Orthodox Christians Will Explore the Apocalypse

Theologians will discuss the apocalypse from the perspective of Orthodox Christianity in a lecture series that begins Thursday in Irvine.

Sponsored by St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, the fourth annual “Spiritual Odyssey” lecture series is open to the public at no charge.

With the start of a new millennium, “TV preachers, movies and other media are both sensationalizing and trivializing the message of the Book of Revelation,” said Father Steven Tsichlis, pastor of St. Paul’s. “We need a sound, clear understanding of the message Revelation presents us today.”

Lectures will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 10 a.m. Saturday. Speakers include Father Theodore Stylianopoulos of Holy Cross Orthodox Seminary of Massachusetts and Father Thomas Hopko of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in New York.

The church is at 4949 Alton Parkway. Information: (949) 733-2366 or https://www.stpaulsirvine.org.

Events

* Temple Bat Yahm Sisterhood will honor past presidents, founding members and women of the year at its 25th anniversary party at 7:30 tonight. The theme will be “Saturday Night Fever.” The temple is at 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach. (949) 644-1999.

* St. Irenaeus Church will host a continental breakfast celebrating couples from 9 to 11 a.m. this morning. Cost is $15 per couple. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 821-5531.

* Covenant Community Church will have its “What’s Your Game Plan?” themed chili cook-off and Super Bowl extravaganza at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 221 N. Waverly St., Orange. (714) 997-2811.

* St. John’s Lutheran Church will present the Azusa Pacific University Choir and Orchestra in concert at 7 tonight. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 154 S. Shaffer St., Orange. (714) 288-4400.

* Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach will hold a town meeting, “Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative,” with the Rev. Chris Schriner and the Social Action Committee at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. A children’s program will be conducted in a separate classroom. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

* Guest speaker David Elkins, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, will discuss the poetry of Rumi at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. An early-bird discussion will be offered at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, No. 7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

* Joan Kulik, director of the Institute for Pastoral Ministry of Orange County, will be the lecturer at the general meeting of the Council of Women, Parish of St. Catherine of Sienna, at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Laguna Beach United Methodist Church. Kulik’s topic will be “The Lay Ministry in the 21st Century.” The church is at 21632 S. Wesley Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 499-3088.

* A “Your Bible” study will be offered at 9 a.m. Sundays through March 12 at the Presbyterian Church of the Master. Questions examined include “How did the Bible come to be?” and “What is the place of the Bible in our lives?” The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. (949) 582-2670.

* The Rev. Margaret Mohit will continue her “Creating the Kingdom” series with the message “Miracle Minded” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Unity Community Church. Sunday school and nursery care will be provided. The church is at 22911 Mill Creek Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 472-9230.

* Beth Johnson, church member and ministerial student at Claremont School of Theology, will deliver the message “Living With Hope” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Children’s classes and nursery care will be available. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

* The Rev. Alan Landes will deliver the message “Off We Go!” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. The sermon will conclude Missions Month. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

* The Crystal Cathedral will welcome special guest pastors Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin Jr. and the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday. There will also be musical performances by Jim Nabors and the Azusa Pacific Belcanto Ladies Choir. The church is at 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove. (714) 971-4000.

* St. Mark Presbyterian Church will offer its abuse support group for women, “Love Without Honor,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday. The meeting is faith-based and is designed to help women face spiritual and emotional needs. The church is at 2100 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-1341.