didn’t want to be embalmed. I agree that it is clear …

Here is another question we get quite a bit. What led you to write this book in particular? Over the years my discomfort with the American funeral industry led me to explore burial in an Orthodox Christian context. Clearly, it is an important part of life and we want to do it right. To my …

Here’s another question from a reader Q) How has your Orthodox faith had an impact on your own work with the dying and the dead? A) I don’t think we would be doing this if it were not for our faith. This is not something Elizabeth and I would have chosen to do. I was …

“Thank you very much” to everyone who has made donations to support “A Christian Ending”. Most recently your donations provided copies of the book for all the seminarians at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Thank you

Below is an interview recently conducted and published on the Orthodox Church in America website OCA News. February 01, 2012 Deacon Mark and Elizabeth Barna write about A Christian Ending in their book and website CHARLESTON, SC [OCA] Mark and Elizabeth Barna live in Charleston, South Carolina, where Mark serves as an ordained Deacon at …

We were recently honored to be interviewed by Frederica Mathewes-Green for her podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, “Frederica, Here and Now”. You can hear it at the link below. http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/frederica/a_christian_ending

We recently received an email from a reader asking how to start a group or fellowship dedicated to the care of deceased members of her church. I reprint it below. Dear (Friend), Personally, I believe we are all obsessed with death. Most people are simply obsessed with denying its reality. As Orthodox Christians we are …