12 November

Trauma rarely brings forth the renewal of an institution’s vocation. Rather, it often hardens the executives and leadership into a stance characterized by formalism and fear. Not surprising. 
Institutional leadership is responsible for insuring that all those who work within its frame are able to do so with relative confidence. Scandal brings trauma rather quickly in [...]

St. Tikhon of Moscow’s Recommendations for Church Reform

Submitted to the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia in 1905, 
in Preparation for the Great Council of Moscow
Eventually held in 1917-1918
 
English translation from the Russian by Alex Maximov,
with editing by Dr. David C. Ford 
St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery Church
S. Canaan, PA
 
This translation is of the text as it appears in the Russian-American Messenger.
 
 
Opinions on the [...]

St. Tikhon of Moscow’s Last Sermon

During His Years of Ministry  as the Archbishop  of the American Missionary Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church (1898 to 1907)

Given on the Sunday of Orthodoxy (the First Sunday of Great Lent) in 1907

English translation from the Russian by Alex Maximov, 
with editing by Dr. David C. Ford 
St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery Church
S. Canaan, PA
 
This translation is of [...]

Two considerations

We are in a grave but modest moment in the life of our treasured church. Grave but modest and this is driven home to me as I remember. 
In 1999 I visited Nike (Nicea). It was the past coming to meet me from the future. When I was 12 our pastor, recognizing my interest in theology [...]

A Spiritual Springtime for American Orthodoxy: Reflections on the last 40 Years

– Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko
Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
September 27, 2008
Membership in the Orthodox churches in North America in the past forty years has radically decreased. There are probably about half as many people in the churches today as there were four decades ago.   It also seems that most adults who attend services [...]

“And then what?” A reflection on the proposed resolution to reduce the central Church assessment to $50.00

– Archpriest Andrew Jarmus, OCA Director of Ministries and Communications
One of the hot topics of discussion in the OCA as we approach our 15th All-American Council is the proposed resolution submitted by the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania that would “fix the fair share amount of each of the participating dioceses at an amount not to [...]

“The Church is Hierarchal,” Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann

 
Nearly 50 years ago Fr. Alexander Schmemann wrote an essay with the title “The Church is Hierarchal.” The text speaks for itself. It should be read by every person who is concerned about the current condition of the Orthodox Church in America and who is thinking about the vision and mission of our Church. The [...]

OCA “Town Hall” Meeting Notes: Orlando, Fl, August 30, 2008

Meeting began with the singing of “O Heavenly King” at 11:40 am
Approximately 50 persons attended the meeting held at DisneyWorld Contemporary Resort in conjunction with the 82nd National FOCA Convention. Majority of attendees were FOCA members; members of local parishes also present.
Fr. Andrew Jarmus began the meeting explaining that this is not a plenary session [...]

OCA “Town Hall” Meeting Notes: Boston, MA, August 21, 2008

The meeting followed Vespers service at the Cathedral. His Grace Bishop Nikon and Fr. Alexander Garklavs (the OCA Chancellor) were present. Participants included 8 clergy and 33 laity, with about equal number of men and women present. The meeting began with singing of the festal Troparion.
Introductory remarks by Bishop Nikon:
The Church has suffered a crisis, [...]

OCA “Town Hall” Meeting Notes: South River, NJ, August 2, 2008

Fr. Andrew Jarmus welcomed the participants to the South River, NJ, and discussed the “Ground Rules” of the Town Hall Meeting.  He mentioned that these meetings are to hear the thoughts and concerns of the faithful before the All American Council.
Fr. David Garretson, Rector of the host parish welcomed the participants and spoke briefly about [...]