Great Schism Archives - Orthodox Reflections

October 2, 2026

Comparative Religion from an Orthodox Perspective, Orthodox Missions, Roman Catholic Church, Theology, Western Civilization

France Does not Belong to the Vatican

Explore the history of Orthodox Christianity in France, the Great Schism, papal supremacy, and the legacy of pre-Schism French saints, as Orthodox Christianity grows across Western Europe.

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September 11, 2026

Comparative Religion from an Orthodox Perspective, Roman Catholic Church, Western Civilization

Martin Luther or Alexander of Svir: The Path the West Could Have Taken

Explore the contrast between Martin Luther and St. Alexander of Svir, examining Protestant theology, Orthodox monasticism, asceticism, salvation, theosis, spiritual experience, and the Orthodox Christian alternative to the Reformation.

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November 19, 2025

The Western Series: How Western Beliefs Changed the Original Gospel Message

Part VII of the Western Series: Papal Apostasy, Supremacy and Infallibility

A detailed Orthodox critique of papal apostasy, the historical development of papal supremacy, and the doctrine of papal infallibility. Uncover how these innovations diverged from the early Church and contributed to the Great Schism. Essential reading for those seeking the traditional Orthodox perspective on Roman Catholicism.

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September 22, 2025

Prayer and Spirituality, Roman Catholic Church, Theology, Western Civilization

The True Spirit of Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi is one of the few figures in the post-Orthodox West that bears even a slight resemblance to humanity’s first parents before the Fall, or to the many Orthodox saints throughout Church history who regained the ‘fragrance of Paradise’. Unfortunately, he is an unreliable spiritual guide.

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September 5, 2025

Comparative Religion from an Orthodox Perspective, Culture War, Prayer and Spirituality, Roman Catholic Church, Western Civilization

Roman Catholicism and Hopes for Western Renewal

Many traditionalists tout a return to Roman Catholicism as a way to renew a declining Western world. Returning to a deficient, non-Apostolic faith will not help.

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May 12, 2025

Ecumenism, Roman Catholic Church

When the Popes Were Orthodox

In the First Millennium, there was One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church over which the Roman Popes were never supreme. Papal Supremacy was not a development of Christian doctrine, but a radical departure from it.

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February 17, 2025

American Life, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Parish Life, ROCOR, Western Civilization, Western Rite

The Question of the Western Rite

A critical response to Fr. James Krueger’s article on Orthodox Reflections concerning the validity of Western Rite Orthodoxy.

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October 4, 2024

Ecumenism, Greek Archdiocese, Parish Life, Prayer and Spirituality, Roman Catholic Church, Theology, Western Civilization

Were the Roman Popes Supreme in the First Millennium?

If the supremacy and infallibility of the Roman Popes were of Apostolic origin, then we would expect to have seen these dogmas “believed everywhere, always, and by all”. Were the Popes really supreme in the 1st Millennium?

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April 3, 2024

American Life, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Covid Persecution, Jurisdictions, Parish Life, ROCOR, Roman Catholic Church, Western Civilization, Western Rite

Why Western Rite?

Are there any valid reasons for the Orthodox Church to support Western Rite Orthodoxy? It is past time for Orthodox Christians to have a serious dialogue on this question.

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