The irreducible difference between Orthodox Christianity and the Western Confessions (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism) writes Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) is that the former understands Christianity first as ascetic effort and the latter perceives it as moral perfection. The differences are grounded in conflicting views of Christ's atoning work. Where Orthodoxy … [Read more...] about What is the Difference Between Orthodoxy and the Western Confessions?
Articles
The End of Identity: Charles Williams, Sex Robots, and Hell
“What is hell?” Elder Zosima asks in Dosteovsky’s "The Brothers Karamazov." His answer draws from St Isaac the Syrian’s “Ascetic Homilies,” a book that Dostoevsky kept by his bedside: Hell is “the suffering of being no longer able to love.” And if the Christian understanding of sexuality places it within the mystery of … [Read more...] about The End of Identity: Charles Williams, Sex Robots, and Hell
St. Paisios of Mt. Athos on Love and Kindness
“He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love” (I John 4:8). So explains St John, Beloved of Christ. Love is at the center of our Orthodox faith, and indeed as the epistle reminds us, at the center of being itself. Assembled here is a selection of short sayings or aphorisms from St Paisios of Mt Athos, whose love for God, for his fellow humanity, and for … [Read more...] about St. Paisios of Mt. Athos on Love and Kindness
Holy Tradition is a Living Voice of Revelation: An Interview with Elder Cleopa of Romania
God speaks to man writes Elder Cleopa and His living voice is the means of His self-revelation to man. God’s word was first passed on orally and constitutes what we call Holy Tradition and only later was written as scripture, both Old and New Testaments. Holy Tradition then constitutes more than the written word of scripture. This does not weaken the authority of … [Read more...] about Holy Tradition is a Living Voice of Revelation: An Interview with Elder Cleopa of Romania
Why We Are So Lonely
Many are familiar with the celebrated “boiled frog” fable (real frogs are smarter than this) in which the amphibian is placed in a beaker of water that is gradually heated until the animal is boiled alive. Even though it could easily leap to freedom, the progressive hostility of its environment is so gradual that it never quite notices. Hieromonk Gabriel helps us in … [Read more...] about Why We Are So Lonely