Why Orthodox Christianity? Through the deafening din of the modern age, Orthodoxy may appear as just another voice in the babble, and just another flavor choice on the “what would I like today” buffet. (To clear something up from the start, Orthodoxy Christianity is not a denomination. Denominations are the result of the Protestant Reformation …
Continue reading Heavenly Revelation: the Foundation of Christian Worship
I have just returned from a two and a half week trip to Ukraine. Although the trip entailed personal factors, one of my goals was to acquire a firsthand experience of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, specifically regarding the Church. To this end, I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak with some of …
Those who read my blog know that a theme that I revisit on a frequent base is that of the events transpiring in Ukraine. These events have many long years of development. Although there are many aspects to the events there, I have focused mainly on the implications with regard to Orthodox Christianity. The Orthodox …
Of great relevance to contemporary issues is the following incident from the life of Archbishop Theophan of Poltava of blessed memory. Such an incident gives guidance to lovers of truth in the midst of certain unstable situations. An evident example is the current situation in Ukraine (which affects America too) and the establishment of a …
There is, generally speaking, in the Western world a sad silence that reigns with regard to topics like the persecution of Christians. One such example in recent decades has been the mass persecution and destruction of Christian populations in the Middle East. A number of years ago I gave a small talk in which I …
“Have I surrendered to the will of God, or am I still acting like the boss? Bob Dylan, Are you Ready. An epidemic of the modern disposition is the search for spirituality without sacrifice. This is reflected in modernity's disdain for absolutes (even though secularism, a fundamental of modernity, is ultimately absolutist in its expression) …
I was rereading this article by Archbp. Averky (of Jordanville) of blessed memory and could not help being struck by its extreme pertinence to our times. I believe it most worthy of sharing, it is a sober but stirring message (the above title is the one which I have given to this post) - Few …
“Christianity must remain eternally unchanging, in no way being dependent on or guided by the spirit of each age. Instead, Christianity is meant to govern and direct the spirit of the age for anyone who obeys its teachings.” St Theophan the Recluse Millions upon millions of martyrs; a concrete number is hard to ascertain. Indeed, …
Continue reading New Martyrs of Russia: An All American Feast Day
In true Christianity, Orthodoxy, right faith and living go hand in hand. For instance, a person cannot confess that Jesus Christ is not God and be an Orthodox Christian, in confessing something contrary to the revelation of God in His Church such a one is setting himself at odds with that revelation. Of course, one …
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver Him up to you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26:14-15. Whatever the means by which Judas came to the point where his heart was ripe to …
The Inkless Pen 