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Orthodoxy Versus Christian Materialism (Part I)

By Father Stephen Freeman Over the years I find myself coming back to a number of ideas within the modern world that differ markedly from Orthodox thought. These are ideas that are imbedded so deep within our culture that they seem self-evident to most people. Many Orthodox believers hold to one or more of them, distorting their understanding of the faith. This article is an effort to create a list and address each one. If

Are you Over-Bearing? Knowing How to Teach.

Are You Over-Bearing?  The Superior must not reprove with anger. An angry or violent reproof does not set the brother free from his fault but it throws the Superior into a state of sin. That is why the Bible says: ‘The Lord’s servant must be … forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness.’ [2 Tim. 2:24-25] We ought not to be inflamed with anger when others have offended us, nor should we show ourselves too indulgent

Orthodoxy Versus Christian Materialism (Part I)

By Father Stephen Freeman Over the years I find myself coming back to a number of ideas within the modern world that differ markedly from Orthodox thought. These are ideas that are imbedded so deep within our culture that they seem self-evident to most people. Many Orthodox believers hold to one or more of them, distorting their understanding of the faith. This article is an effort to create a list and address each one. If

My behavior tortures me. I want so much, I want everything.

My behavior tortures me. I can’t hide from You, Omniscient God. You know how much my behavior tortures me. I don’t act well. My manners show desperate fluctuations. I usually travel between extremes. My condition oppresses me so much, God, often I exhibit a bad picture of myself. My relationships with other people are not developing well at all. One day I seem stupidly rude and impolite, and the next day I reach a level