If the only meaning of baptism were remission of sins, why would we baptize newborn children who have not yet tasted of sin? But the mystery of baptism is not limited to this; it is a promise of greater and more perfect gifts. In it are the promises of future delights; it is a [...]
Archive for December, 2008
Theodoret of Cyrus on Baptism
Posted in Uncategorized on December 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Saint Maximus the Confessor on Sinful Thoughts
Posted in Uncategorized on December 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When the mind begins to flourish in its love for God, the blaspheming spirit commences to tempt it, instilling such thoughts that no human being could think of but only the devil—their father. And he does this from his jealousy of the God-loving man, who in accepting such thoughts as his own, he would become [...]
Origen of Alexandria on the Word of God
Posted in Uncategorized on December 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
As in “the last days”, the Word of God, which was clothed with the flesh of Mary, proceeded into this world, and what was seen in him was one thing, and what was understood was another—so also, when the Word of God was brought to humans though the Prophets and the Lawgiver it was not [...]
The Church in Via: by Fr. John Behr
Posted in Uncategorized on December 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The following is a paper delivered at the Plenary Session of the Conference on Eschatology held by the Theological Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate, Danielovsky Monastery, Nov 14-17, 2005.
Christ as the “Coming One”
In a very important sense, Christian theology is always about eschatology and the content of eschatology is already given. This is somewhat obscured [...]
Saint Photius the Great on the Importance of Dogma over Customs
Posted in Uncategorized on December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Everybody must preserve what was defined by common ecumenical decisions, but a particular opinion of a church father or a definition issued by a local council can be followed by some and ignored by others. Thus, some people customarily shave their beards; others reject this practice by local conciliar decrees. Thus, as far as we [...]
Vladimir Lossky on the Essence and Energies of God
Posted in Uncategorized on December 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The theology of the Eastern Church distinguishes in God the three hypostases, the nature or essence, and the energies. The Son and the Holy Spirit are, so to say, personal processions, the energies natural processions. The energies are inseparable from the nature, and the nature is inseparable from the three Persons. These distinctions are of [...]
Saint Macarius the Great on Despair
Posted in Uncategorized on December 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
It often happens that Satan will insidiously commune with you in your heart and say: ‘Think of the evil you have done; your soul is full of lawlessness, you are weighed down by many grievous sins.’ Do not let him deceive you when he does this and do not be led to despair on the [...]
The Rule of Fasting in the Orthodox Church: by Fr. Seraphim Rose
Posted in Uncategorized on December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In answer to numerous requests from readers, the rule of fasting is given for each day of the year. Where no indication of fast is given, and during “fast-free weeks,” all foods may be eaten (except during Cheese-fare Week, when meat alone is forbidden every day). Where “fast day” is indicated alone, the fast is [...]
