From Pascha to Pentecost is a collection of pastoral reflections on the daily Gospel readings from John that appear during the Paschal season. According to the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, the feast of Pascha (Easter) is celebrated for a period of fifty days as we commemorate the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, as well as the sending of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost. Reading the Scriptures within a liturgical context reminds us that it is none other than the Scriptural God who speaks to us through the very words of the Bible. The reader will find the daily reflections to be the thoughts and ruminations of a parish priest, who, like his congregation, reads and prays the Scriptures daily, returning to them again and again in order to learn and obey the will of God as it is expressed through the pages of Scripture. The study of God's Word is never finished since we are called to read and re-read it in its entirety, seeking the truth that leads us to repentance and salvation. From Pascha to Pentecost can be used as both a personal reference in conjunction with one's regular Bible reading and within the context of a parish Bible study.

From Pascha to Pentecost: Reflections on the Gospel of John

Religion & Spirituality

Mills, William C.

Christian Books & Bibles

Orthodox Research Institute

In this volume, Fr. Sebastian Dabovich (1863-1940) offers the reader separate readings and sermons on several several different subjects. As a pastor, he is obliged to instruct the people in all that pertains to salvation. On perceiving that of all his instructions, the present ones, which were also given in the present order, were more or less suitable, and could be, with less difficulty, compiled into a volume, with something bearing at least the semblance of a system, he decided to publish them in their present appearance. These instructions were offered to Christians by a Spiritual Adviser. Therefore, the reader must not expect to discover a learned thesis on Liturgical Science or Theology. The object which moved the author to publish this book is of a two-fold nature: firstly, he desired that the children of the Church, born in America, should have the opportunity of obtaining a book which they could easily read and understand, and, by God's grace, thereby grow firmer in the Faith; and, secondly, he desires with all his heart to contribute the little of God's might within him to further the holy object of Christ's Church and to teach others about the Orthodox Faith.

The Holy Orthodox Church: The Ritual, Services and Sacraments of the Orthodox Church

Dabovich, Sebastian

Nearly fifty years ago, the Eastern Orthodox monk and theologian, Archimandrite Kyprian Kern, explored pertinent issues regarding pastoral ministry. Kern's writings on clericalism and problems with the abuse of power and authority in the Church, for example, are as fresh today as when they were first written. Kern is probably the least known among Orthodox theologians in the West; however, his voice is now being heard for the first time in English and hopefully will inspire and encourage a new generation of clergy and laity who seek to better understand ministry in an Orthodox Christian context. Orthodox Pastoral Service is a collection of lecture notes from Kern's classes in pastoral ministry. In this book, Kern deals with important issues such as clericalism, the importance of the Eucharist for the life of the priest, and emphasis on the intellectual, spiritual, and personal preparation for the priesthood. Finally, one could look at this book as a historical document. On this level, Kern has left us with a detailed exposition of pastoral ministry in 19t century Russia."

Orthodox Pastoral Service

Kern, Kyprian

It is frequently acknowledged that, despite Jung's disclaimers concerning the mutually exclusive boundaries between empirical science and metaphysics, analytical psychology does have important theological ramifications. Christian theology has been a historical antecedent to modern psychology, and can continue to be of relevance in this field through the scholarly exploration of its anthropological teachings in a contemporary academic and pastoral context. The primary purpose of this study is to outline a metatheoretical approach to discuss the interface between analytical psychology and Christian theology. As a secondary theme, it attempts to formulate, investigate and explore a theoretical rationale for adopting a depth-psychological approach to working with countertransference dynamics in both psychotherapy and spiritual direction, by including and valuing the spiritual dimension of experience. The concept of 'creative suffering' is utilized as a way of describing the process through which personal suffering, when experienced creatively, becomes more than the isolated pathological source of the therapist's private emotional wounds, being transformed to provide the main psychological background through which deep healing of the client's own trauma may occur on a personal and transpersonal level. It is, therefore, argued that creative use of the countertransference implies ongoing, active reflection by the therapist on the meaning and purpose of personal suffering, as occurs in some spiritual disciplines. This practice is adumbrated through a framework of conceptualisation derived from Orthodox Christian spirituality, employing the Jungian archetype of the 'Wounded Healer' in parallel to theological claims concerning the suffering of Jesus Christ, and the broader significance of suffering and evil in Christian theology. Parallels, similarities and differences between religious and psychological imagery and concepts are suggested throughout, which may prompt further exploration of areas of convergence and divergence between analytical psychology and Christian theology in particular, and between psychology and religion in general.

Creative Suffering and the Wounded Healer: Analytical Psychology and Orthodox Christian Theology

Gaist, Byron J.

Called to Serve is a contribution to the ongoing theological discussion of ordained and lay ministry, taking into special consideration the numerous discussions and debates which are currently at the forefront of the Church, namely, how both the clergy and laity can work together for the good of the entire Body of Christ. The essays included in this volume are from some of the most noteworthy and ecumenically minded theologians in the Eastern Church. Most lived and ministered on the European Continent, although some eventually immigrated to the United States. Among the authors included in this volume are Metropolitans Kallistos Ware of Diokleia and Maximos Aghiorgoussis of Pittsburgh, Fathers Alexander Schmemann, Nicholas Afanasiev, Kyprian Kern, Sergius Bulgakov, and Georges Florovsky, as well as the lay theologians, such as Nicholas Berdiaev, Anton Kartashev, and Elizabeth Behr-Sigel. These theologians have been influential in a theological and liturgical renewal in the Eastern Church in both Europe and North America and were very active in ecumenical discussions and debates. They participated in the World Council of Churches as well as many local and international ecumenical organizations. These voices, many still unknown to a generation of readers, can once again help us to understand the various relationships among the people of God, both ordained and lay, and how we call can foster and encourage greater openness, understanding, and freedom in Christ.

Called to Serve: Readings on Ministry from the Orthodox Church

This book is about the spirituality of personal encounter in and through Christ.    Pastoral dialogue involves an integrated mindful personal presence and interested unknowing that engages the other with the same vulnerability and alertness that one brings to God in prayer. Inner discernment and ascetical struggle along with existential engagement with and for others in working for a just and humane world are equally important in response to God's love given for all.  For an interview with the author on COEH TV at Columbus State University go to university vimeo.com/m/38325238

When Hearts Become Flame: An Eastern Orthodox Approach to the Dia-Logos of Pastoral Counseling

Muse, Stephen

This book is about the spirituality of personal encounter in and through Christ. Pastoral dialogue involves an integrated mindful personal presence and interested unknowing that engages the other with the same vulnerability and alertness that one brings to God in prayer. Inner discernment and ascetical struggle along with existential engagement with and for others in working for a just and humane world are equally important in response to God's love given for all. For an interview with the author on COEH TV at Columbus State University go to university vimeo.com/m/38325238

Taught by God: Making Sense of the Difficult Sayings of Jesus

Few would dispute that the sayings of Jesus were and are important. But though important, these very same sayings are difficult at best and incomprehensible at worst. Sayings like, "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence," or, "I did not come to bring peace but a sword," have confused readers of the Gospels for thousands of years. Others such as, "My Father is greater than I," and, "My God why have You forsaken Me?" have sparked theological infernos that have plagued Christianity from its beginnings. From the greatest theologians to the smallest child, the same question is always asked: What did Jesus really mean? In considering only the most difficult of the sayings of Jesus, Taught by God brings together the academic rigour of modern biblical scholarship and the profound wisdom of the early Church Fathers in a unique, lively, and dramatic synthesis.

Fanous, Daniel

Few would dispute that the sayings of Jesus were and are important. But though important, these very same sayings are difficult at best and incomprehensible at worst. Sayings like, "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence," or, "I did not come to bring peace but a sword," have confused readers of the Gospels for thousands of years. Others such as, "My Father is greater than I," and, "My God why have You forsaken Me?" have sparked theological infernos that have plagued Christianity from its beginnings. From the greatest theologians to the smallest child, the same question is always asked: What did Jesus really mean? In considering only the most difficult of the sayings of Jesus, Taught by God brings together the academic rigour of modern biblical scholarship and the profound wisdom of the early Church Fathers in a unique, lively, and dramatic synthesis.

Since the early days of the Church, Christians have struggled to come to terms with Christ's words of peace and His example of peace. In Christ's life, as recorded in the New Testament, it is striking that He neither killed anyone nor summoned any of His disciples to kill. Indeed, the final miracle Christ performed before His execution was to heal an enemy's wound, an injury caused by the Apostle Peter in an attempt to defend his master. Yet, in the course of more than twenty centuries of Christian history, we see Christians often involved in war and, in surveying the calendar of saints, find not only those who refused to take part in war but also those who served in the military, though no one has been canonized due to his skill as a soldier. Besides the millions of Christians who have fought in armies, often against fellow Christians, we also find many priests, bishops and theologians who have advocated war and blessed its weapons. Our subject is an urgent one. Many people today live either near conflict areas or are directly touched by war or in areas where terrorist actions may suddenly occur. Everyone on the planet is in some way affected by wars in progress or wars in the making as well as the consequences of wars in the past. Every day thousands of Christians struggle in thought and prayer with some of the most difficult of questions: May I fight injustice by violent methods? Am I allowed to kill in combat? Are there limits on what I can do in the defense of my country? Am I as a Christian allowed to disobey demands that I believe are unjust or violate the Gospel? When the demands of my country seem at odds with the demands of the Kingdom of God, how do I respond to this conflict? Rarely do we find easy answers to these and similar questions. Thus, those of us in the Orthodox Christian tradition search for help in Holy Scripture, the canons provided to us by ecumenical councils, the witness of the saints, the writing of the Fathers of the Church as well as theologians of recent times. Imitation of saintly forebears alone, however, will not solve our problems. Different eras have adopted different attitudes. Also many of today's problems never existed before, not least the changed character of war in an era of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and mass propaganda. Yet knowledge of the thought and action undertaken by the Orthodox Churches on the issues of war and peace in recent decades surely can help us find ways out of the dead ends that many communities are experiencing today. This is the aim of this book.

For the Peace from Above: An Orthodox Resource Book on War, Peace and Nationalism

History

World

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Books by Orthodox Research Institute

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Orthodox Research Institute publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

From Pascha to Pentecost: Reflections on the Gospel of John

The Holy Orthodox Church: The Ritual, Services and Sacraments of the Orthodox Church

Orthodox Pastoral Service

Creative Suffering and the Wounded Healer: Analytical Psychology and Orthodox Christian Theology

Called to Serve: Readings on Ministry from the Orthodox Church

When Hearts Become Flame: An Eastern Orthodox Approach to the Dia-Logos of Pastoral Counseling

When Hearts Become Flame: An Eastern Orthodox Approach to the Dia-Logos of Pastoral Counseling

Taught by God: Making Sense of the Difficult Sayings of Jesus

Taught by God: Making Sense of the Difficult Sayings of Jesus

For the Peace from Above: An Orthodox Resource Book on War, Peace and Nationalism