by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Transfiguration plays a major role in understanding mankind, the reality and quality of freedom, and the intention of God in the creation of the Universe. Gregory the Theologian placed the synthetic —body and soul—quality of human existence in the larger context of the whole created order, within which he distinguished […]
Sacraments Vs. State Marriage Licenses
Click here to listen to a radio interview on this topic with Terry Mattingly. by Terry Mattingly Father Patrick Henry Reardon’s note to his flock at Chicago’s All Saints Orthodox Church was short and simple — yet a sign of how complicated life is becoming for traditional religious believers. “Because the State of Illinois, through […]
Righteous Anger
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Anger is troublesome. Among Christians striving seriously to live the mandates of the Gospel, I wager, anger is the sin most often mentioned in the Sacrament of Confession. Alas, it also has a remarkably long shelf life. High among the problems attending anger is this: In the classical inventories of […]
Samson and Soteriology
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon For why Samson is included among the Bible’s heroes, see the article The Bible’s Ultimate Party Boy. Among Old Testament “types,” Samson arguably provided the most memorable example of a man who gave his life for the people. When he brought down the roof of the pagan temple on both […]
Religion From The Bottom Up
By Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Fr. Patrick, in his succinct and typically charming manner, shows us just what happens when you invent your own worship. “We have seen the True Light,” we sing each Sunday in the Orthodox Church. At the very least, this means that we don’t have to guess about God anymore. We […]
The Objective Danger of Holiness
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon One of the stories that have proved troubling to students of Holy Scripture over the years is the account of Uzzah, who stretched forth his hand to steady the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, we recall, was being carried by ox cart in order to be installed at David’s […]
This Year’s Elections
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Since political elections normally deal with matters of policy, I do not normally make them the subject of pastoral concern. This year, however, the national elections in our country are not concerned simply with policies but with principles. My first comment, I suppose, should address that difference. About policies—most questions […]
On Consecrating the Entire Economic Order
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon St. Luke’s account of Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree (19:1-10) is a story rich in spiritual reflection; preachers and Bible-readers, coming from a variety of backgrounds, have explored the narrative unto great profit for the education of the soul. A certain liturgical use of the text is particularly instructive; namely, […]
Free Press & Free Pulpit
By Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Senior Editor of Touchstone Magazine, Fr. Patrick is also pastor of All Saints Church in Chicago, IL. This article, posted on OrthodoxyToday.org in June of 2005 is a short, but powerful statement of why Christians, particularly Orthodox Christians, must not weasel out of their obligations to the country, society and […]
Pastors Courageous
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Originally published in July/August of 2005, this article always has kept a special place in my heart. As a priest of “The Church Militant” I’ve always felt that clergy must, first and foremost, be men, and men must be courageous. Moral courage is the only thing that will return virtue […]