Anodos Events
Hands-on experiences where we step out of passive belief and embody the Christian journey together. Through action, symbol, and community, we climb upward—body, soul, and spirit—toward God.
Theophany Polar Plunge
On Theophany, we remember Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, where the heavens opened, and the waters were sanctified. As it is written:
“Then Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him” (Matthew 3:16, NKJV).
By plunging into the cold waters, we are not merely reenacting an event—we are participating in the mystery of death to the old self and rising anew. The icy shock becomes a living symbol of repentance, courage, and spiritual awakening.
As the frigid waters surround us, we remember that the Christian life begins with a plunge—an act of courage that breaks through cowardice and complacency, marking the start of our ascent toward God.
Great Pentecost Bonfire
At Pentecost, we gather around a roaring bonfire, recalling how the Holy Spirit descended as “divided tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:3), igniting the Apostles to proclaim Christ boldly to all nations. This fire is not just a memory—it’s a living call. As we light the bonfire, we are reminded that we, too, are sent forth to carry this divine flame into the dark corners of our world.
As the great bonfire burns, each will receive a small candle, symbolizing that the fire of Pentecost is personal—meant to illuminate the path of your own climb, and to kindle others with the same light.
Unseen realm stargazing
On a clear night in June, we gather under the stars, not for mere astronomy, but for theological vision. The Psalmist declares:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, NKJV)
Stargazing becomes a sacred act when we understand that the physical cosmos is a veil hinting at deeper realities—the angelic hosts, divine patterns, and the spiritual warfare that permeates creation. In the silence beneath the stars, we are reminded of our smallness and yet of our immense dignity as men called to participate in God’s governance of the world.
“I tell you, who has not marveled at the harmony of the universe? The arrangement of the stars, the course of the sun, the phases of the moon? All these proclaim in a loud voice the order which governs them.”
St. Basil the Great (c. 4th century), Hexaemeron, Homily I
With telescopes directed heavenward, we will discuss the patterns of the unseen realm and how our earthly lives are meant to mirror the divine order above.
Raising of the giant cross
In September, we gather as brothers to raise a great Cross outdoors, a public declaration that Christ’s sacrifice is at the center of our lives. Jesus said:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NKJV)
This is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a call to action. By lifting up the Cross, we are committing to live lives that are visibly marked by Christ’s victory over sin and death. The Cross is not a decoration—it’s a battle standard. A sign of both sacrifice and triumph.
“The Cross destroyed the enmity of God towards man, brought about reconciliation, made the earth heaven, associated men with angels, pulled down the citadel of death, and overthrew the power of the devil.”
St. John Chrysostom (c. 400 AD), Homily 54 on Matthew
As we raise the Cross high, we will challenge each man to reflect:
Is the Cross lifted high in my own life?
What in me still needs to be crucified?
Together, we will plant this Cross in the ground—not as a monument, but as a mission post, signaling to our community that Christ reigns here.