Byzantine, TX: Chrysostom Seminar in Rome discusses clerical celibacy

Alexander Schmemann on the Ordained Priesthood

Synaxis: Remembering Father Alexander Schmemann: Ministry and Vocation

Father Schmemann strongly argues that there is no special or unique vocation of the priesthood other than to reveal to others the common vocation of the entire people of God: to always offer thanksgiving to God. He was adamant that any theological or doctrinal separation between the vocations of the clergy and the laity is a false one, which reduces the priesthood to a separate caste of people, much like the Levites in the Old Testament, and thereby encourages clericalism. According to Schmemann, “If there are priests in the Church, if there is the priestly vocation in it, it is precisely in order to make the whole life of all the liturgy of the Kingdom, to reveal the Church as the royal priesthood of the redeemed world.” Thus the priest fulfills the calling of everyone who is a member of the royal priesthood, to offer prayer and praise to God and become fully a priest over creation, always giving thanks for everything.

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Related:
Elder Paisios On Those Called To Be Clergymen
Today's Need for Bright and Transparent Cassocks
Elder Ephraim Katounakiotis: On the Priesthood (1)

Reflections on the Final Volume of Pope Benedict XVI's "Jesus of Nazareth"

Tonight's panel discussion at the DSPT will be streamed live. The discussion commences at 7:30 P.M. (PST).

The Beatitudes- Znamenny Chant (English)

Is a notion of ritual impurity sustainable in Christianity?

Via Byzantine, Texas: Purify Her Uncleanness by Carrie Frederick Frost
December 11, 2012

"Gregory" attempts to explain certain practices not through "ritual impurity" but concerns about physical integrity and safeguarding the mysteries, or something. Do the prayers and practices admit of this interpretation? This topic is somewhat new to me.

Sister Vassa Larin's opinion. And a response to Sister Vassa Larin by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov. (He also has a follow-up article.)

Also from Byzantine, TX: Confession and the contrite heart

Will we return to this practice?

Infant Communion: The Ancient Western Tradition by Fr. John A. Peck

He cites the work of Archimandrite Robert Taft, S.J.

Some Catholics similarly advocate that Confirmation be restored to its place right after Baptism.

Natural Law Liberalism

Is this how we should understand the American founding fathers?

Sustainable Liberalism by Nathan Schlueter (via First Thoughts)

Previously...
Better than Our Philosophy: A Response to Muñoz by Patrick J. Deneen

Why Social Conservatives Should Be Patriotic Americans: A Critique of Patrick Deneen by Vincent Phillip Muñoz

Rome Reports: Benedict XVI and Cardinal Marc Ouellet open Americas conference at the Vatican


Zenit: Pope Benedict Addresses International Congress on "Ecclesia in America"
Calls on Participants to Focus on Problems Due to Secularism
Pope's Address to Participants of "Ecclesia In America" International Congress [2012-12-10]
Cardinal Ouellet Presides Over Opening Mass of International Congress on "Ecclesia in America"
Three Day Congress Will Focus on Evangelization in North and South America
Cardinal Ouellet's Homily at Opening Mass of the International Congress on "Ecclesia in America" [2012-12-10]

Rome Reports: Pope honors Our Lady on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception


Zenit: Pope Venerates Image of Virgin Mary on Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Traditional Tribute Takes Place in Rome
Pope's Immaculate Conception Address at the Spanish Steps
"Mary Immaculate Teaches Us to Listen to the Voice of God that Speaks in Silence" [2012-12-09]

The Christian Origins of Islam by Peter J. Leithart

Dr. Leithart refers to Christoph Luxenberg's The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran and to a collection of essays, The Hidden Origins of Islam.

Dr. Kevin White on the Consequences of Introducing the Microphone to Liturgy

Citing Marshall McLuhan... Drop the Mic (via First Thoughts)

Zenit: ON AWAITING THE COMING OF THE LORD
"Let us Prepare to See, with the Eyes of Faith, Gods Salvation in the Humble Grotto of Bethlehem"

Interview with Metropolitan Tikhon of the OCA

OCN airs interview with Metropolitan Tikhon - OCN (mp3)

Alleluia: Tota Pulchra Es, Maria (Immaculate Conception)

More at Stephan George's YT channel.

The Habit of the Dominican

Honorary Degree Ceremony for Metropolitan Hilarion

Benedict XVI on Rights

Zenit: Benedict XVI's Address to Plenary Assembly of Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
"The Rights and Duties Do Not Have as their Sole and Exclusive Foundation the Social Conscience of Peoples, but Depend Primarily on the Natural Moral Law"

The ITC Document on Theology

Rome Reports: Pope welcomes document published by the International Theological Commission
http://www.romereports.com/palio/pope-welcomes-document-published-by-theinternational-theological-commission-english-8460.html#.UMJuhYNlWeA

THEOLOGY TODAY: PERSPECTIVES, PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA

Zenit: Pope Benedict's Address to the International Theological Commission
"Without Openness to the Transcendent [...], Mankind becomes Unable to Act in Accordance with Justice and Work for Peace" [2012-12-07]

Pope Benedict XVI: 'Christianity and Monotheism is of Vibrant Relevance'
Pontiff Addresses International Theological Commission

Rome Reports: Georg Gaenswein, named Prefect of the Papal Household and Archbishop

Fr. Z: Promoter of women “deacons” can’t speak in Archdiocese of Philadelphia

What if certain Orthodox Christians (and Eastern Catholics) began advocating the "restoration" of deaconesses? I think Fr. Z is too dismissive of the historical data, which needs to be addressed properly.

John Haldane interview

3:AM Magazine: aquinas amongst the analytics (via Edward Feser)

A lecture he gave for the Iona Institute - Love, sex and marriage in liberal societies.


Q&A