As an Orthodox Christian who holds a deep appreciation for the Christian Roman Republic while also cherishing the principles of Jeffersonian federal democracy, I find myself reflecting on the complexities of governance in both contexts. Many in the Orthodox community tend to romanticize monarchy, often overlooking the fact that the Christian Roman Empire was fundamentally a republic—a monarchical republic, to be sure, but one that most Byzantines viewed as a system of shared governance rather than an absolute monarchy. This system was not solely sacred; it also embraced secular elements, balancing divine authority with practical administration. Moreover, the dangers of democratic majoritarian rule were recognized… Continue reading →

As we approach Great Lent, the Orthodox Christian Church offers a series of Sundays that lead us into this sacred season. Each Sunday serves as a poignant reminder of our spiritual journey and invites us to reflect on our lives, our relationship with God, and the call to repentance and humility. Through the stories and teachings of these Sundays, the Church emphasizes themes of redemption, self-examination, and the love of Christ, encouraging us to prepare our hearts for the transformative experience of Lent.

Zaccheus Sunday introduces us to the story of Zaccheus, a tax collector who climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He… Continue reading →

Yesterday, February 23, we celebrated the feast day of St. Polycarp, a revered Bishop of Smyrna and one of the earliest Church fathers and martyrs, who lived from 69 to 155 AD. His significance as a witness to the faith is profound, particularly because he was taught by the original Apostles, especially St. John, and had conversed with those who had witnessed Jesus Christ. St. Polycarp received his episcopate directly from the Apostles, making his teachings a vital link to the early Church.

As an Orthodox Christian, I find great inspiration in Polycarp’s writings, especially his Epistle to the Philippians. His insights were pivotal in… Continue reading →

In the life of the Church, controversies often arise that can be challenging to navigate, especially for those without access to a library filled with the writings of the Church Fathers and the rich history of the Church. One such pressing issue is how to receive converts who have been baptized in heterodox communions into the Orthodox Church. This question raises fundamental concerns: Should these individuals be baptized again? Should they be received through chrismation? Or is it sufficient for them to confess their faith, renounce their previous beliefs, and partake in the Eucharist?

Historically, the Orthodox Church has maintained the norm of receiving those… Continue reading →

In the realm of Orthodox Christianity, discussions surrounding baptism and the nature of sacraments can be deeply polarizing. A particularly contentious issue arose within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) during the leadership of Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), who was First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia from 1964 until 1985 regarding the practice of corrective baptism. This practice involves rebaptizing individuals who were previously received into the Church through chrismation, often due to concerns about the validity of their initial reception.

The Context of Corrective Baptism

Corrective baptism, in this instance, refers to the rebaptism of those who had been chrismated,… Continue reading →

In American Orthodoxy over the last several decades, a contentious issue has emerged regarding the reception of converts from other Christian communions into the Orthodox Church.

Some individuals advocate for the baptism of virtually every Christian, while the majority of Orthodox Christians in America adhere to the traditional belief and practice upheld by nearly all Orthodox jurisdictions worldwide. This practice has deep historical roots, dating back to the earliest centuries of the Church. The issue was notably settled in the third century during the debates between Sts. Stephen and Cyprian. It was further solidified when the phrase “I believe in one baptism” was added to… Continue reading →