Announcing social groups? [Archive] - Monachos.net Discussion Community

Paul Cowan

04-04-2008, 05:04 AM

Just as you are now doing.

And for those interested, there are 3 social groups I would like to invite you all to participate in.

Orthodox Christians in and from Texas. (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=6)

and

Altar Servers (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=8)

and

Friends of Athonite Monasteries in North America (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=3)

I think the social groups are a unique feature to Monachos and with focused interest, perhaps we can stay on topic and/or find things a little easier when searching specific subjects?

Paul

Amy

04-04-2008, 05:38 AM

Oh. Well, in that case, if anyone is interested I've started a group for converts to Orthodoxy and would enjoy meeting others who have been on this path. :)

Please join us here: Converts to Orthodoxy (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=9)

Anthony

04-04-2008, 01:49 PM

I would also like to invite people to this social group for people interested in languages (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=5).

I think these social groups are an excellent idea, and would welcome some comments on the intended "division of labour" between them and the main fora.

Anthony

09-09-2008, 06:34 PM

I have started a social group for people living in Germany and central Europe (an area with a much sparser Orthodox population, it seems, than Texas ;)).

A few possible topics of interest:

- Places of interest / pilgrimage.
- Orthodox literature in German, and general awareness of Orthodoxy in the area.

I have noticed that there are some German members here who do not post much and apologize for their "poor" English (actually a lot better than my German). Subject to Monachos policies, I don't see why messages in German should not be equally welcome in this group.

Paul Cowan

10-09-2008, 06:46 AM

Hi Anthony,

Yes, we Texans are a very proud bunch. At least this Texan is. ::rolleyes: I too would like to see more activity in the social groups section of the website. I have to admit, I forget it is there most of the times and only go there sporadicaly to see if anyone has posted. Perhaps you restarting this thread will get more interest there.

I see nothing wrong with any foreign language not being acceptable with the social group set up for it; just not probable on the general message board. Here is the link (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php)for those that don't know where the social groups section is.

The BBQ lovin' Texan
Paul

Father David Moser

10-09-2008, 08:18 PM

I have noticed that there are some German members here who do not post much and apologize for their "poor" English (actually a lot better than my German). Subject to Monachos policies, I don't see why messages in German should not be equally welcome in this group.

While there is no stated policy regarding language in the discussion forum, may I share with you the comments of the website founder, Fr Dcn Matthew Steenberg: "Regarding language, we've not in past years felt a need to indicate specifically in the TOU any language requirements, as the lingua franca has from the beginning been English. This is certainly how I (personally) would wish to see the main forum continue, as it's part of who and what we are as a community of discussions." This does not mean that occasional posts in a language other than English would not be welcome - especially when such linguistic variety would prove to make an important point or draw out a nuance not otherwise noted in the conversation. However, the expectation is that the default and major language of posts in the forum would be in English.

This is a separate issue from the various social/special interest groups that might be formed. There is certainly nothing that would prohibit a bi-lingual or even monolingual non-English social group.

Fr David Moser

Anthony

11-09-2008, 03:49 PM

The BBQ lovin' Texan

They are pretty serious about "grilling" in this neck of the woods too. Anything to do with beer and sausages... ;) Though I still think the steaks are better in Scotland, and no doubt in Texas too.

Thank you, Father, for the clarification on language. I didn't envisage German being the general language of the group - just that people who are not confident in English might write in German and expect to be understood. I for one will be posting in English.

Paul Cowan

11-09-2008, 04:03 PM

They are pretty serious about "grilling" in this neck of the woods too. Anything to do with beer and sausages... ;) Though I still think the steaks are better in Scotland, and no doubt in Texas too.

.

You all might enjoy this Review of BBQ (http://saintjameskids.blogspot.com/2008/09/just-for-fun.html). It is from my associate priest's blogsite who got it from another priest's blogsite. Yes, we are all Texans, and well, Houstonians too. :p enjoy.

Paul

PS: Notice Texas is the only state that uses beef. interesting huh?

Anthony

11-09-2008, 04:37 PM

Those look good healthy portions too. About half a cow each, as far as I could see.

Was that melitzanosalata in the South Carolina bit?

Paul Cowan

11-09-2008, 10:35 PM

Those look good healthy portions too. About half a cow each, as far as I could see.

Was that melitzanosalata in the South Carolina bit?

Only the Texas piece has beef (cow). The other states use pork (pig) except one uses sheep.

I don't know that word. It has too many syllables to be a word used from the South. It looked like mush to me. probably cornbread mush.

Olga

12-09-2008, 01:04 AM

Paul, melitzanosalata is what the Greeks call baba ghanoush, a dip or spread made from roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. YUM! :)

Paul Cowan

12-09-2008, 01:20 AM

Oh, well; then yes, of course I have heard of it. And love eating it too. But not with BBQ unless it is left in its premashed state of grilling. You can grill most anything (cob corn, squash, tomatoes, cheese), but once you change its natural state, then it really shouldn't be eaten with BBQ. The only exception would be hot potato salad. (heavy on the mustard. not mayonaise). Mayonaise was a Yankee introduction to the South and it is just a sad state of affairs it has caught on as it has.

Mustard has always been preferred since it can be left out on a hot picnic day and not spoil. Mayonaise unless it is kept refreigerated will spoil within minutes in the hot Texas heat. Yankees would not know anything about HOT unless they spent a summer down here or have eaten a habenero (http://www.gardenguides.com/seedcatalog/vegetables/pepperhabenero.asp). And for any of you manly men wanting to prove you can handle being in the South by eating one of these pearls of sweat, if you put salt on the burning part of your mouth after you eat one (or try to) it will help take the sting out. Sometimes bread or a soda will also work.

Anyway, I suppose even in Greece there are local customs for what ya'll would call BBQ and the proper fixin's for it, but like I told Fr. Joseph on his blog, "If it ain't from Texas, it ain't BBQ".

Dang it, now I'm hungry. Hurricane or no hurricane, I'm grill'n this weekend. Who's with me boys? BYOB (bring your own beef)

Paul

Olga

12-09-2008, 01:44 AM

"If it ain't from Texas, it ain't BBQ"

Oooh, Paul, best you don't try that line on an Aussie! :D As for chilli, there's a concoction called Chilli Fire, made right here in South Australia, billed as "arguably Australia's HOTTEST condiment". I can assure you it's off the Richter scale.

Paul Cowan

12-09-2008, 02:16 AM

Oooh, Paul, best you don't try that line on an Aussie! :D As for chilli, there's a concoction called Chilli Fire, made right here in South Australia, billed as "arguably Australia's HOTTEST condiment". I can assure you it's off the Richter scale.

Dearest Olga (as I pat your dear sweet hand)

I checked out your Aussie condiment (http://www.matchettproductions.com/index.php?id=352)but have to say, I can one up it here (http://www.chez-williams.com/Hot%20Sauce/hothome.htm). I know you Aussie's are as proud as we Texans are but you really can't compare the two world's. BBQ gator or kangaroo is not the same as corn fed beef or sow. I sure wish we could have this discussion on the social group side of the house. (I had to find a way to make this relevent to the thread)

Actually to be on term, it is called a scofield unit of heat. To get an idea of the range of heat here, a jalapeno is about 2,500 scofields (relatively mild) while these sauces are as high as 13,000,000 scofields. These are NOT edible sauces without extreme dilution. Your Chilli Fire is only about 300,000 units hot. Respectible, don't get me wrong. We need o have a Monachos cook off and invite the moderators over to be judges.

The main rule of any BBQ cookoff here locally is the judge will not try any concotion without the cook first eating it. There have been cases of judges getting hurt from eating BBQ made too hot. And I would be glad to help sample ya'lls cooking.

Paul

Father David Moser

12-09-2008, 04:36 AM

We need o have a Monachos cook off and invite the moderators over to be judges.

I am IN!!!!!!!!!

Fr David Moser

Olga

12-09-2008, 07:33 AM

We need to have a Monachos cook off and invite the moderators over to be judges.

Well, that means the judges are Fr David and Fr Matthew. Fr Raphael could judge fish or seafood, if it's on the menu. But where should this cook-off take place? :p

BBQ gator or kangaroo is not the same as corn fed beef or sow.

My friend, gator is non-existent (and crocodile is hard to come by at the butcher's), and roo (strange as it may seem) is hardly staple fare here, though it's delicious, as long as it is not overcooked (very easy to do, as it's so lean).

The Great Aussie Barbie MUST, repeat, MUST, have lamb in some form, as well as beef. In recent years, the Australian livestock industry has run a hilarious and satirical series of ads exhorting the people of Australia to eat lamb on Australia Day (January 26) as a patriotic duty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Kekovich

Pork has always run a distant third behind lamb and beef here, especially for barbecuing. Most Aussies eat their pork as roasts, or in stir-frys and other Asian-style dishes which are increasingly popular.

Greek-Australians are unsurpassed at spit-roasted lamb, and if you want good BBQ pork, or pig on spit, you can't go wrong with a Slav or Italian doing the honours.

Actually to be on term, it is called a scofield unit of heat. To get an idea of the range of heat here, a jalapeno is about 2,500 scofields (relatively mild) while these sauces are as high as 13,000,000 scofields.

Interesting! Thanks for this.

Fr Raphael Vereshack

12-09-2008, 03:41 PM

Greek-Australians are unsurpassed at spit-roasted lamb, and if you want good BBQ pork, or pig on spit, you can't go wrong with a Slav or Italian doing the honours.

I don't know. Sounds a bit too basic for me. :)

Paul Cowan

12-09-2008, 08:13 PM

Well, that means the judges are Fr David and Fr Matthew. Fr Raphael could judge fish or seafood, if it's on the menu. But where should this cook-off take place?

Well, obviously as the tension mounts, we will need a neutral location. We'll have to put the word out to see which country can be most impartial. It's probably NOT this one (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?do=picture&groupid=6&pictureid=403). (Thanks to Fr. Dcn. for posting this) And yes, We will of course have a speciality cookoff arena to accomodate Fr. Raphael's carnivorous restrictions.

My friend, gator is non-existent

Oh contrar my dear. American alligator has made a comeback even to the point of gator farms (http://www.cclockwood.com/stockimages/alligatorfarmsandproducts.htm). As exotic meat goes, this is some of the less expensive (http://www.cajungrocer.com/fresh-foods-alligator-c-1_15_16.html?source=google&gclid=CP7NzYPp1pUCFQK_Ggod21ZUYQ)to buy.

Pork has always run a distant third behind lamb and beef here, especially for barbecuing. Most Aussies eat their pork as roasts, or in stir-frys and other Asian-style dishes which are increasingly popular.

Greek-Australians are unsurpassed at spit-roasted lamb, and if you want good BBQ pork, or pig on spit, you can't go wrong with a Slav or Italian doing the honours.

There are always regional speciality differences (http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/imu.html). I just can't see a spit doing justice to a fine piece of meat that needs to be over a slow bed of mesquite coals.

I posted a BBQ rub on the "Orthodox in and from Texas (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=6)" Social Group if anyone is interested.

So, whose country is going to host our cookoff?

Effie Ganatsios

12-09-2008, 09:37 PM

Oooh, Paul, best you don't try that line on an Aussie! :D As for chilli, there's a concoction called Chilli Fire, made right here in South Australia, billed as "arguably Australia's HOTTEST condiment". I can assure you it's off the Richter scale.

I was about to say something about the Aussie barbie but you beat me to it Olga.

We even have a song titled : Toss another shrimp on the barbie

And what about that great TV series Surfing the menu with
Curtis Stone. One of the best.........

B.B.Q King Prawns with Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and Fresh Parsley by Curtis Stone

Ingredients:
20 king prawns, cut in half lengthways with shell on
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 lemons, zest & juice
2 tbsp flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
2 small chillies, finely chopped

Method:
Preheat BBQ or grill pan to high

Drizzle prawns with olive oil and place flesh side down onto BBQ or grill for 30 seconds

Turn the prawns, add chilli, lemon zest and parsley, and squeeze over lemon juice

Once prawns are cooked, remove from heat, drizzle the excess sauce over them and serve.

Olga

12-09-2008, 11:30 PM

My friend, gator is non-existent

Oh contrar my dear. American alligator has made a comeback even to the point of gator farms (http://www.cclockwood.com/stockimages/alligatorfarmsandproducts.htm). As exotic meat goes, this is some of the less expensive (http://www.cajungrocer.com/fresh-foods-alligator-c-1_15_16.html?source=google&gclid=CP7NzYPp1pUCFQK_Ggod21ZUYQ)to buy.

Allow me to clarify, my friend: Gator meat is practically non-existent here in Australia, and, despite the profile of the late Steve Irwin and his TV shows in your country, crocodile isn't exactly staple fare here either. :) Croc farms in Australia's Top End are more concerned with producing their skins, rather than their meat.

You may also be interested to know, Paul, that Adelaide, the capital of South Australia has a sister-city relationship with Austin, TX. So, given this long-standing cultural link, I nominate Adelaide as the venue for the cook-off. And SA is a much bigger state than Texas: SA, 379,725 squ mi, Texas, 268,820 sq mi. :p

M.C. Steenberg

12-09-2008, 11:48 PM

Well, that means the judges are Fr David and Fr Matthew. Fr Raphael could judge fish or seafood, if it's on the menu. But where should this cook-off take place? :p

Being a non-meat-eater myself, I'll join Father Raphael over the grilled squid and vegetable bake. This will leave all the steaks for Father David, to which I don't think he will protest. ;)

Olga

13-09-2008, 12:01 AM

This will leave all the steaks for Father David, to which I don't think he will protest. ;)

Ohhhhh...... how very sad... Poor, poor Fr David. :D:D

Paul Cowan

13-09-2008, 12:24 AM

Being a non-meat-eater myself, I'll join Father Raphael over the grilled squid and vegetable bake. This will leave all the steaks for Father David, to which I don't think he will protest. ;)

Fr. Dcn.

You give yourself away as a true vegetarian. BBQ is NOT steak. You grill steak. You don't BBQ it. Ugh! So much education left even for you. ;) You BBQ brisket, chicken, pork and yes vegetables. Now Olga and I will have to develop a nonmeat category to this whole thing. I am sure we can come up with a menu to saitisfy even the finickiest vegetarians.

Olga,

If I have to fly my steer somewhere, so do you. I did a search on Google Earth and it looks like the closest middle ground for us is here. However, ifyou insist, I will start saving my money for the trip.

Kisangani, formerly Stanleyville or Stanleystad, (population 500,000) is a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. It is the provincial capital of Tshopo Province. Kisangani is located where the Lualaba River becomes the Congo River north of the Boyoma Falls. Kisangani is known as "Kisangani Boyoma", and the demonym for Kisangani is Boyoman (or Boyomais in French). It is the farthest navigable point upstream from the capital city Kinshasa.

It is right on the Congo and as you can see very navigatible; so we should not have any trouble finding any kind of fresh nonbackbone supported creatures for two of our mods. And since the Congo is so "diverse" in its animal species, we should both be able to find suitable alternatives in case any of our Monachos guests want to experiment with something other than the traditional BBQ fair. Which I am not recommending. I've seen pictures of what the Congo can produce in the way of wildlife.

Now, I will concede that SA is bigger in land mass than Texas, however does SA have in a single day snow in one end and a heat wave on the other? It is a long standing saying here, "if you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait 10 minutes."

ok, I think I am stretching the limits of this dialogue. Back to the real world now.

Paul

M.C. Steenberg

13-09-2008, 12:46 AM

Paul Cowan

13-09-2008, 02:30 AM

On a connected note, I've thought for some years that we ought to have a Monachos.net social event at some stage, getting together for worship and some big social activity. However, regular members are so spread out, it's never presented itself as a practical possibility.

Well, we are very technologically capable. As many as are in a locale could get together via webcams and the like, each local group could include the other locales on a projected big screen. Each group would have a facilitator who could assist to link all the groups together much like the media has split screens to show multiple participants. We could have a worship service, say from Idaho hosted by Fr. David or from Canada from Fr. Raphael with Fr. Dcn. intoning where applicable while the rest of us watch and participate. When services are concluded each group would have a perpetually panning camera of their locale so each locale can "feel" connected to the others all up on the screen all at once.

Perhaps some of our more techy savvy members could assist with the video feeds? Maybe some of our more regionally remote members could participate via a small camera feed and be looped into the bigger picture? Where there is a will, there is a way.

Fr Raphael Vereshack

13-09-2008, 02:03 PM

Since Winnipeg is the center of Canada, if not of the earth, then you are all invited here.

In Christ-Fr Raphael

Olga

13-09-2008, 05:31 PM

Now, I will concede that SA is bigger in land mass than Texas, however does SA have in a single day snow in one end and a heat wave on the other? It is a long standing saying here, "if you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait 10 minutes."

Only rarely, and SA is far too dry and flat for regular snow. It's known as "the driest state in the driest continent on earth". The "four seasons in one day" phenomenon happens very frequently in the capitals of the neighbouring states of Victoria (Melbourne) and New South Wales (Sydney). Though snow itself would be rare in these cities, these states do have snow country further inland.

SA temperatures are quite broad across the seasons (winter overnight lows hovering around 0-8C, summer daytime highs regularly exceed 38C, and can go as high as 42-44C.

As for a seafood and vegetable menu, I'm your girl! :) And my hubby and I are keen fishermen.

Paul Cowan

16-09-2008, 05:06 AM

Since Winnipeg is the center of Canada, if not of the earth, then you are all invited here.

In Christ-Fr Raphael

Very well. Winnipeg it is. Olga brings the seafood, I'll bring the beef, the Fathers bring the veggies and the blessings, and everyone else brings a cultural side dish.

Fr. Dcn,

How many did you say were registered members of the forum? I fear without that IT setup, Fr. Raphael's parish may not be quite large enough for us all.

We got the who, what, where; Now we need the when

Fr Raphael Vereshack

16-09-2008, 03:31 PM

Paul Cowan wrote:

How many did you say were registered members of the forum? I fear without that IT setup, Fr. Raphael's parish may not be quite large enough for us all.

There's plenty of room here with an overflow section out on the open prairie. As long as you don't mind some disturbance from time to time from the buffalo & other assorted creatures. :)

Anthony

16-09-2008, 04:20 PM

I am not much use grilling crocodiles or buffalo or even cows, but will bring some curry spices, and a selection of good whisky. Not forgetting some Talisker for Andreas Moran (though not only for him, I suspect).

Getting back for a moment to German Orthodoxy, I am translating a list of pre-schism German saints as used in the Russian church here, and would like to check the translation of some ecclesiastical terms. I would be grateful if one of our Russian-speaking clergy or other knowledgeable people could help me out. I am talking about three or four words.

Fabio Lins

26-09-2008, 06:58 AM

I am sorry to interrupt the barbecue planning :) but I would like to announce a group I have just created:

Ortodoxia (http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=14)
http://www.monachos.net/forum/group.php?groupid=14

A group for all Orthodox members from or in Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries.

The language of the group, though, is *English* in respect for this being an international forum.
Portuguese and Spanish only if you really do not know English.

Cristo ressuscitou! Verdadeiramente ressuscitou!

¡Cristo ha resucitado! ¡En verdad ha resucitado!

I don't know if there are many other members from Latin-America, Spain, Portugal or any of the African and Asian Portuguese speaking countries for that matter, but, well, at least the call is here. : Let's spread the word, so we can share our experiences. :)

Paul Cowan

26-09-2008, 07:24 AM

I like your icons Fabio.

Fabio Lins

26-09-2008, 11:37 PM

Hi Paul!

The icons before the "Brazilian Cross" are of Orthodox saints that happen to be venerated in Brazil in Roman circles. They are just a couple of the saints from a book on the saints that are most venerated here.

The icons after the Cross were hand-made by the Zadorosny sisters, friends of mine and probably the best iconographers in Brazil.

Whilst most iconographers in Brazil are just Catholics "rescuing" their "old catholic tradition" (the catholic church tries to hide the fact it gave its back to icons and now claim them as their own), the Zadorosny sisters are cradle Orthodox from the Ukrainian Church in Brazil.

They have their own blog where people can order icons: http://ffzadorosny-iconografia.blogspot.com/

:)

In Christ,
Fabio L. Leite

Anthony

28-09-2008, 04:07 PM

An interesting article on Brazil, if I may say so. Obrigado! :)

Incidentally, it seems that images posted to a social group cannot be seen without becoming a member of the group. Is this a deliberate decision, or something that could be altered?

Anthony

27-01-2009, 12:00 PM

I have created a group for people travelling to Russia and the Former Soviet Union, to exchange ideas, advice, information etc. All are welcome.

Vasiliki D.

27-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Hello, I have also created a group called Örthodox Sexuality". Yes, the heading is controversial so that it entices younger people to come in and encourage them to open up about their struggles about marriage and love. In the hope that the guidance and the discussion will be anything but cheap and tacky and rather Orthodox in its base but with a flexibility and compassion that embraces the challenges of modern society.

All are welcome.