Orthodox Church

What Does the Cross Mean for Us Today?

What Does the Cross Mean for us Todayby Fr. Robert Miclean –
The cross of Christ, the Lord’s triumphant and life-giving death whereby He destroys death, is so important for us to understand and internalize as Orthodox Christians, that the Church gives special significance and specific Scriptural readings for both the weekend before the Feast and the one that follows. This Sunday after the Exaltation, the Church would have us ask ourselves, “what does the power of the cross mean for me personally, living in the world today?” [Read more…]

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The Way of the Saints – Certain Characteristics Belong to All Saints

The Way of the Saints - Certain Characteristics Belong to All Saintsby Fr. Thomas Hopko –
There are certain characteristics which belong to all of the saints, whoever they were and whenever they lived. Among these characteristics are the following:

Every saint is God-centered and seeks in his or her life the “one thing necessary”—to glorify God by doing His will.

Every saint is Christ-centered and seeks to pattern his or her life after the life of Jesus; following Him, keeping His commandments and imitating His example. [Read more…]

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The Lord Directly Commands That We Rebuke a Sinning Brother

The Lord Directly Commands That We Rebuke a Sinning Brotherby Archbishop Averky (Taushev) –
In order to strengthen their shaky “position”, such false preachers of this trendy, pseudo-“Christianity” like very much to abuse the Lord’s famous saying, Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matt. 7:1). This is their very favorite saying, which nevertheless does not hinder them in the least from judging and condemning in the cruelest manner all of those who do not agree with their heresy, which is no more than a totally deceitful distortion of the Gospel teachings—a fraud by which they confuse and disturb many. [Read more…]

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Warning to America: Atheists and Leftists Infiltrated Russia’s Schools Mortally Wounding the Country

by Michael Spreng –
A century ago, the Russian people did not just wake up to an accidental Atheist takeover. Secular intellectuals had already infiltrated their schools, and when the universities changed, so did the minds and hearts of the people.

One of the first – if not the first – steps that we should take in building an Orthodox culture in any country, is the implementation and growth of Orthodox education. If we lose this battle, we lose the future stability of our parishes. The universities in America (and in many other western nations) are geared against us and have many sophisticated arguments [Read more…]

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Orthodox Church Has Mission to Guard the True Faith Against False Prophets, Teachings, and Practices

Orthodox Church Has Mission to Guard the True Faith Against False Prophets, Teachings, and Practicesby Fr. Basil Ross Aden –
A primary mission of the Orthodox Church is to guard the true faith against false prophets, teachings, and practices. To be Orthodox is to be committed to the truth: the truth of the Gospel, the Holy Trinity, the scriptures, and the Holy Tradition

The word for today is “false.” In today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 11:5-21, we note how seriously St. Paul takes the false teachers who are misleading the congregation at Corinth. The Apostle is so concerned—and incensed—that he is willing to defend himself on the low level of his adversaries. [Read more…]

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Apostasy in the Orthodox Church Supported by Certain Clergymen and Hierarchs

Apostasy in the Orthodox Church Supported by Certain Clergymen and Hierarchsby Archbishop Averky (Taushev) –

The enemy of the human race is employing all his efforts and all his means to pull it [the Orthodox Church] down, and he is widely supported in this by open and secret apostates from the true faith and Church, including even those who have betrayed their high vocations and oaths as clergymen and even as hierarchs heading certain individual churches.

In truth, we are experiencing a terrible time — a time such as has never before been seen in the history of Christianity, in the history of mankind! A time of almost total instability! [Read more…]

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Carrying the Cross of Truth and Righteousness

Carrying the Cross of Truth and Righteousnessby Fr. Peter Olsen –
When we avoid the truth, we drift into the realm of not only falsehood but also dishonesty.

Life can be very confusing and challenging. The great gift of free will that God has given us carries along with it the awesome weight of responsibility and accountability. Sometimes we are tempted, knowingly or unknowingly, to despise the blessing of freedom that God has given us, wishing instead that someone or some thing would instead just tell us what to do and make our decisions for us. In other words, making decisions and choices is hard work. [Read more…]

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