This is a topic that has been on my heart for many years now, especially during the course of my studies in theology… and after yesterday’s event, I am compelled to write a brief explanation and exhortation on the dire need for apologetics in our modern day Orthodox Church. What is apologetics? (No it doesn’t relate to apologising – sorry 🙂 *pun intended* It’s a very early Christian practice (even pre-Christian too) where Christians would make a “speech in defence of the Christian faith.” (Patristic Lexicon, Lampe, Oxford, 1961). It comes from the Greek word “apologia” (ἀπολογία). So what is...

My Experience at the “Seminar on Theology” instituted by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II in Anaphora, Egypt, June 2013 *Brief account of my experience at the first theological seminar with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II – as requested 🙂  It was another normal weekday — woke up, had my quiet time, prepared myself to take on another day of research and more reading and translating and deciphering ancient Christian texts. But it soon became more exciting 🙂 I received an email about a “Coptic Theological Seminar” to be held in Anaphora, Egypt this June 2013. I wasn’t sure what...

Who is the Holy Spirit to me? Why Pentecost? There is countless of things to be said of the Holy Spirit… this is something in brief I’d like to share…of which I hope will be of benefit The Feast of Pentecost is one of the major seven feasts in the Orthodox Church, and it is so for a reason. Growing up in the Orthodox Church for many years now, in my experience, I haven’t heard much about the Holy Spirit – or there are not many prayers to the Holy Spirit – so I haven’t experienced much knowledge about the...

Be anxious for nothing. How to be content? A Reflection on Philippians 4:6, 11 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6). One of my favourite bible chapters is from Philippians 4, an excerpt from one of St. Paul’s prison epistles. It is a letter that boasts of joy in the midst of chaos. His exuberant joy always makes me wonder – how can one, amongst such turmoil, be rejoicing? How can he keep saying, “rejoice” when anyone who looks at his surroundings will...

I am compelled to respond to the article written about Pope Francis’ homily that was delivered Wednesday, May 22 at the Mass in Rome to bring to light some questions about the pope’s view on redemption. As much as I am in full support of ecumenism and preaching the truth of the Gospel to everyone – I partially agree with Pope Francis’ homily (this all on the assumption the article attests accurately of his speech). We, as Christians, believe all are saved by the blood of Christ – He has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13) and...