“My Kingdom is not of this world ...” (Jn. 18:36). The “world is the general name for all the passions, when we wish to call the passions by a general name, we call them the world,” teaches St. Issac the Syrian. Thus, the Kingdom of our Lord is not OF this fallen order of sinfulness. …
Tag: Orthodox Living
Who Is Mankind?
Central to the plan of the evil one is the destruction of the true understanding of who humanity essentially is. At current we are once again witnessing a nuanced but also a blatant assault on the nature of humanity. In this post, I will attempt to summarize the God-given revelation regarding the true nature of …
With Faces Unveiled
Modern secular man has become materialized in his understanding. To a great degree, he no longer views the world and the events that transpire in it through the Spirit. Everything is mundane. Everything has a “scientific” answer. Experts rule and dictate base materialism. For the secular mind, there is nothing more than the material. And …
Gracious Evil and Apostasy
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). The Scriptures are replete with the call to self-examination. For the believer, this includes the examination of “whether ye be in the faith.” That is are we striving to hold fast to sound doctrine and teaching? St. Paul even gives …
Mankind: God-Created Being of Reason or Biological Computer?
“In the beginning was the Logos ...” (Jn 1:1). An aspect of the nuanced meaning of logos is reason. Ultimately, Christ is the governing principle, the source, the reason, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, of all meaning and purpose. Thus, humanity is created a rational, reasoning being. We have been given logoi. …
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Meeting with Immortality
St. Justin Popovich proclaims that through the whole incarnate action of Christ the Lord, He “has sentenced mankind to immortality.” Truly, it is for immortality that we were made. St. Gregory Palamas teaches, in light of Christ Jesus' Ascension, “He ascended in glory (cf. Acts 1:9), entered the Holy of Holies not made by hands …
To the Church of Thyatira: Beware of Jezebel
“To the angel of the Church in Thyatira write ...” (Rev. 2:18) The ancient town of Thyatira had little historical significance, “but,” notes Archbp. Averky, “it is known in the history of Christianity because from it there came Lydia, who was enlightened with the light of faith in Christ by the Holy Apostle Paul (cf. …
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The State and Religious Affairs
“Another area of discussion was Religion. This is an avowed atheist speaking. And he said: 'Religion is not necessarily bad. A lot of people seem to need religion, with its mysteries and rituals – so they will have religion.' But the major religions of today have to be changed because they are not compatible with …
The Mysterion That Transcends Seclorum
“And He [the Father] put in subjection all things under His [the Son] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things in all” (Eph. 1: 22-23). It seems fitting at the moment to put forth a very brief …
Heavenly Revelation: the Foundation of Christian Worship
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 …
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The Inkless Pen 