Tuesday, March 08, 2016

"They like our liturgy"

... but they don't like our theology. Latin traditionalists in Sacramento regarding the Byzantine tradition -- what I heard from an Byzantine Catholic acquaintance who has talked with Latin traditionalists who visit his church.

Monday, March 07, 2016

Dalrock: The biblical case for women teaching women.

The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham: Status Report

CWR Blog: The UK ordinariate, five years on by Joanna Bogle
The Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham is thriving—but is it attracting many Anglicans?

Sunday, March 06, 2016

The Basics of Orthodox Christianity

In this edition of CRTL, listen as we go back to the basics of Orthodox Christianity with Fr. Steven Freeman, Mary Danakas and Dr, David Ford. #Orthodoxyhttp://myocn.net/the-basics-of-orthodox-christianity/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, March 6, 2016

More Photos of DL at St. Mary Major

NLM: More Photos of Archbishop Shevchuk Divine Liturgy in Rome with

Saturday, March 05, 2016

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk Meets Pope Francis

On Saturday Pope Francis met with leaders of the Permanent Synod of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevhchuk affirmed communion with the Catholic Church.

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, March 5, 2016

How is the Taizé Community Doing?

Pope Francis on Thursday met with the the prior of the Taizé Community, Brother Alois.

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, March 5, 2016
NLM: “Our Fidelity to the See of Peter” : The Ukrainian Hierarchy Celebrates the Divine Liturgy in Rome by Gregory DiPippo

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, says a meeting of bishops with...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Saturday, March 5, 2016

Fr. Cantalamessa's Third Lenten Reflection

In his third Lenten reflection in the Vatican, Capuchin Fr. Raniero Catalamessa, preacher of the Papal Household,...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, March 4, 2016

Related:
His first and second reflections for Lent of this year.

OAJ Interview with Todor Mitrovic

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Chiesa: Priests With Wives Yes, But As Brother and Sister

This was the discipline in effect during the first centuries of the Church. From Mexico a missionary is re-proposing it for today as well. He has written about it in a book that he sent to the pope, together with a letter
One of those rare occasions I post a link to something at First Things: The Orthodox Icon: An Art Event at the First Things Editorial Office March 9, 2016 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Catalog of St. Elisabeth Convent

Monday, February 29, 2016

Pope and Pope

Pope Francis on Monday received the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Pope Matthias I, in the...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Monday, February 29, 2016

Pope Francis urged world leaders to “promote peaceful coexistence” in the face of “a devastating outbreak of violence...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Monday, February 29, 2016

Related:

Pope Francis was presented two publications of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on 24 February, at the close of a...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Monday, February 29, 2016

Solovyov: A Bit too Enamored with the Western Church?

After all, who got two feast days? St. Nicholas, the bishop... did the Byzantine Empire cease having bishops after the first millenium?
His comments on St. John Cassian, Feb. 29.
Chiesa: Teacher’s Pets in the School of Francis: The Bishops of the Philippines

They have encouraged the faithful in the use of contraception “in circumstances that invite a re-evaluation of the ban.” As suggested by the pope, when asked about the Zika virus

Related:
Paul VI and the Nuns Raped in the Congo. What the Pope Never Said
First Francis and then Fr. Lombardi have restated for the umpteenth time that pope Montini permitted those nuns to take birth control pills. But that’s false. Here is how that urban legend was born. And what the true status of the question is

Ed Peters: Misunderstanding the (alleged) ‘Congo contraception’ case

Janet Smith

Orthodox Spiritual Life: The Liturgy as Our Life, by Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer)

Saturday, February 27, 2016

CWR: The Jesuit, the Monk, and the Malaise of the West by Dr. Samuel Gregg
The persistence of Joachimism over so many centuries suggests that, for all its vaunted secularism, the West remains profoundly religious in character.

Reform the Funeral Rites!

A Salutary Corrective in Scalia’s Funeral by Fr. Mark A. Pilon

The Scalia Funeral: A Reminder of What Life is Really About
The funeral Mass for Justice Antonin Scalia presented a true glory each of us needs to behold so that we will rejoice in the life and hope that is given to us.
By James V. Schall, S.J.

Likely to Persuade the Russians?

Or just more useless polemics?

Russian Orthodox Projections and Catholic Corrections by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille

In the aftermath of the Havana meeting, one can spot at least three examples of Russian projection, accusing Catholics of behaviors the Russians themselves engage in, but are too afraid to admit.

Website of the Church of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God

Mentioned here - website.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Romanesque Iconography

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Eastern Christian Books: The Fathers on the Scriptures

Eastern Christian Books: The Fathers on the Scriptures

-- on a volume of essays edited by Fr. Matthew Baker and Mark Mourachian (Fortress Press). The anniversary of Fr. Matthew's passing is next week.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

And yet, Robert George recommended this...

That's the world, especially academia. "Scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours..."


Sexuality and Gender Studies: Practical and Political Sources, Theoretical Frameworks, and Recent Debates
July 18-22
Berkeley Institute, Berkeley CA

Featuring Neville Hoad, who looks like a true believer in queer theory and the like, and Candace Vogler, who started her academic career as a feminist. Did she have a conversion experience, or does she remain a feminist in analytic Thomist's clothing?

Ignatius Press on Google Books

Smart marketing move? At least I can preview Christoph Schönborn's Jesus' School of Life before deciding whether to buy the book...

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Vocations Retreat at St. Tikhon's

Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will host its annual Vocations Retreat on April 22­-23, 2016.http://myocn.net/st-tikhons-to-host-annual-vocations-retreat/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, February 22, 2016

Byzantine Aesthetics

Exploring Byzantine Aesthetics and how a better understanding of them appreciate byzantine beauty.http://myocn.net/exploring-byzantine-aesthetics/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Tradition

"Metropolitan Pavlos of Sisanio and Siatista at a public discussion speaks for tradition and modernization"

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, February 23, 2016

David Clayton Comments on the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God

NLM
Called to Be the Children of God is available for pre-order but I don't see a release date.

Monday, February 22, 2016

More "Eastern" Versions of the Divine Mercy Image

at Crossroads Initiative: Blood and Water From His Side – Chrysostom

More on Psychological Solidarity

In the exposition of why the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity became man, some will talk about how it was so that the Word would have psychological solidarity with us, feeling and experiencing pain, suffering, and death as we do. This is in contrast to the knowledge God would have of such things as cause -- what is important here is the "subjectivity." But is this really such a good reason? Are human beings such "special snowflakes" that God the Son must experience "human subjectivity" to become one of us? Or does God the Son become man not so that he can be accounted one of us, not as fallen but experiencing the consequences of original sin nonetheless, but so that He might elevate us to the divine? (After all, if we accept that subjectivity is important, why can we not say that Christ must experience temptation as we do, that is in a way that involves disordered appetite, in order to be one of us?)
CWR: Pope Francis calls Havana Joint Declaration debatable, understands Ukrainians might feel betrayed
While the Department of External Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate spins the meeting between Francis and Patriarch Kirill, the Pope expresses support for His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
By Fr. Andriy Chirovsky

As expected, the Department of External Church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate has started the process of spinning the February 12, 2016 Havana Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill. In a February 17 interview with Aleksei Sosiedov,

Related:
Chiesa: At the Summit Is the Embrace in Havana, But At the Base Unity Is Far Away
The account of two Australian spouses, he a Catholic, she Orthodox. Point by point, all the elements of the dispute between the two Churches, in everyday life

"Ten Minute Spirituality for a Modern World," by Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer)




Sunday, February 21, 2016

A Cave Temple

Nino shared these pictures of her hometown church built in a cave in Georgia! #myOCN

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Nino shared these pictures of her hometown church built in a cave in Georgia! #myOCN

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Athonite Monastery Duringi the Ottoman Occupation

"Cooperation with the Ottoman authorities was essential to preserve the autonomy of the Athonite community and the landed property of the monasteries."

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Sunday, February 21, 2016

Saturday, February 20, 2016

St. Porphyrios

In this video Father Alexios speaks of his wonderful and God-sent relationship with St. Porphyrios. Watch now!http://myocn.net/metropolitan-alexios-of-atlanta-st-porphyrios-a-great-figure-of-orthodoxy/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, February 19, 2016

St. Georges in Bucharest, Romania

How cute! This is Luca from St. Georges Orthodox Church in Bucharest,Romania. #myOCN

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Fr. Moses the Athonite

He has published four poetic collections: Ηπειρωτική Ηλιοφάνεια (Mainland Sunshine), Αγιορείτικες Πέτρες (The Stones of Mount Athos), Αθωνικά Ποιήματα (Athonite Poems) and Αθωνικό Ψαλτήρι (Athonite Psalter).

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

It's Us vs. Them

The Protest of Ukrainian Catholics: “The Pope Supports Russian Aggression”

The archbishop of Kiev gives voice to the bitterness of his faithful, because of the embrace between Francis and the patriarch of Moscow and the “half truths” of the document they signed in Havana

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Robert de Mattei on the Meeting of Fancis and Kirill

Rorate Caeli: "The 'historical' meeting between Francis and Kirill" by Roberto de Mattei

CWR Interview with Bishop Alexander Sample

CWR: Abp. Sample on the liturgy, vocations, and Synod disappointments by Jim Graves
In a wide-ranging interview on his 10th anniversary as a bishop, the archbishop of Portland discusses the centrality of the sacred liturgy, the challenges facing the family today, and more.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Portrait of the Lay Vocation: St. Giuseppe Moscati

CWR Blog: St. Giuseppe Moscati and the Vocation of the Laity by K. V. Turley
The life of the 20th-century Italian doctor and saint was, as Antonio Tripodoro's biography demonstrates, a fusion of the secular and the spiritual, of the earthly and of that which belongs to another realm.

Eastern Christian Books: Early Christian Devotion to the Mother of God

Eastern Christian Books: Early Christian Devotion to the Mother of God

Byzantine-Rite Liturgical Colors

How can we expand our views of liturgical color concerning the Orthodox vestment? Read more about this topic. #myOCNhttp://myocn.net/the-orthodox-vestment-color-spectrum/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Fr. Ilie Bobaianu

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Heard this through someone else; a deacon for the local Latin diocese told a story of how when he was doing prison ministry a prisoner came up to him and asked if it was ok to receive communion; the prisoner had been baptized Catholic but had received no formal catechesis
nor the prisoner raised in the faith. The deacon prided himself on making a quick decision; he said the prisoner should follow his heart, or something along those lines.

Is Pope Francis an inspiration for his pastoral counseling?

Solidarity or Bias?

Do Ukrainian catholics expect all other Catholics to side with them on political issues simply because they're Catholic?

Many injustices were committed against the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and many have not been remedied yet. But what of the rights of ethnic Russian-Ukrainians? And has there been any show of recognition by the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy of the problems of those who currently hold power in Ukraine?

Can there be any reconciliation of Ukrainians and Russians? Chastisements in the future for all around?

What we need is more prayer and less wrong-headed politicking by clergy.

Reactions to the meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill:
His Beatitude Sviatoslav disappointed in Joint Declaration; laments Vatican's "weaker team" by Carl E. Olson
"One gets the impression that the Moscow Patriarchate is either stubbornly refusing to admit that it is a party to the conflict, namely, that it openly supports the aggression of Russia against Ukraine..."

Francis and Kirill: Who Played Whom?
February 13, 2016 by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
Five details from yesterday's historical meeting suggest that while the Russian Patriarch may have thought he was first violin, the Jesuit Pope was conducting the orchestra.

Patriotism, Secularism, and Eastern-Rite Identity in Ukraine
Alexander R. Sich

Cyril and Methodius: Apostles to the Slavs

Official trailer English subtitles :-)

Posted by Cyril and Methodius: The Apostles of the Slavs on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

DVDs available now with English subtitles for Cyril and Methodius. #CyrilandMethodius http://ow.ly/HDvw6

Posted by Cyril and Methodius: The Apostles of the Slavs on Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Monday, February 15, 2016

Heard "just retribution" in the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil today. Would like to see the Greek original. The Byzantine tradition may speak of God's treatment or punishment of unrepentant sinners as being just, but does it understand God's justice primarily with respect to punishment and "reward"?

Pertinacious Papist: How can the wrath of an almighty God be just against the limited offense of a mere mortal? in which he quotes St. Robert Bellarmine

"Prayer in Daily Life" Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg)

Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God, Yasenevo, Moscow


Pravoslavie

Even Fr. Z is link to the article.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Bless the Lord, O My SoulPhotos are from the newly built Church of the Protection of the Mother of God at Yasenevo, outside of Moscow

Posted by Orthodox Christian Chants on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Hypercritical?

Rorate Caeli: Pope Francis needed the Moscow Patriarch to force him to say some obvious things

Again, do we need the bishop of Rome as global spokesperson of apostolic Christianity, even though he is considered a head of state and an observer to the UN because of that dignity?

Related:
For the record: On Curial reform and Church decentralization
Secretariat of State and Congregation for Divine Worship face reform

Cardinal Burke in Poland

Rorate Caeli: Cardinal Burke's visit to Krakow, Poland - Pontifical Mass (with video)

Portrait of St. Paul by Philip Trower - Pertinacious Papist:
Books Ignatius Press declined to publish?

Would that be Msgr. George Kelly's The New Biblical Theorists?

NLM Interview with Dom Alcuin Reid

NLM: T&T Clark Interviews Dom Alcuin Reid - T&T Clark blog

Firstly I must emphasise that this is a companion to liturgical studies in “the Western Catholic tradition.” Some commentators have already noted that this subtitle is unfortunately missing from much of the Companion’s promotional material. The book neither sets out to ignore the Churches of the East nor to minimise their venerable and rich liturgical traditions. Really, another Companion should be commissioned for the great Eastern liturgical tradition.

Separate companions for each of the other liturgical families would be best...

Lectures by Archimandrite Zacharias



Friday, February 12, 2016

The Joint Declaration

Pope Francis is about to land in Havana for his meeting with Russian Patriarch Kirill. Watch LIVE!

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, February 12, 2016




Here is the full text of the Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, February 12, 2016

13. Interreligious dialogue is indispensable in our disturbing times. Differences in the understanding of religious truths must not impede people of different faiths to live in peace and harmony. In our current context, religious leaders have the particular responsibility to educate their faithful in a spirit which is respectful of the convictions of those belonging to other religious traditions. Attempts to justify criminal acts with religious slogans are altogether unacceptable. No crime may be committed in God’s name, "since God is not the God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33).

Peace in the world? What of Luke 12:51? (δοκεῖτε ὅτι εἰρήνην παρεγενόμην δοῦναι ἐν τῇ γῇ; οὐχί, λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀλλ’ ἢ διαμερισμόν.) I suspect this paragraph was inserted by the Latins; uncontroversial to the Russian Orthodox or did they acquiesce for they sake of peace? Yes 1 Cor 14:33 refers to God being the peace but specifically of peace within the churches.

Now the powers of heaven invisibly worship with us

NLM: A Beautiful Byzantine Chant for Lent

Our Lady of Walsingham Customary

NLM: Customary of Our Lady of Walsingham Available in the US

Latin-English Dominican Rite Hand Missal

Dominican Liturgy: Latin-English Dominican Rite Hand Missal (1959) Available for Download (cross-posted at NLM)

Still Operating Within Latin Theological Constructs

Catholic World Report: Pope Francis on Mercy and Justice: A Short Primer by Eduardo Echeverria
The Holy Father explains that justice and mercy "are not two contradictory realities, but two dimensions of a single reality that unfolds progressively until it culminates in the fullness of love”.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Dialogue in Cairo

Glad to be partners with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ecumenical and international dialogues!

Posted by Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Khouria Krista West on Beauty in Orthodox Worship

Valuing Beauty in Orthodox Worship:Khouria Krista West suggests that we should pursue beauty in our churches/worshiphttp://myocn.net/valuing-beauty-in-orthodox-worship/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, February 6, 2016

Common Medicine

"Prayer is an aid in our lives: talking to God, forgetting earthly matters, ascending to heaven."

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Monday, February 8, 2016

"Holy Mountain's Secret Cry"

"Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Ayios Vlasios, Ierotheos, speaks on Mount Athos' secret cry"

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Patriarch Bartholomew

Fr. Chris shares a reflection on the Patriarchate of Constantinople in preparation for the Holy and Great Council to be...

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Pan-Orthodox Council will be upon us in a few short months. Find out what we can and can't expect. #myOCNhttp://myocn.net/authority-in-orthodox-christian-councils/

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Saturday, February 6, 2016

New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery

Matins at New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox monastery in Third Lake, IL. Thank you for sharing, Nebojsa!

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

"Union" or "Communion"?

Some will probably quibble with the wording of the article...

Apologia Pro Unia by Dr. Adam A. J. DeVille
I am a uniate, and I am not ashamed of being a uniate. The imperative of union—however problematic its execution—is from the Lord.



Fr. Rutler on Lent

Why We Need Lent by Fr. George William Rutler
Lent is a small familiarity with the inexhaustible drama of redemption in which eternity transfigures mortality.

Inspired to love (St Josemaria & Opus Dei) / Inspirados para amar (San Josemaría y el Opus Dei)

Saturday, February 06, 2016

The Hope of Universal Salvation

At least Aquinas and the scholastics gave a definition of hope and distinguished it from charity. In order to answer the question whether we can have the theological virtue of hope for the salvation of all, we must first define hope and determine whether it is the same as desire or wishing or is a kind of desire or wishing. Do we love all men (with charity) and thus desire their salvation? If yes, then can we not hope for their salvation as well?

"Universalist" hope is not the same as the belief that all will be saved.

Fr. Al Kimel: May We Only Wish for the Salvation of All?

But What Else Would He Say?

As a curial official who probably believes he has the responsibility to protect the institutional image of the papacy and of the Church...

Cdl. Müller discusses mercy, stresses continuity between Benedict and Francis



A Scientist Critiques The Force Awakens

One of the last entertaining sections of AICN: Copernicus on the Science of THE FORCE AWAKENS Part 1 and Copernicus on the Science of THE FORCE AWAKENS Part 2

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav on the Meeting of Francis and Kirill

UGCC: «I do not expect that much will change» - His Beatitude Sviatoslav on the Meeting of Pope Francis with Patriarch Kirill

His Beatitude Sviatoslav: “What sea our spirituality is similar to: “lively” sea of Galilee or Dead sea?

If You're in the Philadelphia Area

NLM: What Do Catholics Believe About Icons? Talk in Philadelphia, Saturday, February 13 by David Clayton
Pravmir: "The Psalms Are My Refuge": Archbishop Anastasios on Prayer
Archpriest John Breck

His Eminence Archbishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos) arrived in Albania in 1991, to assume archpastoral duties in this impoverished country, which during ...

Realism in Iconography

What Did Christ Really Look Like? by David Clayton

Friday, February 05, 2016

Fr. Hunwicke on the Contemporary Papacy

Bishop Schneider and Cowardly Rabbits

The Holy Eucharist

"Fr Alexander Rentel explains the meaning of Holy Eucharist."

Posted by Orthodox Christian Network on Friday, February 5, 2016

May It Happen

It was announced on Friday that Pope Francis will hold a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Cuba on February 12th. It marks the first ever meeting between a Pope and a Russian Primate.

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Friday, February 5, 2016

Joint Press Release of the Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow
Press conference at DECR on Patriarch Kirill's forthcoming visit to Latin America

To Speak en tais ekklēsiais

1 Corinthians 14:34

Sometimes this is interpreted as saying that woman should not teach within the church building, or temple. But if St. Paul meant the home temple (or building) where Christians gathered to worship or to celebrate the liturgy or Eucharist, would he have not used that word instead of ekklésia, assembly, congregation, or "Church"? If that is the case, it would not matter if the Church is assembled in the temple or outside of the temple, a woman should be silent. And this would apply to any instantiation of the Church, including in a academic setting?

Unless St. Paul is just bound by the customs of his time, of course...

But that sort of misreading of the Church by English-speakers who do not know Greek and do not know the context well is easily cleared away. One could object, rather, that St. Paul is talking about the assembly of Christians for worship. Even though he is touching upon problems with the Church of Corinth, especially upon disorder during worship and prayer (and not necessarily just the Eucharist), would worship and prayer be the only reason for Christians to assemble? And would their time of assembly be a mix of prayer/worship, teaching, listening to readings, and so on? Would instruction proper to a formal master/disciple relationship, as opposed to the informal giving of information or doctrine, have taken place within the assembly or outside of the assembly?

Is it so definitively clear that St. Paul is referring only to the assemblies of Christians for prayer and worship? Or can a reading that He is referring to any manifestation of the Church, ekklēsía, including assemblies for prayer and worship, be justified?



"Il mistero nuziale e le sfide del gender" (The nuptial mystery and challenges of gender) is the title of a new book...

Posted by Vatican Radio - English Section on Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Any mention of the authority of the husband?

Eastern Christian Books: Church in the Making

Eastern Christian Books: Church in the Making
Chiesa: Married Priests? At the Gregorian They’re Voting Against by Sandro Magister
Cardinals Parolin and Ouellet are lining up in defense of the celibacy of the Latin clergy, in a conference at the prestigious pontifical university. But once again the pope has let the German bishops know that he wants to break with this tradition

[Roman] Catholicism: Crisis or Catastrophe?

From 2013: