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The Orthodox Ethos Blog


The Prayer Rope: Thoughts by a Hagiorite Monk
“Hagiorite Testimony” of the Sacred Monastery of Xiropotamos of Mount Athos, vol. 12-13, source (translated by K.N.) Xiropotamou Monastery, Mount Athos Let’s pause for a moment and observe a small prayer rope, like the ones made with black wool on the Holy Mountain Athos. It should be regarded as a blessing from a Holy site. Like so many other things of the Church, this is likewise a blessing which has been prepared and given to us by an in-Christ brother or father — those li
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 31, 2025


Pearls from the Pedalion: On the Penances Prescribed by St. John the Faster
Read the two-part introduction to the "Pearls from the Pedalion" series here . From The Orthodox Ethos: The Canons of St. John the Faster, Patriarch of Constantinople (+595), were adopted by the Ecumenical Council of Trullo (the Fifth-Sixth or Quinisext Council) and included in the Pedalion. St. John’s canons were criticized by some in his day for shortening the length of abstention from Holy Communion for various sins, compared to what had been prescribed by the Councils and
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 28, 2025


Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira on the Unjust Condemnation of Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos by the Patriarchal Synod
Editor's Note: Some of you may recall that a Cypriot bishop, Met. Tyckikos, was ousted from his metropolis for receiving heterodox into the Church in a strict canonical matter and not according to the ecumenist policy of the Church of Constantinople. The Patriarchal Synod heard his appeal and arguments for the legality of the Cypriot synods decision and upheld the decision to depose him. Met. Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythira wrote a well-written, pastoral, and fraternal le
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 24, 2025
The Newly Canonized St. Christophoros of Arbouna, "Papoulakos"
From Saint Nicodemos Publications From the Editor: We are thrilled to introduce our audience to the newly canonized St. Christophoros of Arbouna, affectionately known as "Papoulakos" to the Greeks. Constantine Zalalas of Saint Nicodemos Publications has made him known to us in the English-speaking world by adapting the main book about him from Greek into a playlist on his life and teachings that can be found on his YouTube channel . He has given permission to post the serie
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 17, 2025


Orthodoxy's Language: Defining Liturgical Terminology for Today
From Dr. Constantine Cavarnos' "General Introductory Remarks" in his book: Orthodox Christian Terminology . Dr. Constantine Cavarnos “Orthodox Liturgical Terminology,” on which I have been invited to speak, includes the whole range of Orthodox Christian terminology. The traditional Orthodox sermon, which is part of the Divine Liturgy, encompasses all aspects of the Orthodox Church. Taking as its starting point the Gospel and Apostolic excerpts that are read on a particular da
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 14, 2025


Hesychasm and Humility: When Orthodox Teachings Inspired a Catholic Monk
Elder Joseph of Vatopedi On the days leading up to the Annunciation in 1983, a Roman Catholic monk, Father Lorenzo, accompanied by a lay...
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 10, 2025


REVIEW: The Errors of the Latins
By Michael W. Davis Originally posted here from the Union of Orthodox Journalists Errors of the Latins, Volume 1 & Volume 2 are both...
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Oct 3, 2025


Evil Spirit Behind the Stigmata
We share this video below as a modern example of how the saints test the spirits and discern between what is from God and what is...
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Sep 30, 2025


Divine Truths for the Theologically Curious (St. Ephraim’s Hymns 64-65)
HYMN SIXTY-FOUR 12 stanzas 1] O our Lord, uproot the thorns, for the Evil One has sown them. Plough up the weeds. They have seen us...
The Orthodox Ethos Team
Sep 26, 2025
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