By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos Many of us have the notion that the Church was created on the day of Pentecost, that is to say, when the Holy Spirit descended into the hearts of the Apostles. And of course we could say that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church from the point of view […]
Etymology of the Word “Ekklesia” (Church)
July 8, 2011 By
by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos But before I proceed to elaborate the subject of the “origin and revelation of the Church”, I would like us to take a look at the etymology of the word “Ekklesia“, because it will help us to understand better what is going to be said further on. The word ‘Ekklesia‘ […]
The Terms of the Ecumenical Councils and the Living Organisms
June 17, 2011 By
Contextual Theology: Part Four By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos We all need to accept the basic position that the Church is a living reality; that She is the Body of Christ and the community of theosis and, subsequently, that the Church gives birth to Fathers and not the Fathers who give birth to the Church. This […]
Neopatristic and Postpatristic “Theology”
June 16, 2011 By
Contextual Theology: Part Three By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos The previous example shows how contemporary theologians behave and react towards the Tradition of our Church. I have been in discussions with an Orthodox professor of biblical theology who teaches at a University abroad, but has been immensely influenced by Protestant ideas and who maintains that, since […]
“Palamite” and “Neo-Palamite” Theology
June 15, 2011 By
Contextual Theology: Part Two By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos The fourteenth century was extremely important for the Church, because for the very first time Orthodox theology confronted the West’s scholastic theology in the persons of Saint Gregory Palamas and Barlaam respectively. In this dialogue, it became evident that Saint Gregory Palamas was the bearer and the […]
Contextual Theology: Part One
June 14, 2011 By
By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos As one studies the texts of the Holy Bible and the Fathers, one realizes that the basis of Orthodox theology is God’s revelation – as given to the Prophets, the Apostles and the Fathers – throughout the ages. Characteristic of this is the beginning of the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Having […]
The Antichrist and Chrismation
May 10, 2011 By
“Hence, the Shepherds of the Church must not speak only about the Antichrist and his forerunners, but first and foremost they must help Christians to live in such a way that the Grace of Baptism and Chrismation is activated, by the keeping of Christ’s commandments and doctrines, by experiencing these in one’s life in an […]
On The Synodikon Of Orthodoxy
March 7, 2011 By
by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos The “Synodikon of Orthodoxy” is a text contained in the “Triodion” and read on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the first Sunday of Lent. It is well known that through the ages various heresies have appeared which deny the experience of revelation and in fact make use of philosophy and conjecture, doubting […]
