The following is lifted from the most recent issue of TOUCHSTONE magazine (the only mag you really need these days): Through a resolution adopted at its Lambeth Conference in 1930, the Anglican Church became the first Christian body to formally approve the use of contraceptives. In an editorial published on March 22, 1931, the Washington Post had this to say in response: It is impossible to reconcile the doctrine of the divine institution of marriage with any modernistic plan for... Read more

Rarely do I link to Fr Stephen Freeman’s Glory to God for All Things, though I try to keep up with him (no small task), because I assume most of you read him already. The following entry, however, deserves a read (tell your non-Orthodox friends — even your pastor) … The Bible is not God’s revelation to man: Jesus Christ is God’s revelation to man. The Scriptures bear witness to Him and are thus “true” as a true witness to... Read more

With help from my daughter, I try to stay on pitch while singing Dan Idzikowski’s “Superchristological and Homoousiosis” — here’s the lyrics (below); tune in and sing along! (Might wanna turn my part down, however.) The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio. Or, just listen right here. To the tune of “Supercalafragalisticexpialadocius” Um diddle diddle um diddle ayUm diddle diddle um diddle ay Superchristological and HomoousiosisEven though the sound of them is something quite atrociousYou can always count on them... Read more

When you come to Scripture, you can’t just find some text and come up with some interpretation that no one has ever thought of before and have a plausible argument that it’s true. There’s a saying that I like to quote: “All that’s old might not be gold, but if it’s new it can’t be true” — and when it comes to Scripture that’s certainly true. If you read Scripture and you find something that after 2,000 years no one... Read more

If posting poetry is, forgive me this, like posing nude — Seminarian Michael goes streaking. Perhaps he should see a priest — like Fr John Hainsworth — who is nuts (about poetry). Or, a good confession (ala Patrick Kavanagh) might be in order … Having confessed he feelsThat he should go down on his knees and prayFor forgiveness for his pride, for havingDared to view his soul from the outside.Lie at the heart of the emotion, timeHas its own work... Read more

CONCORD, N.H. – The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama … “It’s important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way,” Robinson told the newspaper for a story in Monday’s editions. “Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority, or in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters.” Clark Stevens, a spokesman for the inaugural committee,... Read more

When I come before the judgment throne, I will plead the promise of God in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I will not plead any work I have done, although I will thank God that he has enabled me to do some good. I will plead no merits other than the merits of Christ, knowing that the merits of Mary and the saints are all from him; and for their company, their example, and their prayers through my earthly... Read more

Face it. Orthodox Christians can be just plain lazy — from Middle-Aged Cradles endlessly touting the glories of a bygone or foreign culture … to the Young American Converts sporting ponytails and practicing really deep breathing with wool knots out by the Vegan food co-op. As if there was no other way to live out one’s Orthodoxy. There’s certainly value in preservation of the good in one’s culture – I mean, hello, I’m a Southerner! And, yes, I fast and... Read more

Moscow, December 29, Interfax – There will be no reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church when a new Patriarch takes office, Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Kirill told the media in Moscow on Monday. “I strongly oppose any church reforms. Besides, I do not think that any of the 145 archbishops that may be nominated for Patriarch have reform aspirations,” he said. Russia has twice learned “the necessity of careful attitude to traditions, especially church traditions,” the Metropolitan said. “The first... Read more

How is it that my Creator comes to me?I’m not worthy.To quench is my fate.THIRSTAll can relate.Before Eden thou wast; even before the flood.I parted for Thy people at the behest of Moses, Thy chosen one.I’ve whetted e’ery path man’s trod; every field he’s plo’d.At Thy command I came to be; my rest shall be in Thee.Tell me Lord, what brings Thee to me? I’m not worthy,I must confess.Me? I cleanse from sweat, dirt, sand, and disease.Washed away are cares... Read more