The Orthodox churches are known for the general acceptance of the arguments of St Gregory Palamas in a series of 14th Century councils such that we can speak of the ἐνέργεια (energies, working, operations or activities) of God as distinct from the essence of God, what God is. They are, though, proper to the essence […]
Read More…
During the early 20th Century a schism arose in Greece and other places with the introduction of the Revised Julian Calendar but the Patriarchate of Constantinople and its acceptance by the churches in Greece. A number of faithful and clergy separated from the established Church hierarchy claiming that the hierarchs had fallen away from the […]
Read More…
Constantine: I am summoning you to a council where many bishops of the ecumene will be present to discuss the teachings of the presbyter Arius. A Modern Orthodox: A council? Why would we need to have one of those? Constantine: Because we need to have stability in my empire and the followers of Arius are […]
Read More…
Introduction The Filioque issue has been a long established reason for the continuing Schism between the what are now known as the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, both of whom consider themselves to be the Catholic Church preserving the orthodox faith of the Seven Ecumenical Councils and bearers of the Apostolic Tradition. The […]
Read More…
Does Catholicism Lead to Atheism: A Dialogue Between a Palamite and a Thomist By: Michael Lofton Palamas: Good morning, Thomas. I have not seen you since we were both Presbyterians. Fancy seeing you here in this coffee shop. By the way, I converted to Orthodoxy five years ago and I heard you became a […]
Read More…
In an effort to develop common ground between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, I have decided to briefly discuss the concept of doctrinal development and its existence in Eastern Orthodoxy. Some in Orthodoxy object to the concept of doctrinal development, as evident by the work of Fr. Daniel Lattier, an Orthodox priest and theologian, who lists the […]
Read More…
Introduction As we explore the charismatic movement and consider if it is historically Christian, it should be noted I have a background in the movement. For approximately six years, I was a member of a non-denominational charismatic church. I have also been to many kinds of charismatic churches, from African American to Caucasian to a […]
Read More…
Introduction In an age when documents of the magisterium (the church’s teaching authority) have been widely disseminated, one can read about church teachings and easily become confused about their meaning or value. Much like a young boy who makes his way to the cockpit of an airplane and obliviously strikes random buttons, untrained readers […]
Read More…
Note: All quotes from the disputation come from Joseph Farrell’s translation of the event in his work entitled The Disputation With Pyrrhus of our Father Among the Saints Maximus the Confessor. St. Maximus the Confessor is known for many things, especially his ardent defense of dyothelitism in the face of physical torture. Yet, many are […]
Read More…
The following is my summary of events that took place during the reign of Pope Leo the Great, which Martin Jugie examines in greater detail in his study “The Roman Primacy in the East at the Time of St. Leo the Great.” During the reign of Pope Leo the Great, the pro-Chalcedonian Archdeacon Aetius was […]
Read More…