Category: Orthodox Christianity
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Miracles and Creation
There is an aspect of the modern use of the word “miracle,” that is more than a little problematic. While it is true that a number of Orthodox hymns in referring to certain dramatic events use the phrase, “the order of nature is overthrown,” this is far from being a complete theological account of what…
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The Monk and the Bird
While we’re at it – here’s a photo of one of the brothers at Mar Saba Monastery in the Judaean Desert. It seems clear that right relationship with God and right relationship with nature are normal. We met this monastic last year when we traveled in the Holy Land. It’s good to know that the…
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Serbian Monk and a Wolf
I do not understand the narration – but no words are necessary in this video. The reality speaks for itself. [vodpod id=Groupvideo.2926564&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] About this same monk and wolf, Fr. Milovan Katanic writes: In Kovilje Monastery, at the foot of the Javor mountains, there were once many monks, during the time of the Turks there was…
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The Whole of Spiritual Warfare Wages Around Humility
From the Elder Sophrony’s Widsom from Mount Athos: Thus the whole spiritual warfare wages round humility. The enemy fell from pride, and would draw us to perdition by the same means. The enemy praises us, and should the soul listen to his praise grace withdraws until she repents. Thus throughout her life the soul is…
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The Chief of Sinners
A version of this post appeared last January. In light of the recent posts on prayer and communion it seemed timely to rerun this post. Though not on prayer, it carries some of the same thoughts to the commonality of our life as Christians and of our life as human beings. I believe that we…
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Salvation, Prayer and Communion with God
Few things are as fundamental to the New Testament as the reality of communion (koinonia). It means a commonality, a sharing and participation in the same thing. It is this commonality or sharing that lies at the very heart of our salvation. This communion is described in Christ’s “high priestly prayer”: I do not pray…
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Hopko on Life and Death
The Bible teaches a kind of package plan: You have God, truth, life and glory, or you have demons, darkness, death, satan, sin, corruption, ugliness and rot. This is the basic reality, and there is no middle path. Fr. Thomas Hopko, spoken in Brisbane, Australia, October 1999
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Prayers By the Lake XXII – Shatter the Narrowness of My Soul
O Only Son of God, receive me into Your wisdom. You are the head of all the sons of men. You are their heavenly comprehension, illumination and jubilation. You are the One who thinks the same goodness in all men: the same thought and the same light. A man recognizes another man through You. A man…
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Civilizations and the Kingdom – A Call for Prayer
This reprint (with changes) seems fitting for America’s Independence Day celebrations this weekend. I give thanks to God that priests are forbidden (by canon law) to hold political office – not that I would ever be elected – but that I would never want to stand in the place where my Christian faith was so…
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Rightly Reading
This is a reprint from last October. The course of your reading should be parallel to the aim of your way of life…. Most books that contain instructions in doctrine are not useful for purification. The reading of many diverse books brings distraction of mind down on you. Know, then, that not every book that…
Matthew W. I think it’s not helpful to speculate about this.