Canonically Irregular

• by MARIA GWYN MCDOWELL

“Holy Friday in the Orthodox Church is, second only to the Paschal Vigil, one of the most beautiful days of the Eastern Orthodox church year. The Noble Joseph and the Lamentations remain among my favorite hymns. They are so beautiful, and I miss them enough, that I admit to lurking a bit on the interwebs so I can taste a little bit of this rich liturgical feast. 

But always, without fail, there comes a point in one of my favorite hymns that my joy at hearing (and singing with) such familiar melodies turns to tears. To be honest, I don’t really know if the grief I feel while watching these services from afar is because miss it, or because I am reminded of how exiled I felt/was among my own people as I watch men bear the body of Christ, lay him in a tomb, and stand vigil, a job that according to scripture, was done primarily by women.”

Read more here:

Anointing Women – WIT (womenintheology.org)

“Bradley Nassif wrote a recent post for Public Orthodoxy that named gay marriage as one of the most pressing issues the church must deal with today. If we are to retain our younger members in particular, he said, then we must “articulate the reasons that the Christian theological vision requires marriage to constitute a union of man and woman.” Nassif is right about the urgency but wrong about the argument. If Orthodoxy is to survive the next generations, then it must articulate a Christian theological vision of marriage. Period. No matter where that vision takes us.

If it sounds as if I am leaving the door open for the church to bless same-sex unions, I am. If it sounds like I am advocating for it, I am not. My point is that, in my experience, people (especially younger people) are rarely persuaded when the questions one asks are pre-loaded with the answers one wants…”

Read more here:

ISSUES FOR A THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE by David J. Dunn

Following an arson attack on a movie theater in Yekaterinburg, protests over a controversial film could turn violent. Some fear the rise of “orthodox extremism,” but the Russian government appears unconcerned.

Source: White Supremacy and Orthodox Christianity: A Dangerous Connection Rears Its Head in Charlottesville

“TAKING ORTHODOXY TO AMERICA” – THIRTY YEARS LATER by Fr. Marc Dunaway

The Russian state claims to be the defender of the Orthodox Christian faith. However, this latest ruling seems to be an utter denial of the mercy and compassion of Christ.

…having a form of godliness but denying its power…  (2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV/Orthodox Study Bible)

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/02/08/russia_decriminalized_domestic_violence_with_support_from_the_russian_orthodox.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_fb_top