1+ day, 7+ hour ago (667+ words) The Council of Nicaea, which convened in 325 AD under Roman Emperor Constantine, was a pivotal moment for the Church that reshaped the history of Christianity. It was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church and a formative moment in the establishment of Orthodox Christian doctrine. Constantine sought to address doctrinal dissension and threats to ecclesial unity caused by the Arian controversy, aiming to stabilize the Church during a period of growing tension. The cause for the Council of Nicaea was the teachings of Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria, whose views on the nature of Christ diverged sharply from what many bishops considered the apostolic faith. Arius maintained that the Son was not co-eternal with the Father, arguing instead that "there was a time when He was not." Arius" controversial ideas spread with unusual speed all the way to Syria,…...

2+ day, 11+ hour ago (392+ words) One thousand seven hundred years after the Church was first united by a common Creed and nearly a millennium after it fractured in the Great Schism of 1054, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I are convening in Nicaea (modern-day "znik, Turkey) for an unprecedented joint celebration. The event, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD), is the spiritual centerpiece of the Pope's trip to Turkey, signaling a powerful renewal of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches' commitment to unity. By coming together at the ancient site, the two leaders are striving to "revive the spirit of Nicaea," leveraging the Church's shared past to bridge the Christian divide. The move demonstrates the Pope's focus on unity, a choice that contrasts sharply with his diplomatic decision to omit a visit to Hagia Sophia. The choice of Nicaea is not…...

3+ day, 6+ min ago (322+ words) The Orthodox and Catholic ways of making the sign of the cross gradually diverged over many centuries, transforming a shared Christian gesture of faith into two distinct traditions. Despite these differences, both forms are intended as the same basic act: a brief, physical prayer invoking the Trinity and recalling Christ's cross and resurrection. On the other hand, most Catholics use an open or loosely joined hand and move their hand from their forehead to the chest and then their left shoulder and on to the right. Many Eastern Catholics of Byzantine tradition, such as Ukrainian Greek Catholics, follow the Orthodox right'to'left pattern, reflecting their Eastern liturgical heritage even while remaining in communion with Rome. Early Christians in both the East and West originally made the sign of the cross from top to bottom and then right to left, often joining…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago (394+ words) The Dicastery describes the document as intended for the global Church and emphasizes that its application may vary depending on cultural context. While monogamy has long been part of Catholic doctrine, the Vatican states that its contemporary meaning and theological importance have not been sufficiently articulated in recent years. Rather than issuing a condemnation of polyamory or polygamy, the Vatican presents the note as a constructive reflection on the meaning and purpose of monogamous marriage. The document argues that modern societies often treat relationships as flexible, limitless, and entirely subject to individual choice. In this context, exclusivity can appear outdated or restrictive. The Vatican counters this perception by arguing that exclusivity is not a limitation on personal freedom, but a deeper expression of it. Monogamy, it states, represents a deliberate commitment " a form of freedom expressed through fidelity, mutual belonging,…...

5+ day, 1+ hour ago (327+ words) The Orthodox Church commemorates the Feast Day of Saint Catherine (Agia Ekaterini) of Alexandria, the Great Martyr and All-Wise, annually on November 25th. She is one of the most revered saints in Orthodoxy. Saint Catherine, born in Alexandria in the 3rd century to an aristocratic family, is celebrated for her profound wisdom, eloquence, and unshakeable faith. From a young age, Catherine displayed rare intellectual gifts. She was educated in all the knowledge of the time, reportedly mastering philosophy, rhetoric, astronomy, medicine, and Greek literature to a degree few men could match. Tradition holds that despite her extensive knowledge of poets, sophists, and great Greek philosophers, she recognized "the true Wisdom" immediately upon hearing the teachings of Christ. During the persecutions under the Roman Emperor Maximinus (or Maxentius), Catherine publicly dared to confront the emperor, rebuking him for sacrificing to idols. Stunned by…...

6+ day, 19+ hour ago (827+ words) Of all the mysteries of ancient Greece, the Orphic Mysteries based on the myth of Orpheus are the most intriguing, as they delve into the subject of the soul and its life after death. The Orphic Mysteries derive from the mythical poet and musician Orpheus, a tragic hero and also the greatest musician and lyricist of Greek mythology. His music charmed wild beasts, trees, stones, and even gods. The mysterious cult of Orphism was a secret sect that followed the practices and writings of Orpheus. Like all secret cults in ancient Greece, only those initiated into the cult learned the full truth of the group's practices and beliefs. The cult's followers believed in reincarnation and original sin. Orphism was guarded by educated elites. Those who followed Orphism were called Orphics, and they held their yearly mystery festival on the Eleusinian…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (548+ words) A recent New York Times (NYT) report (November 19) details an unprecedented shift within American Orthodox Christianity, a tradition that historically prides itself on constancy. The faith, which represents roughly 1% of the U.S. population, is experiencing a nationwide surge in interest, driven heavily by conservative young men. The paper noted that "something is changing in an otherwise quiet corner of Christianity in the United States, one that prides itself on how little it has changed over time." Clergy across the country report "record attendance numbers" and are struggling to manage "more prospective converts than existing clergy can reasonably handle on their own." Historically, Orthodox churches were primarily filled by immigrants from countries like Greece and Ukraine, with many of their American-born children joining other churches. Today, however, a locally rooted movement is now emerging, often fueled by online figures and YouTube personalities,…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (437+ words) Mount Athos, a revered spiritual destination in northern Greece, continues to attract growing numbers of visitors. While some monastic leaders and officials note that the rising crowds can affect the mountain's tranquil atmosphere, many pilgrims are drawn by the promise of quiet reflection and spiritual renewal. Recent figures provided to the Holy Community of Mount Athos show that in the first six months of 2025 alone, approximately 85,000 pilgrims entered the monastic state, up from 75,000 during the same period in 2024. These numbers only include individuals issued pilgrimage permits (diamonitirion) from the departure points of Ouranoupoli or Ierissos. Not included in these figures are thousands of workers entering Athos with special work permits'estimated at an additional 4,000 people in the same period'due to significant restoration and construction work underway on monasteries, cells, and other structures. Visitors this year have come from a wide range…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (541+ words) The Garden of Eden shares many similarities with the Garden of the Hesperides from Greek mythology. The Hesperides were a group of nymphs (a class of inferior female divinities) who represented the evening, the golden light of sunsets, and the far west. The ancient Greeks believed that they had a special garden in that direction. Some records place it in the region of Atlas the Titan. Some believed that it was near the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. Pliny the Elder placed it in Morocco, while Strabo believed it was in Tartessos in the Iberian Peninsula. In any case, the Garden of the Hesperides was the special orchard of the Greek goddess Hera. Records vary, but either a single tree or a grove grew there. The branches of this tree or this grove produced special golden apples unlike anything seen…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (330+ words) For the first time in Dutch history, Orthodox Christianity will be taught in public schools as part of the national curriculum, beginning with the 20252026 school year. This groundbreaking development reflects the growing recognition of Orthodox believers within the Netherlands and marks a major step toward religious inclusivity in the education system. The initiative is being rolled out through OrthodoxopSchool.nl, which is working closely with the Dutch Ministry of Education. The program will run as a three-year pilot and target primary school students aged 6 to 12. Each class will consist of weekly, 45-minute sessions, and can begin when at least three students express interest. This effort follows the Dutch government's decision to classify Orthodox Christianity as the nation's eighth official religious group, a move that also opened the door for Orthodox chaplains to serve in military and correctional institutions. " UOJ America…...