Rating: 8,3|Votes: 76

In Defense of Western Rite Orthodoxy

A Deacon of the Orthodox Church

In recent years, some Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States and Great Britain have accepted whole parishes that converted from Anglicanism or Catholicism to Orthodoxy. These few parishes have the unique distinction of providing Orthodox services in the "Western Rite"—high Church services somewhat rewritten to adapt to the Orthodox cycle of services. A deacon of the Orthodox Church, Eastern Rite speaks in defense of this practice.

Rating: 10|Votes: 6

The Simple Shepherd—Papa Nicholas Planas

Fr. Alexey Young

One of the most inspiring righteous figures to come to our attention in recent years is Papa-Nicholas Planas. The revelation of this saintly Greek Orthodox priest to English language readers is truly providential, for his life contains virtually all the elements of the spiritual conflicts that beset 20th century Orthodoxy, and in his personality is to be found the antidote to the stifling complexities of our modern times.

Rating: 4,7|Votes: 9

Islam: Through the heart and mind of a convert to Orthodox Christianity, Part 1

Kevin Allen

In this two-part interview Kevin Allen "George" who became a Sunni Muslim at age fourteen and studied to become an Imam at a madrasa. He left Islam and became an Orthodox Christian twenty years later. Among other things, Kevin and his guest discuss Islamic theology, common misunderstandings of Christianity by Muslims, differences between "orthodox" Islam and the Nation of Islam, the true understanding and practice in Islam of slavery and jihad, and the extraordinary journey that led "George" to Orthodox Christianity.

Rating: 8,9|Votes: 16

Hermitage of the Holy Cross Monastery

You realize while on the journey, especially if it’s a pilgrimage, that it depends on God whether you make it to your destination or not. Every journey, begins and ends with God.

Rating: 7,3|Votes: 3

Scientology and the CIA

Alexander Dvorkin

We can claim with an enormous degree of confidence that Scientology has a multitude of connections with the US Intelligence Community. The evidence I’ve brought forth in this presentation, quite weighty if circumstantial, indicates precisely that. Almost two years ago, US President Barack Obama publicly announced that international religious freedom is a vital factor of US national security. I think that this announcement, striking in its cynical frankness, only admitted what had been an obvious fact for years. And we can probably suppose which organization hides behind the unnamed sixteenth star on the US Intelligence Community’s coat of arms.