Jesse Dominick
Rating: 8.3|Votes: 3
Although his theology was vindicated by several councils in Constantinople between 1341 and 1351, and he was canonized just nine years after his death in 1368, it remained a topic of disagreement. His theology and influence fell into nigh-obscurity from the late sixteenth century practically until the twentieth century, and today there is still disagreement within the Orthodox Church over how to understand his theology and interactions with his opponents, as well as continued debate from outside the Church.
Sotirios Sarvanis
From all of this, we may understand that it is no accident that the Salutations have been placed within Great Lent. What we will experience shortly is the most tremendous experience, and our soul must be pure if we are to live through the Holy Passion and the splendid Resurrection of Our Lord. This is why we ask Our Lady to support us at this time with her maternal affection and love, to pray for us to Our Father and for us to complete both this struggle which we are undertaking this Lent, peacefully and sinlessly, and also every other struggle for our salvation, so that we may enjoy the Kingdom of God.
Fr. George Metallinos
Heresy is not just an error of the reasoning faculty, nor are heretics simply misplaced in finding the truth. In their case something happens deeper and more substantial. They know the Bible to the letter, often in amazing ways. But they lack something essential, and this lack radically distinguishes them from the Fathers. They lack the experience of the Holy Spirit of the Fathers, the interior illumination of the Spirit. This is because they have not gone through the therapeutic process of the Church.
Fr. Maximos (Constas)
Rating: 8|Votes: 28
It’s a human impulse to want the best and greatest when we see it, but we forget that there are other things we need to do before we’re ready to achieve that level. We think we’re ready for great achievements before we’ve even attended to little things which somehow seem beneath us. We can’t stoop to them because we’ve been called by God—we have to be seen doing great big things. But this of course is to forget the words of the Lord Who says in the Gospel that he who is faithful in a little is faithful in much.
Joel J. Miller
When faced with joylessness and frustration, we should be quicker to fault ourselves than our circumstances. The apostle Paul talks about being content in all situations, whether in riches or poverty. That’s the mark of someone who is comfortable sailing in whatever boat God assigns.