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January 30, 2004
“Orthodox in communion with Rome:”
Trials and Tribulations of Eastern Catholics
Eastern by ritual, Western by
ecclesial jurisdiction, Eastern Catholics have historically been pulled in
two directions by competing loyalties that continue to cause tension in
their church identities and lives. With politics and cultural issues
thrown into the mix, it is no wonder that they appear to be forever
pondering what the future holds for what is a true complex of various,
distinct perspectives on everything from liturgical issues to what really
constitutes a “Particular Church” in union with Rome . .
More
January 29, 2004
The
Prayer Rule of St Seraphim of Sarov
The Orthodox Church has decided to continue
celebrating the life and spiritual patrimony of one of her greatest
Fathers and spiritual teachers, St Seraphim of Sarov. This year marks the
250th anniversary of his birth, in fact. And there is a
particular practice that this tonsured monk of the Kyivan Caves Lavra
followed that intimately links him with the West . . .
January 27, 2004
Heralds
and Harbingers of Orthodoxy: An Akathist to John Hus
A number of converts to
Orthodoxy from various traditions often continue to honour the saints and
holy ones they always have throughout their lives, even as Orthodox
Christians. One of these is Master John Hus who was burned at the stake in
1415 . . .
January 26, 2004
What is the general
orthodox view of Sts. John of the Cross & Teresa of Avila? Has
there been any adaptation of their writings like in the
case of the Unseen Warfare by St Nicodemus of the holy
mountain? Has there been comparison done between their writings
on the inner life of prayer & the orthodox theosis?
I find the counsels
of Teresa of Avila to be practical & useful when it comes to
personal prayer. But yet, I understand that there are certain
Orthodox clergy who are totally negative about Roman Catholic
saints and their writings.
See answer
January 25, 2004
Where Does
Love Come From? Ukrainian and English
January 20, 2004
Answers to questions from visitors
January 19, 2004
A
most talented
American preacher
Halford E. Luccock
(1885-1960) once spoke
of a scientist
who was calling
for the
organization of
student exchanges
among the nations
of the world
with these
words: "The very best way to send an idea is to
wrap it up in a person." Luccock commented on these words: “That was what
happened at Christmas. The idea of divine love was wrapped up in a
Person”. More in Ukrainian and
English
Answers to questions from visitors
January 17, 2004
Salvation
I recently say publicity for a retreat
entitled, "Since Salvation is NOT Guaranteed, what must one do to work out
one's salvation?". Now, I'm confused and we know who the author of
confusion is don't we? The title of the retreat really set me back
because who besides the Lord Himself can tell me my Salvation is "not"
guaranteed. I come from such a strong background of Orthodox on my
Father's Side and High Church Anglican on my Mother's side. I was
raised that our Salvation is a gift from God and warranted as we walk the
path before us. Is there a book you could recommend I read about
this so call thought of "no" guarantee or encouraging words? Really
this is our prayer, this is our hope, this is our Faith, that we be saved
isn't it? See answer.
January 11, 2004
Is Christmas too Costly for Us?
Ukrainian and English
January 8, 2004
An
answer to a visitor's question
concerning conception during the Great Fast.
January 6, 2004
St. Ambrose of Milan
is one of the Holy
Men of God whose lives and labours inspire us during the Nativity Fast
(his Feastday falls on December 20 Julian Calendar – just after that of
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker).
More in Ukrainian and English
January 5, 2004
An
answer to a visitor's question
I
understand why we wait the 40 days for the presentation of the Lord.
But why do we begin the teaching ministry of Jesus BEFORE we celebrate the
presentation of the Lord? I believe on January 11th we will celebrate the
Feast of the Lord's Baptism; Our Lord at this time is thought to be an
adult, 30ish... and then a few weeks later we meet our Lord as a child
again for the feast of the Presentation. Why do we do this?
December 30, 2003
Be
Realistic -- Seek to Do the Impossible
I heard something like these words in a spiritual message delivered in
Russian by a speaker whose name I did not catch. They intrigued me in
their seeming contradiction for how could one be a realist and seek the
impossible at one and the same time I understood these words as a
challenge to continually expand our concept as to what we had considered
possible up till now as well as to our certainty that we are truly looking
at the world realistically.
More in Ukrainian and English
December 21, 2003
The time before the
Great Feast of the Lord’s Nativity (Christmas) is marked – as is the
time before Pascha (Easter) – by the discipline of fasting. This
Christmas Fast is usually called “Pylypivka” in Ukrainian because it
begins immediately after the Feast of the Holy Apostle Philip (November
27). The fasting is also accompanied by prayer and reflection on the
state of one’s inner being.
In
Ukrainian and English
January 11, 2004
Is Christmas too Costly for Us?
Ukrainian and English
January 8, 2004
An
answer to a visitor's question
concerning conception during the Great Fast.
January 6, 2004
St. Ambrose of Milan
is one of the Holy
Men of God whose lives and labours inspire us during the Nativity Fast
(his Feastday falls on December 20 Julian Calendar – just after that of
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker).
More in Ukrainian and English
January 5, 2004
An
answer to a visitor's question
I
understand why we wait the 40 days for the presentation of the Lord.
But why do we begin the teaching ministry of Jesus BEFORE we celebrate the
presentation of the Lord? I believe on January 11th we will celebrate the
Feast of the Lord's Baptism; Our Lord at this time is thought to be an
adult, 30ish... and then a few weeks later we meet our Lord as a child
again for the feast of the Presentation. Why do we do this?
December 30, 2003
Be
Realistic -- Seek to Do the Impossible
I heard something like these words in a spiritual message delivered in
Russian by a speaker whose name I did not catch. They intrigued me in
their seeming contradiction for how could one be a realist and seek the
impossible at one and the same time I understood these words as a
challenge to continually expand our concept as to what we had considered
possible up till now as well as to our certainty that we are truly looking
at the world realistically.
More in Ukrainian and English
December 21, 2003
The time before the
Great Feast of the Lord’s Nativity (Christmas) is marked – as is the
time before Pascha (Easter) – by the discipline of fasting. This
Christmas Fast is usually called “Pylypivka” in Ukrainian because it
begins immediately after the Feast of the Holy Apostle Philip (November
27). The fasting is also accompanied by prayer and reflection on the
state of one’s inner being.
In
Ukrainian and English
December 17, 2003
Answers to two questions from
visitors
-
Who turned to Stone in the Bible?
-
I
am wondering.... in the book of Exodus in the Holy Bible, it says that
Moses gives the children of Isreal the Ten Commandments. One of these
states ''Thou shall have no other gods before Me.'' Now I know very
little of your faith, but I assume you believe in the Bible because you
mention Jesus many times. So if you do believe in God's Word, why do you
idolize people. [Mary, the Romanovs etc.] Rather you admit it or not
these are idolizations, and Im just wondering why you do it.
Also, why do pray to other people instead of God or Jesus directly? You
are a child of God not of Nicholas II or anyone else. Why not pray to
God?
December 15, 2003
Bilingual Meditation
“WHEN
WE DECREASE, HE CAN INCREASE, BUT NOT UNTIL”
December 14, 2003
An answer
to a visitor's question
I've read your article about the tree of
life and its fruit. In the article it is noted that during the feasts of
the cross and in the prayers of the horologion, "Lord, we see Thee in the
pine, the cedar and the cypress!" Therefore, does this reflect the
wood that was used for His Cross? Thank you. I have always wanted to know
what types of wood were in that wood.
December 11, 2003
Bilingual Meditation
AN EXAMPLE OF THE COMMUNION OF
SAINTS
An answer
to a visitor's questionThis has come up as a
topic of conversation. What is our view of dinosaurs? How do
they fit into the Bible? Were dinosaurs on the Ark? Is it true
that the book of Job (esp. chapter 40, verse 15) talks about
dinosaurs?
December 4, 2003
Two questions
-
The Jesus Prayer is a
constant prayer of mine, but I have never used Prayer Ropes or
Prayer Beads (chotki). I have just purchased a Russian Amber one
with 33 beads with a Cross and long tassel, plus 11+ 11+11
small beads, plus 3 larger spacer beads. I would like to begin
using it, but I don't know how.
see answer
-
I have discovered
that I am a direct descendant of St. Olga (g-grandparent x 65)
and St. Vladimir (g-g x 63). I love to travel and now that I
know this I hope someday to return to Ukraine and Kiev, and
wonder if there is an actual burial place for Sts. Olga and
Vladimir that can be visited.
see answer
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