Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced that religion and values will be taught in all Russian schools beginning in the fall. Students will be able to choose between 4 major religions and two other courses (basics of world religions and ethics). This is a model that strengthens the beliefs of students while maintaining religious freedom…something that the West, where freedom of religions means ‘freedom FROM religion’, could take a lesson. All major religious groups have endorsed the program. ( http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=09&nav_id=78711 )
While the violence against Egyptian Copts occasionally make international headlines, the violence that has followed Islam since its founding continues throughout the world. While Turkey continues to defend the ‘honor’ of the Ottomans by denying genocide against the Armenian population in WW I, the local government of Malatya destroyed an Armenian house of worship on Thursday ( http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/91631/ ). The Islamist government of Eritrea, where Christians are almost 50% of the population, has imprisoned the Oriental Orthodox Patriarch since 2007 ( http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2012/01/the-detained-patriarch-persecuted-christians-and-a-dying-church/ ). Even in countries where they are not the majority, like Macedonia, burning of churches ( http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=01&dd=31&nav_id=78554 ) remains standard practice.
The last (3rd) volume of the letters of Serbian St. Nikolai Velimirovich has been translated and released. As with the other volumes, many practical needs, spiritual issues and Orthodox practices are discussed in the letters the Bishop wrote to those with questions. A practical guide for laity in the world… http://www.orthodoxoutreach.net/amazon/1newreleases.html
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20): substitute the word ‘call’ with ‘treat’ and you have the modern prison system in the West. A recent letter from a North Carolina death row inmate mocks the system by trumpeting his great life in prison ( http://news.yahoo.com/north-carolina-death-row-inmate-writes-letter-life-152637993–abc-news.html ). The alleged ‘worst’ criminals in the world are in the Hague but their living conditions are better than many families who work two jobs ( news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1413547.stm ). Meanwhile, the Orthodox Archbishop Jovan transferred to the strictest closed section of the “Idrizovo” prison in would-be EU candidate Macedonia over issues relating to the support of a schsimatic ‘Macedonian Orthodox’ sect by the government of that country ( www.spc.rs/eng/archbishop_jovan_transferred_strictest_closed_section_idrizovo_prison ).
ORTHODOX ICON STYLES….Without going into detailed analysis, the styles of Greek and Russian icons are apparent with Greek/Byzantine being a little more detailed (‘crisp looking’ … Image) while the Russian has darker colors/shadowing ( Russian ) and less distinct individual and object features (in the 17th century Russian icon style was influenced by the West and lost much of its Byzantine characteristics along with more three-dimensional images). The main purpose of this post is to highlight a different and less familiar style: the Coptic (Egyptian) icon style: Coptic
SVS Press has released a new translation of St. Athanasius’ ON THE INCARNATION. The work regarded as a foundational text for understanding a key element of the Christian Faith: that Christ as truly and fully human while retaining is Divine Nature. Nativity is over…the Annunciation is coming…this book is available now… On the Incarnation
The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, the largest national body in the Orthodox Church, has increasing assumed the needed role of spokesmen for Orthodox (and Christian) worldwide concerns. Because of the unique relationship between the Russian government and Church, the Patriarch’s words carry more weight than other Orthodox leaders who influence is marginalized because of Western secularism or small national membership. His recent statements that included calls for the Nigerian government to protect Christians from Muslim terrorist persecution (01.02.12) and asking the Greek President to release the unjustly* imprisoned (*by most observers) Vatopedi Monastery Abbot Ephraim (12/29/11). In his Nativity address, the Patriarch urged Russian opposition protesters to resist the attempt to further divide society while at the same time asking the government to listen and respond constructively to the legitimate concerns expressed in recent public demonstrations. For more info on all of these stories:
Divisions in the Orthodox Church over time are most pronounced at Christmas when the Feast is celebrated on December 25 most of the West, January 6 in Armenia and January 7 in ‘Old Calendar’ Orthodox countries like Russia and in some Oriental Orthodox churches like the Copts in Egypt. Why? The Armenians, the oldest officially Christian nation in the world, retain the date that they Church celebrated Christ’s birth for the first three centuries. In the fourth century, the Western church changed the date to December 25 to help combat the still popular pagan festival of Saturnalia. When the West switched to the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, the Orthodox East retained the original date which became January 7 in the new calendar. So, if you wish Christmas wasn’t over there are still two chances left. Christmas article
Why does the Orthodox world revere monasticism? What service do monks and nuns offer the Church (when it seems they are just focused on themselves)? These questions are answered in an overlooked first-ever international gathering of women monastics at the Zhicha Monastery in Serbia this fall. The answers include monastics as an example to the Church of holiness, the benefit the the Church gains from the prayers of holy men and women and the peaceful solitude of monasteries provides a place of spiritual healing for pilgrims. Article
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Troy Polamalu became Orthodox after a four-day spiritual quest with monks on Mt. Athos. Later, he was able to convert his wife and family to the Faith. Fellow players take not of his overt but no offense Christianity which includes praying while playing during the game itself. “Football is part of my life but not life itself.” Yahoo feature
