Words and consolation from our sweetest Lord Jesus come in various ways. This past week I encountered a rather tumultuous situation, in the midst of which two dear priests (I believe unbeknownst to each other) shared this letter by St. Justin Popovich with me. Although I fall short, it brought words of consolation to me. I’m grateful to St. Justin for bringing his words to me when I needed to hear them, such is our Lord’s compassion! I found them both encouraging and challenging and desir...| Patristic Faith
This is Fr. Deacon Ananias's most recent paper that he presented at the Society for Orthodox Philosophers in America (SOPHIA) Conference this February in Houston, TX.| Patristic Faith
Below the reader will find a beautiful account of a disciple who through his seeming lack of strict obedience brought forth great fruit. He rightly coupled discernment with obedience. For without discernment, it is possible for obedience to become abusive. Of course, such discernment was (and must be) exercised with great Christian love and devotion. This is of the utmost importance. We may discern that it was not the disciple’s job to “just obey,” rather he was also responsible to “...| Patristic Faith
A core teaching of “climate change” is that humanity itself is the primary problem. The proponents of “climate change” clearly state things like, “Scientists have no doubt that humans are causing global warming.”((https://www.edf.org/climate/9-ways-we-know-humans-triggered-climate-change)) What then is the vital cure, in their understanding? – A strict management of people and the manner in which they live. This management agenda is outlined in “Sustainable Development” ...| Patristic Faith
This paper provides a philosophical critique of natural theology as it is commonly understood in the West. Since natural theology is said to be what the human mind by the “light of natural reason alone” can know about God apart from revelation, this critique will focus on epistemological issues in an attempt to establish a proper foundation for knowledge that doesn’t rely on unjustified or arbitrary assumptions by showing that the natural theology is a philosophical project committed to...| Patristic Faith
This paper provides a philosophical critique of natural theology as it is commonly understood in the West. Since natural theology is said to be what the human mind by the “light of natural reason alone” can know about God apart from revelation, this critique will focus on epistemological issues in an attempt to establish a proper foundation for knowledge that doesn’t rely on unjustified or arbitrary assumptions by showing that the natural theology is a philosophical project committed to...| Patristic Faith
Father Deacon Ananias's paper delivered at the 2024 Orthodox MontaNIKA conference at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, MT.| Patristic Faith
An oldie but a goodie. This is an old article I wrote back in Grad School. It explores various topics related to epistemology and the philosophy of science, focusing primarily on the philosopher W.O. Quine and his project of naturalizing epistemology and psychologism. I provide a critique of Quine's "Epistemology Naturalized" that is still relevant today. The post Is “Epistemology Naturalized” Really Epistemology? appeared first on Patristic Faith.| Patristic Faith
One of the most common objections I hear from Protestants criticizing Orthodoxy, or even Catholicism, is when they say that “the saints are dead, they can’t hear you.” The saints in heaven are not dead. That is a fundamental rejection of what Christ did during the descent into Hades, He emptied the graves of the … Why Do Orthodox Christians Pray to the Saints? Read More »| Patristic Faith
Metropolitan Jonah's paper and talk from the Orthodox MontaNIKA Conference 2024 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, MT. The post The Inner Work of the Spiritual Life appeared first on Patristic Faith.| Patristic Faith
This paper provides a philosophical analysis into the necessary conditions for the possibility of knowledge and explores what could satisfy these conditions so as to provide a sufficient justification criterion for the existence of knowledge. More specifically, I look at two possibilities for grounding and justifying knowledge: theonomous epistemology (revelatory theism) and autonomous epistemology (what the mind could know apart from assuming divine revelation). I make a distinction between ...| Patristic Faith
Maybe you’ve heard the old Bolshevik saying, “The worse things get, the better things are.” It makes sense for revolutionaries intent on overthrowing the existing order: The worse things get, the more dissatisfied people will be with things as they are, and the more open they will be to revolutionary change. In our case, as … Africa’s New Deaconess: What’s the Bother? Read More »| Patristic Faith
My dear readers, during this most beautiful week of the Cross, in the middle of the Great Fast, I wanted to share with you the words of the holy Archbishop Averky. They are from his work, “The Kingdom of God on earth – progress or the Cross?” Which is a chapter is a greater work called, “True Orthodoxy and the Modern World.” We are reminded that our hope is in Christ the Lord. It is Him, His life that is continually revealed on earth, that we are called to seek with all our heart, m...| Patristic Faith
On February 2nd, 2024, Ancient Faith Radio held a discussion about deaconesses, which was a documentary by John Maddox, interspersed with discussions between Fr. Thomas Soroka and John Maddox, and which eventually included callers, included me, among a few others.| Patristic Faith
We just celebrated Thanksgiving and as Christians we have so much to be thankful for. As Orthodox, we know that we are Eucharistic beings (“Eucharist” meaning to give thanks) made in the image of God and therefore we are called to see the blessings of the Lord in all of creation and give thanks for His bountiful graces that He bestows upon us. We are now entering into Nativity and we prepare our hearts to give thanks to God for sending His Son, born of the Virgin Mary, to renew nature, br...| Patristic Faith
We clergy at Patristic Faith and the Patristic Faith team would like to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers. God has truly blessed our ministry. As many of you know, our contributors are among the most influential Orthodox content creators online. God has certainly used them to bring the healing message of the Gospel and timeless truths of Orthodoxy to a broken world. We are grateful that through God’s grace, the contributors on Patristic Faith have been extremely success...| Patristic Faith
Incite questions, or clear attack, as to the motive and character of your opponent, discredit him, and thereby circumvent addressing any viable and legitimate topics or issues he may raise or present. In modern times this is called character assassination. In the study of fallacies, it would fall under the ad hominem fallacy.| Patristic Faith
