Byzarchi☦︎ec☦︎

Starting a list of Orthodox books I’ve read & recommend to others - a 🧵. After starting my journey from Protestantism to Orthodoxy in 2015, I began working my way through history, the canon, the fathers & theology. I still have a long way to go. So I’ll add chronologically…

‘Certain Christians asked the Elder, ‘’What will happen to the souls of infants killed by abortion?’’ and he answered with a sigh: 

I believe that these infants are martyrs. They will complete the number of the martyrs in the last times, as the Apocalypse says. In dying through abortion they receive the baptism of blood’ Saint Paisius Olaru, The Orthodox Word, Vol. 28, No. 1 (#162—Jan-Feb, 1992)

“Some Orthodox Christians have mistakenly defended the Augustinian notion of ‘original guilt’—that is, that all men have inherited the guilt of Adam’s sin—and others, going to the opposite extreme, have denied altogether the inheritance of sinfulness of Adam. Fr. Michael rightly points out, in his balanced presentation, that from Adam we have indeed inherited our tendency towards sin, together with the death and corruption that are now part of our sinful nature, but we have not inherited the guilt of Adam’s personal sin.” - Saint Seraphim Rose Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, 1st edition, p. 165, footnote

“What will happen to the souls of infants killed by abortion?” St. Paisie Olahu answered:

Babies are not damned. The Church does not except the Latin west's understanding of original sin. We inherit the ability to sin, not the sin of our parents. Babies are born innocent, they get a pass go to heaven card. Be careful of EO internet guys promoting augastinian theology, he's a saint but the Church does not except everything he said.

@Josh_W_F I’m sorry it wasn’t clear enough for you.

@archisoteric maximise their glorification? your first photo shows that those who aren't baptised through "involuntary circumstances" will be "neither glorified nor punished"

Noted modernist St. Gregory Nazianzen, like St. Gregory of Nyssa, does not teach that unbaptized infants are punished. In fact, there is a huge difference between them & those who refuse, are ignorant or are too lazy to do it. Oration XL on Baptism Par. XIII & XXVIII

The footnote also states that “sins due to external tyranny [not by free will] do not involve guilt.” This does not mean we treat baptism lightly. In fact, even if they are infants & not conscious of the event, they still need the sacrament to maximize their glorification.

“There is, of course, no notion of original guilt in Orthodoxy.” - Saint Seraphim Rose Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, 1st edition, p. 165, footnote

@archisoteric He’s not in disagreement with his friend St. Gregory Nazianzus.

@fathers_church If you’re going to read St. Stăniloae, read his actual works… you can see right through that kiddie pool nonsense in two seconds.

Catechumens and inquirers: Staniloae spends most of this article refuting the western concepts around inherited guilt, and he presents a refined, far less-encompassing Orthodox understanding, along the lines of what you are likely learning in your catechism classes. Which you wouldn’t know from the provocative tweet below.

“Children, indeed, are held blameless on account of their tender age; but you and I are under the responsibility of serving the Lord, as He commands us, and in all things to be ready for the administration of the affairs of the Churches.” Saint Basil the Great, Letter 206

@Laurent98837656 Oh I think Schooping has had an anon army attacking Orthodoxy lately.

@archisoteric Imagine having such Schooping there, the epitome of soyboys.

Yeah, I’m sure this conference of big brained apologists will produce some argument that hasn’t been fully fleshed out, and completely dismantled, over the last 2,000 years of the Orthodox Church.

If you think theological concepts should be discussed by looking that the “dictionary definition of two words” then maybe just sit back down… your stupid is showing.

@DrEmmanuel_MD @GermanCarranza3 newadvent.org/fathers/2912.h…

@archisoteric @GermanCarranza3 Lord have mercy. Where did you find this ? What work is this in ?

I love St. Gregory Nyssa for a myriad reasons. His work 'On Infants Early Deaths' is an beautiful example of his eloquent prose in the face of a delicate subject. Here are some large excerpts...

@KingMic92357513 newadvent.org/fathers/2912.h…

@archisoteric Is there a link to where I can read? Ill even accept links to books.

Much of St. Gregory of Nyssa is difficult to parse, and not for beginners, but this work isn’t too long, and it’s a really good read.

“Not only the innocent babe but even one who has never come into the world at all will be blessed.” St. Gregory of Nyssa On Infants Early Deaths

@DrEmmanuel_MD @GermanCarranza3 It’s online - I posted the whole thing in the thread I linked to.

@KingMic92357513 I posted the whole thing in the thread I linked to.