Theological Essays Home
"Begin your journey into the rich tradition of Orthodox Christianity. Explore essays on theology, worship, and history tailored for adult catechism and personal study."
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- Holy Scripture
Deepening understanding through Orthodox perspectives on the Holy Scriptures
Psalms 22-34 Thematic meaning 12/27/24 (The psalms read over the one suffering before death)
Catechetical Lesson on Matthew 1:1-25 (Gospel, Sunday Before Christmas)
The Woes of the Pharisees (11/23/24: connecting the Woes to the Murder of Zachariah)
Commentary on Sirach and the Praise of the Doctor (11/6/24; For Dr.Jeffrey Bruce Pardes)
Homily on the Rich Man and Lazarus (a reflection on the hospitalization of my Father beginning 10/29/24)
Homily: Love thy Enemies (completed for September 29, 2024)
Catechetical Lesson on 19th Century German Liberal Biblical Scholarship (August 15, 2024)
Homily on the Magnificat (August 4, 2024)
Development of the Biblical Canon; Catechetical Lesson (June 28, 2024)
Catechetical Lesson on Acts 16:16-18 (June 9, 2024)
Homily on 1 Cor 13; Love is Patient and Kind (May 7, 2024)
Intercession of the Saints (April 28, 2024)
Beatitudes (Feb 26, 2024)
Reaction: The Best Bible Translations (Dec 22, 2022)
2. Church Fathers, Saints, and Early Church History
Tracing the Journey of Faith: Key Moments and Figures in Orthodox Church History
Three Holy youths according to the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition (12/1/24)
Roman Emperors and Christianity (10/25/24: inspired by the Emperor’s garden at Southampton Art Museum)
Malchlesik (10/22/24 an Exploration of the Enigmatic figure and his relation to Jesus’ priesthood)
St John the Theologian Patronal Feast Day Catechetical Lesson (Celebrated Sept 26 annually)
Some Features of the Early Martyrs (For St Phokas Feast, celebrated annually 9/22)
The Theotokos is NOT Artemis (begun 9/8/24)
Catechetical Lesson on the Holy Angels; Feast Day Nov 8 (9/8/24)
Catechetical Lesson on The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (Celebrated August 4th)
Reaction to a Comment in “Three Reasons I love the Apostolic Fathers”
The Spread of the Early Church (June 21, 2024)
The Analavos (Feb 14, 2023)
3. Doctrine, Philosophy, and THeology
Exploring the Foundations of Our Faith: Doctrine, Philosophy, and Theology in Orthodox Tradition.
Papal Acknowledgment of Validity of Eastern Orthodox Sacraments (1/6/25)
Transparency of Teachers (12/21/24; a reflection on those orthodox teachers, so-called, who hide behind pseudonyms)
Examination of the Athanatian Creed (12/14/24; a discussion in youtube comments on the Filioque)
Immaculate Exception (12/4/24 a discussion of Roman Catholic Innovation on Conception of Mary in Anna’s womb)
Logic and Classical Reasoning (11/19/24; a brief exploration of reason and theology)
On Nepsis; Watchfulness (9/7/24 )
Evolutionary Theory and the Christian Dilemma (August 3rd, 2024)
Theological Errors of Pentecostalism (July 30th, 2024)
Theological Errors of Buddhism (July 28, 2024)
Comparisons of Orthodox Christian beliefs to Jehovah’ Witness (July 5, 2024)
On Prayer (June 4, 2024)
Ladder of Divine Ascent (April 14, 2024)
Prophets & Philosophers (March 5, 2024)
An Eastern Orthodox Critique of the Fatima Revelations (April 9 2024)
4. Liturgical Practices and Hymnography
Understanding the Sacred: The Divine Liturgy and its Role in Orthodox Worship
The Order of Clergy in the Orthodox Church (1/2/25, A discussion on the origins and ranks of clergy including a discussion of the role, function and limitations of the Deaconess)
The Funeral Psalm 118 (LXX) (11/21 Reflections on the Orthodox Funeral Psalm)
Christ is Risen, Truly or Indeed? (10/27/24,a grammatical analysis)
Hippolytus of Rome on Baptism (June 16, 2024)
On the Development of Divine Liturgy (June 14, 2024)
Liturgical Continuity since the Apostolic Fathers (May 18, 2024)
Adoration of the Precious Cross (April 5, 2024)
Orthodox Hymnography; the Original Catechism of the Church (April 1, 2024)
Lesson of Hymnology (October 10, 2023)
5. Holy Tradition and Extra-Canonical Texts
O Taphos Translation (English translation and Explanation of the burial shroud icon)
Orthodox Canonization versus Western Practices (11/22/24 A question answered)
Protoevangelium-Gospel Timeline (10/25/24 separate doc to accompany 11/24 Mini-retreat)
Advent 2024 Mini Retreat : On the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple (10/ 21/24)
Unbroken Chain of Russian Orthodox Spirituality (July 26, 2024)
Book of Enoch (evidence of authenticity) (July 16, 2022)
6. Contemporary Reflections and Miscellaneous Topics
Understanding the Sacred: The Divine Liturgy and its Role in Orthodox Worship
Reflection on those who arrogantly say: “Submit to Rome” (12/30/24; A reflection on the danger of Triumphalism)
Child sacrifice in the Old Testament (11/25/24) a rebuttal to Tik tok religion lies)
Political Crimes in Scripture (Election Day, November 2024; Nothing is different since Herod)
On the Christmas Tree and the Nativity Icon (11/16/24) Patristic Insights on the Nativity Symbolism
Beyond the Veil (Combined Document of the various lessons on Halloween, Spirits, Angels & Demons from the Orthodox Perspective) begun on 10/20/24
Anunnaki Idols and Ancient Demons (an exploration of the demons of the Near east pagans)
Spiritism and the Psychic Mediumism (an exploration of necromancy) Begun 10/13/24
Reaction to Anti Eucharist Video (9/29/24) (see part 2 “Call No Man Father)
“Call No Man Father” (10/8/24) (part 2 of the Reaction to Anti-Eucharist Video)
The Origin of American Halloween (10 /4/ 24)
Reflection of the Dove and the Hawk (10/2/24)
Reaction to Video: THIS Led FORMER Atheist Peter Hitchens To a Belief in God! (Aug 8, 2024)
Theological Significance of the Beard (March 10, 2024)
Comparison between the Apokathelosis Icon and the Pieta by Michaelango (Jan 27, 2024)
Important Spiritual Books (March 11, 2023)
Bringing the Word to Life: Theoria and Praxis
Biblical and Patristic Texts
Explore foundational Christian writings through external links to essential biblical and patristic documents.
Early Church Fathers Encyclopedia
In this electronic edition of the Early Church Fathers series, the volumes have been carefully proofed and converted to ThML by CCEL staff and volunteers.
Early Christian Writings
the most complete collection of Christian texts before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, including the New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers, and some non-Christian references.
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