| Most Britons Support Teaching of Christianity in School, Poll Says By Anugrah Kumar , Christian Post Contributor November 26, 2012 am Merton College Chapel, Oxford. Almost two-thirds of adults questioned by Oxford University in a survey said they support the teaching of Christianity in schools, and two-fifths said teaching about the faith needs more attention in religious education lessons. Oxford University asked 1,800 people whether they want the majority religion taught in schools, and the outcome shows that the majority, 64 percent, supports teaching Christianity to pupils to help them understand English history. The survey was part of Oxford's department of education's new project which seeks to support teachers in the presentation of Britain's principal religion in religious education lessons. While 43 percent of those surveyed said more attention should be given to teaching about Christianity in religious lessons, 37 percent said many religious education teachers do not know enough about Christianity to be able to teach it effectively. Asked which topics of Christianity should children be taught about, 58 percent said history of Christianity, 56 percent said knowledge about major festivals such as Easter and Christmas, and 51 percent said the Christian way of telling right from wrong. What's more, over a third, 38 percent, said the Bible should be taught in school, and 30 percent said pupils should be taught the Lord's Prayer. Religious education is compulsory in state schools for pupils aged five to 16. The department of education has said inspectors have raised concerns about how religious education is taught in schools. " One problem identified in research literature is that teachers are sometimes nervous about tackling issues related to Christianity because they are worried that it could be considered as evangelizing. " John Keast, chairman of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, also said inspection reports show that the teaching of Christianity is too weak. " Research and training are key to improving the teaching of all aspects of RE [religious education], but with opportunities for teachers of RE to access good quality training now being so cut back, this initiative is a welcome step forward, " The Telegraph quoted him as saying. |
| The Macho Approach to Christ Contemporary Issues Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2011 - 05:50:02 The Macho Approach to Christ By Fr. John S. Bakas Feb 3, 2011, 10:00 Discuss this article Printer friendly page Source: Orthodox Observer, September 2010 Sitting at LAX some weeks ago and waiting for my flight to depart, I was looking through my old briefcase. Unexpectedly, I found an old copy of USA Today I had tucked into a side pocket and forgotten. What quickly caught my attention was the Life Section article; “Guys are few in the pews… churches change to attract men.” The article by Cathy Lynn Grossman stated that churches nationwide are worried about attracting men to their services on Sundays. It seems that women outnumber men in attendance in every major Christian denomination and that they are 20 to 25 percent more likely to attend worship at least weekly. In reaction to what is really not new in Christianity but has now surfaced as a new trend, is what Christianity Today calls the “evolution of the chest- thumping evangelism.” This trend (yes, we see them come and go), has some churches designing and building their worship facilities with stone floors, hunter-green and amber decor and rustic-beam ceilings to woodsy scenes on church websites. No pastels. No flowers. No sweet music. No sitting with your hands-folded prayer postures in these “guy churches.” These congregations, especially across the Sun Belt, are even holding “Beast Feasts” as ways to attract and evangelize unchurched men. The pastor of one of these churches stated: “We wanted it to feel like some guy’s really, really cool home.” I put the paper down and didn’t know whether I should smile, thinking of the number of Saturday Night Live skits that could be spawned by this “new” phenomenon, or just shake my head in cynical disbelief of the “trendy shenanigans” that pass for Christianity. No wonder, I thought, that so many unbelievers and critics of contemporary Christianity roll their eyes with mocking gestures when they see religion being marketed as just another product reaching a targeted audience to increase market share. |
| Pope Says Orthodox-Catholic Meeting Raises Hope admin 20 August 2012 Pope Benedict XVI has hailed as an important step a meeting in Poland between the leaders of Russia’s Orthodox church and Poland’s Catholic hierarchy. Poland and Russia have feuded for centuries, and their ties are marked by distrust. Benedict praised the good will efforts by Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Jozef Michalik who met in a ceremony in Warsaw on Friday. The pope, speaking to Polish pilgrims at his summer residence near Rome on Sunday, says both sides declared their desire to work together to spread evangelical values. The Russian Orthodox Church has accused the Vatican of poaching for converts in Russia. Those tensions prevented Pope John Paul II from visiting Russia. Source Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Pope Says Orthodox-Catholic Meeting Raises Hope admin Pope Benedict XVI has hailed as an important step a meeting in Poland between the leaders of Russia's Orthodox church and Poland's Catholic hierarchy. Poland and Russia have feuded for centuries, and their ties are marked by distrust. Benedict praised the good will efforts by ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. |
| John Anthony McGuckin Ordination JEFFREY B. PETTIS The Orthodox Church looks upon ordination (derived from the Latin term for registering clerics in the official lists of the church), which it designates using the biblical term as the “laying on of hands” (cheirotonia), as the sacramental continuation of the setting apart of leaders for the Christian community. Ordination is the regular transmission through the ages of the church of the charism of priesthood, as derived from the apostolic succession the church protects within itself. The Book of Numbers 27.15–23 speaks of the setting apart of Joshua by the Lord to be a leader and shepherd of the congregation. Joshua is one who is “in the Spirit” (18), and Moses places him before the priest and the congregation, lays hands on him, and gives him a charge according to divine command (22–3; cf. Deut. 34.9 ). In the gospels Jesus himself sets apart for ministry the twelve apostles ( Mt. 10.1–5 ; Mk. 3.13–19 ; Lk. 6.12–16 ). He also commissions the Seventy to do the work of evangelizing ( Lk. 10.1 ). In Acts 14.23 the Apostle Paul lays hands (cheirotonesantes) on designated church elders (presbyterous). The laying on of hands is the transmission of the sacred gift of the Spirit, confirming the gift given in Chrismation, for the special role of sanctifying, teaching, healing, and witnessing that constitutes the priestly service in the church. The Apostle Paul also refers to the bishop (episkopos) who tends the church of God like a shepherd (Acts 20.28; cf. Ignatius, Eph. 1.3; 2 .1f.; 3.2; 4.1; 5.1f.). The Didache refers to the electing of bishops and deacons “who are worthy ofthe Lord, gentle men who are not fond of money, who are true (aletheis) and approved” (Didache 15). The earliest evidence for the church’s formal service of ordination is found in the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (ca. 215): Plate 44 Liturgical procession at Optina Hermitage. RIA Novosti/Topfot. Plate 45 Optina Hermitage recently restored. RIA Novosti/Topfoto. |
| The Church of the Gauls. Part 1 St. Pothinus St. Pothinus 1. The beginnings of the Gallic Church The Gallic Church had its beginnings in the first century. Western tradition holds that Gaul (France) was initially evangelized and baptized by St. Mary Magdalene, St. Lazarus the Four-Days Dead, and his sisters Sts. Mary and Martha. On the basis of St. Paul’s second Epistle to Timothy, several historians have thought that the Apostle Crescens, an envoy of St. Paul, labored in Gaul. Some also think that St. Paul stopped in Gaul on his way to Spain. In any event, Christianity penetrated into southern Gaul at an early date, specifically into Provence and the Rhone Valley — areas that had a strong presence of Greek minorities hailing from Asia Minor, Phrygia and Syria. The written history of Orthodox Gaul begins in the second century with the Church of Lyons, which in the West was second only to Rome in authority and influence. Its first bishops were Sts. Pothinus and Irenaeus. St. Pothinus was among the Christians martyred by Emperor Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 177. Pothinus’ Acts, included by Eusebius of Caesarea in his Ecclesiastical History (Book 5, chapter 1), are considered some of the most beautiful writings of the ancient Church. St. Pothinus’ successor was the Hieromartyr Irenaeus, who had known the Hieromartyr Polycarp in his youth in Smyrna, the latter in turn having been a disciple of the Apostle and Evangelist John. The writings of St. Irenaeus of Lyons are numbered among those of the Holy Fathers of the Church; through them St. Irenaeus’ influence soon reached both Asia Minor and Egypt. St. Irenaeus St. Irenaeus Other cities also had martyrs and saints, even though persecutions were less intense in Gaul than in other regions of the Empire. The most venerated of these holy servants of Christ are St. Victor of Marseilles, St. Saturninus of Toulouse, St. Symphorian of Autun, Sts. Marcellus of Chalon-sur-Saone and Valerian of Tournus, St. Dionysius of Paris, St. Maurice of Agaune and the martyrs of the Theban Legion, St. Julian of Cenomanis (LeMans), St. Taurinus of Evereux and St. Patroclus of Troyes. |
| Wonderworker and Unmercenary John Commemorated on January 31 Saint John, a pious Christian soldier, lived in Edessa during the persecution by Diocletian (284-305). When the persecution started, he went to Jerusalem and there he heard about Saint Cyrus. He began to search for him, going first to Alexandria and then to Arabia. When Saint John finally found Saint Cyrus, he remained with him and became his faithful follower. They learned of the arrest of the Christian woman Athanasia and her three young daughters. Theoctiste was fifteen; Theodota, was thirteen; and Eudoxia, was eleven. Saints Cyrus and John hastened to the prison to help them. They were concerned that faced with torture, the women might renounce Christ. Saints Cyrus and John gave them courage to endure what lay before them. Learning of this, the ruler of the city arrested Saints Cyrus and John, and seeing their steadfast and fearless confession of faith in Christ, he brought Athanasia and her daughters to witness their torture. The tyrant did not refrain from any form of torture against the holy martyrs. The women were not frightened by the sufferings of Saints Cyrus and John, but courageously continued to confess Christ. They were flogged and then beheaded, receiving their crowns of martyrdom. At the same place they executed the Holy Unmercenaries Cyrus and John. Christians buried their bodies in the church of the holy Evangelist Mark. In the fifth century the relics of Saints Cyrus and John were transferred from Canopis to Manuphin. Later on their relics were transferred to Rome, and from there to Munchen (Munich) (another account is located under June 28). Saints Cyrus and John are invoked by those who have difficulty in sleeping. Troparion — Tone 5 You have given us the miracles of Your martyrs, Cyrus and John,/as an invincible rampart;/through their prayers, frustrate the plans of the heathens,/and strengthen the faith of the Orthodox Christians,/for You alone are good and love mankind. Kontakion — Tone 3 Podoben: “Today the Virgin...”/Having received the gift of miracles through divine grace, O saints,/you work wonders in the world unceasingly./You remove all of our passions through your invisible surgery,/divinely-wise Cyrus and glorious John,/for you are truly divine physicians. The Orthodox Church in America 8 февраля 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| “Sensationalism, headlines, and an obsession with the end of times, with the apocalypse—these are the topics that captivate the heart of man today,” says Priest Andre Paez of Saint John the Evangelist Mission here. “We live in a time of fear, in which people suffer from stress, depression and anxiety due to the fear of an unknown future, volatile economic markets, political turmoil, global wars, terrorism, and more. We are faced and surrounded with a seemingly ever increasing darkness. Yet, in the midst of this darkness and shadow of death, there is hope, as Jesus Christ has been victoriously shining forth since the day of His glorious resurrection.” It is precisely this hope that Father Andre and the faithful of Saint John’s, one of the Orthodox Church in America’s five fledgling missions currently receiving Planting Grants through the Department of Evangelization, are attempting to proclaim and share. Saint John’s was planted in February 2005 to bring Orthodox Christianity to Tempe, home to one of the largest state universities in the US. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the community today has grown to embrace some 80 faithful and a steady stream of enquirers from a variety of backgrounds, religious and ethnic. About half of the faithful are converts to the faith. The parish strives to maintain a multi-generational, “kid-friendly,” and welcoming atmosphere that fosters fellowship, while it promotes discipleship by encouraging the faithful to recognize—and use—their spiritual gifts for “the building up of the Body of Christ.” “Above all, we strive to manifest the love of God in ourselves, first to our family members, then to our friends, co-workers, and neighbors, to transform lives by being a holy place where people can experience the forgiveness and love of God through the services and sacraments, educational classes, and community outreach ministries,” Father Andre adds. “As we anticipate celebrating our patronal feast on September 26, we are reminded that Saint John uses the Greek term apokalypsis in his book of Revelation not to refer to the destruction of the world, but rather to the manifestation of Christ Himself. The apokalypsis truly is now, as our Lord reveals in John 16:33 when He says, ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’” 18 сентября 2015 г. Смотри также Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| On July 26, the day before the Synaxis of the Holy Fathers of the first Six Ecumenical Councils, the rector of the Dependency of the Russian Orthodox Church in Taiwan, Priest Kirill Shkarbul, baptized five native Taiwanese people. The baptism was performed in a mountain river near the settlement Wulai, not far from Taipei, reports Sedmitza.ru with reference to the News Service of the Dependency of the Russian Orthodox Church in Taiwan. A family of four was baptized: the father of the family (Lin Jin Lang) was named John after St. John the Baptist; his wife (Cheng Zhi-Huang) was named Ruth; their two sons (Ling Yu-hui and Ling Yu Cheng) were named Victor, after the Holy Martyr Victor of Nicomedia, and Luke, after the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke. Also a woman (Wang Ling-chi) received baptism with the name Faith after the Holy Martyr Faith. Before receiving the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, the Taiwanese people went through six months of preparation, attending catechism courses at the Dependency. Two of them had been sect members in the past, and three others were pagans. On hearing about Orthodoxy, they wished to get to know it better, and, finding the truth in Christ, expressed their desire to receive Holy Baptism. The sacrament was performed in Chinese. By tradition, baptism at the Russian Church’s Dependency in Taiwan is performed in mountain rivers – in running water, sometimes in the ocean. Many Protestants and Catholics note with considerable interest and respect that the Orthodox Church conducts sacraments in full accordance with the canons of the Ancient Church. Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
| Orthodox Chapel to Be Constructed in Campina das Missoes Photo: gabyps An Orthodox chapel in honor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles Slovenian teachers, will be constructed in Campina das Missoes, Brazil. The construction of the chapel will be associated with two memorable events: the 5th anniversary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill’s visit to Brazil and the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Argentine and South American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, the diocesan website reports . It is planned that the consecration of the foundation stone of the future chapel will take place on April 21, 2021. With the blessing of Bishop Leonidas of Argentina and South America, the consecration service will be headed by Archpriest Anatoly Topala, Dean of the Brazilian District. Earlier, on April 13, the program of events dedicated to the laying of the foundation stone at the base of the chapel was discussed at the meeting between Hegumen Innokenty (Denshchikov), the acting rector of St. John the Evangelist Church in Campina das Missoes, and the city’s prefect Carlos Justin. The construction of the chapel is supported by the municipality of Campina das Missoes, benefactors of the parish and the personal participation of the prefect of the city. Father Innokenty thanked Carlos Justin for his active participation in the life of the Orthodox parish and presented him with an icon. Photo: southamerica.cerkov.ru Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
| Today is Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women On the second Sunday after Pascha, we commemorate the Holy Myrrh-bearing women. Myrrh-bearing women at the tomb, Photo: pravoslavie.ru Hear the voice of gladness, O women; for I have trodden down rebellious Hades, and raised the world from corruption. Wherefore, hasten ye and proclaim the glad tidings to My beloved; for I desire that joy shall break forth thence upon My creation, whence first came forth sorrow. —Orthros of the Feast, Tone 2 The Myrrh-bearing women are those women who followed the Lord, along with His Mother. They remained with her during the time of the saving Passion, and anointed the Lord’s body with myrrh. Joseph and Nikodemos asked for and received the Lord’s body from Pilate. They took it down from the Cross,wrapped it in linen cloths and spices, then they laid it in a tomb, and then they placed a great stone over the entrance of the tomb. According to the Evangelist Matthew (27:57-61) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40) were there sitting opposite the sepulchre, and they saw where He had been laid. This other Mary was the Mother of God. Not only were these present, but also many other women, as Saint Luke says (24:10). Today the Church honors Saints Mary Magdalene (July 22), Mary the wife of Cleopas (May 23), Joanna (June 27), Salome, mother of the sons of Zebedee (August 3), Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus (June 4), and the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, who was the stepmother of her husband Joseph’s sons James (October 23) and Joses (October 30). Today we also also remember Saint Joseph of Arimathea (July 31), who was a secret disciple (John 19:38), and Saint Nikodemos, who was a disciple by night (John 3:3; 19:38). Code for blog Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. For example, 5 euros a month is it a lot or little? A cup of coffee? It is not that much for a family budget, but it is a significant amount for Pravmir. If everyone reading Pravmir could donate 5 euros a month, they would contribute greatly to our ability to spread the word of Christ, Orthodoxy, life " s purpose, family and society. Also by this author Today " s Articles Most viewed articles Functionality is temporarily unavailable. Most popular authors Functionality is temporarily unavailable. © 2008-2024 Pravmir.com |
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