Fr. John Oliver discusses our responsibility to the lonely.

(Fr. Joseph dedicates this program to the memory of Fr. Matthew MacKay, who would have appreciated the humor—he hopes.) This week the Orthodixie podcast catches up with the author of An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, Fr. Danislav Gregorio, about his new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers.

Children, parents and grandparents - whatever condition we find ourselves in, God knows and understands.

Fr. Michael shares on Thomas Sunday, "Those who doubt, those who fear, those who hide and shut the doors are not cut off from the One who appears in rooms with closed doors."

The following is my response to one of my catechumens to the question of why the Orthodox Church practices a closed communion: Basically, Communion creates and defines our community, our being one with one another in Christ—i.e. eating of the one bread and of the one cup. Historically, some people/groups separated themselves from the communion of the Church through heresies or immorality or aligning themselves with a heretical bishop. Therefore, they are not in communion, not part of the one Church—at least as far as we can identify the Church as a concrete divine/human institution (not to be confused with “all who will be saved in heaven,” which only God knows). Anyone can return to communion with the one Church through repentance and Chrismation (or whatever specific rite the bishop decides). We do not have open communion because we don’t want to say people are part of the Church who are not part of the Church—or at least whom we can’t identify as part of the Church. This would be dangerous for them (eating and drinking condemnation to themselves) and dangerous for us (through Communion we become one with one another.

Are you tending the garden of your life so that it produces the fruit of the Spirit?

Frederica Mathewes-Green

Listen to reflections by Fr. Nicolaie about those on the mission's "Hall of Fame" and the value of each person.

the appeals court ruled that, despite being a nonprofit and no evidence of market harm, its implementation of Controlled Digital Lending isn't fair use #

Often the Orthodox Church is criticized for practicing what is sometimes called "closed communion," which means only Orthodox Christians are permitted to receive the Eucharist. Using the story of the miracle of feeding the five thousand, Fr Thomas reminds us that God shares his fullness with us in Holy Communion. And since we experience unity with one another at the chalice, the implications are enormous!

We each would like to be close to Our Lord Jesus Christ, but when we see many others gathered around Him we are not sure how to place ourselves in a situation in which we, just like the sick man, can be close to Jesus Christ.

A lesson from the story of Zacchaeus.

Dr. John Mark Reynolds explains an Orthodox perspective on closed Communion.

Using Luke 8:26-27 as a starting point of his reflections, Fr. Pat encourages us to live our lives with an awareness of death as an important part of our mental composition.

The Commonwealth Games will take place in 2026 after Glasgow stepped in to host, but the stripped-back event has left some celebrating and others disappointed.

Larne's newest fan has visited the club in the build-up to their Uefa Conference League contest with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night.

Tiernan Lynch says he has "mixed emotions" after a late goal condemned Larne to a 2-1 defeat at home to St Gallen in the Uefa Conference League.

A company where warrants were recently executed is no longer in business, the BBC has learned.

Despite raising £70,000, a group against second home planning permission cannot launch appeal.

Why Southampton boss Russell Martin remains calm despite nine defeats in 11 games leaving them bottom of the Premier League.

Wandsworth Council says the proposed closure of the Broadstairs school is for financial reasons.

The bridge on Squibbers Way in Bridgwater was closed due to a fire that happened underneath it but was reopened following an inspection.

An accident blackspot in Cornwall is closed after a third fatal crash in the last six months.

Len and Linda Trott are retiring after running the Post Office in The Lizard since 1988.

A wildlife centre in Wrea Green says the council is "setting us up to fail" in a planning row over cladding.

Reigning champion Luke Humphries is beaten by Austrian Rowby-John Rodriguez on the opening day of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

The junction is expected to remain shut during rush hour but southbound is still open, police say.

The council says the route will close for five days, including to emergency vehicles.

The fire service is investigating the cause of the blaze on Northgate Street, Devizes.

China's Ding Junhui wins six frames in a row to beat Englishman Chris Wakelin 10-7 in the final of the International Championship.

A parking area shut during Covid is reopening to help offset the spaces lost during regeneration work.

There are two words that every writer needs to know if they're going to learn how to write well: lede and kicker. Most writers will be familiar with these, but in case the terms are new to you, let’s define them.

McLaren could be set to win their first constructors' title for 25 years this season. Here is how close they've come over that time.

Michigan Rising Action’s Abby Mitch on holding elected officials accountable

La crise ? Quelle crise ? Alors que le gouvernement prￜpare l'opinion ￜ une longue pￜriode d'inflation et de hausse des prix de l'ￜnergie en raison de la guerre en Ukraine, tout ne va pas si mal sur le plan...

SIBU: An elderly man lost RM136,000 after being duped in an online business transaction scam, said Sibu District police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili.

He said the victim, in his 60s and unemployed, fell victim when he clicked on a link on Facebook on Oct 9 and was taken to an e-commerce platform which used the WhatsApp application.

“The victim was offered a business opportunity selling branded cosmetics items online exclusively, on the condition that he provides the capital first to enjoy the profits.

“The victim agreed and was then told to download the ‘ask-oshop’ application for confirmation of sales and to increase the capital for the stock of sales items,“ he said in a statement today.

He said that from Oct 13 till Nov 7, the victim made 32 cash transactions into 11 bank accounts on the instruction of the suspect, purportedly to increase the stock of sales items in the app.

On Sunday (Nov 10), the suspect was told that the ‘ask-oshop’ app had been frozen and was instructed to make an additional payment of RM70,000.

“Realising that he has been cheated, the victim lodged a police report at the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of the Sibu District Police Headquarters here yesterday,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

In the initial six months, Khurshid’s relatively inexperienced government faced some tough challenges.

Heavy police presence and CCTV monitoring ensure security in Rahim Yar Khan's by-election.

European Commission initially accused Apple of receiving "illegal" tax benefits from Ireland over two decades

On Saturday, August 31st, 2024, the legendary Bank Jam will take place in Berlin – a day full of BMX action and fun! The pre-session starts at 2:30 PM at Hasenheide, before the main event kicks off at 7:00 PM at Südstern.

Therefore, we will close our Berlin shop at 2:00 PM on that day. We look forward to seeing you at Hasenheide!

To get you in the mood, here’s the video from Bank Jam 2023 again.

Alexei Popyrin upset fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday in a tense match with many ups and downs.

U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz benefitted from a questionable serving decision by Daniil Medvedev and frustrated his opponent so much that the Russian broke his racket and was docked a point in a 6-4, 6-3 victory for the American in the opening match of the ATP Finals on Sunday.

U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz frustrated Daniil Medvedev to the point that the Russian smashed his racket and was docked a point in a 6-4, 6-3 victory for the American in the opening match of the ATP Finals on Sunday.