Holy Tradition supports the proper interpretation of the Bible Many evangelical protestants see Holy Tradition as standing in direct contrast to Scripture, as though Tradition is always relegated to “the traditions of men”. However, there are numerous references in Holy Scripture to Holy Tradition. For example: “Many have undertaken to
We must guard against doing any harm If we keep watch over our own faults it will be impossible for us to notice the faults of our neighbor. We must keep remembrance of our own faults before God and pay no attention to the shortcomings of those around us. Focusing
Sharing the otherworldly faith of the Early Church Those of you who have been reading my postings are aware that we get a lot of Evangelical Christians visiting our monastery. Many are seeking that which they sense is older and more stable than the present day expression of Evangelical Christian
When clergy become arrogant There are some clergy who hide their insecurities and flaws by acting in an arrogant and condescending manner toward those who are under their spiritual care. Being domineering, and thinking themselves privileged, they become condescending toward those they consider lesser then themselves. Rather than serving in
A servant cannot be greater than his master The Sovereign Lord of the Universe came down to earth as a humble servant. He Who sits upon the seraphim, was born to us in a stable. The King of kings came as the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for
Community is the essential element in what it means to be human Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires it’s followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is not “saved”
Imparting the faith as a missionary people Two Byzantine brothers, Saints Cyril and Methodius, brought Orthodox Christianity to the Slavs in the ninth century, and the brilliance of their missionary outreach, as opposed to that of the Latin Church, was in the very use of the vernacular. These great saints who
A place for spiritual healing Monastics are an integral part of the Church and should not be seen as independent of the Church Universal. Monks are bound by the same Gospel as other Christians and should avail themselves to the missionary and pastoral needs of the Church. Although the primary role of
Archbishop Kyrill and Bishop Theodosy visit the monastery The Brotherhood was blessed with a hierarchical visitation of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, and His Grace Bishop Theodosy of Seattle. During the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday morning, Archbishop Kyrill granted me the blessing to wear the
A people deprived of hope Accustomed as we’ve become to hearing about shootings in our communities, I would like to make an observation concerning the overall direction we are witnessing as our society moves further into a sort of madness. As we witness the wholesale abandonment of religious belief in