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| *Adapted from Prickly City Comic Strip by Scott Stantis (http://www.gocomics.com/pricklycity/2014/05/17#.U4NWt_mSzVQ) |
"Sound Orthodox theological teaching is a pressing matter in our Orthodox Church. Where there has been bad theology, no theology, simplified theology or shallow theology, we have seen our youth melting away..."
+ His Grace Anba Roufael (Raphael), General Secretary of
the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Toronto 2014.
the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Toronto 2014.
“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”
+ C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."
+ Hosea 4:6
"Everything we do or learn has theological implications...attend a bible study and you're being exposed to a theology...sing a song and you're hearing theology...commit an act of mercy and your actions are based on a theological premise....say a prayer and you're actually theologizing...I even heard an Abouna say "all our Church's theology is expressed in the Divine Liturgy and the Church services"...
...sometimes we feel and think that we don't like this thing called theology but be aware we're almost always learning a theology...we just have to ask if we are learning and living good theology or bad theology...bad theology will not serve or save the Orthodox Church...bad theology will develop bad religion..."+ Coptic Orthodox Student
"We need to humbly and without making excuses acknowledge to our children what is true in our failure to be the authentic witness of the true faith. We have failed miserably in many ways to live the Orthodox faith. Finally, what is most important is to understand that the response that must be given to “bad religion” is not secularism or atheism, but rather what St Paul calls a “beautiful witness of the hope that is within us.” How can we recognize authenticity when it concerns the Orthodox Church? What will convince our children to recognize where is the truth? In the same way we recognize beauty and goodness! They are self-evident! The same with the true faith! It declares itself! It attracts by itself. The reverse is also true: atheism is a parasite that feeds of the believers' betrayal of the truth."
+ Fr Roberto Ubertino, How atheists can help us
How can we recognize authenticity when it concerns the Orthodox Church?
What will convince our children to recognize where is the truth?
O Lord save Your people and bless Your inheritance; protect the whole body of Your Church; sanctify those who love the beauty of Your house; glorify them in return by Your divine power; and do not forsake us who hope in You....
Beloved readers, as the holy feast of Pentecost approaches, please remember your Coptic Orthodox brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers in your prayers. Please also remember all the Orthodox Churches in your prayers. Please pray for peace in the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all...
Lord have mercy.
