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One word that I found difficult to understand when I studied Orthodoxy is the word “mystery”. In particular, the Orthodox Church refers to “The Mysteries” often in terms of the Seven Sacraments. One page puts it well. Unlike some other Christian denominations, which may view sacraments primarily as symbolic rituals, Orthodox Christians believe that the…

These are notes from a lecture by Dr. Justin Gohl, Lecturer in Old Testament at St Tikhon’s Seminary, (Here are some of his numerous publications). Any errors in the following are all mine and not Dr. Gohl’s. I wrote it up here to preserve it for my own future reference and application and anyone who…

Spyridon the Wonderworker of Trymithous Orthodox Christianity Then and Now Holy New Martyr Peter the Aleut Orthodox Christianity Then and Now John (or Joachim), Bishop of Zichni Orthodox Christianity Then and Now

JOHN 10:9-16The Lord said, “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good…

ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 5:8-19Brethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a…

Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon Martyrs Acepsius and Aeithalas Holy Martyrs Miracus and Barsabas Leontios the Righteous of Monemvasia The Glorious King Nikephoros Phokas

MARK 8:30-34At that time, Jesus charged his disciples to tell no one about him, that he is the Christ. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise…

ST. PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS 2:1-12Brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of…

ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 4:22-27Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount…

ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 3:23-29; 4:1-5 Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a…

Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome (AD 96) Our father among the saints Clement of Rome (also called Clemens Romanus to distinguish him from Clement of Alexandria) was the third in succession after the Apostle Peter as bishop of Rome. Clement is known mainly for the letter he wrote to the Corinthians in about…

LUKE 18:18-27 At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do…

ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 6:11-18 Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross…

The   Greek word, συνεργέω, is transliterated as synergeō and is translated as “workers together” in this passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.  This same word is used in many passages in the New Testament. Mark 16:20 And they went forth,…

There’s an Old Testament prophecy in the book of Isaiah that is a prophecy of the Messiah. Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. The Messiah is the Elect One. This theme…

The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare (Ancient Faith store link).  

For those with access to theological libraries, or who can get the document through the Theological Research Exchange Network, the thesis that I found was by William Essey and is dated March 1973. The title is “Mariology in the Fathers: Apostolic Era through Byzantine Synthesis”. In the paper the author notes the influence of the…

If the writers of the New Testament were to use a Greek word to describe a gathering together of the people of God in the Old Testament they would naturally use the Greek word ekklesia which means assembly.  Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which…

Someone else put it better than I did/could: A forgiving person is ready to forgive and desires that the scenario for forgiveness to take place will develop in time. One who has been wronged can learn to still be considerate and compassionate ( that is the fruit of love) when true repentance has not taken…

Mat 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his…

I think it will be a relief to many people to understand that God doesn’t ask them to forgive those who have abused them. It’s good news. Of course it’s bad news to the dispensers of religious tradition who think they can control people by keeping them under a guilt trip telling them that about…

Someone asked me to summarize my theology of forgiveness. We need to forgive people who are truly ignorant of their sins. If someone repents we are obligated to forgive them. Repentance includes sorrow, restoration, recompense. If someone does not repent, we are obliged to confront and rebuke them. If someone refuses to repent after confrontation,…

If you are to always to forgive then why does the Scripture say: John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.  That doesn’t fit at all with the unilateral forgiveness paradigm. Why doesn’t the church just always forgive if that’s really the…

Someone wrote: Some people really think that Jesus said, By their doctrine you shall know them. That always baffles me. Look these passages up: Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in…

Someone quotes (as they always do when discussing the subject of forgiveness)  this passage: Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Yes, I agree 100% with what Eph. ch 4:32 says. But, do you see what it says? If we…