Source: Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America
Browsing: America
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity
by Roy L. Snyder In 1204, Norman, Venetian, and other European forces heeded the call of Pope Innocent III for a Fourth Crusade to take back the Holy Land from the Muslim conquerors. In a bizarre chain of events brought on primarily by a lack of funds, a deal with an ousted prince of Constantinople, and a fair smattering of greed, most of the Crusaders never made it to the Holy Land, but instead captured the city of Constantinople and large portions of territory of the Roman Empire – including the islands of the Mediterranean. An earlier agreement amongst the…
Fr Frank Marangos
Source: OINOS Educational Consulting By Frank Marangos, D.Min., Ed.D., FCEP “The height of the mountain top is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God.” ~ Oswald Chambers America’s theological schools and seminaries are in need of transfiguration. Facing a myriad of significant challenges ranging from financial instability, decreasing enrollment, student debt, and accusations of postmodern irrelevancy, institutions of Christian higher learning are compelled to replace older models of delivery with structures that engage society and support the student of the 21st century. Apart from developing realistic…
Source: Public Orthodoxy by George Demacopoulos It has always been the case that forces beyond the control of the Church have prompted changes in the practice of theological education. For example, Ottoman repression led many Greek Christians to seek education abroad. Tsar Peter I imposed Western-styled seminaries upon the Russian Church. And the Bolshevik Revolution crippled religious education throughout Russia and much of Eastern Europe. While not as dire as those examples, Orthodox seminaries in the United States face significant structural challenges. At one and the same time, the real cost of operating a seminary is steeply rising while active participation…
Source: Ekathimerini The Greek-American community is faced with a deep crisis. It’s time the Phanar – the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate – made some important decisions before it’s too late. If it fails to appoint a new archbishop soon to replace the outgoing Demetrios or if it does not make the right choice, it will lose America. And if it loses America, it will lose everything. It is from there that it draws a large part of its power and economic support. Who would want to see such a development? And who can disregard the profound implications that would result from the…
Source: Public Orthodoxy by Mark Arey As the last General Secretary of SCOBA (the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas) and the first Secretary (albeit for less than an hour) of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, I have always marveled at the ‘Golden Age’ syndrome around “Ligonier” of many Orthodox Christians when it comes to Orthodox unity in the Western Hemisphere. There are still many who believe that the Ligonier gathering in 1994 of most of the Orthodox Bishops in America (represented by SCOBA primates) was an inflection point for Orthodoxy in…
Source: US News & World Report Leaders in the Orthodox Church say the religion may need to adapt to contemporary times to remain relevant. By Sintia Radu, Staff Writer A season of religious holidays around the world moves into higher gear on Wednesday with the observance of one of the most important saints in the Orthodox Church, a person whose gift-giving legacy is partially tied to the birth of the Santa Claus legend in the U.S.and Father Christmas in the U.K. But with the arrival of St. Nicholas Day – observed on Dec. 6 in Western Christian nations but on different December days…
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos – FINDING OUR VOICE: Orthodox Leadership for the 21st Century Rev. Fr. Hans Jacobse – THE CHALLENGE OF SECULARISM IN THE LOCAL PARISH Dr Frances Kostarelos, PhD – RELIGIOUS PLURALISM & FUNDAMENTALISM & CONTESTED IDENTITIES IN THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA His Grace, Bishop PAUL (Gassios) PROGRESS AND PROSPECT OF THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS AS THEY WORK OF THE UNITY OF THE ORTHODOX IN THE USA AND CANONICAL GOOD ORDER Thanks to John Maddex of Ancient Faith Ministries for recording the sessions and making them available!
Source: Catalogue of St. Elisabeth Convent Most people are aware that the Norse explorer Leif Eriksson was the first European to reach America, some 500 years before Christopher Columbus, but very few know he arrived as part of a Christian mission. Fewer still realize Leif Eriksson was an Orthodox Christian. Having become a hirdman (guard) of the royal army of King Olaf Tryggvason in Norway, Leif had himself accepted baptism into the Christian faith, and had received from the King orders to travel to Greenland with a priest in order to convert the Norse settlements there. When their ships were…
Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois is the setting for the Conference held on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Theme: “Orthodox Christianity in America: Where are we Going? The presentations will soon be available on Ancient Faith Radio and the OCL website. Please check back for updates. CLICK HERE to view the power point presentation of Fr Frank Marangos’ presentation: Finding Our Voice: Orthodox Leadership for the 21st Century. View the photo gallery below: OCL Celebrates 30 Years with Joy, Gratitude, Fellowship and Thoughful, Relevant Presentations
Source: Center for Religious Freedom – Hudson Institute Over the last two thousand years, the Church of Antioch has played a major role in the formation and development of Christian theology and philosophy. Today the Church is facing tremendous challenges in its native homeland, Syria. Six years after the beginning of the Syrian civil war, the country is in ruins and millions of its citizens have become refugees or are internally displaced within Syria. The ongoing war has flamed sectarian tensions that threaten the existence of Christianity in one of its earliest locations. Though suffering at home, the Church of…