This is the second article in our On the Incarnation series for the Nativity Fast.

As we prepare for the great Feast of the Nativity, our focus narrows increasingly to our faith’s foundational mystery, the Incarnation—God become man. Like St. Athanasius, St. Maximus the Confessor explains the impetus for the Incarnation in this manner: “God became human and humanity became God unchangingly.” The reason for the whole of creation is revealed: “God became a human being and heaven and earth were joined.” This revelation is what we celebrate in the Feast of the Nativity.

For St. Maximus, the Virgin Mary is the catalyst through which this great mystery is effected. He explains that “she had been chosen by the Father and prepared by the Holy Spirit to contain in her womb the only-begotten Son…and to become the cause of the Incarnation and his dwelling among human beings.” Maximus writes all these reflections in his book, The Life of the Virgin.* He pens a high Mariology commensurate with her exalted role in conceiving the Logos in her womb. For Maximus, “She is the ladder that reaches to heaven, by which God descended to earth. […] She is the one who received the uncontainable God. […] She is the cause of divine mercy toward humanity. […] She is the tent of the Word of God.” The holy Theotokos is clearly pivotal in creation, salvation history, and the renewed creation. Read More

In the sixteen months since Orthodoxy in Dialogue went to press, our mandate has evolved from our initial vision of short, original articles to include longer articles, reprints, news, poetry, books reviews and summaries, interviews—and now videos.

We have published three videos to date: the trailer for Cassidy Hall’s upcoming film on Thomas Merton, a panel discussion on women in the Church by the Orthodox Christian Studies Center, and USA TODAY’s brief interview of an Orthodox mother who lost her son in the Thousand Oaks massacre. A fourth video is currently under discussion with its producers.

We seek original, professional quality videos of any length that have direct relevance for a mainly Orthodox global audience. You must allow us to embed the video in a post rather than simply provide the link to our readers. (For one thing, our CTR is typically very low.) You should include a brief, explanatory article that is as interesting as it is informative. With very few exceptions we will only consider submissions that come directly from the producer(s) or videographer(s).

Interviews may now be submitted in a video format.  Read More

Because of my public profile through Orthodoxy in Dialogue, many people have come to me online and in person for spiritual and emotional support whose children are transgender or who are transgender themselves. 

Recently there occurred a first for me: a married man with small children, whose wife has come out to him as transgender and has begun the surgical component of his transition. For now, they remain married.

What I offer those who seek me out—in my unworthiness and with all my inadequacies—is an open heart, a listening ear, a complete lack of judgmentalism, not a trace of know-it-allism, and no one-size-fits-all responses based on any kind of “ideological purity.” Some of my Orthodox brothers and sisters disdain this approach as “liberal” or “progressive.” I, on the contrary, consider it to be rather traditional.

How many of our bishops and priests in the Orthodox Church are equipped to deal pastorally and sensitively with these real-life scenarios? How many of our future bishops and priests will be sufficiently equipped, especially given the inevitability that these kinds of pastoral issues will arise more frequently over time? Read More

Orthodoxy in Dialogue is pleased to share the video, Women of the Church: Faith, Service, and Leadership, in collaboration with the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University. This reflects our ongoing commitment to welcome a wide diversity of voices on virtually every important topic facing the Orthodox Church in the 21st century.

This event took place on October 9, 2018 at the E. Gerald Corrigan Conference Center, Fordham University, New York City. It featured the following panelists and moderator:

Donna Rizk Asdourian, PhD
Fellow, Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University

Ann Bezzerides, PhD
Director of the Office of Vocation and
Ministry, Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Tamara Grdzelidze, PhD
Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia to the Holy See

Sister Vassa Larin, PhD
Host, Coffee with Sister Vassa Podcast
Member, Commissions of the Inter-Council Presence of the Russian Orthodox Church
(Commissions on Canon Law and on Liturgy and Church Art)

Moderator
Patricia Fann Bouteneff, DPhil
Director, Pan-Orthodox Women’s Network Read More