Rating: 7.5|Votes: 42

Ecclesiological Principles Cannot Be Ignored

The Albanian Church’s Letter to Patriarch Bartholomew

It is universally recognized as a basic ecclesiological principle that the ordinations of heretics and schismatics, and especially of those who are deposed and excommunicated, as a “Sacrament,” celebrated by all the Churches, are invalid. This basic principle is inextricably bound with the Orthodox teaching on the Holy Spirit and constitutes an unshakeable foundation of the Apostolic succession of Orthodox bishops. It is our conviction that this principle cannot be ignored.

Rating: 9|Votes: 53

”The Waters Have Been Muddied”

An Interview with Fr. John Whiteford on the Ukrainian Crisis and the Judgment of God

Archpriest John Whiteford, Jesse Dominick

Since I became Orthodox, one of the big things I have been concerned with is trying to bring people into the Church. It’s harder to bring people into the Church now because it’s harder to explain what Orthodoxy is.

Rating: 7.5|Votes: 12

Is There Cause To Interrupt Eucharistic Communion?

Part 3: A Look At Russia’s Reasons for Breaking Communion

Anna Stickles

For Russia, the situation involves both a dispute over canonical territory and a protest against the claims of Constantinople to be “first among equals” and have universal authority. The first is jurisdictional, the second a matter of the rule of faith.

Rating: 9.6|Votes: 64

A Simple “Reading” of the Tomos of Autocephaly

Does anyone wonder what canonical crime these people committed that the Patriarch of Constantinople treated them this way? Maybe they’re guilty of not wanting to become autocephalous and enter into communion with unrepentant schismatics?

Rating: 7.7|Votes: 15

Is There Cause To Interrupt Eucharistic Communion?

Part 2: A Context For Understanding Ecclesial Decrees

Anna Stickles

First of all it is canonically and historically clear that interruption of Eucharistic communion and ceasing to commemorate a Patriarch, when done rightly is for the protection of the faith.