Light from the East
by George WeigelThe Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, raised from the dead and led by such a powerful witness, is a living testament to the power of faith. Continue Reading »
Pro-Life Liturgy
by Carrie Frederick FrostAn icon of the Annunciation appears on the central altar doors of every Orthodox Christian church. The “royal doors” are double doors, so the icon is a diptych, with Gabriel on the left and Mary on the right. As a young child, I found the movement of this icon mesmerizing as the doors opened and . . . . Continue Reading »
The Future Pan-Orthodox Council: To Be or Not to Be?
by Paul L. GavrilyukOver the last two years, the Patriarchate of Constantinople has repeatedly announced that the much anticipated Great and Holy Council will take place around the Feast of Pentecost in June 2016. When it happens, this Council will be an event of considerable historical import, bringing together the . . . . Continue Reading »
Taking the “Long View” on Russia
by George Weigel
Queried about the Holy See’s less-than-vigorous response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, senior Vatican officials are given to saying (often with a dismissive tone, as if the question came from a dim-wit), “We take the long view.”
“Does the Council Matter to my Mother?”
by Carrie Frederick FrostThis question was posed at the Orthodox Theological Society of America’s (OTSA) conference held last month. It was asked in reference to the anticipated Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church planned for Pentecost 2016. It was offered tongue-in-cheek and was directed at the speculation about whether anything of substance will come out of the Council, but it expressed well the hopes and concerns held by the scholars of the Orthodox Church. Continue Reading »
At Last, A Council for the Ages?
by John ChryssavgisA Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church has been scheduled for 2016. In March of 2014, the leaders of all the autocephalous (independent) Orthodox Churches met in Istanbul, the sacred see of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which historically (since at least the fifth century) coordinates such . . . . Continue Reading »
Are You Greek?
by Andrew Stephen Damick“Are you Greek?” This is the question I get asked the most when I tell someone that I am an Orthodox Christian. At first, this question rankled, because I am not Greek. (I am, among other things, Lithuanian.) Mind you, I would have no problem being Greek. It’s a wonderful, ancient culture with much to recommend it. But what rankled was the sense that being Orthodox means being Greek. Continue Reading »
How Sex is Derailing Lutheran-Orthodox Dialogue
by Mathew BlockRecent events remind us that the major roadblock to progress in Lutheran-Orthodox discussions is the liberal Protestantism at work in many Lutheran World Federation churches. Continue Reading »
The Joy of Orthodox Pascha
by Wesley J. SmithOne spring, a few years before I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy, my wife and I vacationed in Greece. On the plane we became friendly with a happy elderly Greek-American gentleman who told us excitedly that he was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain (the monastic polity of Mount Athos) for Pascha. “Pascha?” I asked. “What’s Pascha?” . . . Continue Reading »
The President and the Patriarch
by Paul L. GavrilyukVladimir Putin, who after a sham “referendum” completed his aggressive seizure of Crimea, denies he has plans to invade Eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, he is increasing the number of troops on the Russian-Ukrainian border and sending provocateurs and criminals to incite ethnic tensions in . . . . Continue Reading »
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