The Trinitarian
Stories and Reflections from Our Orthodox Journey
Incarnational Trinitarianism - Living Our Faith
In Community, In the Flesh
Into Eternity
Christopher Muhlenfeld, Editor
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John of Damascus. Icon from Damascus (Syria), 19th century, attributed to Iconographer Ne'meh Naser Homsi. |
A Warm Welcome to The Trinitarian
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new online parish journal, The Trinitarian, dedicated to exploring the life, history, and teachings of our parish and faith. We will be publishing a variety of articles that reflect the depth and richness of Orthodoxy and our beloved church community.
For over 125 years, Holy Trinity has been a cornerstone of the Orthodox Christian faith in Butte—and for much of that time, the only Orthodox parish in Montana. Our church has stood steadfast through Butte’s booms and busts, welcoming generations of Serbian Americans and individuals from diverse backgrounds into the timeless truth of Orthodoxy.
We will feature introductory articles for those new to Orthodoxy, shedding light on the rituals and traditions that shape our worship and daily lives. Additionally, we will delve into the fascinating history of our church, uncovering stories from its past through archival research and cherished memories from our congregation.
The Trinitarian is not only a place for sharing the teachings and history of our parish, but also an opportunity to engage with the wider community. We welcome your input on topics you would like to see explored in our journal. If you have a story, reflection, or insight that could contribute to our shared journey, we warmly encourage you to reach out to us. Together, we can make this journal a vibrant reflection of our faith and community.
May God bless and protect you until we meet again. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to embarking on this journey with you!
In Christ,
Christopher Muhlenfeld
Editor, The Trinitarian
The Journal
The sacred season of Great Lent is upon us—a time of repentance, renewal, and return to God. For Orthodox Christians, this is not merely a period of abstaining from certain foods but a holistic fast encompassing body, mind, and soul. Father Russell reminds us that we should be fasting from anything that holds dominion over us—the key to drawing closer to Christ during Lent. In our modern, AI-fueled world, a new and more pernicious gateway to the passions has emerged, capturing humanity in a near-universal addiction: the smartphone...
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In the late 1800s, Butte, Montana was a city of soaring legends: unlimited opportunity, dazzling wealth, wondrous engineering, and the latest technological marvels. An economy of rugged luxury and permissive hedonism formed in the town like an exuberant fungus, much of it literally taking place underground. It might well have been called the sin city of its day and was the quintessential boomtown. Between 1870 and 1880, the population increased by 1,300%. For the next two decades, the population would triple every year. At one time, it was the largest city west of the Mississippi River between Chicago and San Francisco.