Analytical articles
The Date of Pascha
I’ve heard that the reason the Orthodox usually celebrate the Resurrection later than Protestants and Roman Catholics is because we wait until after the Jewish Passover. This year the Jews observed Passover on March 27. Western Christians celebrated Pascha† after that, on April 3, so why did we wait until May 1?
Apr 27, 2008, 10:51

Analytical articles
No Life in Second Life. Orthodoxy's Problem with Virtual Reality
Today, you can visit your second life without going through the difficulties of death. You can escape the difficulties of this reality by advancing to another “virtual” and (if the advertisements are to be believed) better one. You can do this by visiting a website called, not surprisingly, Second Life, or one of a host of other cyber-places.
Feb 26, 2008, 21:46

Analytical articles
Communiqué of the Holy Hierarchical Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church Regarding the recent events in Kosovo and Metohija
The Holy Hierarchical Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at their special meeting held at the Patriarchate on February 17, 2008 brings the following public address for the local and international media regarding the latest events in Kosovo and Metohija
Feb 21, 2008, 10:02

Analytical articles
Rehabilitating the Memory of Saint Valentine, the Teacher
Today the weather is warmer, automobiles abound, and the holiday has grown into an exaggerated commercial frenzy, overcapitalizing on romantic love and on boy-girl relationships at an ever earlier age. It feeds the sentimentalism and excessive sexual awareness, even perhaps the promiscuity, that categorize modern American society. This direction of things has pretty much eliminated the "Saint" in "Saint Valentine's Day," and it is usually identified as simple "Valentines Day."
Feb 14, 2008, 10:04

Analytical articles
The feast of Halloween and Orthodoxy
Most of our schools, local community organizations, and entertainments in television, radio and the press will share in and capitalize upon the festival of Halloween. But Orthodox Christians cannot participate in this event at any level.
Today we witness a revival of satanist cults and special satanic ceremonies on Halloween night. Everywhere Satan reaches out to ensnare more innocent people with spiritualism, supernatural phenomena, seances, prophesies and all sorts of demonically inspired works.
Nov 1, 2007, 08:51

Analytical articles
An Orthodox balm for Europe. Orthodox Christians can help rebuild East-West ties.
For decades, many social scientists had pretty much two things to say about Eastern Orthodox Christianity: 1) that like all religions, it was disappearing with the advance of modern civilization; 2) that it derived most of its support from the reactionary tides of authoritarianism and nationalism.
Oct 12, 2007, 19:22

Analytical articles
Alexy II presents his vision of the "past, present and future" of the European Continent
Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia, who is on his first official visit to France since becoming the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He put a special emphasis on moral standards as the main instrument for maintaining peace and assuring future development.
Oct 3, 2007, 02:40

Analytical articles
The Whole Russian Orthodox Church Officially Honours the Saints of the Isle
Tuesday 21 August 2007, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has officially recognized the Feast of the Saints of the Isles. (See our Service to these Saints on this website under ‘Hisperica Liturgica’ – Western Liturgica).
Sep 5, 2007, 08:23

Analytical articles
To be Christian Means to Belong to the Church
According to the words of Saint Cyprian, to be a Christian means to belong to the visible Church and to submit to the hierarchy which God has placed in it. The Church is the realization of Christ’s love and any separation from the Church is a violation of this love, in which both heretics and schismatics sin equally. This is the basic thought of his treatise “On the Unity of the Catholic Church.”
May 22, 2007, 22:20

Analytical articles
We are in the anxious expectation of the moment when church unity be reestablished
The Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has held its final meeting before the Act of Canonical Communion will be in Moscow on May 17. What were the meeting’s results?
May 16, 2007, 14:03

Analytical articles
Russian Orthodox Church prays for Boris Yeltsin’s soul
‘He committed sins as we all do. But I don’t thinks that now is the best time to recall them. Now is the time to pray that God may have mercy and salvation for his soul. We believe that the Almighty God can do that,’ Fr. Mikhail added.
Apr 28, 2007, 01:25

Analytical articles
Church of England says right to life for newborns not absolute - Russian Orthodox Church speaks against active euthanasia of seriously disabled newborn babies
The Church of England believes doctors should be given the right to kill some seriously disabled newborn babies in exceptional circumstances.
Nov 15, 2006, 12:37

Analytical articles
Translation of the remains of Empress Maria Fyodorovna is for the Russian people an act of repentance in a sense
On the eve of the translation of the remains of Empress Maria Fyodorovna Romanova from Denmark to Russia, Interfax-Religion correspondent Vasily Pisarevsky has obtained an interview from Priest-monk Feofan Lukyanov, rector of the Moscow Patriarchate Parish of St. Alexander Nevsky in Copenhagen.
Sep 23, 2006, 12:34

Analytical articles
Towards the Church Unity: The Synod of Bishops Makes a Decision on the “Act on Canonical Communion”
Within the boundaries of Russia, persecution took the form of the absolute destruction of faith in Christ. Much was destroyed, many suffered. But the Lord did not permit the disappearance of the Church in our Homeland. In those places where ancient churches survived, people are once again gaining spiritual nourishment. That which was destroyed is being rebuilt. Church life is rising from the ashes. Archpastors, clergymen and believers are trying to rebuild Orthodox Russia anew.
Sep 8, 2006, 01:48

Analytical articles
The Culture of Theological Thought as a Part of Educational Universum
I enter into the walls of a new for me educational institution on average about two to three times a week. And, of course, not seldom I find myself in a situation where the hall looks on me like I was Lenin facing his hated bourgeoisie,” We have an academic center, and here a priest has come to us! Well, what can he say to us?” I already have a prepared greeting designed to open a dialogue even with the most hostile young auditorium. I recall the secret wisdom of our court: the best way to meet is to fight.
Jul 5, 2006, 23:07

Analytical articles
The Russian Church considers fears of numerical combinations, including 6 June 2006, ‘futile and silly’
Fears of the end of the world occur not infrequently: people were panicking about it in 1000, in 1492 (7000 from the creation of the Earth according to the Byzantium system), in 1666, in 2000. But it is wrong to attribute some outstanding magic meaning to the numbers. Such feeling of fear is humiliating for a Christian – Lord reminds: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom”(Luke 12.32)
Jun 5, 2006, 21:50

Analytical articles
Who is standing behind the stormy campaign around the Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code is a typical conspiracy work with the principal aim to say that the world is ruled by secret lodges. There is too much fantasy in Brown’s novel. But the very story of its promotion proves the truth of its principal affirmation. Indeed, artistically Mr. Brown’s novel is a clear nil: the cartoon-like protagonists lacking any inner depth and credibility unfold through the plot to fit ultimately in a put-up puzzle. Every action is a cliché adapted to a certain super-goal of propaganda nature. The more so as the book has no academic value.
May 31, 2006, 11:02

Analytical articles
What does a Russian student believe in?
Those who study in the Moscow State University (MSU) are under much higher pressure from various religious sects. It is well-known that many sects make a special effort to recruit MSU students. Moscow Church of Christ representatives used to be especially active, and in the recent years they were replaced by the Mun’s sect followers: you cannot find a first year student who hasn’t been pestered by their questions.
May 25, 2006, 00:45

Analytical articles
The council of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia concludes
The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia convened from May 15-19 in San Francisco, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus.
May 25, 2006, 00:40

Analytical articles
Questions and answers on the issues of Church and society
I would hardly base my opinions on the life of the Orthodox Church on Benz's books, nor would I be troubled by it. Indeed, the Church is "heavenly minded," as the Church's fundamental purpose for existing is to continue the saving mission of Jesus Christ, Who was not primarily a social worker, but the Savior and God of all.

May 19, 2006, 11:36

Analytical articles
Russia witnessing second wind in its spiritual revival
There has been much controversy in Russian society about whether the fundamentals of the Orthodox culture should be taught at secular schools, whether there is a need to introduce the institution of military clergy, and how many adherents of various faiths are there in Russia. Many people also cannot remain indifferent to manifestations of nationalism in Russia and religious tensions in Ukraine.
May 2, 2006, 00:07

Analytical articles
Human rights should be based on moral norms - Metropolitan Kirill
Orthodox believers are prepared to accept the world view of other nations. However, they cannot keep silent when alien norms contradicting the basis of the Orthodox faith are being imposed upon them. It is necessary to carry out intensive harmonization of various views of the world," he said at the 10th World Russian Popular Council in Moscow on Tuesday
Apr 5, 2006, 00:14

Analytical articles
Radical-liberal view on human rights is not the sole possible opinion

Photo- Y.Klitsenko, sedmitza.ru

We are ready to work with a variety of public forces, including human rights organizations, the views of which differ from the Church's. What we do not want to see in the future are attempts to affirm some radical-liberal view on human rights as the sole possible opinion which has no alternatives and cannot be disputed. For instance, some people believe that the freedom of creative self-expression is absolute, while in fact even the international law states that this freedom is subject to certain restrictions including those concerning the public order and the morality and interests of other people.
Apr 5, 2006, 00:03

Analytical articles
World Russian People’s Council opened in Moscow
Moscow, April 4, Interfax - The World Russian People’s Council, a church-public forum opened at the Church of Christ the Saviour on Tuesday, will have as its main theme the Mission of the Church in the 21st Century.
Apr 4, 2006, 23:57

Analytical articles
Russia should thank the courageous people of Ossetia
Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz in an interview with Interfax-Religion spoke about the feelings of the residents of the republic after a year after the Beslan tragedy; why many Ossetians-Muslims became Orthodox; and how extremism could be overcome.
Dec 15, 2005, 01:32

Analytical articles
The Death of Religion and the Fall of Respectable Britain
At the end of the nineteenth century, there were comparable levels of religiosity in Britain and the United States. The British lived in a culture in which the assumptions of Protestant Christianity were taken for granted. Few people believed strongly, but everyone believed a little.
Dec 31, 2004, 10:58