Fr. Greg's response to my diatribes has been there for a while, but with current exigencies here and some technical issues to resolve re this blog (when you're self-hosted, you have to deal with these things) has delayed a response. Some of the items he brings up--especially concerning the authority and nature of the church--we've …
Why I Don’t Agree With the Concept of the “Sacrifice of the Mass”
Kim Dwyer took strong exception to my statement in "Think Before You Convert" that "(t)he Catholic view of the Mass as a sacrifice–which is tied up with their view of the church–is unbiblical." Given that this is an important subject (Abu Daoud also dealt with it recently) I think some elucidation is in order. Side …
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The Life of the Archpriest Avvakum by Himself
Preface In the spring of 2005, our city received a visit from Frederica Matthewes-Green, the once-Episcopalian now-Orthodox Christian writer. I went to hear her in a not very impressive Orthodox church (after Russia, I'm spoilt, I suppose.) In the wake of this I sent her an inquiry as follows: I find your position on the …
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Rising From the Pool
On my first trip to the then Soviet Union in 1988, I noted the following: After this, we were given tour of the seminary (at the Monastery of Trinity-St. Sergius, outside of Moscow)museum by a seminarian. This contains historical articles of the Orthodox church of all kinds and a special section on the life and …
Pure Men and Women Too: A Lenten Poem
Pure men, and women too, all of the world unspotted, That they might reach the heights to holy saints allotted, That they might fortify the heart against life's stress, Composed such prayers as still comfort us and bless. But none has ever stirred in me such deep emotions As that the priest recites at Lententide …
Positive Infinity 