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The Mystery, Upborne, Fulfilled
Read more: The Mystery, Upborne, FulfilledOrthodoxy has a number of “favorite” words – all of which fall outside the bounds of normal speech. Though we commonly use the word “mystery” (for example), popular speech never uses it in the manner of the Church. I cannot remember using the word “fullness,” or even “fulfilled,” in normal speech. More contemporary words have […]
Allegory, Knowledge of God, Liturgy, Mystical Theology, Orthodox Christianity, The Sacraments, Union with God
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The True Culture War
Read more: The True Culture WarThe cultural landscape of the modern world is continuing to shift and change. Opinions that were but shortly ago in the minority have moved into the majority and the political world is quickly realigning itself. Positions that were once traditionally Christian with wide public support or acquiescence are being marginalized. In various places Christians find […]
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Preaching the Love of God – St. Isaac of Syria
Read more: Preaching the Love of God – St. Isaac of SyriaI would not have a blog except for the friendship of Fr. Aidan Kimel. He has returned to writing himself. His latest is an exquisite word on the need for preaching the love of God – with a wonderful look at this love in the writings of St. Isaac. I append a short excerpt. Do […]
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Outside of Paradise
Read more: Outside of ParadiseAnd we’ve got to get ourselves back to the Garden… Joni Mitchell (1969) The instinct of the folk-music singer celebrating the Woodstock Festival was not wrong. The religious sensibilities of younger generations today would likely say the same thing but with no reference to the Scriptures. The longing that marks the human heart finds many […]
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The Fast that Keeps
Read more: The Fast that KeepsCorrie Ten Boom, the Dutch Christian who suffered in Hitler’s Ravensbruck for her work rescuing Jews, shared stories of her life within those death camps. I recall one of her remarks, “We did not keep the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept us.” Some years back I was filming a television show with the local Rabbi and […]
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Love and Freedom in a One-Storey Universe
Read more: Love and Freedom in a One-Storey UniverseI offer the first-ever guest article on the blog. My eldest daughter, Matushka Mary Holste, sent me this piece. I loved it and wanted to share with others. Enjoy. St. Augustine said, “Love and do what you will.” This statement describes a way of being that offers us both freedom and joy. We are to […]
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Saving Communion
Read more: Saving CommunionFew 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 for these alone, but also […]
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The Pillar and Ground of Hypocrisy
Read more: The Pillar and Ground of HypocrisyA growing feature of the modern world is the disconnect between members of the Church and the teaching of the Church. A recent New York Times article noted a deep divide between what American Catholics believe and what their hierarchy teaches. It’s not just a Catholic phenomenon – it’s a feature of the modern Christian […]
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What Would You Do?
Read more: What Would You Do?“To the extent that man does not use his freedom, he is not himself. In order to emerge from that indeterminate state, he must utilize his freedom in order to know and be known as himself.” – Fr. Dimitru Staniloae A popular bumper-sticker-level spirituality swept the pop-culture scene several years back asking, “What would Jesus […]
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Ok after having said what I just wrote to Mallory, I do remember that the have saint’s relics and that…
Mallory, I sincerely appreciate your open honesty about what you accept and what you do not accept. This, to me,…
Meant to say: In fact this is how life is— sorry for the many typos. Typing on my phone again.…
Father and Mallory, What Father says about the scripture and particularly the OT is not only a historical view point…
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Here’s the result of a quick search online: https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/why-orthodox-christians-venerate-relics/ I’m going to stop writing now. Please forgive me if my…