When Orthodoxy in Dialogue published Why Are We Sitting Here? by Metropolitan Alexander (Gianniris) of Nigeria eight months ago, it became overnight—and remains—one of our most popular and most shared guest articles. A well-known British name in Orthodox academic theology exclaimed publicly on social media, “The future of Orthodoxy is in Africa!”

About two weeks ago, a young seeker in Nigeria reached out to us to discuss his interest in Orthodoxy. A significant factor in his search has been Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s content. With both his and Metropolitan Alexander’s consent, we introduced them by 3-way email. They met this past Saturday at His Eminence’s residence. (We have the young man’s permission to use the photo he snapped upon arrival at the cathedral compound.)

When our friend got home, he tweeted the Metropolitan’s essay with this message: “Met him today, and I love him so much!” Such a testimony to a true shepherd of the living Church, and to Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s small role in adding a new sheep to the portion of Christ’s flock entrusted to his care, brings tears of joy and gratitude to our eyes.

A week ago, a second young Nigerian seeker reached out to us. He doesn’t yet feel ready to meet the Metropolitan, but remains in contact with us.

Read More

The Sunday of Zacchaeus/Sunday of the Canaanite Woman is almost here. For relevant dates see Triodion & Pentecostarion 2021, which we published earlier today.

Hierarchs, priests, deacons, monastics, clergy wives, laymen and laywomen, and teens are invited to write a Lenten Reflection for Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s readers.

You may wish to focus on the theme of one of the Sundays preparatory to or during Great Lent, or more generally on a theme which captures something of the spirit of this season as a time for drawing closer to God and to our neighbour through the joyful ascesis of intensified prayer, fasting, liturgical worship, almsgiving, and repentance. Inspire us.

Read More

He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. 

Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.

Matthew 28:6-7

✠

Sunday of Zacchaeus / Sunday of the Canaanite Woman

February 14

✠

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

February 21

✠

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

February 28

✠

Sunday of the Last Judgment

(Meatfare Sunday)

March 7

Read More

In 2018, NPR conducted an interview with a former neo-Nazi, Christian Picciolini. In the interview, Picciolini discusses how terms like “alt-right” and “white nationalist” were invented by white supremacists to sound more palatable to average Americans, and points out the prevalence of these words in the news today. He goes on to discuss how there was a specific push in the 1980s and 90s to give the movement a face-lift, including encouraging members to wear business suits, recruit college students, and join law enforcement and the military. Picciolini believes that efforts like this have been successful, and that this is how some white supremacists are able to fly under the radar and enter political office today.

It is my belief that some of these young men are joining the Orthodox Church in increasing numbers as well, and if believers are not awake to the way theology and church history can be twisted to accommodate their views, they may continue to fly under the radar, shaping the direction the Church takes in the US and beyond.

Read More