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Dwelling in a Strange Land
Read more: Dwelling in a Strange LandBy the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in their midst. They that carried us away in captivity asked of us a song, And they that laid us waste, required of us mirth, saying: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” […]
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Living a “Spiritual” Life
Read more: Living a “Spiritual” LifeIt has become a commonplace to hear someone say, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” Most people have a general understanding of what is meant. I usually assume that the person holds to a number of ideas that are considered “spiritual” in our culture, but that they are not particularly interested in “organized religion.” I understand […]
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Unspeakably Speaking
Read more: Unspeakably SpeakingEastern Orthodoxy commonly describes its theology as “apophatic.” The word means, “Unspeakable.” It is perhaps the most important point within Orthodox thought: when speaking of God, we are always saying things that cannot be said. It does not mean that nothing should be said (though this is often a good idea). It means that no […]
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Depth Perception
Read more: Depth PerceptionOne of the great blessings of the human brain can be found in its ability to take two things and make them one. We have two eyes, which means they necessarily see things differently. Look at the world with one eye open and switch to the other eye. Things appear to move. Viewing the world […]
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Wake Up!
Read more: Wake Up!God wants man to attend chiefly to two things: To eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience which [God] has of reality as a whole; in […]
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America and the Perversion of Christianity
Read more: America and the Perversion of ChristianityMany people in our modern cultures have only a vague or non-existent knowledge of history. This is especially true of Americans. The downside of such ignorance should seem obvious. Most modern Christians have very little acquaintance with Christian history – and strangely – even less with modern Christian history. Though some might be aware of […]
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An Unnecessary Existence
Read more: An Unnecessary ExistenceIn Dostoevsky’s The Demons, the character, Kirillov, is insanely fascinated with freedom. He cannot bear the fact that he did not choose his own existence. Life is a “given.” In what must be seen as a parable of the radical thought of the 19th century, Kirillov determines to kill himself, the only act of true […]
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Is This All There Is?
Read more: Is This All There Is?It all depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is. – President Bill Clinton Surely there are some things about which everyone can agree – or not. Either something exists or it doesn’t. Or is there more to the story? In the thought of the Fathers, existence has a number of qualities. That we […]
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A Complicated Faith
Read more: A Complicated Faith“It’s complicated.” This statement sums up much of the modern experience. I do not think the world we encounter is actually complicated – but our experience is. Simplicity is the reflection of an inner world free of conflicts and undercurrents. The truth of the modern inner-world is that it is generally pulled in many directions. […]
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God and Creation
Read more: God and CreationConversations about “God” often discuss Him as though He were a concept, and idea that can be isolated, studied and considered. Of course, the word “God” can often be little more than a cipher for something whose meaning everyone thinks they know, but whose meaning may vary a great deal. This can especially be true […]
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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…