Holy Confessor Dositheus (Vasich), Metropolitan Of Zagreb

Orthodoxy and Alcoholics Anonymous

I've been fascinated by the success of the non-Orthodox self-help group Alcoholics Anonymous. In an area which is rife with failure, AA has eked out a remarkable sliver of victory. It's a spiritual program, but its spirituality is vaguely conceived.

Here's a three-part interview with Archimandrite Meletios: here, here, and here.

More Unified Disunity

Orthodixie reports on the latest ecumenical happenin'. The Unia proposed it, and the EP was polite.

Russians And Rights

Our Shepherds at the Bishops' Council haven't been resting on their laurels. They've released an important document about human rights here and here.

Quick Fast

I belong to a New-Calendar parish, and I was delighted with the short duration of the Apostles' Fast. Perhaps this compensates for the feeling that Pascha took forever to arrive this year.

While we're on the subject of calendars, I hear that converts tend to prefer adhering to the Old Calendar owing to fewer holiday conflicts with Western family members. You know, it's hard to simultaneously celebrate New-Calendar Christmas with your parish and biological families.

On a separate note, Gabriel considers the issue of reaching out to atheists. I'm not a big fan of that kind of outreach. Western Christianity has left a bad taste in folks' mouths through its denunciations, anti-intellectualism, and tyrannical impulses.

Destroyer Of Free Time

Father Stephen destroys my free time. Just when I resolve to get away from my computer for awhile, he posts something that compels my attention, and frequently, my comments. Experiences of eternity always grab my attention.

Duh-Side Economics

Some folks just don't understand economics. For those of you who are familiar with the quantity theory or perhaps you're just familiar with the drawbacks of the "general price level" fiction, this journalist's bewilderment is apt to draw a giggle or two.

Let me give you a hint. It's a terrific sign to me that monetary policy isn't overly expansive. Commodities will join real estate as tomorrow's has-beens...at least for a while.

I Always Thought That Hugs Were Suspect

The chimps know for sure.

Self-Doubt Is Okay

Just don't make it a habit.

Finally, Some Good News

Coffee drinkers have reason to cheer.

The Man With The Plan

Gabriel deserves my thanks for drawing my attention to the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius conference recording on AFR. His post deals mainly with Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon's lecture. Fr. Patrick ingeniously suggests that Orthodox would draw in more Evangelical converts by preaching more.

I think that it's a great idea, but, personally, I don't like most sermons I hear, and I don't like any sermons that last over ten minutes. I don't like Bible study, either. How's that for mixed feelings?

Makes Sense To Me

Cancer Stem Cells

Let's see what happens when human testing begins later this year.

Take A Few By Magritte, While You're At It

Good riddance.

I'm a Constable fan.

I Told You So

Unicorns exist.

Let's Call It Apostasy And Put It Behind Us

Romanian Metropolitan Nicolae of Banat communed with the Unia.

The Real Story About Church And State

Don't despair; God has shown us how to navigate the shoals.

Hitting The Nail On The Head

Some folks can't wear the world like a loose garment.

Arturo's Got It Goin' On...

...with his series on Pico della Mirandola. Here and here.

Mistreated Merchants

A discussion of the Frankish influence in Spain prompted my comment on the Reconquista.

More On AFR

Met. Phillip weighs in.

Dance

Not Another Useless Stimulus Plan, Please

President Bush is weighing more actions to stimulate the economy. Don't get me wrong. I liked receiving the money from the first tax "rebate", even though its questionable policy value resided in deficit-building and election-year PR. It added nothing to short-term stimulus or long-term growth.

Economic problems are solved through adjustments to entrepreneurs' unsuccessful plans. Policies should be designed to encourage flexibility and speed in making such adjustments. Alas, such policies may involve homeopathy rather than handouts and wouldn't be popular in election years.

Ignorance?

At an early age, I developed a devotion for Enlightenment thinkers and viewed postmoderns as mostly a circus sideshow, like the bearded lady or two-headed man. Imagine my surprise when I came across Orthodox whose view of the created world exhibited a postmodern Weltanschauung.

Too Soon to Herald A New Age?

Let's see how the emerging markets digest the slowdown in the developed markets first.

Heck, I Thought The Guy Was Funny

The RC priest who mocked Hillary at Obama's quondam church was told to go away for awhile.

He's too comical for anyone to care about his politics. I'd sing the Gloria in Latin for a free ticket to see his routine.

Clear Teaching--Straight Into The Trash Can

I've heard comments about Orthodoxy's "undeveloped" theology. I prefer underdevelopment to heterodoxy. As one Orthodox wit observed: "We don't need no stinkin' defined doctrines".

Andrea Elizabeth boldly confronted the ambiguities at Gabriel's inn.