Ukrainian Orthodoxy	Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Documents posted in February and March, 2004

March 10, 2004

I would like to know at what year in the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox church in the Ukraine, did the liturgy change from Slavonic to Ukrainian? How and why did this come about? see answer

March 9, 2004

An Answer to another Visitor's Question regarding fasting during Lent

March 7, 2004

An answer to a visitor's question regarding liturgical vestments.

March 2, 2004

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ:” Yet another review . .

If Hollywood were truly innovative, one might expect that the next Academy Awards presentation would include nominations for the “Most Controversial Films” category. Should this ever occur, there is no doubt that “The Passion of the Christ” would win Oscars all around . . .

An Answer to a Visitor's Question regarding fasting during Lent

March 1, 2004

I have a friend who has informed me that she follows a "Christian" Church who abides by the teachings of a so-called modern era prophet.  What can you tell me about this person and his teachings? How do they measure up to the teachings of the Orthodox Church? I suspect that he must be some type of false prophet so what can I tell her to try to convince her to NOT follow such heretical teachings? See Answer

February 29, 2004

How God Loves Us in Ukrainian and English

February 23, 2004

Two questions

• I am a Ukrainian Orthodox Christian who teaches in a Non-Denominational Christian program in the public school system. Most of my students are of  protestant background. When they pray, they finish off their prayer with  the words, "In Jesus's name.....Amen." I have been told that this is what  the Lord has commanded us to do, when we pray and ask him for things, as  pointed out in the Book of Acts. My question is this, why do we, as  Orthodox Christians, pray in the name of the Trinity while other  Christians don't? What is OUR reasoning /justification for praying in the Trinity? see answer

• I know of a member of the church who goes to confession and refuses to  partake of communion after taking confession. I am aware of what is  written in John 6:54-56. Why would one NOT participate in communion after  having confessed their sins? Is this the customary belief pattern of  someone involved in a cult(ex. Masons)? Why would a priest listen to a  confession of someone who is known to not participate in communion  afterwards? see answer

February 17, 2004

I have a 19th century Russian icon of the Crucifixion...very elaborate and beautifully done, with an inserted brass Crucifix and the usual personages depicted (Theotokos, Sts. Mary Magdalene and John, Longinus).  On opposing sides also are full-length figures of Sts. Nicolas and Gregory.  I have noticed in other such icons that these figures at the sides vary according to the icon.  Is there any specific reason for this?  Would they represent the patron saints of a specific family who ordered the icon? see answer

Feburary 9, 2004

I am seeking a guide to the hand signs which appear in icons. Having tried most of the symbolism links, I still haven't found one. Can you direct me to a source? see answer

February 8, 2004

Last Sunday (February 1/January 19 Julian Calendar) we celebrated the memory of the Great Macarius, the Egyptian Desert Father, who was trained as an ascetic by the founder of monasticism himself, St. Anthony the Great. Father Macarius overcame the demons by his pure life. One day a demon complained to him that he was very sad that he could not overpower him: “Everything that you do I do also: you fast - I eat nothing at all; you keep vigil - I never sleep. In one thing only do you surpass me - in humility” more in Ukrainian and English