| Orthodox churches protest scope of board’s religion policy review Hamilton, Ontario, October 31, 2011 The head of a local coalition of Orthodox churches is accusing the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board of blocking his group’s participation in a review of religious accommodation and bullying policies, reports the Hamilton Community News, published on The Hamilton Speculator . There are nine Orthodox Churches in Hamilton, Ontario, and around 20,000 Orthodox Christians. Ontario has historically been home to a large number of Ukrainians of the Orthodox faith. Father Geoffrey Korz, general secretary of the Pan-Orthodox Association of Greater Hamilton, said his group wasn’t invited to sit on the board’s interfaith advisory committee studying the policies and is being given limited access to trustees. He said board chair Judith Bishop has only agreed to let his group make a presentation to either trustees’ policy subcommittee or the bigger committee of the whole, but not both. “This is just a really unfortunate political move on the part of the board,” said Korz, whose group’s members have been vocal critics of the board’s equity policies on sexual orientation. “Although we might not agree with a number of things the board has done, we would like to participate constructively so that this can be brought to some amiable conclusion, but the board really isn’t interested.” Korz said a draft bullying policy pays “lip service” to anti-religious bullying when compared to other forms of bullying, like that targeting gays and lesbians. He said he’s concerned the interim religious accommodation policy does the same thing by not allowing students to express traditional religious views against same-sex relationships. “If we really want to have an open discussion, then all those views have to come to the table,” Korz said. Bishop said the board isn’t trying to thwart Korz’s group from making presentations to trustees, but wants to avoid duplication. She said his group can always make a presentation on one policy to the subcommittee and speak to the committee of the whole on the other, or have two delegations. |
| Staging of Babchenko’s Death Immoral Deed – Metropolitan Hilarion Photo from solzemli.wordpress.com Moscow, June 4, Interfax – The situation surrounding the staging of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko’s death is immoral, Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), said. “I believe that the staging of the death is an immoral act, because every person has loved ones, relatives, maybe some of them were warned, but some of them still were not, many of them could have been traumatized, some of them could have suffered a heart attack. Some people could have rushed to write requests [in churches] for prayers for the repose of his soul or some could have already done that,” the metropolitan said on the Church and the World program on the Rossiya-24 television channel. “They told the whole world that he is dead and then this person appears in front of cameras like in the famous film Office Romance, when they donated money for Bublikov’s funeral and suddenly he appears and everyone is shocked,” he said. “It’s one thing when it happens in comedy movies and another is real life, it is turning into tragicomedy,” Metropolitan Hilarion said. “Thank God the man is alive, but it’s bad that many people were deceived this way, they made them worry and get stressed, and created this outrageous situation,” the DECR head said. In the evening on May 29, first Ukrainian media and subsequently authorities said that Russian journalist Babchenko, who has been working at the ATR television channel in Kiev since 2017, was allegedly shot dead near his apartment in downtown Ukraine. Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) head Vasily Gritsak said the next day that reports of Babchenko’s “murder” were a part of special operation conducted by Ukrainian law enforcement services and aimed at preventing an attempt on the journalist’s life. Babchenko himself held a press briefing. Gritsak said during the same briefing that the organizer of Babcheko’s “killing” was detained in Kiev on Wednesday. The organizer of the crime talked about killing 30 people in Ukraine, and the attempted “murder” of Babchenko was just a warm-up, Gritsak said. |
| The Ecumenical Patriarchate clarified, through the Press and Communications Office, that there would be no change in the way the Holy Communion is received. Following questions about the use of multiple or disposable spoons during the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Ecumenical Patriarchate clarified that it found “no need for a change of this mode, especially under pressure from external factors.” In particular, the Ecumenical Patriarchate answered to the questions about whether multiple or disposable spoons used during Holy Communion are “blessed” by referring to the communiqué of the Holy and Sacred Synod , which was held on the 25th of June: a) The Mystery of the Divine Eucharist is non-negotiable because we believe that through it it is transmitted to the faithful the Body and Blood of the Saviour Christ “unto the remission of sins and life eternal” and it is impossible that through this Mystery of Mysteries any disease might be communicated to those who partake. For this reason, the Church remains steadfast and immovable in its teaching towards the essence of the Mystery of Holy Communion. b) As to the mode of distributing the ineffable Mysteries to the faithful, the Church, respecting Holy Tradition that is interwoven inextricably with the daily ecclesiastical practice and kenoitc experience, and as the guardian and vigilant watchman of those traditions handed down from the Holy Father, finds no need for a change of this mode, especially under pressure from external factors. However, it was clarified that the ecclesiastical Economia is always carried out under special circumstances: a) The State prohibits by law the offering of Holy Communion due to a pandemic, and b) The Mother Church of Constantinople grants such permission. “However,” according to the communiqué, “the thing is, on the one hand, not about changing the way of receiving Holy Communion and, on the other hand, it is obviously not about using multiple or disposable holy spoons.” Code for blog Since you are here… |
| The Great Cross Procession shows that the UOC has gone with dignity through difficult trials, people united, the Church continues to grow and develop. UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary. Photo: “Vesti” On July 30, 2019, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary, spoke about the main conclusions of the Great Cross Procession , which took place in Kiev on the occasion of the 1031st anniversary of the ‘Baptism of Rus’, reports “Vesti” . Bishop Anthony recalled that on July 27, 2019, the Cross Procession of the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was held in Kiev: “It gathered about 300 thousand pilgrims from all regions of our country. Even small children marched in the procession, many of whom sang church hymns along with adults and prayed for peace in our Homeland.” “It was gratifying to see joy and peace on people’s faces. Recent years have not given us enough reasons for this mood. However, now the hope that the situation will change and politics will no longer interfere in the life of the Church has been lit up in millions of hearts,” the bishop added. Metropolitan Anthony asked the question: what did this procession show all of us? “Firstly, the fact that our Church has gone with dignity through difficult trials. People united around their shepherds, their faith became even more ardent and conscious. Every year our Cross Procession becomes more and more large-scale. And this speaks only about one thing – thank God, we are standing firmly on our feet, and our Church continues to grow and develop. Secondly, the impressive scale of the prayer procession demonstrates that our believers are ready to explicitly and actively support their Church. Even we, bishops, did not expect so many people. In addition to buses, many travelled to the capital by private transport, by suburban rails and trains, by air. In particular, we were very pleased to see groups of pilgrims from other countries who consider our religious procession to be not only an intra-Ukrainian but also a pan-Orthodox event. |
| UK Sets Grim Abortion Record with 209,519 Babies Killed in 2019 The UK Department for Health and Social Care released its official abortion figures for 2019 on Thursday, revealing the highest number of abortions in the country’s history. AP Photo The UK Abortion Act was passed in 1967, legalising abortion on certain grounds by certified practitioners in England, Wales, and Scotland. Thursday’s report reveals that 209,519 abortions were performed in England and Wales during the 2019 calendar year, the highest number yet recorded. The “age-standardised abortion rate” for residents is 18.0 per 1,000 women, which is also the highest rate since the Abortion Act was introduced, the report declared. Of the 209,519 abortions performed, 207,384 were carried out on the children of residents in England and Wales. The report also revealed that 99 percent of all abortions in England and Wales were funded by the NHS in 2019, while 74 percent of abortions took place in the independent sector. The largest increases in abortion rates by age were among women aged 30-34, which have increased from 15.7 per 1000 in 2009 to 20.9 per 1000 in 2019. Moreover, 40 percent of the women undergoing abortions in 2019 had had one or more previous abortions, the report states. This proportion has increased steadily from 34 percent in 2009. “We are looking at a national tragedy here,” said Antonia Tully, Director of Campaigns for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). “This appalling figure shows us that abortion is becoming more and more normalised. Propaganda telling women that abortion is ‘simple and safe’ coupled with easier access to abortion pills is driving up abortion numbers.” “But behind the figures are real women who have taken an irreversible step and who are likely to be suffering physically or emotionally,” she added. “The lockdown measure to allow DIY home abortions is compounding the myth that abortion is a normal and easy thing to do. It isn’t.” Ms. Tully insisted that women deserve the truth about the damage that abortion can do to them. “Nothing can bring back a dead baby,” she said. |
| The Orthodox Church forbids its clergy from holding elected office, or endorsing political parties or candidates. It strives to be a place all can come to for healing, regardless of ideology. Yet this stance doesn’t mean it remains neutral when issues of moral and spiritual significance come to a vote. On two occasions, I’ve endorsed from the pulpit statewide initiatives that in an Orthodox worldview concerned matters of revealed truth, rather than personal preference. One had to do with when life begins, the other with the definition of marriage. On these topics, the choice was between truth and heresy. But before you conclude Orthodoxy is just another a right-wing hate group — or before those who identify as traditional Christians get too cozy with the political right — it must be pointed out there are several areas where the “conservative” position is also anathema. An Orthodox (or simply orthodox) Christian must reject the argument that nature is merely a collection of resources to be exploited. I once heard Rush Limbaugh say the only good thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. As tree, it has no value. For orthodox Christians, this is blasphemy. Creation, including the tree that never becomes a marketable good, is a revelation of its creator — an icon of divine love. An orthodox Christian recognizes that people are also icons, made in God’s image. They’d be disturbed by nativistic efforts to keep others out of America, or demonize immigrants. An orthodox Christian would be skeptical about domestic policies that create opportunity for those at the top, in hopes it will trickle down to those at the bottom. If all are created in God’s image, all should enjoy equal access to opportunity. An orthodox Christian would question making military spending our top, discretionary priority — with more resources devoted to it than the next five nations combined. We’d be leery of hawkish aggression and pre-emptive strikes. Even with the sanctity of life and marriage weighted as priorities, the preponderance of other moral questions makes it impossible for orthodox Christians to line up squarely behind any party or candidate, because no candidate or party is consistent with Christian orthodoxy. |
| Patriarch Kirill: Catholics and Russian Orthodox uphold ‘the same Gospel values’ Source: CatholicCulture.org Natalya Mihailova 04 December 2015 The head of the Russian Orthodox Church met with two Catholic priests on December 2 and expressed appreciation for the work of the Catholic Church in Italy. Patriarch Kirill told the prior and administrator of Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari that “Bari is a sacred place for Orthodox Christians like Mount Athos or holy sites in Palestine” and that “theologians discussing theological issues sitting at the table is one thing, but people contacting our brothers in the West, moreover at the holy site, is quite another matter. It is very important not only maintain our relations on theological level, but also to feel one another in our hearts.” “The success of your mission among the Italians is important not only for them,” he continued. “It is very important for the development and strengthening of relations between our Churches. Therefore we appreciate that the Catholic Church is upholding the same Gospel values as the Russian Orthodox Church.” Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Patriarch Kirill: Catholics and Russian Orthodox uphold ‘the same Gospel values’ Natalya Mihailova Patriarch Kirill told the prior and administrator of Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari that “Bari is a sacred place for Orthodox Christians like Mount Athos or holy sites in Palestine” and that “theologians discussing theological issues sitting at the table is one thing, but people contacting our ... 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. |
| Tweet Нравится Molotov cocktail gets Esphigmenou abbot twenty years in jail Moscow, January 30, 2017 Photo: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/ Eight monks of Esphigmenou Monastery, one of the twenty ruling monasteries on Mt. Athos, including abbot Methodios (Papalamprakopoulos), received jail sentences on Friday from a Thessaloniki Mixed Jury Criminal Court, reports Mystagogy . The monks were charged with instigating violence and throwing Molotov cocktails at police officers in an incident in July 2013 in the Athonite capital of Karyes. Abbot Methodios and monk Antypas, the main aggressor, both received twenty-year sentences, effective immediately. The other six monks were charged as accomplices, receiving sentences of ten years and four months which are being appealed. Abbot Methodios. Photo: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/ Esphigmenou Monastery has been in schism from the rest of the Holy Mountain, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the rest of the Orthodox World for many years, in protest against the ecumenistic activity of the Patriarch of Constantinople with the Catholic Church, and others. Unfortunately their zeal against errors on the left has led them into the error on the right, unlike the rest of the Holy Mountain which has not departed from the one Church of Christ. The incident in question occurred when court bailiffs arrived to the Esphigmenou administrative offices in Karyes on July 29, 2013 to evict the schismatic monks, who responded by throwing three Molotov cocktails and an explosive device. “Esphigmenou monastery is our home; we will die there,” one of the monks told the court, according to The Associated Press . A statement released by a new Esphigmenou brotherhood, established in 2005, reads: “The decision, of the courts, which is enforceable immediately for the first two, gives the measure of common sense. Namely that one thing is the confession of faith and another the use of explosives and the committing of serious crimes. The spiritual disagreements and other denials of the rules of the Holy Mountain and the state are another thing. |
| Archimandrite Irinei (Steenberg) Speaks at the Forum “The Legacy of Patristic Tradition in the Monasticism of the Russian Church,” Part of the 23rd International Nativity Educational Readings in Moscow Source: ROCOR Natalya Mihailova 26 January 2015 On January 22, 2015, Sretensky Stavropegial Monastery in Moscow, Russia, hosted the forum " The Legacy of Patristic Tradition in the Monasticism of the Russian Church, " part of the 23rd International Nativity Educational Readings. At the section titled “Divine Services as an Expression of Fundamental Monasticism,” Archimandrite Irinei (Steenberg) of St Tikhon of Zadonsk Church in San Francisco, CA, gave a lecture titled “The One Thing Needful,” on the meaning of Divine Liturgy in the life of a monastic brotherhood. He noted that the sole goal of monasticism is achieving communion in Christ. Divine Liturgy is the basis of daily life in a monastic community, the Mystery through which the Lord turns and monk towards Himself and offers him the fullness of life that he seeks. A monastic brotherhood must strive to form itself under the influence of Eucharistic life. Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Archimandrite Irinei (Steenberg) Speaks at the Forum “The Legacy of Patristic Tradition in the Monasticism of the Russian Church,” Part of the 23rd International Nativity Educational Readings in Moscow Natalya Mihailova At the section titled " Divine Services as an Expression of Fundamental Monasticism, " Archimandrite Irinei (Steenberg) of St Tikhon of Zadonsk Church in San Francisco, CA, gave a lecture titled " The One Thing Needful, " on the meaning of Divine Liturgy in the life of a monastic ... 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. |
| 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. |
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