471. Saint Justin: Christian Philosopher, Apologist and Martyr

Saint Justin, Martyr Commemorated on June 1 Actually it would be more accurate to say that Christ found him – an interesting story. After that he became a prolific writer, the first great Apologist * for the Christian Faith, one of the most significant figures of early Christianity. We’ll come to all that. I’m sure […]

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470. Doubting Thomas? Part Three: Not Seeking Truth

  “There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.” “I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”    from Alice’s Adventures […]

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469. Doubting Thomas? Part Two: Seeking Truth (or not)

As I said last Post, this week I am sorely tempted to just tell the lovely story of how Saint Thomas came to faith again, and conclude. However, I think the Apostle Thomas’ desire for the truth naturally leads us to ask some questions about the contemporary search for truth, or lack thereof, and not […]

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448. The Fourth Sunday of Lent: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief” – The three kinds of Doubt

The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent: Mark 9:17-31 At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and […]

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447. The Holy Icons: Their History and Purpose – Part Two

Iconoclasm, the Seventh Council, and after that According to the story, it was during the Iconoclastic controversy that the monk Stephen saw soldiers trampling on an icon. When he objected they told him it was ok: it was only a picture. So Stephen took an image of the Emperor on a coin and trampled on […]

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