Orthodox History

Of Antioch and Alexandria, England and America

Introduction: Visitors at Balamand If you were to visit today the web site of the St John of Damascus School of Theology in Balamand, Lebanon you might not be surprised to find a news item about a group of English businessmen visiting the Institute and attending a vespers service. After...

Photos from Nicholas Chapman’s Ludwell Research Trip in Texas

Editor's note: Yesterday, we published an article by Nicholas Chapman on his latest discoveries about Philip Ludwell III, his circle, and his descendants. Today, we're publishing some photos from Nicholas' excursion to Texas, where he found more startling evidence that continues to reshape our understanding of early Orthodoxy in America.

Virginian Orthodoxy in the Early American Republic

For almost four years now I have been researching the story of Colonel Philip Ludwell III of Williamsburg, Virginia, since learning of his reception into the Orthodox Church in 1738. During the last few days of July just past I was able to spend some time travelling in the great...

Wondering about “OCA Wonder:” Intellectual Life in the Russian Metropolia

Several weeks ago, I saw a small news item on my Facebook timeline advertising the latest issue of Wonder, the Orthodox Church in America’s youth-oriented newsletter. I was slightly bemused that the item's thumbnail picture was photograph I used as a centerpiece of a SOCHA piece I wrote last year...

An Unexpected Discovery Concerning Philip Ludwell III

On the last day of May I returned home at close to midnight from a full week in New York City where I had attended Book Expo America. There was a stack of mail awaiting me, but I put it to one side assuming it contained little of interest beyond...

New document on life of Fr. Nicola Yanney

Fr. Nicola Yanney is one of my favorite priests in the history of Orthodoxy in America. He immigrated to America at age 19, in 1892-93, with his new wife. They immediately settled in, of all places, Nebraska. Nine years later, she gave birth to their fifth child -- and died...

Group photo from the 1910 Convention of the Russian Orthodox Catholic Mutual Aid Society

I recently received the above photo in an email from Deacon Steven Kroll, who offered the following details: Over the past several months I have been traveling up to Hartshorn, OK to serve alongside the priest who is caring for the remainder of the the faithful at Sts. Cyril &...

Amazing photo collage of Antiochian priests, circa 1920

First of all, I'm really sorry for my extended absence from this website. Beginning in December, my life went pretty crazy -- first the end of law school, then studying for the bar exam, and then moving and starting my legal career. Unfortunately, I've had no time at all for...

The Righteous Shall Be in Everlasting Remembrance: Further Reflections on Colonel Philip Ludwell III

Introduction March 14/27 this year will mark the 266th anniversary of the falling asleep in the Lord of Colonel Philip Ludwell III of Williamsburg, Virginia. As many readers of this web site will know he is the first documented convert to Orthodoxy in the Americas, following his reception into the...

St. Raphael of Brooklyn on the Episcopalians

Today being the ninety-eighth anniversary of the repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn (+1915), here is a pastoral letter he sent out in 1912 regarding relations with the Episcopal Church, mostly likely written on his behalf by Fr. Ingram Nathaniel Irvine. Thanks to Fr. Joseph Huneycutt of Houston for posting...