Set a Watch Before my Mouth

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 140:3   This week I had an outburst.  I lost my temper with someone who has been treating me badly for the last three years.  He’s been disrespectful of me publicly.  And on Tuesday, he interjected himself into a private Read more about Set a Watch Before my Mouth[…]

Does the Orthodox Church Not Believe the Bible?

This query was posted on Facebook by a friend of a friend: Why are the words of Jesus’s disciples discredited but the words of people appointed saints not? The bible says it was inspired by God. Inspired meaning in the original language is “to breath life into” just as God inspired Adam. Does Orthodox religion Read more about Does the Orthodox Church Not Believe the Bible?[…]

Lazar Puhalo Attacks Monasticism

Recently, the retired OCA bishop Lazar Puhalo (also known as ROCOR deacon Lev Puhalo before his deposition) was asked “Is monasticism a form of moralism?” by a group that advocates a married episcopate. He responded as follows: “I suspect that it is. I have written many times that monasticism is in no way superior to Read more about Lazar Puhalo Attacks Monasticism[…]

Be Perfectly Joined Together

The Epistle Reading for today gave me much to reflect on as I prepared my homily.  And after I was done, I thought it was not my best effort to be sure.  But the theme of the reading was so strong, it merits more comment.  The Epistle (1 Cor. 1:10-18) begins: Now I beseech you, Read more about Be Perfectly Joined Together[…]

Of Insults and Discernment

It was said concerning Abba Agathon that some monks came to find him having heard tell of his great discernment. Wanting to see if he would lose his temper they said to him ‘Aren’t you that Agathon who is said to be a fornicator and a proud man?’ ‘Yes, it is very true,’ he answered. Read more about Of Insults and Discernment[…]

Are the Objections of the Old Calendarists Just Modern Day Donatism?

by Bishop Irineos of Illyricum   Even among the New Calendarists, there remain many traditionalists who will condemn, or at least voice uneasiness over, the Calendar innovation of Meletios Metaxakis (sometimes referred to as Meletios Metaxis) or the continuing ecumenism of Bartholomew of Constantinople, and generally will agree with the Genuine Orthodox position on ecumenism, Read more about Are the Objections of the Old Calendarists Just Modern Day Donatism?[…]

Interview with Abp. Gavrilo

At the recent synod meeting in Avlona, Greece, I had the opportunity to sit down and visit with Abp. Gavrilo of Moravia about his missionary work on behalf of the True Orthodox in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.  The interview can be heard here:   It's only fair to share…FacebookTwitterGooglePinterestEmailFacebook Save

Can an Orthodox Christian have a Christmas Tree? Isn’t It Pagan?

It has become very fashionable among those who would attack the Church to hurl accusations of paganism at every turn. In almost every instance what these accusations betray is a fundamental lack of understanding of the transformative power of the incarnation. God became matter, sanctifying all matter. We cannot be at war with God’s creation Read more about Can an Orthodox Christian have a Christmas Tree? Isn’t It Pagan?[…]

ST. SPYRIDON VERSUS THE NEW CALENDAR

From Vladimir Moss (http://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com) The new calendarists have had many direct warnings from the Heavenly Church that the path they have embarked on by accepting newcalendarism-ecumenism is false. One such warning was given to the new calendarist Bishop Arsenius of Larissa on December 12/25, 1934, the feast of St. Spyridon according to the Old Calendar, Read more about ST. SPYRIDON VERSUS THE NEW CALENDAR[…]