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On the Trials of the 20th Century
Read more: On the Trials of the 20th CenturyWhy did God allow the trials of the 20th century to befall the Orthodox state (godless rule, execution of clergy, destruction of churches)? For what sins? What needed to be corrected? “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”(Hebrews 12:6) When we are ill, we go to a doctor…
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Word on Law and Grace. -St. Ilarion
Read more: Word on Law and Grace. -St. IlarionSt. Hilarion. Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia On the Law given through Moses, and on Grace and Truth revealed through Jesus Christ, and how the Law has passed away, while Grace and Truth have filled the whole earth, and the faith has spread to all nations, and has reached even our Russian people. And…
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The Doctrine of Grace in the Works of Early Christian Writers. -R. Atorin
Read more: The Doctrine of Grace in the Works of Early Christian Writers. -R. AtorinThe legacy of early Christian thinkers had a primary influence on the formation of the Christian worldview paradigm. Under the influence of the spiritual experience of ancient Christian writers, the foundations were laid, and the platform for the cultural existence of civilization was formulated. Grace—a concept repeatedly encountered in the Old Testament—is, in its essence,…
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What do the apostolic words “faith without works is dead” mean? What works are referred to here?
Read more: What do the apostolic words “faith without works is dead” mean? What works are referred to here?The Apostle James wrote these words when explaining in his epistle how a person is justified before God. At that time, an idea had already appeared in Christianity that simply believing in Christ was sufficient for the salvation of the soul, allowing one to live however they pleased, without observing commandments or following any restrictions….
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How can one cultivate and strengthen their faith?
Read more: How can one cultivate and strengthen their faith?Scripture repeatedly states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”(Psalm 110:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10) But it also says: “Perfect love casteth out fear.”(1 John 4:18) These statements are not contradictory; they describe different stages of spiritual growth. A house must be built starting with the foundation, not the roof. The journey…
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Faith and Works. -John Raspopin
Read more: Faith and Works. -John RaspopinSince the fall of human nature and the rupture between man and God, a longing for the lost paradise has been hidden deep within the souls of men. The curse, imposed as a punishment for the fall, often acts as a remedy for the soul, reminding each person of that blessed life and delight, of…
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Antichrist: The Signs Preceding the Second Coming of Christ
Read more: Antichrist: The Signs Preceding the Second Coming of ChristOur Lord Jesus Christ shed His precious blood to deliver the human race from corruption and death, in order to restore fallen man to his former blessedness. He brought to earth His teaching, which contains everything necessary for the salvation of the human soul. If the mark of the Antichrist were more dangerous than the…
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What Is a Dogma? What Dogmas Exist in Christianity?
Read more: What Is a Dogma? What Dogmas Exist in Christianity?According to the explanatory dictionary of S.I. Ozhegov, a dogma is “a fundamental principle in religious doctrine, regarded (by the Church) as immutable truth and not subject to criticism.” It is often said that the only reason for breaking church communion can be dogmatic distortions, i.e., distortions in the foundations of the faith. This argument…
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Are Dogmas Necessary? -Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov)
Read more: Are Dogmas Necessary? -Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov)Why are “dogmas” necessary? Is the moral teaching of the Gospel not sufficient? We believe in God, but why this heap of incomprehensible and unnecessary dogmas, which the mind can neither accept nor comprehend? “God is one and triune.” Two hypostases, indivisible yet distinct. What is the need for all this? And in general, “what…
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Catechetical Exposition on the Symbol of Faith
Read more: Catechetical Exposition on the Symbol of FaithWhat is the Creed? The Creed is a brief yet precise exposition of the Christian faith, composed by the Holy Fathers. The first brief Creed was composed by the Holy Apostles themselves at their Council in Jerusalem in the year 50. Later, at the First Ecumenical (Nicene) Council in 325, which assembled to affirm the…