Who we are
C. S. Peter Lee, the author and manager of this website, converted to Orthodoxy in 2015 from Korean-American Presbyterian Church USA, born in a pastor’s family in 1959 in S. Korea, graduated from Wheaton College, IL, with a philosophy major, obtained a MA in religion from Westminster Theological Seminary, PA, a MA in philosophy from Villanova University, and continued studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and subsequently patristic theology at Antiochian House of Studies. He resides in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two daughters.
It was the beauty and majesty of the Divine Liturgy that attracted and converted him to Orthodoxy at the Descent of the Holy Spirit Romanian Orthodox Church, Elkins Park, PA, where he was baptized and served as a cantor and reader.
Contact us
Interested in sharing your thoughts on liturgy and Orthodoxy, or have any suggestions or corrections for this website? Please feel free to let me know.
- Peter
The website logo features a gold-plated pendent I bought in Mexico while vacationing. Now—decays later—thanks to AI, I learned that it is the Cross of St Benedict (d. 573), who is known as the father of Western monasticism from Italy. The logo image is the backside of St Benedict Medal.
On its front it has an image of the Saint standing with a cross on his right hand and a broken cup on his left to signify “the rebellious monks who attempted to poison the Saint.” On the lower left it has the cup, out of which a snake seems to crawl, while on the lower right a raven with a poisoned loaf of bread, “another failed attempt on the saint’s life.”
[An exciting life in the monastery….]
In the second decade of the 11-century a man named Brunone in Alsace was miraculously healed after being presented with the medal. He became a Benedictine monk and later Pope Leo IX. In 1742, Pope Benedict XIV approved the Modal “and granted indulgences to whose who carried it with faith.”
[They still have indulgences…?]
Source: EWTN, a global Catholic media network.
The backside of St Benedict Medal has the following prayer in acronym:
C.S.P.B. (Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti), “Cross of the Holy Father Benedict.”
C.S.S.M.L. (Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux), “May the Holy Cross be my light.”
N.D.S.M.D. (Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux), “May the devil not be my guide.”
V.R.S. (Vade Retro Satana), “Begone, Satan.”
N.S.M.V. (Non Suade Mihi Vana), “Do not suggest to me vain things.”
S.M.Q.L. (Sunt Mala Quae Libas), “What you offer is evil.”
I.V.B. (Ipse Venena Bibas), “Drink your own poison.”
The prayer concludes with “PAX” (Peace).
Together, the prayer says:
“May the Holy Cross be my light, and may the devil not be my guide. Begone, Satan. Do not suggest to me vain things. What you offer is evil. Drink your own poison. Peace.”
[I like the Hegelian ending.]
Source: EWTN