Posts Tagged ‘Church History’
Conflict Resolution in the Church
Nobody is perfect but Christ, but that does not mean the Church doesn’t know the truth. Before His Passion Christ promised the Holy Spirit would come to the Church and guide the Church into the whole truth. If we don’t agree with someone it is the Church that resolves our conflict. Although the Church should…
Read MoreChrist is STILL Risen
What an amazing week we all had together. Even if we were in different cities on different continents, our journey through Holy Week and Pascha was a common journey together in Christ. We fasted together and then we celebrated together. Now, we’re exhausted. For our lack of sleep and celebration yesterday, Christ is STILL Risen…
Read MoreNo Shame about Christmas
When everyone around you seems to have forgotten why Christmas is important, it can be awkward keeping focus. We are fasting. ‘They’ are feasting. We are praying. They are shopping. We are serving others. They are demanding special treatment at the checkout lane. Being a Christian is hard enough in modern America. Being an Orthodox…
Read MoreTruth in Love
Speaking the truth can sometimes be awkward or even dangerous. Saints were martyred because they spoke truth. Holy men and women lost their fortunes because they lived the truth. Even we are forced to discern, daily, whether it would be good to speak the truth or not. In today’s reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter…
Read MoreFaithful or Zealous?
The modern Orthodox experience in America is complex with both longstanding members born into the Church coexisting with pious converts who have chosen Orthodoxy as their religion. Neither is more important than the other since both are members of the Body of Christ. Yet there appears to be a battle for the ‘soul’ of the…
Read MoreTemporary Holders of Tradition
We all have traditions we hold important. Some traditions are from our families, some from our society, and some from our faith. Not all traditions are equal, but all traditions come from before us and are handed down after us. We are just temporary holders of tradition. Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace…
Read MoreEqual Genders
Our society in recent years has reignited the ‘battle of the sexes’ by attacking every place and every organization that honors the difference between men and women. Only in the Church, enlightened by Christ, can we truly see equality of men and women. If you don’t see equality, either you are blinded by your own…
Read MoreBlessed Month
One of the sweet traditions of the Greek culture is the custom of wishing people a “Blessed Month” or Καλό Μίνα in Greek. This custom isn’t just empty words, but a prayer that is influenced by the traditions of the Church. During the Byzantine Empire it was customary for the clergy and people to process…
Read MoreSome things are newer than others
It is common to refer to the Orthodox Church as the “Church that never changes.” While it is true our dogmas about God never change, there are some things in our way of life that change. Some traditions are from the Apostles. Some traditions are newer but no less valid. Today is the commemoration of…
Read MoreWilling to Die Vs Wanting to Die
Living in a world that is antagonistic to our faith can be confusing. The world powers fight against Christ and His Church daily. We don’t see the fight as the ancients did, but the fight is there, nonetheless. The ancients were willing to die for Christ but never wanted to die. IN THOSE DAYS, the…
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