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June 28, 2002
Answers to questions from visitors:
June 27, 2002
A reader's question: I
would like to know more about the icons that St. Luke painted. What are
the icons called and how has this tradition been passed on?
see answer
June 25, 2002
A reader's question:
Where can I learn more about the potential truth to the story of St. Peter
being crucified upside down?
see answer
June 24, 2002
Death and dying: Some loose Ends . . .This
article is in response to a series of questions by a visitor concerning
how Orthodoxy understands the experience of death within a more clinical
context. This is a very topical theme, especially since prayer for our
reposed loved ones at cemeteries is part of the traditions of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is the "Giver of Life" and it is by His Breath that we
live now and in the next life . . .more
A visitor's question
I read somewhere that the Mother of God, following her death
ascended directly into heaven and her "physical body" was never found. Is
this true?
see answer
June 21, 2002
Changing them by Your Spirit: How to celebrate Pentecost every day
It was on the fiftieth day following the
Resurrection of Christ that a remarkable change occurred in His disciples.
This change was preceded by the dramatic events of noisy wind and fiery
tongues appearing above their heads. The Holy Spirit poured Himself onto
them, anointing them and empowering them with His own miraculous strength
as the promised Comforter, Spirit of Truth and Treasury of all good.
People who saw the Apostles, the Spirit-Bearers, wanted them to share
their dynamic spiritual experience with them. How can we do the same
today?
more
June 18, 2002
New Fruits of the Spirit: Two Saints and an Icon
Before His Ascension to the Father, Christ
promised to send His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to the Apostles and His
Church to be with us as our Guide, Consoler and Sanctifier. The Feast of
Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church of Christ. On this day, the
Apostles celebrated the Divine Liturgy and invoked the first Epiclesis or
"calling down" of the Holy Spirit. The Presence and Activity of the Spirit
continues to this day. Here is some new and tangible evidence . . .
more
June 17, 2002
The Fathers of the First Ecumenical
Council: Battling Ari-fairy theology
Having relived the saving experiences of the Passion, Death,
Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, the Church now bids us to celebrate
the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and recall their contribution
to our understanding of the actual identity of the Son of God. It is an
important reflection for us as Christians and one that culminates our
preparation for the Feast of Pentecost at the end of the 50 days following
the Empty Tomb . . .more
June 10, 2002
St Andrew's College:
Looking and building towards the future
The month of June is graduation time for so many students. Even my
employer is celebrating his achievement of a master's of business
administration degree this week. But the sight of so many robed graduands
walking the streets around the University of Toronto doesn't remind me of
the joy of my graduation day. Instead, it reminds me of the great, ongoing
contributions to our Church and community by St Andrew's College in
Winnipeg!
more
June
3, 2002
Updated articles on Ukrainian Saints
A visitor's question.
Recently my daughter's husband lost his
Mother unexpectedly. She lived in Moscow and he was unable to be there for
her funeral. We are having a 40 day Panachida service for her and would
like to know the traditional meaning of the service. Since we are not
Russian Orthodox, we do not know what is appropriate for the service. The
priest said a picture of the deceased would not be appropriate since this
is a celebration of the soul, but flowers would be. Also, he referred to a
ceremonial dish called "Kutya". Will you please explain?
see reply
June
2, 2002
More letters to Theophilus:
(theological
meditations/apologetics)
May 31, 2002
Religious conflict between Kyiv and Moscow heats up: A punch-up at Poltava
It has been reported that
on Sunday last in Poltava, Ukraine, priests of the Moscow Patriarchate
used physical force to take over St Nicholas' Church while hooligans
outside prevented parishioners from entering. Fr. Gregory, the parish
priest, was beaten so badly he had to be hospitalized. And all this was
done in full view of the local police who did nothing to put a stop to it.
Is this a question of "Some Orthodox would rather fight than switch?"
more
May
23. 2002
The Pochayiv Mother of God in
America: The original Lourdes of the East
Many North Americans probably won't give a
passing consideration to news that an icon from Ukraine is being brought
here on "tour" in the U.S. Grant it that "Pochayiv" is as far removed from
New York and New Jersey as "all get out." But it would be a tragedy if the
significance of this event is totally lost or else submerged in other
considerations.
more
May 22, 2002
Download
June Church Calendar
for Installation into Outlook
May 20, 2002
A visitor's
question:
If a person is baptized in the
Catholic Church, can they receive communion in
the Orthodox Church? Why or why not?
see answer
May 9, 2002
St Sophia Cathedral and
property rites: Bringing some wisdom to bare . .
.
Ever since the return of freedom of religion in the aftermath of the
collapse of the Soviet Empire, the issue of the return of previously
confiscated church property has loomed high on the ecclesial priorities
list. But the former communist reign has created problems in this area
where none really existed before. The Red crash has left a fallout that
the Churches have yet to deal with to everyone's satisfaction. St Sophia
Cathedral is a case in point . . .
more
May 8, 2002
A visitor`s question concerning Communion on the Thursday before Easter
see answer
May 6, 2002
A visitor`s question:
I have read that particularily Matthew believed
that Jesus is the
fulfillment of the prophecies of the old testament. My question is : In
which sense is Christ the fulfillment of
the prophecies in the old testament?
see answer |
