The Orthodox Standard Journal

  Introduction to Part 1 of Sedulius's 9th-Century Treatise on Christian Rulers The De Rectoribus Christianis (On Christian Rulers) by Sedulius Scottus, a 9th-century Irish scholar and priest, is a remarkable text that reflects the merging of Christian theology, Classical philosophy, and early medieval political thought. Written during the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of cultural revival and intellectual flourishing under Charlemagne and his successors, this treatise serves as both a guide and a critique for those who hold authority in the Christian world. Context and Author Sedulius Scottus was a wandering Irish monk and scholar who settled in the Carolingian court, likely in Liège, Belgium. His works are characterized by a synthesis of Irish monastic learning, patristic theology, and the rediscovered treasures of Greco-Roman thought. Sedulius wrote in Latin, a mark of his erudition, and his treatise reflects his deep commitment to the principles of Christian governance. ...

Fasting is a Healer of both Soul and Body by Fr. Aleksandar Radunovic  (RTOC). Oh, wondrous mysteries! Fasting is a healer of both soul and body. In the dark cloak of night, when silence unveils the sounds of hidden desires of the soul, one encounters the boundless ocean of their emptiness. In these moments, it becomes clear that fasting is more than abstention; it is a call to the mystery of the infinite, an invisible journey to the depths of God’s presence. Fasting, brothers and sisters, is the mirror of the soul, the relentless judge of our passions. It is not merely the absence of food, but the presence of a spiritual hunger that yearns for the heavenly manna, food that cannot be bought with the silver of the world, but is gained through prayer and tears of repentance. In the light of the Holy Fathers, the Nativity Fast is an ark of salvation in the flood of our daily temptations. As Noah’s ark preserved life on Earth by God’s will, so does fasting preserve the soul...

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael,   Commander of the Heavenly Host,  The Scripture Readings Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Matins Gospel Hebrews 2:2-10 Epistle, Angels Luke 10:16-21 Gospel, Angel Troparion , Tone IV — Supreme commanders of the armies of Heaven,/ we, the unworthy, do ever entreat you,/ that by your prayers ye ever surround us/ with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory,/ preserving us that earnestly fall down before you and cry aloud:/ Deliver us from misfortunes,// in that ye are the leaders of the hosts on high. Kontakion , in Tone II — O ye chief commanders of God,/ ministers of glory divine, captains of the angels and instructors of men:/ beg ye great mercy and that which is profitable for us,/ for ye are the supreme commanders of the bodiless hosts. Another Troparion , Tone IV — O Commanders of the heavenly hosts,/ We who are unworthy beseech you:/ By your prayers encompass us/ Beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,/ And faithfully...

  The Glorification of Hieromonk Father Seraphim (Rose)  by Metropolitan Agafangel  of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad occurred on  the day of the feast of Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Bodiless Powers, November 8/21, 2024.  During the all-night vigil in the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Odessa was led by Metropolitan Agathangel, Archbishop George and Bishop Alexy in concelebration diocesan clergy.

 Are you interested in the Western Traditional Orthodoxy?  That is to say, the Western Rite of the Holy genuine Orthodox Church? His Grace Bishop Enoch of Apashaw would recommend the following: I recommend, for those just starting out, to get a copy of the following texts: 1) Western Rite Orthodox Prayer Book; it has morning and evening prayers, and additional prayers for personal usage:   HERE 2) the edition of the Little Office of the Theotokos we publish; it will familiarize you with the basic structure of the Divine Office:   HERE

  Archbishop Hincmar’s Defense of the traditional autonomous Synodal System of Metropolitan Provinces, against the new fangled pretensions emanating from Old Rome in the 9th Century, is well-known; an attempt was made at the Synod of Ponthion to violate the rights of the Bishops, by elevating Archbishop Ansegis of Sens to the status of Primate of Gaul and Germany, contrary to the established Canonical Decrees and Traditions.  Despite all attempts to force the issue, the Bishops, led by Abp. Hincmar, denied the ability of the Bishop of Old Rome to contradict the Canons of the Holy Councils and those accepted Decrees of the Bishops of Old Rome that had been found in conformity with them.  In a word, dozens of Sainted Popes, Fathers, Canons, and Councils of the past far outweighed the innovative will of a living Pope, especially when the latter was contrary to the aforesaid Fathers and Councils.  Continue Reading this Article at NFTU

 An ofttimes, even today, preoccupation among Catholics --and some Orthodox with Catholics in their ear-- is the Concept of Papal Supremacy. Here His Brace Bishop Enoch addresses this fallacy from citing canons of the 11th Century.  --Fr. Editor. "Before the eleventh-century reform [i.e. Hildebrandianism], 'Petrinity' conferred on the pope an honorary rather than an actual primacy over the Church. Rome was already considered the 'prima sedes' [first see], but this did not grant any superiority over to its bishop, who did not preside over other bishops. As pointed out by Colin Morris, a clear explanation of what this meant is found in Burchard of Worm's 'Decretum' (1015-1020), where the canonists stated that even though the order of bishops started with Peter, and Rome should be considered the first see, the bishop of Rome should not be called 'princeps sacerdotum, aut summus sacerdos, aut aliquid hujusmodi, sed tantum primae sedis episcopus / head o...

Thoughts from the Vicar  I don't really watch livestreams; I sometimes will watch the restream, and even then, often I will skip around; however, earlier today, I watched and skipped around the restream of Fr. Joseph's NFTU-Orthodox Apologetics program last night; someone brought up the Anglican Bishop of Kensington, Cyril Easthaugh, who attended the Consecration of Metropolitan Vitaly (Ustinov) in 1951 as an example of Ecumenism in ROCOR.   So, perhaps this can be a spring board to talk about similar and worse events in Church History and how to deal with them: Listen here:  Traditional Western Orthodoxy

  --Editorial A Common Error in Understanding the Genuine Orthodox Church History .   There seems to be great confusion regarding the ecclesiastical validity of certain Orthodox Churches, between so-called “Canonical” Churches and “Genuine” Churches; how many believe the Genuine Orthodox Church left the canonical Orthodox Church to create their own. This is what we shall examine here.   In 1924, the bishops of the Church of Greece, under Archbishop Chrysostom (Papadopoulos), implemented the calendar change discussed at the "Pan-Orthodox Congress" of 1923. In response, Metropolitan Germanos of Demetrias, retired in protest. The "Old Calendarist" movement arose to oppose the adoption of the Revised Julian calendar. The movement was sustained by Athonite monks that encouraged the rejection of the calendar change, hundreds of parish clergy that refused to recognize the calendar change, as well as dozens of monasteries throughout Greece. Lay groups and brotherh...