May 31, 2017 Quick Facts About the 7 Ecumenical Councils There have been seven Ecumenical Councils in the true Orthodox Christian Church: 1. Nicea; 2. Constantinople; 3. Ephesus; 4. Chalcedon; 5. the second…
May 31, 2017 The Iconography of Christ “Christ is the icon of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col 1:15) It is only fitting that the first icon…
May 30, 2017 How Many Orthodox Christians are There in North America and the World? Question: Can you tell me how many Orthodox Christians there are in North America and throughout the world? Answer: While it is somewhat…
May 30, 2017 The Rite of Consecration of a New Bishop By the laying on of their hands on those chosen from among the faithful, the Apostles consecrated bishops, priests and deacons. It is evident…
May 27, 2017 What Does This Hand Gesture Mean in Orthodox Iconography? Origin of the hand gestures In ancient Greece and Rome, there was a well-established system of hand-gestures used in oratory and rhetoric. Some of…
May 26, 2017 An Orthodox Approach to Food and Eating Disorders At first glance, considering food in the context of Orthodox spirituality and practice may seem inappropriate. But closer examination indicates, in fact, a…
May 26, 2017 The Stages of Monastic Life Where do Orthodox Monks and Nuns Come From? Orthodox monks and nuns come from all walks and manner of life. In former times…
May 25, 2017 Iconographic Analysis of the Ascension Icon: An Icon of the Church Before Pentecost Forty days after Christ’s resurrection, He was taken up into the Heavens before the disciples, and so forty days after Easter, is the Feast…
May 24, 2017 The Unknown Mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius On May 24 the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Equal-to-the-Apostles and teachers of the Slavs, who are…
May 23, 2017 The Meaning of the Analavos of the Great Schema The Great Schema in the Orthodox Church requires the traditional monastic vows, plus special spiritual feats. According to Archpriest G. S. Debolsky: “In the…