Years ago, the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South held their diocesan convention in Columbia, South Carolina. I, a newly ordained Orthodox priest, drove down to attend.
Columbia, South Carolina, is one of the hottest places on the planet (at least I thought so before moving to Houston), and I did not pack any shoes. (I think I was a wingtip man at that time.)
Instead, it was just me, my cassock, and some Nike sandals … black with a bright blue trademark Swoosh over the foot flap.
Archbishop DIMITRI, I could tell, was absolutely smitten with my footwear!
I bumped into him in the hallway before the Divine Liturgy began, received his blessing, and eagerly jumped into chatting him up for a while. Would you believe His Eminence could not stop staring at my feet!
Oh! And if that was not uncomfortable enough, he said, “This little piggy went to market … This little piggy stayed home …”
Ha!
Not really …
If I remember correctly, in his best Texas drawl, His Eminence said …
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