by Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco and Western America “. . .and [the spirit] cast him into the fire…” (Mk. 9:22) As pastors we frequently heard and continue to hear the question: “Why does the Church not bless cremation of a departed Christian’s body?” I will try to answer this as briefly as possible. […]
Bulgarian Orthodox Church Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize
It’s decades late for this recognition of heroic virtue, but welcome nonetheless. Axios! The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, says the official website of its Holy Synod. This year Bulgaria marked 70 years since the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II. The National Assembly in 1943 […]
Turkey Leans Toward Opening Halki Seminary
After years of resistance, the Turkish government is considering allowing the re-opening of the closed Halki Seminary, the Anatolia News agency reported. Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said the institution should be reopened to educate clerics for the Orthodox community, saying “minorities have the same rights as us” while he was speaking at a conference […]
Statement by Moscow Patriarchate on Gay Marriages in France and Great Britain
Same-sex unions have continued to be legalized in Europe. Recently, respective bills have been approved by the lower chambers of the French and British parliaments. It was done not only in defiance of the opinion of a part of deputies but also against the background of mass protest manifestations of citizens. These legislative steps show […]
The Lord of Quantum Mechanics & Orthodox Teleportation
Jesus is the Lord of quantum mechanics, and He created the space-time continuum. Physical barriers and geographical distances are not obstacles for Him. He can instantly transport people (and their prayers) to any location in the universe, without even breaking a sweat.
Worship With Incense
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 […]
What A Hero Is
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 […]
The Difference Between Orthodox Spirituality and Other Traditions
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” […]
How To Abandon Sin
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 […]
NBC Declares War on Christians
By Todd Starnes Does NBC hate Christians? I pondered that question over the weekend as I sat on my couch and watched Saturday Night Live blaspheme Jesus Christ in a violent and bloody Quentin Tarantino parody – just three days after Ash Wednesday. The fake movie trailer for “Djesus Uncrossed” featured the Savior brandishing guns […]