Orthodox Theology

It is precisely where we hurt most that the experience of the Orthodox Church has much to offer. The remedy is not a pep talk, or any simple admonitions to fight the good fight, cheer up, or think positively. Rather, the Orthodox method is to change the way we look at the human person (starting with ourselves). According to two thousand years of experience, Orthodoxy shows us how to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" - a process that is aided by participation in the traditional ascetic practices and Mysteries of the Church.

This volume offers a profound patristic commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews, one of the most spiritually majestic and theologically rich books in the New Testament. Drawing from the Coptic Orthodox tradition and the insights of the early Church Fathers, this commentary unveils Christ as our High Priest, Mediator, and Eternal Sacrifice—the fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets, and the Temple itself. With clarity and warmth, the commentary walks readers through every chapter of the epistle, highlighting: Christ’s priesthood “according to the order of Melchizedek” The superiority ...

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 186 In recent years more and more Christians in the West have been discovering the many blessings of the Jesus Prayer. This prayer originated among the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the Eastern Mediterranean around fifteen hundred years ago, and for centuries has inspired and enabled Christians of the Orthodox Church to find a deeper relationship with God through the continual rhythmic repetition of the short prayer, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me’. In this book, James F. Wellington tells the story of his own journey with the prayer, highlighting...

Dogmas are the interpretation of our experience of God, in the Crucified and Risen Jesus Christ. This experience through the ages does not alter, for Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). The disciples and apostles (and bishops afterwards) did not sit around a table and agree to teach new dogmas, but rather they preached their Christian experience. As St. John says, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you" (1 John 1:3). Thus, all Christian dogmas produced are the church's experience of the Crucified and Risen Christ. "Truth" and "Love" at the...

Saint Athanasius was an astute apologist, proficient theologian, and champion of orthodox Christology. He earned the title Athanasius Contra Mundum for his willingness to take on the world in defending biblical truth.

Origen believes that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. Christ who loved humanity, even when they were sinners and enemies, and sacrificed Himself on their behalf, is asking to have a personal relationship with every soul. Therefore, Origen attributes Christ to himself as his own, savior calling Him “my Christ.” The Apostle (St. Paul) declares what is written about Adam and Eve thus: “This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:32); He has loved her so that He gave Himself up for her, while she was yet disobedient, even as he says: “...

This second volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah continues the journey begun in Volume 1, delving deeply into the prophet’s earliest messages—warnings of judgment, calls to repentance, and glimpses of redemption. Drawing from the wisdom of the early Church Fathers and the Coptic Orthodox tradition, this work reveals the richness of Isaiah's voice as both fierce reformer and tender intercessor. Covering chapters 1–35, this volume illuminates: God’s righteous judgment against hypocrisy, injustice, and idolatry The spiritual decay of Judah and the prophetic call to ...

To the Coptic Orthodox Church, Dogmas are not merely theological concepts concerning God, man, Church, eternal life, heavenly creatures, demons, etc., to be discussed among clergymen, scholars, and laymen. But dogmas are, in essence, daily experiences each member of the Church has to live. In other words, dogmas representing our faith in God through various aspects have one message, i.e., our communion with God the Father in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, by His Holy Spirit. Thus, we conceive of our redemption, our membership in the Church, a deep understanding of the Holy Bible, ...

This third volume in the Patristic Commentary on the Book of Isaiah examines a pivotal moment in the prophetic narrative, where historical drama, spiritual warfare, and divine intervention intersect. Covering chapters 36–39, this section presents the reign of King Hezekiah during the Assyrian siege—an era marked by both miraculous deliverance and tragic human weakness. Through the eyes of the early Church Fathers and the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we encounter God not only as the Righteous Judge but as the Holy Grantor of Victory, who saves His people when they turn to Him in prayer and...

This is a book about a new beginning. After 20 years of teaching and preaching with the churches of Christ in West Virginia, Andrew Burns left the tradition and found a new home in the Orthodox Church. In these pages, you will read about the issues with which he struggled, the solutions he found, and the reasoning he went through that eventually led him away from the churches of Christ. This is neither is a condemnation of the churches of Christ nor an apology for Orthodox Christianity. Instead, it is Burns' offering to those struggling with their faith that and they who suspect there may ...

In 2006, I was attending several week-long classes at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. One of the classes was titled “Who is a Jew?” and was taught by my doctoral advisor, Rabbi Dr. Byron Sherwin, of blessed memory. The course discussed biblical, rabbinic, medieval, and modern perspectives on the question. As Rabbi Sherwin was accustomed to doing, he typically included unusual cases for us to consider. Decades before, a student at the Spertus Institute had stirred some controversy.

God created man in His image as the most perfect of His creation on earth. He did not plan to leave the man in Paradise alone, but to embrace him as His beloved, and to grant mankind unity with Him. God used to speak with Adam for it was written, "... and they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden." (Gen. 3:8). Similarly, God started a dialogue with the first patriarch, Abraham, to declare to him His divine plan, saying, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?" (Gen. 18:17). God, who is incomprehensible, reveals Himself, His nature, His mysteries, and His will to His ...

In a world grappling with uncertainty and the quest for authentic significance,' Patristic Commentary: The Epistle of Jude' emerges as a profound guide, illuminating the path. This work delves into the timeless teachings of Jude's epistle, offering a beacon of hope and a call to unwavering faith that resonates powerfully in our modern era. Jude's words echo with striking relevance as we find ourselves on the precipice of times that mirror the trials of early believers. His warnings against apostasy and the promise of Divine glory through Jesus Christ compel us to stay alert in our spiritual...

Explore the depths of the New Testament through the lens of the Coptic Orthodox tradition in this commentary. That work bridges contemporary readers to the patristic era, offering a unique blend of ancient wisdom and practical guidance for modern spiritual lives. In "The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy," we delve into the heart of pastoral ministry and the apostolic spirit that shaped the early Christian Church. As St. Paul's last written words before his martyrdom, this epistle is a testament to his enduring legacy and his charge to his beloved disciple, St. Timothy. With ...

If the life of Jesus, our Lord, has ended with His death on the cross or His burial in the sepulcher, which is not possible, because in Him is the power of the resurrection and life and thus it is impossible for corruption to grab hold of Him. His mission would have failed and the cross would have not been able to reveal God's true and active love for mankind, able to forgive the sins and raise the dead. Hence, the life of Jesus, our Lord, on earth would have become a mere humane story recorded by history, and the cross would have been considered a disgrace, and the disciples would have ...

This work of love is an examination of a God-centered view of life through the eyes of a modern-day mystic by the name of Dr. Charles Bozidar Ashanin. His is a story of the evolutionary effect which suffering can have on the human psyche when it is a suffering which is accepted as an opportunity for spiritual awakening. Like the saints of the Early Church before him, Dr. Ashanin demonstrated with his life how transformative and powerful suffering can be when it is received as a part of one’s relationship with God and therefore with one’s relationship with the universe.

In a world often shrouded by darkness and closed doors, discover the profound message of hope and renewal in "The Feast of the Ascension: Opened Gate." This pamphlet invites readers on a spiritual journey to understand the significance of Christ's Ascension. Explore how the Ascension opens the gates of Heaven and transforms our lives. Learn how Jesus, through His sacrifice and love, demolishes the barriers of sin and despair, offering us a path to eternal joy and communion with God. Feel your heart uplifted as you contemplate the open gates of Heaven, the renewal of your soul, and the ...

Dans ce recueil, nous vous présentons trois documents qui intègrent simultanément la doctrine chrétienne universelle, l’essentiel de la Réforme protestante et les particularités de la foi baptiste. Ces documents sont suffisamment détaillés pour communiquer clairement les articles fondamentaux de la foi chrétienne, sans être exhaustifs ou exagérément pointus dans toutes les précisions théologiques.

Peter Menkin of The Church of England Newspaper conducted significant interviews with three Rabbis on the topic of religious education. These interviews are unique due to the new success of Internet education and its use in Jewish learning and the teaching of the Torah, as well as Orthodox Jewish adult education.