The Original Church
Spirituality/Belief
The Original Church, with Dr. James L. Papandrea, is an ecumenical Christian community exploring our common roots in the early Church for the purposes of spiritual growth and practicing the Christian faith. No politics, debates, or proselytizing, just "faith seeking understanding" from the perspective of the early (and medieval) Church and the Church fathers. Jim Papandrea is an author and Professor of Church History and Historical Theology.
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ROME 2024 Update

Currently I'm having a bit of a problem with the hotel - specifically that the hotel I had planned to use (and which I used last year and they said they wanted us back) has declined to guarantee rooms, because apparently there is some big tennis tournament in Rome at that time. So I'm working on securing a different hotel, but all the prices are going up like crazy. Everyone is trying to make up for covid losses, but also any remaining rooms are the really expensive suites because (I assume) travel companies are buying up blocks of the cheaper rooms to re-sell. All that is to say, I will re-post my announcement here, but just know that I will not begin accepting deposits until we have a hotel confirmed.

Rome Pilgrimage 2024

Put yourself into the ancient Church and celebrate our common tradition! Immerse yourself in something greater than yourself and experience being a part of the universal Body of Christ, “on the ground” (and under the ground) in Rome! Visit the tombs of Peter and Paul, and stand on holy ground where Christians have prayed and worshiped since the first century.

If you are interested in joining me for my next pilgrimage to Rome, Italy, it is tentatively scheduled for May 18 - 29, 2024.

Please note that this is a walking tour, so participants must be able to walk several miles a day, often over uneven ground, cobblestones and stairs. The pilgrimage is an ecumenical experience - anyone who is Christian and 21 years or older is welcome to join us. Deposits will be due by December 1. More information, including costs, etc. will be coming by email. For questions, and to get on the “interested” email list (no obligation), email me at: [email protected] [jim(at)papandrea(dot)net].

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Sneak Peek into my NEW OFFICE!

I'm back, up and running, and ready to go - I should have a new JOURNEY episode within the next week or so - and because you are my loyal peeps, here is an exclusive, just-for-you, behind the scenes SNEAK PEEK into my new office:

00:02:17
In case you missed it, here's my Gospel Reflection

This was for March 24th, recorded for the Ascension App

00:02:57
The Journey is BACK!

Thanks for your patience - here is our next installment of The Journey - it's session # 96, but I'm also calling it PART 1 of a "miniseries" on John chapter 6.

Whoever watches it first, please let me know if it looks good or if there are any problems with it - I get through the first two sections of the text on the feeding of the 5,000.

Enjoy!

00:36:42
Here's another song... Come Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain

I mentioned in The Journey that I wrote a song based on Isaiah 2, which is one of my favorite OT passages:

In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain, and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it. Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

I hope you like the song!

Here's another song... Come Let Us Climb the Lord's Mountain
THE JOURNEY 101

This is Part 6 of our mini-series on John Chapter 6

Here's the latest from The Way of the Fathers

The second episode on St. Hildegard of Bingen

Here is Episode 100 !! of The Journey

Something to celebrate! 100 Episodes! Here it is, Episode 100 (which is part 5 of the series on John, Chapter 6) - post comments and questions!

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