Exploring Orthodox Christianity
(Referenced links lead to other sites, containing actual material)
The Church is Visible and One A Critique of Protestant Ecclesiology.
Protestant Christians around the world are steadily becoming more aware of the reality of the Church. This century has especially seen a tremendous reawakening to this aspect of Christianity. “What is the Church?” is often the question that drives Protestants to either Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Many Protestants who begin reading the the writings of the early Church especially works like Tertullians Prescription Against the Heretics, St. Cyprians Unity of the Catholic Church, or St. Irenaeuss Against the Heresies, or who begin to ponder the implications of 1 Timothy 3:15, soon begin to realize that the concept of unity with the One Visible Church is central to Christianity. Read more
Is it sufficient only to believe in Christ? by St. Theophan the Recluse.
According to Protestant teaching, if one has believed in Christ, one is saved, that is, one’s sins are forgiven. And it is no wonder that many cling to this teaching. It is very attractive. However, there is no truth in it, but only deception. In order to refute this false teaching, Theophan the Recluse begins by directing our attention to the way into the kingdom of heaven as described in the word of God. Read more
Writings of St.Innocent of Alaska
The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny oneself. To deny oneself means: to give up one’s bad habits, to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world…to be dead to sin and the world, but alive to God. Read more.
Writings of St.John Chrysostom
Let us not then be disturbed, neither dismayed, when trials befall us. For if the gold refiner sees how long he ought to leave the piece of gold in the furnace, and when he ought to draw it out, and does not allow it to remain in the fire until it is destroyed and burnt up: much more does God understand this, and when He sees that we have become more pure, He releases us from our trials so that we may not be overthrown and cast down by the multiplication of our evils. Let us then not be repining, or faint-hearted, when some unexpected thing befalls us; but let us suffer Him who knows these things accurately, to prove our hearts by fire as long as He pleases: for He does this for a useful purpose and with a view to the profit of those who are tried. Read more.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St.John Climacus.
When writing to the servants of God, one should begin with our God and King Himself, the good, the supremely good, the all-good. Of all created and rational beings, endowed with the dignity of free will, some are friends of God, some are His true servants, some are useless servants (cf. Luke 17:10), some are entirely estranged, and there are some who, for all their weakness, take their stand against Him. Read more.
