For many years, I have used a blog to organize my ideas and share them with others. This allows me to clarify for myself what I believe, and invite others to share in my struggle to understand Orthodoxy more deeply. Here is a link to my previous writing at https://accessibleorthodoxy.blogspot.com/
<aside> 🙏🏾
For this website, I will do my best to share with you what I am thinking about and why I think it is important to consider. *If it doesn’t matter, then it doesn’t matter*. If it matters, let’s think it through together, and I welcome your contribution to my thinking. Let’s be clear that this website is not intended to be authoritative in any way - it’s just one guy thinking through things out loud in the public domain and inviting others to eavesdrop.
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE FEEDBACK FORM
The site is divided into three sections:
</aside>
This is the framework that is assumed for all of the site’s content, so that we do not need to constantly revisit our premises. I also define some key terms that are relevant. In writing this section I realized that my framework and my definitions are somewhat specific to a Coptic Orthodox Christian lens. I trust that any of our fellow Christians will be able to read this with the same ecumenical Charity that I read their texts. Most importantly, this section outlines what constitutes what I define as an Orthodox belief, specifically one that is supported by four pillars of Orthodoxy: Patristics, Biblical Exegesis, Liturgical Life, Ascetic Practice in the Church.
The reason I think this is necessary, is because it's not always clear to me what someone means when they say "these are our Orthodox beliefs." Here are some potential (mis)interpretations:
You might never have considered what you mean by Orthodox belief. You might even think I'm a heretic for asking what you mean when you say you have an Orthodox belief. Or perhaps you and I are using different words but mean the same thing—sharing a common understanding of what constitutes Orthodox belief. My intent is not to divide but to clarify.
I'm simply trying to establish clear ground rules, shared language, and proper framework so we're all on the same page. Think of it this way: if you're playing soccer and suddenly a player wearing football gear runs onto the field, picks up the ball, and carries it into the goal—is that a goal? Is it a touchdown? It's neither—it's just confusion. The same confusion happens when we mix philosophical frameworks with theological questions, or vice versa.
Ultimately, we're all seeking Truth, but that Truth isn't an abstract idea—it's the Person of Jesus Christ. As we engage with these ideas and concepts, let's remember they're merely approximations, limited by our minds and words. The fullness of Orthodoxy dwells in the Body and Blood of Christ on the altar, and my aim is simply to help myself—and perhaps others—understand the significance of the Sacramental Life (Orthopraxy) and how it is informed by proper understanding (Orthodoxy).
<aside> 🔥
The Orthodox Rules of the Game
<aside> 🔥
The Orthodox Lingo
<aside> 🔥
The Orthodox Athlete
This section is the most active section of the website where I will continue to add new topics and new articles that are an extension of my previous blog (https://accessibleorthodoxy.blogspot.com/). Please accept my invitation to share your feedback and suggestions using this google form.