Met. Tikhon (Mollard) on the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) is the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. and Primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). The following reflection was originally posted on OCA.org as part of an ongoing series of reflections titled "Reflections in Christ."

Today, we celebrate the death of the Mother of God, not because death is worth celebrating in and of itself, but because her Son has made death a passage-way to everlasting life. In particular, the Theotokos, according to St. Gregory Palamas, had done nothing worthy of the sentence of death, but she passed through death out of obedience and love for Jesus Christ, the most innocent Victim who suffered on the Cross for our sake. Just as He underwent the Passion so that He could intercede before the Father on our behalf, so His Mother, after her Dormition, has become for us the most powerful intercessor before her Son. Her maternal boldness toward Him and her maternal love for us mean that her prayers for the Christian people have potency unrivaled by those of any other. The feast of the Dormition reminds us that the Theotokos has passed beyond this world, is our steadfast protectress in joys and sorrows, by day and by night, all our life long. May we never fail daily to remember her, honor her, and ask for her supplications.

Same-Sex Attraction: A Lesson from the Desert Fathers

The Fathers reject both license and cruelty. They offer no stigma, only the call to crucify the flesh with its passions (Gal. 5:24) and rise in Christ.

Conservatism or Orthodoxy?

Life is very short. I’d rather spend it reading St. Paisios the Athonite than David Brooks. That has nothing to do with Mr. Brooks and everything to do with St. Paisios.

Put Down Your Smartphone and Grab Your Prayer Rope

St. Paisios calls us to become “spiritual signalmen,” reminding us of the victory that has already been accomplished. He says that joy in the Risen Christ must be stronger than any fear for tomorrow.

In Defense of Fr. Michael Crowley

In a pointed irony, Pokrov Truth tried to discredit Archpriest Michael Crowley’s ability to protect his flock from predators. Yet their own correction admits Fr. Michael knew of a convicted sex offender in his parish, enforced strict monitoring and supervision, informed parishioners, consulted the community, and ensured ongoing oversight. The very update disproves Pokrov 's fears while proving Fr. Michael's competence in managing such risks effectively and transparently.

The Man from Montenegro: A Response to Abp. Elia of Finland

We respect His Eminence’s right to defend himself vigorously. However, the UOJ claims the same right for ourselves. And so we must say once again: Our coverage was accurate and our analysis was perfectly fair, given the information available at the time. To label our work “misinformation” is not merely wrong but slanderous.

The Myth of ‘Judeo-Christian’ Civilization

American Evangelicals tend to idolize Rabbinic Judaism and the Zionist State. They should remember: Jesus Christ is the God of Israel, and the Church is His Kingdom on Earth. There is no other God; there is no other Kingdom.