What is the principle of unity in the Church? How are we to understand Christ’s words to St. Peter : “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church”? Matthew 16:18 St. Cyprian of Carthage (about 250 AD) explains how this unity of the Church is held together : If anyone considers [...]
Purpose and Comfort in Affliction
“The Lord loves mankind but He sends affliction that we may perceive our weakness and humble ourselves, and for this humility receive the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit all things are good, all things are joyful, all things are well. One man may suffer much from poverty and sickness but does not humble himself [...]
Who’s to Blame for Human Suffering?
By Scott Cairns How can one believe in a loving God who allows the innocent to suffer? I’ve been asked this many times, and I’ve never been quick to answer. Subconsciously, I’ve probably asked much the same thing in the past. While I may not frame the matter this way now, it remains a useful [...]
The Harrowing of Hell
by SJL In the Apostles’ Creed we profess that Christ “descended into Hell.” Another priest recently asked me to justify that tenet of the Apostles’ Creed according to Scripture. He said, “I know that it pre-dates the Great Schism and that it is not an East versus West issue, but if I can’t find it [...]
Christ’s Descent into Hades
What did Jesus do on Holy Saturday? Daniel Burke (Source : RNS) Every Christian knows the story: Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. But what did he do on Saturday? That question has spurred centuries of debate, perplexed theologians as learned as St. Augustine, and prodded some [...]
Good Friday
Isaiah 53:1-12 NKJV Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (2) For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that [...]
Passover to Easter / Pashca
On the Origins of the Primary Feast of the Christian Church by William J. Tighe For all Christians today who observe a “liturgical year,” the high point of that year is the annual commemoration of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection at the end of Holy Week. Good Friday recalls to the faithful the Lord’s suffering [...]
Church Fathers on Foreknowledge and Freewill
Calvinists suggest that God’s foreknowledge is based on His decretal plan and/or knowledge of causal relations rather then based on the future. The Early Church Fathers disagree. (H/T SEA) Diodore of Tarsus (circa 390) This text [Romans 8:29-30] does not take away our free will. It uses the word foreknew before predestined. Now it is [...]
The Ascension – MAY 24
