The governor wants Polycarp to deny Christ, and promises if he will, his life will be spared. But the faithful bishop answers, “For 86 years I have served Him, and He has never done me wrong; how then can I now blaspheme my King and Savior?”Born around AD 69, Saint Polycarp was a central . . . . Continue Reading »
A recent post by Christopher Benson on the Sunday of Orthodoxy in which he mused about the anathematising of the iconoclasts ... and what that says about him as a non-icon worshipping Christian. I’m not going to essay and defence of icons, the Lossky/Ousspensky book (The Meaning of Icons) is . . . . Continue Reading »
As such He came; He came as Saviour. He died, but He vanquished death; in Himself He put an end to what we feared; He took it upon Himself and He vanquished it, as a mighty Hunter He captured and slew the lion. Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer; but it did exist and now it . . . . Continue Reading »
Something to ponder, and this is from memory so I might get it a little wrong. But it’s been puzzling me.St. Gregory Palamas asserted that the fall of man was not an ontological change but an anthropological one.Metropolititan John Zizioulas asserts that Baptism is an ontological change.So is . . . . Continue Reading »
Can there be a more magnificent example of the love, grace and mercy of God than the conversion of our father in Christ, St. Paul? From persecutor to preacher, from murderer of the saints, to the merciful lover of all souls. The Scripture readings appointed for today are:Acts 9:1-22Galatians . . . . Continue Reading »
Here is a comment that reflects very well the historic Evangelical view of the Church Fathers. It is offered by Martin Chemnitz, an extremely important second-generation Lutheran theologian, whose definitive analysis of, and response to, the theology of the Council of Trent remains . . . . Continue Reading »
Basil and the two Gregorys, collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers, were leaders of Christian orthodoxy in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) in the later fourth century. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa were brothers; Gregory of Nazianzus was their friend. All three were influential in shaping the . . . . Continue Reading »
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Support First Things
