Thank you for this! I’m Orthodox and had seen stuff floating around about King Charles and Orthodoxy but wasn’t sure how legitimate it was. Appreciate your perspective!
Thank you for this - it is marvelous. The 'ripe for a takeover' conclusion is excellent. I had not realized the extent of the trend-mongering in the CoE in recent years, the worst part of which comes when all is just form and posture, political and sparkling, but with no real meaning or sense of serious belief. Nothing to 'go to the stake for', suspect of not even thought worthy of withstanding any social downgrading or ridicule.
I was very curious and excited to meet Bishop Anthony Poggo in October, having read his "Thy Kingdom Come" Novena booklet over the course with a friend over Zoom. The bishops of Japan had looked at the Lambeth Palace booklet in English and decided that having each of them write a chapter in Japanese would be better than translating the official English booklet. Translation can be cruel to text that lacks the force of belief that any of it actually matters. We might have used the NSKK booklet, but my friend did not read Japanese.
As we host the Ukrainian Orthodox services twice a month, I've had renewed opportunity to talk with Fr. Paul Koroluk, their ArchPriest, which combined with various people I've met and known over the years, has given me a very mixed view of that denomination, from Russian to Greek to Ukrainian. The theology is good and sound. But that is more for Sister Vassa to talk about.
Thank you for this Fr. As a South African who straddles the Anglican (Gafcon) and Orthodox church (but not officially part of either), it is always good to read insights from those who equally value both yet are better equipped to articulate the dynamics and tensions. I've even been dubbed the 'anglidox' in the orthodox church where I sing as part of the choir. Been stuck in this liminal space for a long time and for various reasons and as much as one wants to be a bridge-builder, full communal participation remains the most spiritually healthy option. Time will tell.
On another note, I miss the Liturgical Asia podcast - any future podcasts or writings in the pipeline?
I am glad to be helpful. The post is by no means meant as a sales pitch for Anglicanism, but rather a rationale for those of us who are there to justifying remaining so. If you were to become Orthodox, that would not stop you from participating in Anglican worship in everything short of receiving Communion (from the Orthodox perspective, not ours). For the layman, that remains an option. Not so for the ordained!
Or ......you could acknowledge that Henry VIII was a chancer, that the whole project was a wrong turn, that many great things have come out of of it (not least the wonderful English Hymnal) but it is now time for Orthodox Anglicans to come back to Rome- and help course correct the Catholic Church which is also weighed down by modernist, liberal ideas. I pray for orthodox people across all the denominations -- Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist , Episcopalian ...to work together and come together, and focus on what they share (Natural Law + Christ) rather than what divides them. Jesus will arbitrate on theological differences...but seriously, big picture....he wants us to work together
What if there are no ACNA or continuing parishes near and the one local traditional TEC parish is like hyper grace Paul Zahl Lutheran in their soteriology? Though their liturgy is of the highest high church caliber and teach the Real Presence? Asking for a friend…
The first question for me would be whether the sacraments are valid: that is, are the clergy validly ordained? The second would be whether it is a church with a community that would support me and my family in their growth in Christ, or rather distract from it. The third would be whether, should the preaching not nourish, there is somewhere else I might go for that (perhaps for an evening service, online theology forum or Bible study group), in whatever church or denomination. Finally, the question would be, what are the alternatives? As a priest, I would want to establish an alternative Anglican presence in the area, but you may not have any clergy to hand. If I were a layman and there was a sound Roman or Orthodox church but no sound Anglican parish to hand, then that is where I would look.
1. Overemphasis on Passivity – Zahl’s theology can lead to a very passive view of Christian life. While he rightly critiques moralism, his reluctance to engage with sanctification in any meaningful way can give the impression that Christian transformation is either irrelevant or entirely out of the believer’s hands.
2. Neglect of Ecclesiology – His theology is highly individualistic. While he recognizes the value of the church, his emphasis on personal experience of grace sometimes downplays the communal and sacramental dimensions of Christianity. His approach contrasts with more liturgically rooted Anglican and Catholic traditions, which see grace as mediated through the church.
3. Limited Engagement with Theosis – Zahl’s heavy reliance on Luther and Cranmer makes his theology feel incomplete when compared to Eastern Christianity’s emphasis on theosis (union with God). His focus on justification as the central Christian doctrine leaves little room for the transformative vision of salvation found in figures like Irenaeus, Athanasius, or Maximus the Confessor.
4. Potential Antinomianism – While Zahl would reject outright antinomianism (the idea that Christians are not bound by any moral law), his theology tends to leave little room for ethical formation. His strong aversion to any kind of moral exhortation sometimes makes it difficult to see how Christian discipleship should be lived out.
So why did the then Prince Charles launch the WEF Great Reset? This is an unholy agenda placing technocracy in the dominant position over humanity and over God. He is either too stupid to realise what he did, or duplicitous.
I’m delighted to hear it and pray for their success, but fear that they are held back by hostile bishops and an at best disinterested pontiff. Readers may be able to correct me!
Father, I too hope for the revival of the Church of England, but I do so from the vantage of a Western-Rite Orthodox Christian (a small but mighty minority in the US under the Antiochian Patriarchate). My hope for English revival is tandem to my belief that this revival will come about as a result of reunion between the English and Eastern churches, which, I’m sure you know, is a long and storied dialogue. My prayers are with you, from America -Sdn. Christopher
Thank you for this! I’m Orthodox and had seen stuff floating around about King Charles and Orthodoxy but wasn’t sure how legitimate it was. Appreciate your perspective!
From America: thank you, Father. This was a wonderfully articulated and hope-filled piece. May God make what you've written so in the CoE. Maranatha!
Maranatha indeed, and thank you.
Thank you for this - it is marvelous. The 'ripe for a takeover' conclusion is excellent. I had not realized the extent of the trend-mongering in the CoE in recent years, the worst part of which comes when all is just form and posture, political and sparkling, but with no real meaning or sense of serious belief. Nothing to 'go to the stake for', suspect of not even thought worthy of withstanding any social downgrading or ridicule.
I was very curious and excited to meet Bishop Anthony Poggo in October, having read his "Thy Kingdom Come" Novena booklet over the course with a friend over Zoom. The bishops of Japan had looked at the Lambeth Palace booklet in English and decided that having each of them write a chapter in Japanese would be better than translating the official English booklet. Translation can be cruel to text that lacks the force of belief that any of it actually matters. We might have used the NSKK booklet, but my friend did not read Japanese.
As we host the Ukrainian Orthodox services twice a month, I've had renewed opportunity to talk with Fr. Paul Koroluk, their ArchPriest, which combined with various people I've met and known over the years, has given me a very mixed view of that denomination, from Russian to Greek to Ukrainian. The theology is good and sound. But that is more for Sister Vassa to talk about.
Grace and Peace to you Father.
Honestly and fairly spoken.🏴✍🏼☦️
Thank you, onward to Bethlehem ✨
Thank you. I have tried to be balanced, though my own proclivities are pretty clear, I think. May God be our judge.
Thank you for this Fr. As a South African who straddles the Anglican (Gafcon) and Orthodox church (but not officially part of either), it is always good to read insights from those who equally value both yet are better equipped to articulate the dynamics and tensions. I've even been dubbed the 'anglidox' in the orthodox church where I sing as part of the choir. Been stuck in this liminal space for a long time and for various reasons and as much as one wants to be a bridge-builder, full communal participation remains the most spiritually healthy option. Time will tell.
On another note, I miss the Liturgical Asia podcast - any future podcasts or writings in the pipeline?
I am glad to be helpful. The post is by no means meant as a sales pitch for Anglicanism, but rather a rationale for those of us who are there to justifying remaining so. If you were to become Orthodox, that would not stop you from participating in Anglican worship in everything short of receiving Communion (from the Orthodox perspective, not ours). For the layman, that remains an option. Not so for the ordained!
Or ......you could acknowledge that Henry VIII was a chancer, that the whole project was a wrong turn, that many great things have come out of of it (not least the wonderful English Hymnal) but it is now time for Orthodox Anglicans to come back to Rome- and help course correct the Catholic Church which is also weighed down by modernist, liberal ideas. I pray for orthodox people across all the denominations -- Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist , Episcopalian ...to work together and come together, and focus on what they share (Natural Law + Christ) rather than what divides them. Jesus will arbitrate on theological differences...but seriously, big picture....he wants us to work together
What if there are no ACNA or continuing parishes near and the one local traditional TEC parish is like hyper grace Paul Zahl Lutheran in their soteriology? Though their liturgy is of the highest high church caliber and teach the Real Presence? Asking for a friend…
I’m going to have to look up Paul Zahl before I can reply!
Oh dear!
The first question for me would be whether the sacraments are valid: that is, are the clergy validly ordained? The second would be whether it is a church with a community that would support me and my family in their growth in Christ, or rather distract from it. The third would be whether, should the preaching not nourish, there is somewhere else I might go for that (perhaps for an evening service, online theology forum or Bible study group), in whatever church or denomination. Finally, the question would be, what are the alternatives? As a priest, I would want to establish an alternative Anglican presence in the area, but you may not have any clergy to hand. If I were a layman and there was a sound Roman or Orthodox church but no sound Anglican parish to hand, then that is where I would look.
From ChatGPT…
1. Overemphasis on Passivity – Zahl’s theology can lead to a very passive view of Christian life. While he rightly critiques moralism, his reluctance to engage with sanctification in any meaningful way can give the impression that Christian transformation is either irrelevant or entirely out of the believer’s hands.
2. Neglect of Ecclesiology – His theology is highly individualistic. While he recognizes the value of the church, his emphasis on personal experience of grace sometimes downplays the communal and sacramental dimensions of Christianity. His approach contrasts with more liturgically rooted Anglican and Catholic traditions, which see grace as mediated through the church.
3. Limited Engagement with Theosis – Zahl’s heavy reliance on Luther and Cranmer makes his theology feel incomplete when compared to Eastern Christianity’s emphasis on theosis (union with God). His focus on justification as the central Christian doctrine leaves little room for the transformative vision of salvation found in figures like Irenaeus, Athanasius, or Maximus the Confessor.
4. Potential Antinomianism – While Zahl would reject outright antinomianism (the idea that Christians are not bound by any moral law), his theology tends to leave little room for ethical formation. His strong aversion to any kind of moral exhortation sometimes makes it difficult to see how Christian discipleship should be lived out.
So why did the then Prince Charles launch the WEF Great Reset? This is an unholy agenda placing technocracy in the dominant position over humanity and over God. He is either too stupid to realise what he did, or duplicitous.
On this, I fear I do not have anything of value to say. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction?
I believe he is luciferian.
What of the Ordinariates? The prayer book tradition is indeed strongly held within, and they are growing, particularly among young people.
I’m delighted to hear it and pray for their success, but fear that they are held back by hostile bishops and an at best disinterested pontiff. Readers may be able to correct me!
Father, I too hope for the revival of the Church of England, but I do so from the vantage of a Western-Rite Orthodox Christian (a small but mighty minority in the US under the Antiochian Patriarchate). My hope for English revival is tandem to my belief that this revival will come about as a result of reunion between the English and Eastern churches, which, I’m sure you know, is a long and storied dialogue. My prayers are with you, from America -Sdn. Christopher
Dear Subdeacon Christopher,
I am very grateful for your charitable response and have Western Rite friends in the States. Yours is a very attractive position!