“Equilibrium” and Ignominy

by George Weigel

By refusing to denounce Putin's actions in Crimea, the Holy See is shirking its moral responsibility. Continue Reading »

17 Jan 2018

Dispatches from Russia

by Marcus Plested

Some little while ago, I found myself sitting in the grounds of the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, delighting in the spring flowers and being treated to a prodigious display of bell-ringing. I reflected at the time that the Russians have few peers among other nations in their great love for church . . . . Continue Reading »

1 Jan 2018

Evangelicals and Orthodox Together

by Mark Movsesian

In the battle of ideas and values, Evangelicals and Russian Orthodox find themselves on the same side, notwithstanding their theological differences. Continue Reading »

20 Nov 2017

Russian Orthodoxy’s Aggressive Obsessions

by George Weigel

What does the Lord’s injunction to turn the other cheek in Matthew 5:39 require when it comes to ecumenical dialogue? The question regularly poses itself to those familiar with the website of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. Continue Reading »

19 Oct 2016

A Blessedly Unpredictable Council

by Cyril Hovorun

The Council at Crete turned out to be different from what both optimists and pessimists had expected. It did not resemble any icon of the Ecumenical Councils that we usually imagine. It was a council with a lot of pain and anxiety, before and during the event. But it was a true conciliar event. Continue Reading »

7 Jul 2016

The Pan-Orthodox Council: Where Things Stand

by Gabriel Sanchez

Eastern Orthodoxy's first ecumenical council in over a millennium is at risk of being derailed at the last minute. Catholics may find some of the issues rather familiar. Continue Reading »

17 Jun 2016

The Pan-Orthodox Council Must and Will Proceed

by Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis and Paul L. Gavrilyuk

A majority of the Orthodox Churches desire to “walk together” towards unity, while a minority desire ethnic isolation. The Pan-Orthodox Council must not and will not be postponed due to this minority. Nor will the nonparticipation of a minority invalidate the proceedings of the Council. Continue Reading »

16 Jun 2016

A Sordid Anniversary, To Be Remembered

by George Weigel

On September 24, 1949, Georgii Karpov, chairman of the agency that provided “liaison” to the Russian Orthodox Church for the NKVD, the Soviet secret police, wrote Josef Stalin and his chief henchmen a confidential letter reeking with self-congratulation. The “government’s instruction on the . . . . Continue Reading »

16 Mar 2016

The Havana Declaration

by Cyril Hovorun

For me, the text of the Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill’s joint declaration came as a surprise, as did their meeting and its location in Havana. This document is significantly better in style and content than any earlier official document or statement from the Russian Orthodox Church. Simply . . . . Continue Reading »

15 Feb 2016

Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill

by Borys Gudziak

The February 12 meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill is important for a number of reasons, and we should pray that it will be guided by the Holy Spirit. For Christians and all people of good will, it is always a welcome sight when estranged brothers take a new first step towards each . . . . Continue Reading »

11 Feb 2016