(CNN) — A promising way to stop a deadly disease, or an uncomfortable step toward what one leading ethicist called eugenics? U.S. health officials are weighing whether to approve trials of a pioneering in vitro fertilization technique using DNA from three people in an attempt to prevent illnesses like muscular dystrophy and respiratory problems. The […]
Archives for February 2014
Vampire Academy–YA fiction
One of the first young adult (YA) vampire fiction series that I read was the Twilight series. I first read it because one of our daughters was impressed and said I should read it. Since then, I have had a tendency to read various types of YA fiction. I tend to choose YA fiction that […]
Sigh, another possible Olympic problem
Well, the Olympics are now over. Russia did a good job. There were a couple of glitches, but they were minor. Everyone is aware of the glitch that kept one of the rings from lighting up during the opening ceremony. The Russians have enough of a sense of humor that, during the closing ceremonies, the […]
Last Judgment (Meatfare) 2014
Tomorrow is the Sunday of the Last Judgment, also called Meatfare. Because it is the Sunday of the Last Judgment, there is a quote from the Russian Orthodox Church’s “The Basis of the Social Concept” that is worth considering: The primary cause of crime is the darkened state of the human heart: «for out of […]
Children, regularity, and how God works with us
The book, Positive Discipline, has an excerpt that says: One of the most encouraging things parents can do for their children is to spend regular, scheduled special time with them. You may already spend lots of time with your children. However there is a difference between have to time, casual time, and scheduled special time. […]
Basis of the Church’s involvement in social works
From “The Basis of the Social Concept” of the Russian Orthodox Church: [The Church] is the community of the children of God, «a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people… which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God» (1 Pet. 2:9-10). The unity of […]
Church, society, and Russian Orthodoxy
For the last two days, I have been publishing commentary on a very important document from the Russian Orthodox Church. That document sets out the theology of the Russian Orthodox Church with regards to society. I, again, say that it is a document worth reading, given that Orthodoxy in the USA is not yet at […]
Russian Orthodox Basis Social Concept 2014
As a result of yesterday’s post, a question has come up as to where one can find a copy of the Russian Orthodox Church’s statement, “The Basis of the Social Concept.” Thankfully, you can find an English copy of the document posted by the Russian Orthodox Church herself at https://mospat.ru/en/documents/social-concepts/. It is a document worth reading […]
Blessing of weapons and the Orthodox
Recently, there was a small discussion on a friend’s Facebook© page concerning Orthodoxy and the blessing of weapons. Below is an ancient service for the blessing of weapons. Above is a photograph of a Russian priest blessing weapons. It should be noted that the Great Book of Needs, published by St. Tikhon seminary in 1999 […]
Prodigal Son 2014
Kontakion of the Prodigal Son O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, “I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants.” […]
