Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs, 1848

Just FYI: A very very authoritative and historic document (signed by four Patriarchs). Gives clear and accurate answers to the Roman Catholic (personally, I prefer to refer to this denominations as 'Latins', for they are neither truly 'Roman' (Rome ceased to be the capital of the Empire in AD 476), nor 'Catholic' ('all-embracing', 'universal') doctrines of papal primacy, infallibility, dogmatic development and filioque. Also deals with the issue of authority in the Church:
Encyclical of the Eastern Patriarchs, 1848

What's in a Name?

Why do Catholics call themselves Catholic and Orthodox call themselves Orthodox? Have you ever wondered about it?

For Catholics, the most important characteristic of their faith is its 'catholicity' (read: universalism, embracing everybody everywhere). Hence comes power grabbing, Crusades, proselytism, secularism, modernism, etc. For the Orthodox, the most important characteristic of their faith is its 'Orthodoxy' (unbroken continuity of doctrine from the times of Apostles and Christ Himself). Thus, the Orthodox aren't afraid to remain alone (cf. "Fear ye not, small flock", "Athanasius Contra Mundum"...) as far as they preserve "the faith once given to the saints".

Do you agree?

NB: This is not to reject the belief in the "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church" but to emphasise the fact that the Church cannot be 'Catholic' without remaining 'Orthodox'.

Primus inter Pares

First published @ http://radio-awakening.com/index.php/133-primusinterpares

What's Wrong With Apostolic Succession?

One of the main arguments in favour of the Catholic Church (and the Orthodox Church) vs. the multitude of Protestant denominations has recently been their inherent Apostolic succession. The Protestants, seeing that they cannot beat those old traditional churches in this field, tend to reject the importance of Apostolic succession – and the very concept in general. And they're right – in the way they see it.

Let's see what the concept of Apostolic succession teaches.

Once Saved, Always Saved: “Legal” vs “Organic” Approaches to Salvation

First published @ http://radio-awakening.com/index.php/125-oncesaved

This is the second article in the series of articles scrutinising the Protestant beliefs from the point of view of an Orthodox Christian. I have already mentioned that my goal is not to “defeat and scatter enemies of the only true faith” but to find loving and thoughtful friends among those of my readers who are non-Orthodox and to share our views on the most serious and complicated issues of Christian faith and practice.

Every civilisation in the human history has its unique features and achievements: the Greeks, for instance, are known worldwide for their love of philosophy and sophisticated logics, whereas Africans have introduced the concept of ubuntu and harambeeⁱ. If someone asks where the uniqueness of Rome is, the answer will definitely be Law and Order.

Light from the East: Is There A Different Solution for Traditional Anglicans?

First published @ http://radio-awakening.com/index.php/73-light-from-the-east-orthodoxy-for-traditional-anglicans-2

When I read the news about traditional Anglicans who become more and more disillusioned with the liberal direction that the Anglican Communion has chosen in the recent decades and thus decide to become Catholic converts and about the plans of the Roman curia to accommodate them within a special Ordinariate, I have dual feelings: on the one hand, I'm happy that there are so many Christians who genuinely wish to follow the Biblical teaching on morality and ecclesiastic issues and remain unscathed in the face of aggressive secularism; but on the other hand, I cannot approve of the way they have chosen, bearing in mind the history of Orthodox-Anglican dialogue in the past centuries and the perspectives it has opened for both parties.

Hopefully, this article will find an answer in the hearts of both the Orthodox and the members of the Anglican community who are considering their next steps. It wasn't my aim to write another polemical anti-Catholic pamphlet (there are already tons of them in circulation nowadays) – and I will be really sorry if anyone considers this article to be one.