The Orthodox Church of Tomorrow
by Fr. Lawrence Farley I am a giant fan of Fr. Lawrence’s writings, and this blog entry is no exception. At the end of October in 1840, the celebrated author Hans Christian Andersen (famous for his fairy tales) left his native Denmark for an extended trip in the east. He wrote about his travels in [...]
They persecute us by oppression, and we face them by forgiveness. They rule us by domination, and we show that humility. Our faith knows that oppression disappears, but forgiveness remains forever. The former is illusionary and the latter is life, and never dies. – Metropolitan Paul Yazigi Kidnapped in Syria while attempting to negotiate the [...]
by Dcn. Joseph Gleason Throughout the scriptures we see both the inward and outward aspects of worship offered to God as being in unity with one another. For example, scripture tells us to lift both our “hands“ and our “hearts“ to God (Lam. 3:41). The hands are outward, and the heart is inward. God is glorified by both, and he commands [...]
In the turbulent years of the Bolshevik Revolution. the Orthodox faithful of Petrograd found refuge in the calm, spiritual constancy of their beloved archpastor. His kindness and simplicity had long ago won their hearts, and it was no surprise when, in the summer of 1917, he was elected metropolitan by popular vote. A few months [...]
by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos Orthodox spirituality differs distinctly from any other “spirituality” of an eastern or western type. There can be no confusion among the various spiritualities, because Orthodox spirituality is God-centered, whereas all others are man-centered. The difference appears primarily in the doctrinal teaching. For this reason we put “Orthodox” before the word “Church” [...]
by St. Isaac the Syrian Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the [...]
by Fr. Demetrios Carellas Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This excellent pro-life encyclical (Click on the Website below.) from the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in North America was issued on January 22, 2013. I give thanks to God for these Spirit-filled words, and I pray that ALL Orthodox Christians – Clergy and Laity – [...]
by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite Just as so-called diagnostic physicians not only know how to treat external and visible wounds of the body, but also, by measuring the pulse, they learn the internal and invisible maladies of the heart, of the bowels, and the other unseen workings of the human body, and are therefore able [...]
by Al Stefanelli As many spindoctors try to assess ‘what’s wrong’ with our country, I continue to insist that it is spiritual and moral at its core. And what do you know, the largest growing self-identifying ‘religious/spiritual’ category is the most prone to mental illness, anxiety, phobias and drug abuse. No, I’m not surprised. – [...]
By St. Nikolai Velimirovich You would like for God to pardon all sinners of His Terrible Judgement. Are you again tempting Christ just like that enemy of God tempted Him on the mountain? “If you are the all-merciful Son of God, have mercy on Judas and Cain and all serious sinners, and I will worship [...]
