The sense of divine mystery, especially in Orthodox liturgical worship, constitutes the sine qua non of ritual ἱεροτελεστεία (priestly function) and λειτουργία (liturgy). And this has, through the centuries and right up until today, fortified the vertical connection the Church, in particular, and humanity, in general, have with the transcendent yet embraceable God. But I[…..]
Author: The Main Wheel
TOWARD A COMMON DATE OF EASTER: A Statement by Orthodox Clergy and Theologians
On January 24, 2025, at the initiative and invitation of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at HCHC, a group of Orthodox Christian theologians from across the United States met at Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology for a colloquium to discuss various issues related to a common date for the celebration of Easter. Participants at the[…..]
Moscow in Alaska
On August 15, Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military cemetery in Alaska and exchanged pleasantries and gifts. Putin was in Alaska, which the Russian Empire sold to the United States in 1867, to meet with President Donald Trump about the fate[…..]
Bodies as Living Sacrifice: Romans 12 and the Church’s Prophetic Calling
In Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul makes what might be the most radical political statement in the New Testament: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Notice what Paul doesn’t say.[…..]
July 20th: The New Martyrs of Paris
Day of Remembrance for the Paris New Martyrs: Mother Maria Skobtsova, Father Dmitry Klepinin, Ilya Fondaminsky, Yura Skobtsov. Every time you try to write about them, you realize anew how difficult it is. All four are so unconventional, so different, that they do not fit into the literary etiquette of narratives about saints. They are[…..]
In Memoriam: Paul Ladouceur (1944-2025)
We are deeply saddened to share the news that our longtime friend and author, Dr. Paul Ladouceur, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, June 13, 2025, after a valiant battle with cancer. Paul was a great friend to The Wheel, and a deeply loved mentor to generations of Orthodox theologians. We are sharing a[…..]
Papa Francesco – a Bishop, a Pope, a Human Being
This tribute is based on my personal encounters with Pope Francis, supported by insights into his theological inspirations. In the embassy in Rome and among close friends, I affectionally referred to Pope Francis as Papiko—a diminutive form of the Georgian Papi, meaning Pope. There was something disarmingly human about him: his genuine intimacy was captivating,[…..]
Review: “Waiting and Dating” by Lilyana Andrews
Waiting and Dating fails to provide a thoughtful Orthodox perspective on modern love, reinforcing outdated views on gender and sexuality. The author, Andrews, lacks a comprehensive theology of sex, reflecting a limited worldview that prioritizes doctrine over the well-being of individuals. Eastern Christianity must adapt to changing societal values for its future viability.
In Memory of Alexei Navalny
A sermon offered by Father Nicolas Tikhonchuk at the panikhida for Alexei Navalny on February 16, 2025 at the church of Our Lady–Joy of the Afflicted in Paris, France. Dear friends, We are gathered here today to hold a memorial service for Alexei Navalny and all the victims of Putin’s criminal regime in Russia and[…..]
Don’t Panic
The internet often misrepresents American Orthodox Christianity, according to a Pew Research study. This demographic is increasingly immigrant, less white, and politically moderate. The church supports marriage equality and abortion rights, contrary to online narratives. Overall, the data reveals a community rooted in its immigrant heritage rather than conservative stereotypes.