Moscow granted authocephaly to the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church, Constantinople later approved
June 13, 2010 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 4 Comments
An interesting fact just brought to my attention: Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church was first granted autocephaly by Moscow and only later was the autocephaly accepted by Constantinople. Constantinople’s claim that Moscow had no authority to grant autocephaly is inconsistent with its own practice it appears. From the Wikipedia article on the Czech and Slovak [...]
Rod Dreher: How to govern a Church: a case study
March 27, 2010 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 21 Comments
I want to contrast the way the institutional Catholic Church is struggling to deal with its problem bishops, versus the way the Orthodox Church in America (my church) has done it recently. It shouldn’t be necessary to say this, but I probably need to: this is not an argument for why Orthodoxy is more true [...]
Fr. Steven Kostoff: Reflection on Archbishop Job – A witness to the truth
January 7, 2010 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · Leave a Comment
Fr. Steven Kostoff asks, why wasn’t Bp. Job’s courageous stand for the truth during the OCA’s recent time of trial acknowled at his funeral? His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, December 18. His funeral services were held in Chicago on December 22 & 23, and [...]
In Memoriam: His Eminence Archbishop Job, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest
December 18, 2009 by John Couretas · 6 Comments
Posted 12/18 SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — On Friday, December 18, 2009, His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord. His Eminence, Archbishop Job was born Richard John Osacky in Chicago on March 18, 1946. He completed university studies at Northern Illinois University and, after graduating from Saint [...]
The One Thing Needful
September 2, 2009 by John Couretas · 6 Comments
Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah at the Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year. September 1, 2009 To the Venerable Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America The Lord said: The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; [...]
SCOBA’s Fr. Arey on Chambesy
August 28, 2009 by John Couretas · 26 Comments
On the Orthodox Christian Network, Fr. Mark Arey, the General Secretary of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), discusses the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference that met in Chambésy, Switzerland, in June, in an interview with Fr. Chris Metropulos. “If we’re serious, really serious about Orthodox unity, well my friends, [...]
Antiochian monasticism speaks to the current crisis…
July 16, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 22 Comments
From the Ochlophobist (one who has an aversion to crowds) website: The following is very important. It was written by Archim. Touma, who is said to be the most influential monastic under Antioch. He is Athonite in spirituality, he leads the most traditional monastery under the Holy Synod of Antioch, and he does not normally [...]
OCA Holy Synod reestablishes Diocese of Washington and Diocese of New York-New Jersey – Orthodox Church in America
July 7, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 1 Comment
July 2, 2009 SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — On July 1, 2009, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America met via teleconference, during which they reestablished, as separate dioceses, the Diocese of Washington and the Diocese of New York-New Jersey. Declaring the Diocese of New York-New Jersey vacant, the hierarchs appointed [...]
Met. Jonah addresses the future of Orthodoxy in America
June 21, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 13 Comments
Address given at the SVS conference on Orthodoxy unity in America, June 20, 2009. Highlight: Met. Jonah introduces into official discourse the need to de-imperialize Orthodox ecclesiology. 1917 Council and Tomos: St Tikhon’s Vision Then and Now The Great Council of 1917, and the revival of the Russian Orthodox Church that it began, are aspects [...]
The Perplexing Problem of Obtaining an Accurate Census of Orthodox Faithful Living in America
June 21, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 1 Comment
Hartford Institute for Religion Research HT: Orthodox Christian Laity A Quick Question How many Eastern Orthodox are there in the USA? The quick answer: Far less than usually reported. The longer answer: According to a recent study of Orthodoxy in the United States, the real membership (number of adult adherents and their children) in all [...]
Met. Jonah’s Second Russian Interview — “The Orthodox Church is most firmly opposed to the spirit of the world”
May 8, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 16 Comments
In an interview posted on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church (Patriarchia.ru) Metropolitan Jonah discussed the status of the autocephaly of the OCA and Constantinople’s denial of it, as well as offering some new ideas on the future of the OCA. The interview was conducted by journalist Yuri Pushcha. Highlight: Puscha: What outcomes [...]
Church of Russia to host Metropolitan Jonah April 25-May 4
April 24, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 65 Comments
Does the concelebration indicate tacit affirmation that the standing of Met. Jonah is equal to Met. Kirill in the eyes of the Russian Orthodox Church? SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — At the invitation of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah will be the guest of the Church of [...]
“We have to stand up and make our voice heard.”
January 29, 2009 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 1 Comment
Met. Jonah of the Orthodox Church of America speaks at the 2009 March for Life. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-qzcPBaerg[/youtube]
Met Jonah: Vision for America
November 17, 2008 by Fr. Johannes Jacobse · 6 Comments
Rod Dreher over at Crunch Con believes the OCA has turned a corner: Amazing. Just amazing. And prophetic. This is a national religious leader who is right for the time. Listen to it here by clicking on the “Vision for the Future” audio link. Excerpts (forgive any transcribing errors, please): He talks about the need [...]
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