“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Every believer has been given a commandment to test the spirits. That is each believer is to cultivate the ability, by God's grace, to discern …
Tag: Orthodoxy in America
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 …
Please Do Not Touch Jesus
Could we imagine … +++ A Notice from the Disciples - If you are suffering from disease, sickness, or ailment of any kind please do not touch, kiss, or venerate in any way, Jesus; this includes but is not limited to: the hem of his garment, his clothing in general, his feet, hands and so …
The Battle for the Mind
There is indeed a battle for the mind. From the Christian perspective this may be summed up in “acquire the mind of Christ” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5). Humanity may have various “minds.” The importance of the mind and its function in human life have even been acknowledged by the secular world. Thus, there …
Mind Control, Standardized Masses, and Conditioned Reflexes
“How can human behavior be controlled?” Such a question was posed by Vladimir Lenin to Ivan Pavlov in 1919. I've spent numerous years reading and studying the tactics of the Soviets in Russia before and after the 1917 Revolution. My interest focuses on the anti-religious methods and propaganda used by the Soviets. Over time, I …
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Uniformity of Behavior, Reconstruction, and Such Musings
The Reconstruction. Перестройка. Gray high-rise apartment buildings loomed in the gray overcast sky. Through the dust-covered window of the charter van, I watched as we passed an overcrowded electric trolley bus which was leaning heavily to one side. I wondered how the trolley was even driving … at the time it seemed more like a …
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The Masters of Death Are Now the Ministers of Life?
“If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain by the sword, with the sword he must be slain” (Rev. 13:10). True Christianity calls a person to total faith in God. A Christian must believe wholeheartedly that his life and his bodily death are in God's hands. …
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The Divine Liturgy is the Heart of the Church
“Instead of learning to live, people are learning to die” Bob Dylan. A reflection on the Div. Liturgy during these trying times. The Divine Liturgy not only teaches us how to live, but it is also the means whereby we truly live. We must understand that first and foremost we are “Ekklesia.” That is …
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“Social Distancing,” Desert Fathers, and Church Services
Introduction added on 3/25/20 - I originally penned this blog in response to ideas I encountered on the internet and blog-o-sphere. This piece is a response to the ideas of my peers in that realm. That is the sole intent. I am questioning some of the ideas put forth by my peers. It is a …
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Christians in Times of Epidemic, Then and Now
Addendum, 3/19/20 - Since I penned this article the synod of the OCA issued a statement effectively closing all the churches under their jurisdiction [4/13/20, since that time, limited services have been restored in some places]. I penned this reflection before that action was taken. In the article, I have strived to offer a reflection …
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