Walking an Ancient Path

The saints had never been a part of Lynnette’s life, so she didn’t understand why the Orthodox emphasized reading about them. But over time she discovered three spiritual benefits from getting acquainted with their lives and teachings.

Some of the lives of saints leave us scratching our heads. Hermits, stylites, fools-for-Christ . . . To modern readers, they seem like poor witnesses, isolated and odd. But the principles behind their unusual practices can teach us deep spiritual lessons.

Some of the lives of saints leave us scratching our heads. Hermits, stylites, fools-for-Christ . . . To modern readers, they seem like poor witnesses, isolated and odd. But the principles behind their unusual practices can teach us deep spiritual lessons.

For many people, veneration of the Virgin Mary is the biggest of the “Stumbling Stones on the Orthodox Road.” As we reconsider the Virgin Mary, we will acknowledge various fears, look at the Protestant Reformers’ exalted view of her, and consider the Archangel Gabriel’s praise of Mary in the Annunciation.

Sometimes the major obstacle to becoming Orthodox isn’t theological at all—it’s the worship service itself. In this episode, we consider the question, “Why is Orthodox worship so formal?” and examine the ancient understanding of worship as a journey into the Kingdom of God.

The saints had never been a part of Lynnette’s life, so she didn’t understand why the Orthodox emphasized reading about them. But over time she discovered three spiritual benefits from getting acquainted with their lives and teachings.

In this episode we’ll look at the Theotokos’s importance as the new Eve, in the early Church and in Old Testament typology, and why the Immaculate Conception is not Orthodox. Then we’ll talk about ways to get to know her in addition to knowing things about her.

In this episode we’ll look at the Theotokos’s importance as the new Eve, in the early Church and in Old Testament typology, and why the Immaculate Conception is not Orthodox. Then we’ll talk about ways to get to know her in addition to knowing things about her.

For many people, veneration of the Virgin Mary is the biggest of the “Stumbling Stones on the Orthodox Road.” As we reconsider the Virgin Mary, we will acknowledge various fears, look at the Protestant Reformers’ exalted view of her, and consider the Archangel Gabriel’s praise of Mary in the Annunciation.

Our sense of smell brings immediate associations to our hearts and minds, and the fragrance of incense reminds us of the presence of God. It can help us “attend” at church and also bless our homes.