"Our Orthodox Faith"

We invite you to hear the chant 'Our Orthodox Faith' performed by the Festive Choir of St Elisabeth Convent (precentor Nun Juliania (Denisova)) at the Royal Voice Festival in 2018. The words are written by St Nicholas of Serbia.https://t.co/dDq9JkDZat#StElisabethConvent pic.twitter.com/zUSR1191fx

— St Elisabeth Convent. Orthodox Life And Chants (@StElisabethConv) December 10, 2020

Eucharistia and Prayer

Is receiving God through Holy Communion greater than receiving God through prayer? https://t.co/TwA1jepeoX

— OCN (@MyOCN) December 17, 2020

Question: Is receiving God through Holy Communion greater than receiving God through prayer?

Answer: We receive God through grace and grace comes to us in many ways. It comes when we invoke His Name with reverence and humility; when we pray and live by the word of God; when we receive Holy Communion with the testimony of a good conscience. We accumulate grace in every instant of our life, if we meet our fellows with a good heart, respect and honour. There are many means of acquiring the grace of God in order to preserve our heart alive with the sensation of God, and this is essential: for as long as our heart is warmed up by the grace of God, no alien thought can approach us and we are unassailable by the enemy.

We are able to invoke His Name with reverence and humility thanks to God's grace. The following answer has a more exact elucidation of our total dependence on God.

Question: I have a philosophical proud mind. How can we acquire stillness if we are proud?

Answer: Pride seems to accompany every our attempt to present ourselves before God in prayer and come close to Him. The most practical way to acquire humility is continual thanksgiving. The Spirit of God always inspires gratitude (1 Cor. 2:12). Father Sophrony makes a distinction between spiritual humility and ascetical humility. Ascetical humility consists of always reproaching and considering ourselves as worse than all, as we are commanded in the Gospel: ‘When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do’ (Luke 17:10). As for spiritual humility, it is indescribable. It is granted to those who have already contemplated the beauty of the Risen Lord, the Light of His Face, which wounds them with the deep conviction that they are unworthy of such a loving God as Christ is.

I do note that he doesn't really answer the first question.

Robert Grosseteste's Integralism

Robert Grosseteste’s stormy career as bishop of Lincoln offers guidance for postliberals thinking about Church and state. https://t.co/LtYqG6PiWl

— Semiduplex (@semiduplex) December 23, 2020

The Shepherd. The Warrior. The King.

Faith and Trust

A thankful heart is a trusting heart, even when it seems like God isn’t answering our prayers or when things aren’t going as we had hoped. I’m sure when Joseph was betrothed to Mary, he never dreamed his life would end up as it did. https://t.co/UIgHozYUJR

— OCN (@MyOCN) December 19, 2020

Metropolitan Hilarion Presents the MosPat Perspective

A Political Structure and an Unwanted Autocephalyhttps://t.co/GwJr3KDtLc

An interview by Kathimerini with Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). Part 2
Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev)

How did any autocephaly in Church history begin? With this or that Church declaring its desire t... pic.twitter.com/x3d7BCdljB

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 22, 2020

Lord Have Mercy

Greek-Constantinople priest joins Russian Church due to Ukrainian crisis (+VIDEO)https://t.co/EJ5kPzA3zZ

Yesterday, Fr. Ioannis, who was previously a fervent supporter of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, published a video explaining why he changed jurisdictions. pic.twitter.com/Gr55VAnIsE

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 30, 2020

Having Gratitude to Whom?

Expressing gratitude for good things is a part of certain strains of environmentalism; is it New Age in its origins? Green religion. To whom is one expressing gratitude? To one's self? To the "universe"? Is this some sort of pantheism, or an implicit desire for God?

Please take a moment today to thank God for His blessings. Pray for those who are weeping today for whatever reason. https://t.co/7XucyfyGRt

— OCN (@MyOCN) December 29, 2020

Help me to understand what that even means. Guide me to make an honest evaluation of my challenges and opportunities. Help me to set goals I can achieve and to see the opportunities for growth and Your glory even in my challenges. Amen. https://t.co/xD9Nzn2abo

— OCN (@MyOCN) December 29, 2020

Lord, thank You for the many gifts You give to me, not only at Christmas but throughout the year. Thank You that I am alive today. Thank You that I am reading this message through technology I am blessed to own. https://t.co/EDI4q6ZijS

— OCN (@MyOCN) December 30, 2020

Nativity Message from the Orthodox Metropolitan of Cyprus

https://t.co/1vmVKsUf9Y

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 30, 2020

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Iconography School at the Moscow Theological Academy. Part 2

Archimandrite Luke (Golovkov): “Today, many are brought to the Church through icons.”https://t.co/wBArYXsead

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Iconography School at the Moscow Theological Academy. Part 2
Archimandrite Luke (Golovkov)

The depth o... pic.twitter.com/UVeMHDsTfq

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 29, 2020

OrthoChristian

Biological Classification Still Controversial

If David Barash really thinks "biological classification conforms perfectly with patterns of evolutionary relationships evidenced by.. genetics," he must have missed all the literature on gene tree discordance (e.g.https://t.co/InesFpzmzC).https://t.co/LviaKqC3WO via @WSJ

— Douglas Axe (@DougAxe) December 30, 2020

Polemical?

Mysticism in the Orthodox Church
In this short video, Fr. Panayiotis explains how the Orthodox Church has preserved the Mystical aspects of Christianity, which have been mostly lost in Western Christianity.https://t.co/k7NrlhRbYj

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 30, 2020

Mysticism in the Orthodox Churchhttps://t.co/k7Nrli8NmT
"...the wise providence of God orders our affairs in many different ways and lovingly bestows on each one of us what is appropriate and profitable both for virtuous deeds and the mysteries of faith."
Gregory Palamas pic.twitter.com/EYwUJWhqbI

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 30, 2020

On Mysticism https://t.co/k7NrlhRbYj
The Lord came to send fire upon the earth, and through participation in this fire He makes divine not just the human substance which He assumed for our sake, but every person who is found worthy of communion with Him.
Palamas pic.twitter.com/FgT57GH9cL

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 30, 2020

Related:

What makes a person saintly is love.
- St Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia pic.twitter.com/yRbQX3mpTM

— Basilica.ro (EN) (@BasilicaNews) December 30, 2020

"Self-Described Conservative"

Such self-serving BS.

In a wide-ranging interview, the head of the German bishops’ conference called for far-reaching changes to the Catholic Church and criticized the Vatican’s treatment of the church in his country. https://t.co/k5vxbjijeB

— America Magazine (@americamag) December 29, 2020

#BREAKING: “Dubia” Cardinal Publicly Challenges German Bishop’s Conference on Ordination of Women.

Cardinal Brandmüller’s challenge was published in German by @KatholikenNet calling for +Georg Bätzing to account for his statements this year.

See thread for background. pic.twitter.com/chsDR4e7Ho

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) December 30, 2020

Article on one of many statements made by the President of the German Episcopal Conference, in the name of “Synodality”https://t.co/fwTxCZKzxZ

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) December 30, 2020

An article on this in English, from @cnalive https://t.co/NV2Cr0Ji9P

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) December 30, 2020

Here is @Pontifex in 2020, reaffirming that women will not be ordained—even to the Diaconate.
Will the German Episcopal Conference (@dbk_online) address this public correction from Cardinal Brandmüller?#CatholicTwitter https://t.co/nYOxbu3iSM

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) December 30, 2020

Meanwhile in Rome...

Pope Francis Issues Law Reorganizing Vatican Finances https://t.co/fzW1vPxYO6

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) December 30, 2020

Deserving of a Popular Cult

And the modern Roman saint-making machine wasn't involved in his canonization so there's that for the credibility of the cult.

But this is a take that will be unpopular among the Latin integralists: St. Thomas Becket was a victim of a theology of ecclesial authority that hadn't been fully worked out and yet was nonetheless asserted and practiced as dogma. Was a conflict between a Christian secular authority (especially in the form of a over-grasping monarchy) and ecclesial authority inevitable? Probably. Could it have been resolved by other means? What if the Church had not assisted in the development of Christian monarchy in the first place, and had chosen a different path?

I found this post from The Josias which perfectly reflects how St. Thomas Becket wouuld be portrayed by Latin integralists:

St. Thomas Becket, Integralisthttps://t.co/rNWrwLkX3y

— The Josias (@josias_rex) December 30, 2020

German Catholics Continue Their March

The head of the German bishops' conference: Rome does not understand Eucharist and Ecumenism, and has to change the catechism. Calls for a universal council. https://t.co/u51Q5SB8hW

— Ulrich L. Lehner (@ulrichlehner) December 28, 2020

Cowardice and Magnanimity

Of Cowardice And Magnanimity https://t.co/JVPaCU0kNb via @QuintusCurtius

— QuintusCurtius (@QuintusCurtius) December 28, 2020

Creation

Rebecca Cross on the creation of the universe in issue 106:

"The first moment
is this moment, this one right now. There is
nothing but me."https://t.co/o1tUnIsIIw

— Image_Journal (@Image_Journal) December 29, 2020

Medieval Dominican Chants for Christmas

Medieval Dominican Chants for Christmas https://t.co/XXrSizIKyL pic.twitter.com/koGsbURppm

— NLM (@NLMblog) December 29, 2020

NLM

Latin Icons Done by Byzantine-trained Iconographers?

St Thomas Becket (to the right of St Silvester)
Apse Mosaic
Monreale Cathedral, Sicily
c. 1184
Becket was martyred in 1170, canonized in 1173 pic.twitter.com/KIIEz1vW2T

— Amigo de Frodo (@bpdflores) December 29, 2020

Reverence, Not a Lack of Originality?

Medieval prayer recycling. ♻ https://t.co/Sow0tFSZbg

— Gregory Schnakenberg (@GSchnakenberg) December 29, 2020

A Correct Ecclesiology

Patriarch of Alexandria calls for “correct ecclesiology,” respect for boundaries of Local Churches in Nativity epistlehttps://t.co/xRh6N96QJY

The Patriarch’s epistle becomes more pointed: “The infinite Church, as the Body of Christ, has the bounds of the sacred regulations o... pic.twitter.com/qBcsLksTZd

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 25, 2020

Thomas Becket's Little Book?

Absolutely fascinating - https://t.co/z3EmMDNEvF

— Fr. Matthew Cashmore (@matthewcashmore) December 27, 2020

Why Is He Getting Coverage in a Latin Periodical?

Only because he is saying something with which they agree and promote?

Celebrating the birth of Jesus, Christians should remember that he is present in each person who is sick, homeless, frail, neglected or needs help, said the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. https://t.co/GOiH0VW5LM

— Pontifical Oriental Institute (@theorientale) December 27, 2020

Anniversary of the Inauguration of Hagia Sophia

When Hagia Sophia was inaugurated, Justinian was so impressed and excited that after he thanked God he is said to have cried ‘’Glory to God who has deemed me worthy of accomplishing such a work! O Solomon! I have vanquished thee’’ implying the height of the dome. pic.twitter.com/33AHlS09VY

— Rome & Byzantium (@romebyzantium) December 27, 2020

#Onthisday in AD 537, the construction of the new church of Hagia Sophia was completed and inaugurated by Justinian I who supposedly exclaimed "Oh Solomon, I have outdone you!".

Image 4: Mosaic panel depicting Justinian holding a model of Hagia Sophia, dated to around AD 1,000. pic.twitter.com/5A8QAXzK8b

— Following Hadrian (@carolemadge) December 27, 2020

December 27th, 537 - Agia Sofia is inaugurated. https://t.co/ERlVJJW1gM pic.twitter.com/FGi3treyFE

— Greekcitytimes (@greekcitytimes) December 27, 2020

Sunday of St. Stephen

ORTHODOX CALENDAR

🌿 Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen

🌿 Saint Theodore the Confessor

🌿 Sunday after the Nativityhttps://t.co/rj1EAM47Nd pic.twitter.com/0MyUU7am1O

— Basilica.ro (EN) (@BasilicaNews) December 27, 2020

The Sunday after the Nativity of Christ is dedicated to the memory of the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen, who martyred by stoning, about three years after the Ascension of the Lord#orthodox_times https://t.co/3iOJwcq6ad

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 27, 2020

For the struggles you endured for Christ God, a royal diadem crowns your head, O First Champion of Martyrs. For you refuted the folly of the Jews and beheld your Savior on the right of the Father. Ever beseech Him, therefore, for our souls. pic.twitter.com/AnuMFJTDAx

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 27, 2020

A Quote of St. Gregory Palamas

All divinely inspired Scripture was written because of the Virgin who brought forth God incarnate.
— Saint Gregory Palamas pic.twitter.com/jiSwBLfmeI

— Jacob Sherman (@Shermanicus) December 26, 2020

Monaci Basiliani - Abbazia greca di San Nilo

Pondering St. Joseph

'Uton gefaran to Bethleem, and geseon þæt word þe geworden is.'

An Anglo-Saxon Christmas sermon, the wonder of words and the Word: https://t.co/V9tcb0Np1q pic.twitter.com/PzKWzCSx0K

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) December 25, 2020

Another 13th ce Depiction of Old Joseph

Retablo de la Virgen
Jaume Serra
c. 1375
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunyahttps://t.co/dL49nw6Zx1 pic.twitter.com/id7M00Vofx

— Amigo de Frodo (@bpdflores) December 25, 2020

Fr. Panayiotis on the Nativity of Our Lord

A Christmas Message from Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou2018https://t.co/h4bfOPiWCv
The birth of Jesus is a milestone event in the history of the world. This was not just like every other birth of a child but rather an event that changed history and affected the world in a major way pic.twitter.com/0Dk6oySuyD

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 24, 2020

Old Joseph

Adoración de los pastores
Taller de los hermanos Serra
c. 1370
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunyahttps://t.co/dL49nw6Zx1 pic.twitter.com/Z9xKth2kEk

— Amigo de Frodo (@bpdflores) December 25, 2020

Dear friends: I believe this is the single most beautiful piece of writing to come out of Pope Francis’ pontificate: It’s about the origins of Nativity scenes (invented by his regnal namesake) and why every Christian home should have one. https://t.co/7nJDU9bEoa

— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) December 24, 2020

Franciscan devotion to the Christ-child.. . is that what the Church Universal needs?

Psaltikon: A Byzantine Christmas

https://t.co/pHr81sPs3N

Rebroadcast of highlights from ten years of Byzantine Christmas #psaltikon #byzantinechant #earlymusic #vr #ar #acousticmuseum @mymusea

— Psaltikon (@Psaltikon) December 19, 2020

The Byzantine Royal Hours

The Byzantine Royal Hours of Christmas https://t.co/uHvhxfadR5 pic.twitter.com/mgiQqBO80d

— NLM (@NLMblog) December 24, 2020

NLM

Fr. Panayiotis on Salvation and Redemption

Salvation & Redemption -- The Early Christian Understanding
Fr. Panayiotis discusses the early Christian understanding of Salvation and Redemption.https://t.co/9pll4ac1qX pic.twitter.com/IlUTsJ6oMg

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 18, 2020

But Note the Differences

This is not alien to the Orthodox tradition.
Panaghia Galaktotrophousa
Παναγία Γαλακτοτροφούσα icons pic.twitter.com/yFxPyUQjk4

— Lāwāgetās (@ArcGreek) December 23, 2020

Baby Jesus in art and the long tradition of depicting Christ as a man-child

Thomas Joseph White, OP: Why did God become human?

Catholic Project Podcast on the McCarrick Report

It was my pleasure to discuss the McCarrick Report with my friend ⁦@KarnaLozoya⁩ and the Sphinxian ⁦@Stephen_P_White⁩ for this ⁦@CatholicProj⁩ podcast. https://t.co/3rI5rGX7NF

— Ed. Condon (@canonlawyered) December 23, 2020

Taylor Patrick O'Neill: Maritain on Grace and Predestination

I so enjoy joining @jderosa1990
on the Classical Theism Podcast and have been honored to have been on again, this time discussing Jacques Maritain on grace and predestination. https://t.co/YM1sYTHJCr

— Taylor Patrick O'Neill (@thomaesplendor) December 23, 2020

A New Science of PHYSIKE?

I'll be teaching articles from The New Atlantis in my "World" class this spring, because they help restore the more comprehensive understanding of Physics that Aristotle first gave us. https://t.co/mJPb6S0Juh

— James Matthew Wilson (@JMWSPT) December 23, 2020

Jewish Ritual Bath

A ritual bath dating to the time of Jesus has been uncovered on the Mount of Olives at the site tradition says is the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus experienced the Agony in the Garden before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.https://t.co/oHLa3NlpFu

— Crux (@Crux) December 23, 2020

Sacred Art, Maybe, But Not Iconography

Time-bound historical realism over the Eternal Reality Who is Christ.

i love all Virgo Lactans iconography as it is a very Christmasy tradition, but these are my favorite bc they feature our lord horsing around, wiggling, fidgeting, & being otherwise uncooperative, which makes them very relatable from a mom standpoint pic.twitter.com/UYOHVj09js

— Christmas Cheer Liz Bruenig! (@ebruenig) December 23, 2020

What Sort of Latin Theology of Grace Is This?

As if any aspect of the Saving Mystery Who is our Lord Jesus Christ could be separated from Him?

Christmas, and the other Feast Days of the Church, participate in the power of the keys.
That is to say, the Church’s calendar binds on earth and in heaven in such a way that the grace of the event designated arrives by God’s will, and renews those who wait upon it.

— Amigo de Frodo (@bpdflores) December 23, 2020

Fr. Panayiotis on the Date of Christmas

"The Date of Christmas" by Father Panayiotis, Ph.D.https://t.co/fjtaOCanFT
“Christ was made man that we might be made God.”
― Athanasius of Alexandria pic.twitter.com/5HTGiDhvCg

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 22, 2020

A Reflection by Fr. Alexander Schmemann on the Nativity of Our Lord

The Divine Child - A Reflection from Alexander Schmemann | Christ said “become like children” (Mt 18:3). What does this mean? What are adults missing, or better, what has been choked, drowned or deafened by a thick layer of adulthood? https://t.co/9mL2JwNBMs pic.twitter.com/GR0pCMXEEe

— Pravmir.com (@Pravmir_English) December 23, 2020

Eternal Memory

Memory eternal to Bishop Ruben, who was also Apostolic Administrator of the Greek Catholic Exarchate of Constantinople. https://t.co/ieenl0HIo6

— St. Michael's (@NYCRusCath) December 23, 2020

Aquinas, Original Sin, and the Challenge of Evolution by Daniel W. Houck

I have just finished reading this, by @DanielWHouck. It is terrific. Here is a work on theology and science that is as thoroughly grounded in one as it is in the other, which is by no means universally true of writing in the field. @CambridgeUP @CUPBookshop pic.twitter.com/aHAm8hxlQ3

— Andrew Davison (@AP_Davison) December 22, 2020

Cambridge University Press

Social Justice

94—Understanding Postmodern “Social Justice”—Darel Paul | Catholic Culture https://t.co/n9GfjTbuSp

— James Matthew Wilson (@JMWSPT) December 22, 2020

94—Understanding Postmodern “Social Justice”—Darel Paul | Catholic Culture https://t.co/n9GfjTbuSp

— James Matthew Wilson (@JMWSPT) December 22, 2020

Latin Kabbalah Revisited

Important piece by Andrew Kuiper. Increasingly we realise, as Balthasar already did, that the deployment of Kabbalah by Giles of Viterbo etc was perfectly orthodox. We need to return to Catholic Renaissance theology which now matters more than Reformation or Counter Reformation. https://t.co/MOvjX8qDNP

— john milbank (@johnmilbank3) December 20, 2020

Join us on Tuesday, December 22 at 8:00 pm for a Zoom conversation featuring @biillyb and @matthewwalther in conversation with @Chris_arnade, @mk_skehan, and Andrew Kuiper.https://t.co/bICOdXvWgH

Meeting ID: 927 8521 1121
Passcode: 931358

— The Lamp (@thelampmagazine) December 20, 2020

Related:

Sharing this essay from our @ChurchLifeND in advance of #AllSoulsDay tomorrow: "Tracing Ghosts in the Theological Tradition" by Andrew Kuiper. https://t.co/Sjk5BQu3uH

— McGrath Institute (@McGrathND) November 1, 2020

St. Nicholas "the Shot"

Unique icon of St. Nicholas “the Shot” blessed in Moscowhttps://t.co/aQkF93blmZ

The peculiarity of this icon of St. Nicholas is that a flattened bullet is inserted into it. pic.twitter.com/AMaWQ82ofr

— Orthodox Christianity (@Orthodoxy2019) December 22, 2020

Leonardo Boff

“Boff proposes an ecclesial revolution that would lead to the end of the Catholic Church as we have known it for two thousand years and to the emergence of a new Church…basically a human institution that can be changed at will.” https://t.co/LNjcnGUX6F

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) December 18, 2020

Anniversary of Religiosam Vitam

22 Dec 1216: Honorius III issues the papal bull Religiosam Vitam, establishing the #Dominican order #otd pic.twitter.com/PMIGZDBlsc

— John McCafferty (@jdmccafferty) December 22, 2020

The Dominican Order turns 804 years #OTD. A number of years ago I had a chance to see the papal bull (Religiosam vitam) of 22 Dec 1216 by Honorius III approving Dominic's community. The papal seal is still intact and the document is in very good shape at the library in Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/SJChNFu0GC

— Gregory Schnakenberg (@GSchnakenberg) December 22, 2020

Happy 804th Birthday Dominicans!

Leandro da Ponte, "Pope Honorius III Receives the Rule of Dominic, December 22, 1216" (Venezia, St Giovanni e Paulo) pic.twitter.com/dEaHRJQXGH

— Professor Pecknold (@ccpecknold) December 22, 2020

A Crisis That Has Nothing to Do With Him, Obviously

#PopeFrancis Urges Roman Curia to Confront the ‘Ecclesial Crisis’ https://t.co/JJPsLgSbFq @cnalive

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) December 21, 2020

,br />

It is like ecclesiastical gaslighting; a system that demasculates the priest, and hallows his authority, since he is always fearful of exercising his priesthood in a way the bishop doesn't like. https://t.co/gzPXuNCKjv

— Ryan Grant 🚬⛪🥃 statism is evil (@chesterbelloc3) December 21, 2020

William Byrd, "Rorate caeli"

Here is Rorate caeli by William Byrd. We performed this piece as part of a series of short recitals for the season of Advent, recorded at Boxgrove Priory.https://t.co/ipqrt22x8G#AdventSessions

— The Gesualdo Six (@TheGesualdoSix) December 20, 2020

Western Notion of Sacrifice

‘The Christian is required to use the whole of his existence as sacramental material; offer it and consecrate it at every point, so that it may contribute to the Glory of God’. (Worship)

— Evelyn Underhill (@underhill_eve) December 20, 2020

Last But Not Least?

Never noticed before that the last line in the Creed of the 4th Lateran Council (1215) speaks of married persons:

"For not only virgins and the continent but also married persons find favor with God by right faith and good actions and deserve to attain to eternal blessedness."

— Gregory Schnakenberg (@GSchnakenberg) December 20, 2020

A Precious English Psalter

Indeed an amazing treasure at the @ParkerLibrary at Corpus Christi College Cambridge. You wouldn't want to touch it with your fingers, but if you want to "thumb through" the manscript virtually, here is the link:https://t.co/mmy8mgsEzG https://t.co/iBC1pPfNUa

— Fr Timothy Finigan (@FatherTF) December 20, 2020

Metropolitan Tikhon's Nativity Message

Metropolitan Tikhon’s 2020 Nativity Message now available https://t.co/htREopRF48 #nativity #metropolitantikhon #oca pic.twitter.com/4ueFxoMefS

— Orthodox Church OCA (@ocaorg) December 19, 2020

The Source of the Tweet May be Probelmatic

But the thesis on"Western Church history" is interesting. Is St. Augustine the primary Latin source for its "ontology of Holy Orders"? And is Latin "theology of the priesthood" based upon St. Augustine solely, or are there other Latin fathers who are sources for it?

Cassian bought the mystical theology of the Egyptian Desert as described by Evagrius of Pontus to southern France. He adapted this desert mysticism to appeal to Latin Europeans. Reforming old monasteries and building new ones. Thus beginning the Gothic revolution. pic.twitter.com/oURBEgWWGs

— OZAbbey (@9AbbeyOZ) December 19, 2020

Cassian's master was Evagrius of Pontus d399CE. Over 15 years Evagrius had interviewed & documented the greatest of the Egyptian-desert mystics. He was meticulous & thorough. A brilliant psychologist. He cataloged 9 Logosmoi, which became Cassian's 8 passions & Gregory's 7 vices. pic.twitter.com/wIMQ8EHrI3

— OZAbbey (@9AbbeyOZ) December 19, 2020

Related:

John Cassian and Augustine on Peter and on the pope via /r/Christianity https://t.co/bLf6gJXSqX

— reddit_christianity (@rd_christianity) March 13, 2018

The Fundamentals of [Roman] Catholicism

or Latin Christianity...

Reacquaint yourself with the fundamentals of the Catholic faith in our NEW "Introduction to Catholicism" STEP online theology course. Ft. instruction from @leodelo2, @jessfkeating, @jrmcmanaway, & @timothypomalley. Need we say more? https://t.co/lkgpQWX9ND

— McGrath Institute (@McGrathND) December 19, 2020

Michael Matt Interviews Bishop Schneider

A little militant hope for 2021. Check out my new interview of Bishop Athanasius Schneider. https://t.co/ijhN08HXh4 via @YouTube

— Michael J. Matt (@Michael_J_Matt) December 19, 2020

Nativity Letter from the Ukrainian Major Archbishop

https://t.co/7s8QIjSVwg

— Edmonton Eparchy (@EdmontonEparchy) December 16, 2020

Martyr Boniface of Tarsus and Righteous Aglaia

The lives of these two saints are eloquent proof that salvation is possible through the sacrament of repentance and confession#orthodox_times

https://t.co/soX9zJOdmk

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 19, 2020

Cyril Hovorun on Ukrainian Autocephaly

My most recent contribution, where I argue that the Ukrainian autocephaly was a reaction to the war in the east of the country. I also explore reactions (or lack of them) of global Christianity to the Ukrainian war. The article is free to access and share.https://t.co/Ypd27m2bio

— Cyril Hovorun (@cyril_hovorun) December 18, 2020

The Science of Moral Theology

Live with @PatrickTrad and @chesterbelloc3 on the topic of the science of moral theology
Moral Theology with Ryan Grant and RtT https://t.co/Oma9wKZhEN via @YouTube

— Anthony Stine (@pontificatormax) December 18, 2020

The Wrath of God

"Prayer that rises up in someone's heart serves to open up for us the door of heaven: that person stands in converse with the Divinity and gives pleasure to the Son of God. Prayer makes peace with the Lord’s anger and with the vehemence of His wrath. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NV6yq80lQi

— Wisdom of the Syriac Orthodox Church ♰ (@SyriacMalankara) December 18, 2020

Stephen Schmalhofer

Here is the video of our delightful talk with Stephen Schmalhofer on his new book from cohost ⁦@ClunyMedia⁩. Other cohosts are ⁦@firstthingsmag⁩ ⁦@newcriterion⁩ and ⁦@KirkCenter⁩ https://t.co/5y5d3OTZvQ

— University Bookman (@ubookman) December 17, 2020

Not Apatheia

“In order to abide in the love of God it is essential for anger and ‘hate’ to attain their maximum intensity but be directed against the sin that lives in me, against the evil active in me – in me, not in my brother.”

~ Saint Silouan the Athonite pic.twitter.com/nQxLzXUC5Y

— The Orthodox View☦️ (@theorthodoxview) December 17, 2020

A Sculpted Icon of Christ

O wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence. #Ordinariate pic.twitter.com/0Z7Fb4AvjW

— Fr James Bradley (@FrJamesBradley) December 17, 2020

Stealing a Page from Feminist Care Ethics?

Pope Francis said the core principles of the Catholic Church’s social doctrine are key to ushering in a “culture of care” where violent conflicts end and the poor and needy are prioritized.https://t.co/bfWSFyTjgW

— Crux (@Crux) December 17, 2020

Another Quote That Needs to Be Interpreted in an Orthodox Manner

"He who compels himself and holds on to repentance until the end, even if he sins is saved because he compelled himself, for the Lord promised this in the Gospel."

- St. Mark the Ascetic pic.twitter.com/rozhp9LtiH

— Gravantus (@The_Tabellion) December 16, 2020

Theology of Suffering

Drawing on the work of two people I respect very much (@patitsas and @RootAndrew) for an important episode as we wrap up a rough year. #BeTheBee https://t.co/uOGufyVnO6 pic.twitter.com/MSrCeXPTmH

— Steven Christoforou (@scchristoforou) December 15, 2020

Feast of St. Herman of Alaska

New photo gallery: Metropolitan Tikhon celebrates Liturgy on the feast of St. Herman of Alaska https://t.co/qrZVFhYO1B pic.twitter.com/HvHLaV8I4i

— Orthodox Church OCA (@ocaorg) December 14, 2020

Photo of a Sunspot

Vaguely resembling a sunflower — or the Eye of Sauron — the spot appears as a dark blemish wreathed by ribbons of plasma. https://t.co/1knZ4WXKkf

— Science News (@ScienceNews) December 13, 2020

New Work in Catholic Dogmatic Theology with Dr. James Merrick

Eternal Memory

May the memory of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann be eternal! pic.twitter.com/5OtILG3UoQ

— St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (@stvlads) December 13, 2020

An Apologia for John Paul II

Any charge that John Paul II’s management style was “superficial” is “false and deeply unfair: nothing in his way of being or operating was superficial.” https://t.co/JEwnDz89W7

— First Things (@firstthingsmag) December 13, 2020

"No Roman saint-making machine at work here."

Acquiring the Mind of... the Church?

Who is the Church? The hierarchy? What if they deviate from the mind of Christ? The Church as a whole then?

The Apostle Paul urges, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). But since the Church is not a human organization, but the holy and blessed Body of Christ, therefore we too are commanded to think with the catholic mind of the Church and be animated by the life of the Church, not to do anything apart from its life and teaching.

Later:

When we speak of having an Orthodox mind, we mean chiefly that our nous is the nous of Christ, as the Apostle Paul says, or at least that we accept the experience of the saints and have communion with them. This is the way of the life of the Orthodox Tradition and the way of life of Christ’s life. The Orthodox mind is expressed by the dogmas of the Church, because, on the one hand, the dogmas express the life which the Church has and the revelation which the saints have received, and on the other hand, they lead the passionate people and the babes in Christ to unity and communion with God.

Acquiring the Mind of the Church | Our mind should be permeated by the mind of the Church. Our thought, life, mode of living, our desire, our will should be altered by the good alteration effected by the life of the Church. https://t.co/NKo8s6rz95 pic.twitter.com/ZjKkpwteGG

— Pravmir.com (@Pravmir_English) December 12, 2020

Christmas with Cappella Romana

#ChristmasWithCappellaRomana is LIVE! Join us at https://t.co/qTnC08KVTg

— Cappella Romana (@cappellaromana) December 13, 2020

A Sacrifice of Praise Interview with Alexander Lingas and John Michael Boyer, Part 1

Part 1 of an interview with me and @cappellaromana Assoc. Dir. J M Boyer about Byzantine resources chant for Anglophone Orthodox involving cooperation through the years with @thyateiraschool @CityUniMusic @AgesInitiatives https://t.co/XgQkaDgTtM

— Alexander Lingas (@ALLingas) December 11, 2020

AFR

A Latin Icon, Obviously

Mother of God of Guadalupe, intercede for us! pic.twitter.com/r3LvX2Unhl

— Bishop Chandler Holder Jones (@bishopchandler) December 11, 2020

St. Gregory Palmas on the Incarnation

Christ became a human being like us in all things except sin so that by His likeness to us He might teach us anew... and He gave us the saving counsel and commandment of repentance, saying: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near’ (Matt. 3:2). https://t.co/nJhWPEahSh

— Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (@GO_Metropolis) December 11, 2020

Remnants of Constantinople

The bits and pieces that remain of #Istanbul's Byzantine past, peeking out from behind more modern parts of the city, have fascinated me for years. I finally got to dig into their history in my first article for @NatGeo. With fine photos by @rena_effendi. https://t.co/tWquZWCLIS

— Jennifer Hattam (@TheTurkishLife) December 2, 2020

Striving for Apatheia

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.
St. Ephrem the Syrianhttps://t.co/FiHgyrXEGa pic.twitter.com/SzwDahOnqj

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 11, 2020

The Cook of Mount Athos

Great sorrow prevails on Mount Athos – and not only – for the repose in the Lord of monk Epiphanios, the “Cook of Mount Athos”#orthodox_times https://t.co/xZPLiJXPjr

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 11, 2020

The Ancient City by Fustel de Coulanges

I am happy to report that Fustel de Coulanges's "The Ancient City" is a great text to assign as a conclusion to two semesters of studying Greece and Rome.

(it's a long book; my students and I read and discussed the introduction; Book 3 chapters 3 and 14; and Book 5) pic.twitter.com/V7HxEsoH7b

— Pavlos Papadopoulos (@pleonidasp) December 10, 2020

Book of Leo

The so-called "Book of Leo" is an obscure work of some importance in the development of contemporary integralism. It used to be very difficult to find, but I've just discovered that the first chapters have actually been available online since 2016: https://t.co/7rjnRYfGF8

— Pater Edmund (@sancrucensis) December 9, 2020

When Was Our Lord Jesus Christ Born?

When Was Jesus Born? https://t.co/IMzizGS2N8 @NCRegister

— The Catholic Thing (@catholicthing) December 10, 2020

NCReg

Carter Snead Interview

The ingredients for a great interview are great questions plus great answers. Here's a great interview by Hope Leman of O. Carter Snead about his new book *What It Means to Be Human* (recently named one of the Wall Street Journal's 10 Best Books of 2020).https://t.co/n4g4g2bCZb

— Robert P. George (@McCormickProf) December 10, 2020

New Norms of Ecclesiastical Institutions of Higher Education

Vatican Congregation Issues New Norms for Ecclesiastical Institutions of Higher Education @cnalive https://t.co/Lg82DtQAYb

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) December 10, 2020

A New Book by Pickstock

Looking forward to starting this treat by @pickstockc. pic.twitter.com/nUnLKX1ghW

— Timothy P. O'Malley (@timothypomalley) December 5, 2020

Cambridge University Press

The Book of Revelation and Advent

Revelation’s Advent liturgy is a dialogue of lovers that sums up the tangled story of Yahweh and Israel. https://t.co/UMAJDksdpV

— First Things (@firstthingsmag) December 4, 2020

But Could the Fathers Have Addressed Some Form of Theistic Evolution?

Orthodox appraisals of evolution that don’t quote the Fathers are almost always in support of the theory.

Orthodox appraisals of evolution that extensively quote the Fathers almost always reject the theory.

If you don’t see your belief supported by the Fathers, be very wary. pic.twitter.com/EGsoftkTke

— Timothy Honeycutt (@AudioScribeOW) December 6, 2020

Should the Fathers be consulted on issues pertaining to natural philosophy? Or even metaphysics?

Walter Hooper

Walter Hooper passed away early this morning. Jacob Imam writes about his beloved Godfather and friend.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. https://t.co/735O1QGGOO

— New Polity (@PostliberalTho1) December 7, 2020

Church of the Resurrection

Today we celebrate the Consecration of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) in the Holy City of Jerusalem
The video is of a few words Fr. Panayioti gave to his group while he visited this holiest of placeshttps://t.co/4v8ZelAKbT

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 9, 2020

Monasticism for the Laity?

We can truly take the richness of Orthodox monasticism and apply this preserved tradition of silence, of stillness and of simplicity in our family setting#orthodox_times

https://t.co/IEvL2RzKSV

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 8, 2020

Counsels of Imperfection

In today’s mail, looking forward to reading this!

Look at ch 1, especially Ideas 8 - 12. pic.twitter.com/uDi97EVVDA

— Josh Hochschild (@JoshHochschild) December 9, 2020

CUA Press

Latins...

The Immaculate Conception is the *first* major feast of the liturgical year. Did you know Spanish Catholics in Toledo nearly forgot to celebrate Christmas amidst their joy when, in 1850, the dogma was proclaimed?https://t.co/lL4oOhiOMD

— Restoring the Faith Media (@rtf_media) December 8, 2020

An original chant by the friars at @_Angelicum, a Responsorial Psalm setting for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. https://t.co/ik3pqzvwzg

— Fr. Pius Pietrzyk OP (@PiusOP) December 9, 2020

A Protestant on Natural Law

Natural law is the remnant morality that endures because of God’s common grace. But it points us to saving grace.https://t.co/YHibgKBHJ2

— Andrew T. Walker (@andrewtwalk) December 8, 2020

There Are Still Admirers of Thomism of Strict Observance

Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. Anyone would be wise to entrust himself or herself to him as a teacher and guide.

— Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, OP (@FrAquinasOP) December 9, 2020

A Cappella Romana Christmas Special

🎄 8 | @cappellaromana, the professional vocal ensemble led by Prof. @ALLingas (@CityUniMusic lecturer), are famous for their performances of sacred classical music. Read about their recent partnership with two @Stanford professors: https://t.co/7Ezg5ixhdJ #MyCityChristmas pic.twitter.com/l5Jz5glKPE

— City, University of London (@CityUniLondon) December 8, 2020

50 Years Ago

#7dicembre #storia Cinquantacinque anni fa, la fine delle scomuniche fra cattolici e ortodossi #chiesa #ecumenismo
Approfondisci 👉🏻 https://t.co/TEqnyRTIou pic.twitter.com/CfjhqyFc9B

— Vatican News (@vaticannews_it) December 7, 2020

Today is the fifty-fifth anniversary of the lifting of the excommunications between Paul VI and Athenagoras - "committed to oblivion" https://t.co/LTW1q4XfeC

— Fr Alexander Laschuk (@byzkanonist) December 7, 2020

Dr. Matthew Levering

Today's featured theologian is Matthew Levering

"The goal is to receive the Christian faith in its wholeness, to be united to the saints and teachers who have come before, and to articulate the Christological unity of the whole"https://t.co/vFWRd9DAgz pic.twitter.com/aeMBhcAF8u

— Nijay K Gupta (@NijayKGupta) December 7, 2020

Crux Sola

More Roman Centralization

The @HolySeePress also included that @Pontifex received @Card_R_Sarah today, in a private audience.
Also included in the Daily Bulletin is a copy of the Apostolic Letter associated to #PopeFrancis’ new Moto Proprio governing establishments of Consecrated Life.#CatholicTwitter https://t.co/Nf5uuOA4R0 pic.twitter.com/PcTK25nlCR

— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) December 7, 2020

Holy Nicholas, Pray for Us!

Saint Nicholas Pray for us
Saintly One, in Myra you proved yourself a priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this you were sanctified as One learned in divine grace. pic.twitter.com/bUNWcwAH1G

— Trisagionfilms (@TrisagionFilms) December 6, 2020

The Legend of St Nicholas in Liturgy and Art https://t.co/jZXc4qB4cY pic.twitter.com/HioMoH32AT

— NLM (@NLMblog) December 6, 2020

Saintly One, (St. Nicholas) in Myra you proved yourself a priest; for in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, venerable One, you laid down your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. For this you were sanctified as One learned in divine grace. pic.twitter.com/DIvNea3LPl

— Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (@GO_Metropolis) December 6, 2020

Orthodox Calendar - 6 December: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (Fish permitted); 27th Sunday after Pentecost (Healing of the crippled woman on the Sabbath).https://t.co/Np5hCzX87K pic.twitter.com/WNh9uQAb43

— Basilica.ro (EN) (@BasilicaNews) December 6, 2020

Saint Nicholas is the patron of sailors, and the National Guard commemorates him as a patron saint of the Navy#orthodox_times

https://t.co/xkZUdkFA87

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 6, 2020

Today we joyously celebrate Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra (Νικόλαος ὁ Θαυματουργός)

Χρόνια Πολλά and best wishes to all who celebrate their Name Day today! https://t.co/77E1gzJOCg

— Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada (@GO_Metropolis) December 6, 2020

The truth of your deeds made you for your flock a rule of faith and an image of meekness, a teacher of continence. And so you gained the heights through humility, riches through poverty, father and bishop Nicholas. Intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. pic.twitter.com/m3074fc6wO

— Pontifical Oriental Institute (@theorientale) December 6, 2020

Church of St. Nicholas in Myra (Demre, Turkey) where St. Nicholas once served as bishop.
Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas pic.twitter.com/9Hf55DVfcV

— The Byzantine Legacy (@ByzantineLegacy) December 6, 2020

James MacMillan on Thomas Tallis

Peter was interviewed by James MacMillan about Thomas Tallis's complex life and religious faith for @BBCRadio4 Faith in Music 🎶

Tune in tomorrow at 4pm! 📻https://t.co/Vz43MYzvss

— Tallis Scholars (@TallisScholars) December 6, 2020

Thought and Action

This may be more questionable...

A Saint Said It

Does that mean he is right? This could be used as a prooftext for Christian meekness or even pacificism. How does gentleness relate to mercy and benevolence? And is it always warranted? There is Jeremiah 11:19, but Christ had already decided to surrender Himself. Is this surrender always warranted?

“Call often to mind that our Saviour redeemed us by bearing and suffering, and in like manner we must seek our own salvation amid sufferings and afflictions; bearing insults, contradictions and troubles with all the gentleness we can possibly command.” — St. Francis de Sales

— C.C. Pecknold (@ccpecknold) December 6, 2020

Wooten and Kuhn

I think there is something true in both accounts, but neither of them are fully adequate. If you had to choose, Kuhn would be the one to go with. But Aristotelian natural philosophy points to the possibility of a third way.

— Pater Edmund (@sancrucensis) December 4, 2020

A Review of Runciman's The Eastern Schism by Fr. Georges Florovsky

Book Review: "The Eastern Schism: A Study of the Papacy and the Eastern Churches During the XIth and XIIth Centuries" by Steven Runcimanhttps://t.co/lHzLEG8hlE pic.twitter.com/iP41gQ1nbt

— Mystagogy (@mystagogy1) December 5, 2020

Hierarchical Ordination of Bishop-Elect Timothy of Hexamilion

Hierarchical Ordination of Bishop-Elect Timothy of Hexamilion (live)#orthodox_times

https://t.co/667T7Pa30H

— Orthodox Times (@orthodox_times) December 5, 2020

Intercommunion?

How can the schism be healed? One Ukrainian-Catholic pov:

We believe in unity! https://t.co/OAc4RI4m3o

— Edmonton Eparchy (@EdmontonEparchy) December 5, 2020

Marco Tosatti on an Article by Eugenio Scalfari

Big Shot, Scalfari, and the Two Popes. Does He Smell the Scent of Schism? https://t.co/10mRo4NtFw

— Marco Tosatti (@MarcoTosatti) December 5, 2020

Nativity Retreat with Fr. Charbel Bousamra

Nativity Retreat at the Sheptytsky Institute with Fr. Charbel Bousamra, Pastor of St. Elias Parish in London, Ontario, Canada.https://t.co/rJIddeS47F

— Sheptytsky Institute (@Sheptytsky) December 5, 2020

For a Lesser Evil to Come

FOR A LESSER EVIL TO COME!
Metropolitan Neophytos

With English subtitleshttps://t.co/jfU9gX9MLq

— Orthodox Ethos (@frpeterheers) December 5, 2020

Ingratitude

The Diocese of Chur

Bishop’s Election in the Swiss Diocese of Chur Highlights Local Catholic Divisions | National Catholic Register https://t.co/OPijYivuHQ @NCRegister @Solena_Tad

— Edward Pentin (@EdwardPentin) December 5, 2020

There Is a Place for Hope in the Christian Life

And considering the Last Things frequently. But is the eschaton our primary motivation or God in the present? Focusing too much on our subjective beatitude instead of objective beatitude (God) can lead to that sort of piety which focuses on the accumulation of good works and merit, rather than God. Purification of one's self so that one can focus on God is what is important; everything else will be taken care of accordingly.

I think we need more homilies on heaven. Fixing the mind and heart on the good things to come helps to bear well and patiently the sufferings and sorrows of the present. To live for heaven is neither escapist nor cowardly: it's Christian. https://t.co/isHX4A26QQ

— Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP (@PatrickMaryOP) December 5, 2020

The Midnight Office of the Byzantine Rite

NLM

Eucharistia and Gratitude

Being thankful is the characteristic Way of the Christian. That’s what the Eucharist indicates: giving thanks. Is there any time, ever, that we cannot give thanks to God? Never. https://t.co/291SRISInl

— Orthodox Ethos (@frpeterheers) December 5, 2020