Byzantine, Texas

Some weeks ago Ancient Faith was going to have a chat with a proponent of deaconesses in the Orthodox Church. I commented on it elsewhere (X) and, my goodness, did it raise a ruckus. AFR got punched in the nose both for the proposed talk by opponents and by proponents for eventually pulling out of the talk. There was a general distrust in what was going to be broadcast and people let them know about it. It got quite personal and not a little destructive, but I didn't see much sign that it was AFR's intent to subvert traditional orthodoxy and inaugurate some great feminizing Council of Portland that would forever change the Church. But, where things like this are on the table, people are going to respond viscerally. They later announced a reformulated discussion with a very much expanded production. It became a 10-hour documentary which brought John Maddex out of retirement and involved interviews with fourteen people (clergy and theologians). Last night they hosted a two and ...

Baptism is a good thing. It is in fact the greatest thing. But, as with everything, along with the benefits you also have responsibilities. If I give my daughter a pony, she is immediately happy to have him. She names him, she pets him, she wants to go on a ride. She is less enamored with the idea when it comes time to muck his stall, feed him in the morning and evening, get back on when she's knocked off, or take riding lessons in the rain. I, as a parent, would not have bought the pony if I didn't believe she'd ever care for him or enjoy his company. But such is owning an animal that you own the delights and the obligations. In the same way Christ was clear, in speaking of the life of the Christian, that he is obliged to keep His commandments. In fact, it is a visible sign of our love for Him. A child raised completely ignorant of what those promises made at his baptism were is thus imperiled. Imagine a young Congolese boy who has no understanding of English nor of Americ...

( Orthodox Times ) - On Sunday, January 28, Pope and Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Missionary Spiritual Center of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa in Rodia, Crete. After concluding the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch was asked about the impending legislation regarding civil marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, set to be submitted to the Greek Parliament. In response, he reflected on the inclusive message of Christ, emphasizing, “I came into the world to save every man, sinner, tax collector, Pharisee, prostitutes, poor people.” Expressing a desire for everyone’s happiness regardless of their chosen path, he refrained from criticism or personal opinion, urging consideration for the well-being of the children involved. Emphasizing the Church as a haven of love rather than a court, he concluded, “If they have chosen this path, the Church will continue to love and await them.” And also... ( Orthochristian ) - The Gre...

Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos issued an apology for his participation in the Hindu celebration discussed here . As I said elsewhere online, I was quite surprised to see such a heartfelt and unreserved apology. It wasn't couched in words akin to "I'm sorry you feel that way," it was done publicly, and it was also quite clear. I struggle to think of any other hierarch apologizing for anything in the last few years; to this day no one has apologized for the craven response to COVID, for example.  Also, let me say that some have taken exception to me singling out the Greek Archdiocese in some way. As if I let the Russian Church do whatever it wants, but hold the GOA to a different standard. To that, let me say two things. First, this blog is replete with articles on the topic of ecumenism by all sides. Second, the Russian Church - when it was helmed by Met. Hilarion of the DECR on such topics - had a much more sustainable model. Find areas where people of different fai...

“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the Lord. - Jeremiah 7:8-10 There was a time when people really believed in God, but also demons and malign forces in general. A time when people feared the power of such fiendish beings and fought against them whenever possible. We see such a time in the Bible and in much of the life of the Church when it called out demons for what they were, destroyed statues and false gods, and spoke out against their lies for what they were. Sadly, the time we live in now has turned religion into a form of currency. You're religious? I'm religious! Let's celeb...

It's hard to overstate how important this panel is going to be. There is a full court press going on in some jurisdictions (really primarily one) to push for deaconesses. Unlike earlier discussions, which were either completely affirming of the idea or completely opposed, the below list of panelists will give us a good mix of opinions. If you are unclear on what is being proposed of late, here are few open items. Would a deaconess be a liturgical role? If not liturgical, what role is being considered? If the need for deaconesses was largely based on the time in which it existed, is there truly a need today? We don't baptize women in the nude. Priests often visit women on home visits. Et cetera. The original requirements were things like widowhood, old age, and the like. Do we envision a continuation of such requirements? A deacon is a major order. Really, what logical line would divide a deaconess from eventually becoming a priestess or more? Is this an issue of "rights...

On the 9th of this month Metropolitan Silouan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland put out some clear directives on how people should be brought into the Church. Of the many things it deals with, of great import is the current practice of "corrective baptisms." It is cause for no little confusion and outrage in the US and I am heartened to see a hierarch handle it head on. The full document is available here (PDF). The topic is hotly debated online and quotations are thrown around like projectiles. My opinion, for those interested, is clear: As heterodox bodies drift further and further away from orthodoxy it becomes less and less tenable for us to accept sacraments in any form outside of it. Eventually we will come to a place where every convert starts "from scratch." Still, if the bishop says you are to be received thus and you agree and are chrismated you did in fact accept the guidance of that hierarch. Deciding that...

( Armenian-EDA ) - The Armenian Church celebrates the holy birth (Sourp Dznunt) of Jesus Christ on January 6. In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist. This was true in the Orthodox Church as well until the celebration was split into two distinct feasts; in no small part to battle against the heresy of adoptionism .  The latter is remembered through the “Blessing of Water” ceremony, which follows the Divine Liturgy on the same day. On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Jrakalouyts Divine Liturgy (the lighting of the lamps service) is celebrated in honor of the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God (“manifestation of God” is the literal meaning of the word “theophany”). It is custom for the faithful to hold lit candles during this special service. On the following day, the mystery of our Lord’s baptism in the River Jordan is remembered in the ceremony of...

( ROC-DECR ) - The international human rights association "The Church against xenophobia and religious discrimination" was established by a number of hierarchs and clergymen of Local Orthodox Churches together with the non-governmental organisations "Public Advocacy", "VSI Zmogaus teisiu apsauga" and "European institute for religion and law" which all have a consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.  The corresponding agreement was signed on 19 December 2023, according to a press release issued by the Geneva Press Club. The creation of a new human rights association was a response to violations of the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The coordinating council of the new human rights association included: Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkassy and Kanev (Ukrainian Orthodox Church); Metropolitan Jonathan of Tulchyn and Bratslav (Ukrainian Orthodox Church); Metropolitan Timothy of Bo...

Every time there is unrest in Iraq, Christians flee to safety in other countries. As a result the Assyrian/Chaldean communities in the US and Western Europe continue to grow and much of the administration moves out of Iraq as well. It's a sad irony that wars started in those places (Europe and North America) and coming to the Middle East result in Christians exiled from their own lands. ( ACOE ) - In a significant move, the Assyrian Church of the East has been officially registered in France. This significant milestone opens new doors for the Assyrian community in France, allowing the church to better serve and work for its members. The Assyrian Church of the East has a strong presence in France, with a primary parish in Marseille, the Mar Yosip Khnanisho’s Parish, home to over 150 Assyrian families. Additionally, there are more than 50 families in Paris, reflecting the vibrant and diverse Assyrian diaspora in the country. Other communities, scattered in various parts like Toulouse...

( Patriarchate of Jerusalem ) - The Holy Synod was convened on Thursday, December 28, 2023, and was presided over by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem. During the meeting, His Beatitude discussed the painful events and challenging times in the Holy Land, especially in Gaza. Emphasizing the significance of the Church’s role both spirituality and financially, the members highlighted the importance of intensifying prayers to end the war. In light of the holy season of Christmas, the New Year, and the Divine Epiphany, they stressed the need to cease celebratory activities, focusing solely on customary religious services and prayers. Regarding the Church’s practical role, His Beatitude commended Bishop Alexios and Archimandrite Silas for opening the doors of the church, monastery, and affiliated facilities to shelter the civilians in Gaza. The Holy Synod praised the distinctive role of the Bishop and the Archimandrite, an integral part of our Church’s nat...

The fulfiller of His own Law, the Creator of the ages, is circumcised in the flesh as an eight-day old infant. And He is wrapped in swaddling clothes as a mortal and is nursed on milk, even while maintaining in His infinite power the entire world as God, who by His act orders all things. He who avoiding scission or flux was from the Father born as Logos, and God from God, ineffably as an infant is in the flesh circumcised remaining unaltered in Divinity. And so in accordance with His own Law, He who is beyond the Law now ransoms from the Law's curse the human race, and He has bestowed heaven's blessing upon us all. Therefore we worthily extol and praise Him with gratitude, and His superlative goodness and condescension we glorify; and earnestly praying, we implore Him to bestow His great mercy on our souls.