“Why was it necessary for the Ascension to happen and for the Holy Spirit to descend?” In two volumes of Empirical Dogmatics, Metropolitan Hierotheos offers us a once-hidden treasure: the unwritten teachings of Fr John Romanides, one of the greatest Orthodox theologians of the last century. These “spoken teachings” (recorded from lectures at the … [Read more...] about Met. Hierotheos of Nafpaktos (and Fr. John Romanides) – On The Mystery of Pentecost
Topics in Orthodox Theology
Why Does God Allow Evil? A Parable by Elder Cleopa
In this simple parable, Elder Cleopa explains how events that appear random, arbitrary, and even evil may in fact serve a higher purpose. Source: Orthodox Christian By Archimandrite Cleopa (Ilie) A long time ago in the Egyptian desert there lived a hermit monk. Sometimes he would go to Alexandria to sell the baskets he wove. The hermit would give almost all the … [Read more...] about Why Does God Allow Evil? A Parable by Elder Cleopa
Understanding Orthodoxy
Dogma, Fr. John Romanides taught, exists to guide the faithful and to safeguard against false teaching. Dogmas don't contain the substance of the encounter with God, they describe and direct it. Dogma itself must be experienced, lit with the fire of Divine Life to effect salvation -- the healing, redemption, and restoration -- of the believer. Theology, in other words, must be … [Read more...] about Understanding Orthodoxy
Christ Has Risen Within Your Heart!
In 1978, Fr George Calciu delivered seven courageous homilies, one on each Wednesday of Lent, addressing the youth of Romania, knowing that his defiance would earn him even more long years of communist imprisonment. These became monuments of resistance to the tyranny of communism, and stirred the heart of a nation with the words: “What do you know of Christ, young man? If … [Read more...] about Christ Has Risen Within Your Heart!
The Teaching of St Gregory Palamas: Theosis is Possible Through the Uncreated Energies Of God
By Archimandrite George, Egoumenos (Abbot) of the Holy Monastery of Gregoriou, Mount Athos, Greece Man is Able to Achieve Theosis According to the teachings of the Holy Bible and the Holy Fathers of the Church, man is able to achieve Theosis (Deification) because within the Orthodox Church of Christ, the Grace of God is uncreated. God is not only essence, as the West … [Read more...] about The Teaching of St Gregory Palamas: Theosis is Possible Through the Uncreated Energies Of God
