The blog of a Cuban who became an Eastern Orthodox priest.
Well, we finally get to the subject for which various of you are waiting, the intercession of the saints. But, actually to begin correctly, I need to divide that phrase into two related phrases, the intercession of the saints and the invocation of … [Continue reading]
OK, so here is a thought for you, and the reason why I have left intercession of the saints until the end of my musings on the Theotokos. Think with me on this. Do a thought experiment with me. Imagine two cases. The first is the one in which the … [Continue reading]
Hm, I know that the juicier subject is the intercession of the saints, but let me take up the subject of the assumption of the Theotokos because it will let me make some points about the differences in approach between the East and the West. OK, so … [Continue reading]
St. Patrick's Prayer (St. Patrick's Breastplate) I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through … [Continue reading]
Well, Dave asked me to enumerate what else the Orthodox believe about the Theotokos. This list is in addition to what was mentioned previously. 1. Almost of all us believe that she was assumed into heaven - but we think the Roman Church was very … [Continue reading]
So, why do we call the Virgin Mary the Theotokos? Hmm, no, I am not talking about the theological justification for the term. I mean, why do we use the term, "Theotokos," and do not simply use the English, "Mother of God?" After all, that term has … [Continue reading]
So, before I start out in discussing the Orthodox view of the Virgin Mary, let me do something different. Let me list with which doctrines of the Virgin Mary both the Reformers and I would agree. Now, here is my point. If one disagrees with the … [Continue reading]
The Theotokos is a subject of much debate between Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox. One of the people who commented on an earlier post asked me to speak to the Orthodox view of the Theotokos. That person commented that this was one of the areas … [Continue reading]
Yesterday's post pointed out that according to both the Bible and the Talmud, Bathsheba was considered to be innocent. In spite of that, both medieval and Victorian artists portrayed her as a willing participant, perhaps the main seductress, and, at … [Continue reading]
Was Bathsheba a victim or a perpetrator? Here is another inkblot test for you. The initial details of the story are deceptively simple: In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole … [Continue reading]
