On the Ecclesial Legitimacy of the True Orthodox Church
On the Ecclesial Legitimacy of the True Orthodox Church: A Patristic and Relational Ontological Response to Accusations of Schism a PDF copy may be downloaded here
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To Die Before You Die
“To Die Before You Die” by Stavroforemonk Symeon Agiomicheltítēs “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” — Psalm 116:15 (LXX) “He who fears death is not a Christian, for Christ has trampled down death by death.” — St. Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation “O life, how can You die? How can You dwell in a tomb? Yet by Your death You destroyed the reign of death, and raised up all the dead from Hades.” — Lamentations of Holy Saturday, Stasis II The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity — activity designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for men… It is fateful and ironic how the lie we need in order to live dooms us to a life that is never really ours.” — Ernest Becker The dread of death is the universal ache of fallen man. Ernest Becker’s psychological treatise, The Denial of Death , identifies this f...
Divine Liturgy Beyond Space & Time
Participating in the Divine Liturgy Beyond Space & Time: A Patristic and Ecclesial Reflection on Digital Presence, Infirmity, and the Ontology of Worship Stavroforemonk Symeon Agiomichēlitēs Abstract: This article explores the Patristic and Orthodox understanding of participation in Divine Worship, particularly in light of contemporary digital phenomena and the pastoral needs of the infirm and isolated. Engaging with the theology of St. Maximus the Confessor, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory Palamas, and others, it argues for a robust distinction between sacramental participation and noetic participation, emphasizing the eschatological and ontological dimensions of liturgical life. The article also reflects on how grace may extend beyond physical boundaries without compromising the incarnational and sacramental nature of Orthodox ecclesiology. Introduction The Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Church is not an aesthetic performance or devotional exercise; it is a th...