On 10 August 1872 the Synod of Constantinople issued an official condemnation of ecclesiastical racism, or “ethno-phyletism”, as well as its theological argumentation: We renounce, censure and condemn phyletism, that is racial discrimination, ethnic feuds, hatreds and dissensions within the Church of Christ, as contrary to the teaching of the Gospel and the holy canons […]
GreatMartyr Euphemia the All-Praised: Protector and Defender of Orthodox Christianity
A great and miraculous event is commemorated today (July 11) in the history of the Church. It took place during the Council of Chalcedon before a multitude of witnesses. The Miracle of Saint Euphemia the All-Praised The holy Great Martyr Euphemia (September 16) suffered martyrdom in the city of Chalcedon in the year 304, during […]
Remembering the 75th Anniversary of the Internment of the Aleut Natives of the Aleutian Islands
In 1942, as the Japanese were expanding their attacks on the United States, they sent two carrier groups to the Aleutian Islands in the Alaska Territory. The purpose was to force the Americans to divide their forces and leave the true objective, Midway, with fewer defenses. The ruse didn’t work, but the Alaskan defense forces […]
Connecting Website Visitors with Your… ?
You’ve probably read a great deal on the importance of having a website, having a good website, having a pretty website, having a fast website, etc., but the most important part of having a website is often completely overlooked by clergy and business owners alike. Do you know what it is? If not, then this […]
Murder by Government: The Primary Fact of the 20th Century
by Brad Birzer “Arrest! Need it be said that it is a breaking point in your life, a bolt of lightning which has scored a direct hit on you? That is it an inassimilable spiritual earthquake not every person can cope with, as a result of which people often slip into insanity?,” Solzhenitsyn asks in […]
Chesterton: “The Christian Martyr is the Opposite of Muslim Suicide Terrorist”
by G.K. Chesterton A Christian martyr is the opposite of a Muslim suicide terrorist. They are at the opposite ends of heaven and hell. One man flung away his life; he was so good that his dry bones could heal cities in pestilence. Another man flung away life; he was so bad that his bones […]
Want Aid in Syria? Convert to Evangelicalism
This is shameful. Isn’t this how the Roman Catholic Church gained a foothold with the Unia in the Middle East? Evangelical Christians from the United States and other areas of the world are helping “destroy” the historic Antioch Church in Syria by offering poor, vulnerable orthodox Christians aid and assistance if they “convert” and start […]
Prayer for the Consecration of Holy Chrism on Holy Thursday
The rite of the Consecration of Holy Chrism begins today. Every good and perfect gift comes from Thee, the Lord of mercy and Father of Lights. As Thou gavest to Moses Thy faithful minister, to Thy servant Samuel, and to Thy holy Apostles, so also, despite our unworthiness, give to us the grace to serve […]
An Amazing Thing Happened When Prisons Began Teaching Latin to Convicts
Amazing indeed! A little over a year ago, it was reported that Australian schoolchildren were suddenly making dramatic gains in a number of subjects. The largest advances came in reading, with students increasing their “reading age” by over two years on average. The secret behind these dramatic gains was a little program called Sound Training, […]
How Does Your Parish Rate?
From The Orthodox Church newspaper: A reporter recently visited 18 different churches on successive Sundays to find out what each community was really like. In every instance, he dressed neatly and stood near the front. After Services, he walked slowly to the rear of the church, then returned to the front and then went back […]