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No. Rather "We should just accept the Second Ecumenical Council, Sixth Ecumenical Council, and Synod of Constantinople (1484) (as well as numerous other more local synods) because the bishops did." The right of the bishops to receive heterodox converts by chrismation when they deem it necassery...

Interestingly, the Holy Spirit as the Mother of us believers is a common theme in Syriac literature, to the point that even some Orthodox fathers such as St Aphrahat make frequent use of the title. This is likely related to the fact that Spirit is a feminine word in Semitic languages, and also...

FWIW I think you were on the right track with "in His flesh"- I find this stuff tricky myself!

Sounds like you were correct here- the Theotokos is indeed the Mother of God the Son. I would ask why he believes that God the Son being born (and thereby having a mother) entails a change in his divine nature- i can't really see how it does so.

Shouldn't we be careful not to overly separate the human Jesus and divine Christ? The natures indeed remain distinct, but together they form a single Divine-Human person. So it is not accurate to say that the Theotokos is not the Mother of Christ the Son, since Christ the Son is the same...

St Photios was actually quite aware of the possibility that St Augustine, being human like all of us, may have erred in some areas, but is quite adamant nevertheless of his holiness and teaching authority. Its an attitude we would all do well to adopt when speaking of the Holy Fathers. From his...

Origen is simply put a towering figure in early Christianity, even if a controversial one. Yes, he had detractors and critics even in his life, but he also had defenders and devotees even among the saints. The Cappadocians in particular held him in high esteem, and his biblical commentaries were...

While I think Fr Andrew is probably closer to the truth on this one, I would caution against using him as the ultimate authority of "all things UK and Orthodoxy". He's a great resource for British/Saxon pre-schism saints, and if thats what you are reading him for then by all means continue. But...

Of course diversity doesn't make legitimacy, but I didn't mean differing opinions in the sense of your other examples- where the clergy teach very clearly one thing but individuals take it upon themselves to dissent in private. I meant that I've generally never heard it asserted even by clergy...

It is common to have quotes from the saints on their icons so yes, as Fr. Matt said, if/when Fr. Seraphim is canonised this will be regarded as a holy icon. If you are referring specifically to the content of the quote selected (as I imagine you are) its a little more complicated. In my...

I think you're right in pointing out two tendencies, but I would say that in my personal opinion the way these two tendencies cut across various aspects of peoples lives is more to do with perceived, rather than real, links between the matters at hand. We are humans and humans (including...

I agree entirely with the video. Of course God is bigger than Covid. As Christians we must always remain steadfast in our faith and never give way to excessive fear. Not sure where I implied otherwise. And just for clarity I never called you a nut or meant to imply such.

I disagree categorically with calling priests or bishops names (as unfortunately, yes, has been done on this forum at times). Even when we disagree with our clergy we should do so with the proper respect befitting their office. But what I've also seen here is an opposite tendency to assert that...

I believe in all of what is written in the OP, but that doesn't necessarily mean I believe in all the specific conspiracies that people promote. If I don't believe that "x person/organisation is doing y evil thing" it doesn't mean that that I don't believe that Satan influences the powers and...

This is a tempting thought certainly, especially in these times. But ultimately its a dangerous one. God is the same today as he was 2000 years ago, as is his grace and his power. If we turn from our sins and trust in him follow him then we can be made holy, not by our own power, but by his...

I guess because the Roman rite was a rite of the church, and I don't think there is much evidence of substantial change at least up until Trent. I suppose the question would be- if this rite was approved in the past and has never been condemned, then why not allow those who wish to retain it to...

I think there is a difference between allowing for a western rite as a means of reception for Catholic/Anglo-Catholic parishes who desire to become Orthodox, and trying to resurrect a long-dead liturgy whole-cloth out of a belief that westerners have some inherent connection with the Latin rite...

Yes- but in a fulfilled and spiritual manner. So for example: We observe the commandment not to have other gods and worship idols, but we honour icons because of Christ's Incarnation. We observe the commandment to sanctify the Sabbath, but by honouring Christ and his rest in the tomb in the...

Where did I say anything about abolished? I said fulfilled. As Christ said in the verses you quoted he came to fulfil the Law. You should follow God's Law in its fulfilled and spiritual manner, as revealed by Christ himself and taught by his apostles and his Church. Not through imitating the...

I think you're looking at this from too much of a legalistic perspective. Abbot Tryphon is not saying anything different from what others have said on this thread. "Keeping" the Sabbath here does not mean imitating the Jews but rather acknowledging its sanctity as the Church teaches us: relaxing...