"The worship of the modern Eastern Orthodox Church is fundamentally monastic, and the near hegemony of “philokalic” theological reflection in modern Orthodox thought—that is, an approach to theology inspired by the collection of fundamentally monastic ascetic and mystical texts published in 1782 as the Philokalia—only reinforces a sense of the centrality of monastic experience in modern Orthodoxy." - Andrew Louth in The Reception of Dionysius in the Byzantine World; Maximus to Palamas
What are your thoughts on this quote? Is Louth correct in his generalization? Is t here something essentially monastic in Orthodoxy that is lacking in other Christian traditions?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Books This Semester
Below is a selection of some of the books I will be reading this semester.
The Sacred Gift of Life, John Breck
This book is part of the readings for my class in Ethics. In it Breck addresses many bio-ethical issues such as assisted suicide, cloning, surrogate motherhood, abortion, ect.
Explanation of the Holy Gospels, Blessed Theophylact
Theophylact lived in Bulgaria in the 11th century. This is probably one of the most accessible and readable commentaries available from the Fathers of the Church. It covers all four Gospels. In short it is an ancient and timeless bible study.
Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, St. Cyril of Alexandria
St. Cyril is another father of the 4th century. he wrote many works including biblical commentaries, theological treatises, and pastoral letters.
Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, St. John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom (Goldenmouth) is perhaps the greatest preacher the Church has ever had. There are literally volumes of his writings, almost all are homilies about Scripture. It is believed that the homilies we have were not edited or written by John but were transcribed by others who heard him preach. It is very likely that what we have in writing is what was heard centuries ago (5th century).
Man and the Environment, Anestis Keselopoulos
This text draws from the writings of St. Symeon the New Theologian who is one of the greatest mystical writers of the Church. St. Symeon had a very high regard for plants and animals displays a profound love and compasion for all of creation. This book focuses on man's relationship with the rest of the material realm of creation.
Hexaemeron, St. Basil the Great
Hexaemeron literally means six days. This ancient text (4th century) is a biblical commentary on the first few chapters of Genesis and focuses on the meaning of the creation narrative.
The Expereince of God, Volume 2, The World: Creation and Deification, Dumitru Staniloae
The main text for my class in cosmology (the study of creation). Dumitru is a Romanian theologian and this book is one volume of a comprehensive Dogmatics (think doctrines or beliefs) book written by him. It comes everything from the nature and origins of evil to angels and the end times (in theological terms called eschatology). he future redemption of
The Orthodox Liturgy, Hugh Wybrew
A historical survey of the development of the liturgy in the Orthodox Church.
The Sacred Gift of Life, John Breck
This book is part of the readings for my class in Ethics. In it Breck addresses many bio-ethical issues such as assisted suicide, cloning, surrogate motherhood, abortion, ect.
Explanation of the Holy Gospels, Blessed Theophylact
Theophylact lived in Bulgaria in the 11th century. This is probably one of the most accessible and readable commentaries available from the Fathers of the Church. It covers all four Gospels. In short it is an ancient and timeless bible study.
Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, St. Cyril of Alexandria
St. Cyril is another father of the 4th century. he wrote many works including biblical commentaries, theological treatises, and pastoral letters.
Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, St. John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom (Goldenmouth) is perhaps the greatest preacher the Church has ever had. There are literally volumes of his writings, almost all are homilies about Scripture. It is believed that the homilies we have were not edited or written by John but were transcribed by others who heard him preach. It is very likely that what we have in writing is what was heard centuries ago (5th century).
Man and the Environment, Anestis Keselopoulos
This text draws from the writings of St. Symeon the New Theologian who is one of the greatest mystical writers of the Church. St. Symeon had a very high regard for plants and animals displays a profound love and compasion for all of creation. This book focuses on man's relationship with the rest of the material realm of creation.
Hexaemeron, St. Basil the Great
Hexaemeron literally means six days. This ancient text (4th century) is a biblical commentary on the first few chapters of Genesis and focuses on the meaning of the creation narrative.
The Expereince of God, Volume 2, The World: Creation and Deification, Dumitru Staniloae
The main text for my class in cosmology (the study of creation). Dumitru is a Romanian theologian and this book is one volume of a comprehensive Dogmatics (think doctrines or beliefs) book written by him. It comes everything from the nature and origins of evil to angels and the end times (in theological terms called eschatology). he future redemption of
The Orthodox Liturgy, Hugh Wybrew
A historical survey of the development of the liturgy in the Orthodox Church.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Next Semester's Schedule and Christmas Break
Christ is Born!
Thankfully I have a month off after a full fall semester. I've been told that the Spring semester of your freshman year is the most difficult. Not only will the schedule be more packed than the Fall's but the Great Fast (Lent) rests nicely in the middle of the semester.
Next Semester is packed with 24 hours of classes. My classes are as follows: Slavonic, Greek, Liturgics, Synoptic Gospels, Ethics, Byzantine Church History, Sacred Music, Choir, and Cosmology. I have already been assigned a Church Father for Cosmology. Over the break I will be doing some light reading from St. Dionysios the Areopagite.
For the break my family will be traveling. We will spend time in Massachusetts, Maine, and Michigan. We have a baptism to attend in Michigan; Elizabeth will be the godmother. We will also be catching up with old friends from Holy Ascension and spending time at the Dormition Monastery.
I will be posting more of my papers from the fall semester in January. Until then I will be enjoying all twelve days of Christmas.
Joyous Feast!
Thankfully I have a month off after a full fall semester. I've been told that the Spring semester of your freshman year is the most difficult. Not only will the schedule be more packed than the Fall's but the Great Fast (Lent) rests nicely in the middle of the semester.
Next Semester is packed with 24 hours of classes. My classes are as follows: Slavonic, Greek, Liturgics, Synoptic Gospels, Ethics, Byzantine Church History, Sacred Music, Choir, and Cosmology. I have already been assigned a Church Father for Cosmology. Over the break I will be doing some light reading from St. Dionysios the Areopagite.
For the break my family will be traveling. We will spend time in Massachusetts, Maine, and Michigan. We have a baptism to attend in Michigan; Elizabeth will be the godmother. We will also be catching up with old friends from Holy Ascension and spending time at the Dormition Monastery.
I will be posting more of my papers from the fall semester in January. Until then I will be enjoying all twelve days of Christmas.
Joyous Feast!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Nativity Pageant
Below are a few photos from the Nativity Pageant held on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. The event was more fun than I thought it would be. All the younger children in Church school sang away in a manger. During the song Elias didn't feel the need to stay in line or sing along. Rather, he enjoyed walking around on the stage and stepping up to the microphone. He must have felt moved by the Spirit to sing a solo piece, unfortunately the song ended before he had his chance. A girl his same age has taken to mothering him (or bossing him around). Her name is Cassia; it is a fitting name for such a gregarious girl. She promptly escorted him off the stage.
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| Genevieve is raising a toast to the evening's performers |
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| Elias is enjoying the company of our Dean Fr Alexander. |
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| St Nicholas himself! |
Friday, December 3, 2010
Fall Photos of Elias and Genevieve
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| She's ready to cruise down the street |
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| Teddy Grahams and a turkey hat, what else is there to be thankful for? |
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| The bib was a gift from my parents |
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