| A Time to Weep and a Time to Laugh Monk John. Photo: Mikail Timofeyev. Reading the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, I came across the following: A hermit saw someone laughing and said to him, ‘We have to render an account of our whole life before heaven and earth, and you can laugh?’ While this probably strikes most as curmudgeonly, for us Christians, a reference to the Last Judgment ought to inspire sober reflection. How appropriate is frivolity given the desperate spiritual state within which we find ourselves—and the world at large? The monastic rule of life, while at once being a model for all Christians, is still in many respects different from the rule of Christians living in the world. One assumes that, had the hermit seen a mother’s joyful laughter at her one year old child, he wouldn’t rebuke her as he did a fellow monk who was neglecting prayer. The distinctness of the vocations must be kept in mind. Nevertheless, consider the degree of frivolity and lack of seriousness that is fostered by a culture (and economy) fueled largely by entertainment; often entertainment experienced on devices whose primary function is distraction. Not all of it, of course, is the sort of distraction that provokes laughter, but most of it leads to forgetfulness regarding our salvation. Consider the degree to which we all—not least of all, myself—busy ourselves with trivial matters that distract us from our dire, spiritual circumstances. When I take a step back and examine our culture from this perspective, it’s staggering. We need to both hear and take seriously—though not make an absolute rule—the words of this hermit, rather than making excuses. When we examine ourselves honestly, and focus less on self-justification, we are well served. Like all aspects of Orthodox spirituality, there is a delicate balance involving ascetic self-control, as all sins in scripture are characterized by excess: gluttony, drunkenness, sexual immorality, and other uncontrolled urges. Such warnings aren’t unique to this desert father, but are rather a steady drumbeat within our Orthodox spiritual tradition. Laughter is often associated with the passions, a forgetfulness of death, and a neglectful spirit towards prayer. |
| Being and Doing: On Rebellion Source: The Whole Counsel Blog Fr. Stephen De Young 27 July 2018 The relationship between the truths of the Christian faith, and the Christian way of life, has fallen into great disrepair in modern times. At its core, the Protestant Reformation was focused on this relationship. In the contemporary world, our idea of faith itself has become anemic. One is a Christian if they believe that certain propositions are true. This reduces the last judgment to a true/false test, in which correct answers gain one eternal life. This misunderstanding then generates a whole series of debates regarding exactly which propositions, and how many, are absolutely required for salvation, or to be a Christian, and which ones and how many can be held in disagreement. In those areas where it has been decided that disagreement can be allowed, there is further debate as to what options are acceptable for Christians in general, or Orthodox Christians in particular, to hold. Further, being able to identify as a Christian and salvation are identified as being the same thing. In academic circles, following the structure of philosophical disciplines which separate ethics or moral philosophy from metaphysics, we have separated dogmatic theology on the one hand and moral theology on the other, such that we can debate how the two relate to each other. This entire web of presuppositions, definitions, and distinctions, however, is completely foreign to the faith and life described by the holy scriptures. This means that it is completely foreign to the faith and life of human persons who have followed God from the origins of humanity until the end of the first century AD. Further, it is utterly foreign to the way of life and faith of the Fathers who understood the world with the same mind as that expressed in the scriptures. This is not to say that these are new beliefs. Rather, it is a new thing that these beliefs are believed to be constitutive of Christianity. |
| Greek justice minister denounces gay marriage December 8, 2014 Greece’s justice minister has been accused of homophobia after unequivocally denouncing gay marriage. In an outburst that startled human rights defenders and activists in the country’s increasingly visible LGBT community, the minister, Haralambos Athanasiou, said he was virulently opposed to same-sex marriage as it posed dangers to a society that “respected traditions”. “I won’t discuss it, I can’t conceive of it,” the conservative politician told Mega TV. “Besides, the convention of human rights forbids it. When it speaks about marriage it speaks [of marriage] between a man and woman. We are a country that respects traditions, respects human nature, and it’s not possible at least with this government and this ministry, to permit marriage.” Complying with EU demands to legalise domestic partnerships for homosexual couples was also problematic, he said, because it was not without potentially adverse consequences for society. “It’s a little dangerous to simply speak of civil unions. The matter is not easy. The problem is what are the consequences going to be … are we going to go as far as talking about adoption [by same-sex couples] next?” he asked. Athens was fined by the European court of human rights last year for failing to extend protective rights, including domestic partnerships, to gays and lesbians, a move the tribunal described as discriminating to same-sex couples. Following the judgment, the prime minister Antonis Samaras’s conservative-dominated coalition signalled that it would redress the wrong but got cold feet when rightwingers and clerics reacted in fury. Greece and Lithuania stand alone in refusing to grant such rights. When put to him that the vast majority of EU member states had implemented such laws, the Greek justice minister retorted: “That’s their issue.” He said: “Our country has structures. We have to look at it from the religious point of view, the political point of view, the social point of view. The ministry of justice will not, under the pressure of anyone, examine such an issue without calmness and composure.” |
| Medicine and Ethics Contemporary Issues Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2011 - 05:50:02 Medicine and Ethics Dr Glenn R Kubina Jun 21, 2010, 10:00 Discuss this article Printer friendly page Source: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Article from OED Book / October 7, 1995 Christian ethics is an ambiguous category that sits uneasily in the spectrum of Orthodox theological concerns. No one knows quite how to define it or how to distinguish it from the more traditional discipline of " moral theology. " In very general terms, " ethics " studies human behavior. It is a descriptive science that attempts to discern and analyze the underlying principles and values that govern human conduct. " Moral theology, " on the other hand, is typically prescriptive: it proposes the " oughts " that shape the moral life in response to God " s commandments and purposes as they are revealed in Scripture and other sources of Holy Tradition. To speak of specifically " Christian " ethics, however, complicates the matter, since it suggests that the purpose of the field is not only to analyze our behavior but to propose a cure for our moral illness, our sin. In common usage, then, Christian ethics and Christian moral theology are virtual equivalents, since the act of making ethical judgments involves by its very nature a striving toward sanctity or holiness. This is true as well with regard to the relatively new discipline of " medical ethics. " The expression could refer simply to the way doctors and other health-care specialists treat patients. As such it would either be purely descriptive (analyzing the values, motives and intentions of the medical team); or, if it ventures into the realm of prescription (how the team should behave and why), its moral directiveness would be governed by the ethicist " s own philosophical outlook. " Christian medical ethics, " on the other hand, if it is in any sense " orthodox, " presupposes a value system grounded in certain truths, or rather in " the Truth " that has revealed itself and continues to reveal itself within the Church, meaning the all-embracing reality of God " s presence and purpose within creation. |
| Patriarch Bartholomew sure there is no alternative to Orthodox-Catholic dialogue Source: Religious Information Service of Ukraine Natalya Mihailova 02 May 2014 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in an interview with the Italian agency SIR said that today there are many issues that both churches must address together, Religion in Ukraine reports, with a reference to Pomisna. “Today, perhaps more than 50 years ago, there is an urgent need for reconciliation. This means the meeting with our brother Francis Pope in Jerusalem is very important,” said Patriarch Bartholomew about the upcoming pope’s visit to the Holy Land. Among the issues that the Orthodox and Catholic Churches are facing, he described the suffering and injustice experienced by people around the world, the abuse of religion for political purposes, increasing difficulties faced by believers in Christ, and the environmental crisis. All of this, according to Bartholomew, requires taking decisive steps in mutual rapprochement and reconciliation of various Christian denominations, as well as joint actions aimed at overcoming the challenges of our times. The patriarch believes Pope Francis has an important role in this respect. “He is the head of the church, who is known for his sincerity and altruism, on whose heart lie of the problems of the division of the church and the suffering of our world,” said Patriarch Bartholomew. Speaking about Orthodox-Catholic relations in the last half century, the ecumenical patriarch said that they were not easy, but, he said, it is clear that the spirit of brotherhood and respect began to dominate over the old polemical issues as well as over judgment and suspicion. “There is much to be done and the road seems long. But we need to stay on it, despite the difficulties, because there is no alternative,” said Patriarch Bartholomew. Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Patriarch Bartholomew sure there is no alternative to Orthodox-Catholic dialogue Natalya Mihailova “Today, perhaps more than 50 years ago, there is an urgent need for reconciliation. This means the meeting with our brother Francis Pope in Jerusalem is very important,” said Patriarch Bartholomew about the upcoming pope's visit to the Holy Land. Among the issues that the Orthodox and ... |
| Professor Halvorsen Speaks at Moscow Conference Crossing the Atlantic Ocean without leaving his office, St. Vladimir’s Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric The Rev. Dr. J. Sergius Halvorsen presented a paper at a conference hosted by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1992, the University has hosted an annual theological conference for 24 years and this was Dr. Halvorsen’s second year to participate via the internet. The theme of this year’s conference, “Distance Education in Theology: Practice, Problems, and Prospects,” fell within Dr. Halvorsen’s area of expertise. As one who is familiar with the challenges and benefits of distance learning, he directs the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s, now in its final stages of meeting New York State requirements prior to receiving full authorization. The professor’s paper, offered to the Russian students on January 22, was titled “The inverted classroom: how effective teaching goes beyond content delivery.” “Good teaching goes beyond simply giving a lecture,” he explained to his virtual Moscow classroom, with the aid of a translator. “The inverted concept is gaining traction as a way of educating, and it works like this: students view videotaped lectures outside of class, while time in class is used for discussion and engagement, rather than passive listening.” The St. Vladimir’s professor emphasized that it is critical for seminarians to focus on practical applications throughout their years of theological study. “In the last judgment,” he stressed, “Jesus never asks anyone how much do you know, but what did you do?” The Church in Russia, he added, is dealing with staggering numbers of new converts and there is an urgent need for solid theological teaching in the distance learning context. “I’m impressed by the work they are doing at St. Tikhon’s in Moscow. Clearly they are laboring to reach out to a vast population of Russians who have received little intentional Christian formation.” |
| Russian church academy fires professor for “scandalous and provocative” statements admin 01 January 2014 Protodeacon Andrey Kurayev Moscow, December 31, Interfax – The Moscow Theological Academy has fired one of its professors, high-profile theologian, philosopher and missionary Protodeacon Andrey Kurayev, for “scandalous and provocative” statements on his popular blog and in the media. “The [academy’s] academic board has recorded that Protodeacon Andrey Kurayev regularly posts provocative items in the mass media and blogosphere, and that his activities in those areas remain scandalous and provocative,” the academy said in a statement. The board decided to “dismiss Protodeacon Andrey Kurayev as a lecturer and expel him from the professorial staff of the Moscow Theological Academy, taking account of the fact that his professorial rank was conferred on him at another institution of higher education,” the statement said. In explaining Kurayev’s dismissal, the board claimed that the protodeacon had disregarded a board resolution of March 12, 2012, that pointed out that “professorship at the Moscow Theological Academy carried high responsibility for the form and content of one’s public statements as those lay the basis for judgments both about this educational institution itself and about the Church as a whole.” Kurayev’s dismissal “can in no way be considered to be unexpected,” said Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, one of the top figures at the academy. “As, indeed, [the academic board’s resolution] itself states, as far back as in March 2012 colleagues approached Father Andrey Kurayev with a brotherly request not to expose the reputation of a professor of a Moscow theological school to risks that would eventually affect not only the father protodeacon himself but the entire educational institution, one of the oldest in the Russian Orthodox Church, which he represented,” Father Maxim told Interfax-Religion on Tuesday. Since March last year, Father Andrey “has not only failed to wrap up his activities” as an independent blogger and a permanent media commentator on issues he himself chooses to comment on “but has stepped them up,” the priest said. |
| «Stop!» Address by Metropolitan Vladimir of Bishkek and Central Asia to the people of Kyrgyzstan Contemporary Issues Last Updated: Feb 8th, 2011 - 05:50:02 «Stop!» Address by Metropolitan Vladimir of Bishkek and Central Asia to the people of Kyrgyzstan Translated from Russian by Julia Zubkova for pravmir.com Jun 18, 2010, 01:44 Discuss this article Printer friendly page The Orthodox Church in Kirghizia does not remain neutral to what is happening in the country. As early as in April, 2010 Metropolitan Vladimir made an appeal to people, in whichhe reminded that “the one pressing for justice or simply his own power, having obtained or asserted it by any unconstitutional and unlawful way, outside the legal environment, assumes a sin by no means justified on his conscience and heart. Evil brings about evil”. Metropolitan’s word was not listened to, ad now His Eminence addresses to people with a word full of sorrow again. Also read: Archpriest Igor Dronov: Orthodox priests of Kirghizia sheltered people in the church Dear Friends! Brothers and sisters! I’m addressing you once again, hoping that good judgment has not completely left you and the things that our sacred books – the Bible and Qur " an teach every believer will prevail: don’t lift hand against your brother in faith, forgive and love your neighbor even if he is your enemy. It is with a heavy heart that I’m writing you these lines – the innocent blood has already been shed. By now many people, blinded by hatred that was raised by evil and unfair provoker’s word, could not refrain themselves and disobeyed God’s will, bringing death to their brothers in their own Islamic faith. They seem to have forgotten what is said in Qur " an about those who mislead them this fratricidal way out of profit motive: “Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger, detracter, spreader abroad of slanders, Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor, greedy therewithal, intrusive. It is because he is possessed of wealth and children.” |
| Synodal Choir gives concert in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican Source: Interfax-religion Natalya Mihailova 02 July 2014 Moscow, July 1, Interfax - Joint concert of the Synodal Choir and the Sistine Capella was held in Vatican. Photo: mospat.ru Ambassadors from different countries, church hierarchs and other high-ranking guests came to the concert in the Capella, art director of the Moscow Synodal Choir, Russia’s honored artist Alexey Puzakov told Interfax-Religion . “Works by Palestrina, Sviridov, Metropolitan Hilarion, Bortnyansky, Chesnokov, Ivanov-Radkevich were performed in front of Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, he said. After the concert, musicians attended the divine service in St. Peter Cathedral dedicated to the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. The dialogue between the two leading choir collectives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church started in November 2013 with a concert in Rome. Then the Sistine Capella first time in its history visited Moscow and gave a convert together with the Moscow Synodal Choir. Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Synodal Choir gives concert in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican Natalya Mihailova Ambassadors from different countries, church hierarchs and other high-ranking guests came to the concert in the Capella, art director of the Moscow Synodal Choir, Russia's honored artist Alexey Puzakov told Interfax-Religion. " Works by Palestrina, Sviridov, Metropolitan Hilarion, ... 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. |
| The Convent of St. Mary Magdelene, Jerusalem The St. Mary Magdalene Convent in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is situated on the slope of the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane and is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks of Jerusalem. This striking example of Russian architecture was built in the Muscovite style with golden onion domes or cupolas. It was built as a memorial to Empress Maria Alexandrovna by her son the Russian Czar Alexander III and his brothers. Grand-Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, brother of Alexander III, and his wife Grand-Duchess Elizabeth (Princess Elizabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt), grand-daughter of Queen Victoria and sister of the last Empress of Russia, presided at the consecration of the church of Saint Mary Magdalene in 1888 as representatives of the Emperor. The Grand-Duchess took a deep personal interest in the church and commissioned the well-known Russian artist Sergei Ivanov (1864-1910) to paint the large imposing murals depicting the life of Saint Mary Magdalene which were brought to Jerusalem for the consecration and hang in the church today. The large canvas above the iconostasis shows Mary Magdalene before the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In her hand she holds a red egg which she presents to the Emperor, symbolizing the resurrection and eternal life. She tells Tiberius about the unjust judgment and death on the cross of Jesus Christ. It is known that after re-examining this unlawful trial Pilate, at that time governor of Jerusalem, was deposed and sent into exile. The elegant white marble and bronze iconostasis holds icons by the distinguished Russian artist, Vereshchaguin. On the right side of the iconostasis in a specially carved wooden icon-case is the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God ‘HODIGITRIA’. This icon comes from Lebanon. Records of its miracles date back to the 16th century when it miraculously survived a fire that consumed the church. Later it healed many people during a cholera epidemic. |
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