Support “Respect for Rights of Conscience” Act
The Freedom of Religion in the United States of America is being threatened by our current federal officials. The Christian faithful of the Orthodox Church in the United States must act NOW to prevent this grevous transgression of our God-given and Constitutionally-protected rights as Americans. The time to act is now. On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The rule is set [Read more...]
Mormonism is not Christianity
by Bethany Blankley Ultimately, it is Christians, after all, who determine what beliefs are considered Christian and what beliefs aren’t. In other words, if you want to know if what you believe is Christian – ask one, especially one who can speak with some authority about Christian teaching (like, say, an Orthodox Christian priest?). Mormonism isn’t a Christian faith, nor an Abrahamic faith. It is polytheistic and its rituals are clearly and verifiably based on Freemasonry. Again, if you want to know if [Read more...]
Repentance, Confession & Examination of Conscience
What does it mean to repent? When our Lord Jesus Christ began His public preaching,he began with the word ‘repent.’ From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) If we are to repent, then we need to know our sinfulness. That’s a tall order, frankly. As St. John put it, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) This is [Read more...]
No Longer An Ancient Curiosity
by Andrei Zolotov, Jr. The Thirteenth Apostle was in town earlier this week. The Judge of the Whole Universe. I am not kidding. His name is Theodoros II, and he is the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. His full title is a bit of a going joke among the knowing: His Most Divine Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of the Great City of Alexandria, Libya, Pentapolis, Ethiopia, all the land of Egypt, and all Africa, Father of Fathers, Shepherd of [Read more...]
Worship With Incense
From The Orthodox Life blog. I like this article because it shows precisely why we Orthodox Christians do everything we do: it’s Biblical! “Let my prayer arise … as incense” (Psalm 141:2) Throughout Scripture we see the inward and outward aspects of worship offered to God in unity with one another. For example, Scripture tells us to lift our hands and our hearts to God. The hands are outward, and the heart is inward. God is glorified by both, and He commands us [Read more...]
Liturgy & Evangelisation
by Archimandrite Job (Getcha) Evangelisation is the proclamation of the good news of salvation. It is not merely teaching a system of beliefs or transmitting a moral code. In this article Professor Archimandrite Job Getcha highlights the connection between evangelisation and our encounter with the living God in the Orthodox Liturgy. Introduction Evangelisation is the proclamation of the good news of salvation. It is not merely teaching a system of beliefs or transmitting a moral code. Therefore, evangelisation should always be linked with [Read more...]
To Be Saved
by St. Nikolai Velimirovich Although this may seem odd or simplified to unbelievers, St. Nikolai is speaking to believing Orthodox Christians. Unbelievers would not understand anyway. Although the Holy Fathers praised monasticism as the angelic state, and although many of the greatest saints lived their lives and attained perfection in the deaf and lifeless desert, nevertheless, the Orthodox Church does not recommend tonsuring to all the faithful. “Neither all those in the desert were saved nor all those in the world were lost,” [Read more...]
Calculating Christmas
William J. Tighe on the Story Behind December 25 In this, one of my favorite articles, William Tighe explodes the notion we were all taught in public school about the ‘Christianization’ of a pagan festival for the date of Christmas. He uses historical fact to prove his point, and has thereby offered all Christians that most precious of all jewels – the truth, regarding the Church’s celebration on Dec. 25th. Enjoy! Many Christians think that Christians celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th because [Read more...]
In The Footsteps Of St. Nicholas
Facts Prove The Existence of St. Nicholas of Myra. by Catherine Tsounis The detailed investigation of the existence of St. Nicholas of Myra by international scientist Andreas George is the final word on the subject. His scientific examination of sources and historical sites disproves the 1970’s action of the Vatican, demoting St. Nicholas as a major saint or characterization as a mythological figure. Mr. George’s says his goal is to “present reasonably, accurate historical information about his life. During my search for St. [Read more...]
Portable Churches Go On Sale In Serbia
Orthodox Christians are exceptionally creative, especially when it comes to erecting churches to the glory of God! A family in Serbia is commercializing a portable mini-church that it can deliver to anyone who wants a place of worship in their backyard, reports Radio Free Europe. The 5-ton, stone-and-steel construction is equipped with a cross, a bell tower, an altar, and frescoes. It can accommodate up to 15 worshipers. The enterprise was initiated by Svetislav Mancic and his son Goran from the town of [Read more...]
