A reply to a visitor's question regarding the meaning of "chlenstvo", that is "membership" in a parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.

An answer to a question on cremation.

Two questions from a visitor regarding Christ Blessing Hands in Icons See answer

Could you please comment on the fact that The Jehovah's Witnesses claim all religions are false except those following the teachings of the Watchtower whose Governing Body has a direct channel to God! See answer

I am considering becoming a Jehovah's Wittness so that I may survive God's War of Armageddon, never die,  and live forever in my body on Earth, where I have experienced much happiness.
I would like your advice--please reply. See answer

Does the Ukrainian Orthodox church recognize Saint Austin? See answer

I and my fiancee are due to be married soon. She is Roman Catholic and although has agreed to have the service in my church, she has had some questions about altering the service a little. I told her that there is no> way that any musical instruments can be used in the churc and she gave in. However, her parents were married by a Ukrainian Catholic priest 30 years ago and they had the betrothal part of the ceremony in the front of the church rather than the back. I know that our traditions with the Uniate church are very similiar if not almost the same. Is it possible to have the betrothal part of the ceremony in the front of the church? Is it also possible to have a unity candle during the ceremony? Are these decisions up to my parishes priest or is it a doctrinal rule? See answer

What is the stand of the Orthodox Church regarding re-marriage when one person is divorced and the other has multiple partners?  Are both persons viewed the same? See Answer

I am a Protestant who has recently graduated with a biblical studies degree, and have learned more about Roman Catholics than I have before.  I have also been to a Greek Orthodox temple a couple of times as well, learning some about the Eastern Church. Towards the end of my education, I have learned that the Eastern Church considers the Roman Catholic Church heretics.  I was wondering what the reason behind that was. See Answer

I'm a Roman Catholic considering conversion to the Orthodox Faith.  I've read some articles on the internet and am confused as to whether I need to  bere-baptized.  Do you consider baptism in the Latin rite invalid?
I'm planing to attend my very first mass in your Faith and was wondering if I would be allowed to receive the Eucharist or do I need to go through some sort  of training first? See Answer

Can you please address the matter of Apostolic Succession with regard to the history of the Orthodox Church (including what the Church Fathers may have written about it) and secondly can you address Succession from a Scriptural perpective (including any Old and New Testament references to it!)  and what about the matter of the Catholic Roman Church claiming exclusivity with respect to the Petrine confession "thou art Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Church." See Answer

What is the Orthodox Church's stance on reincarnation? See Answer

My wife and I are expecting a child in the coming days. We would like to know what are the procedures we should go through for the child's first visit to church (do we wait until after the child is baptised before its first visit during church service)? What are the Ukrainian Orthodox traditions parents traditionally go through during the first few weeks of a child's life? See answer

What reasoning exists to explain the existence of a Ukrainian "Greek Catholic"/ Uniate/"Eastern Catholic" Church? Was it strictly the work of "conversion by coercion" or is there more to all of this? My own understanding is that through Kyrylo and Methodius, Ukraine's historical spiritual roots are more properly Orthodox than anything else. See answer

With Sviatiy Vechir Meal being a traditional lenten, Fast-Breaking Holy Dinner, is it correct to believe that the Day (and/or the period) leading to Holy Night, was traditionally a day of Fasting and Prayer? See answer

See our answer to a visitor's comments concerning Praying to Mary

I saw your site about the differences between Orthodox and Catholic  religions while I was looking for proof to show somebody that the Orthodox Religion was the original church and that Catholics broke off of the Orthodox and I am e-mailing you to see what you say and to prove that Orthodoxy is the 1st church. see answer

I am Ukrainian Orthodox, and have recently become engaged. I will be getting married in two years. I was discussing my plans with my mother,  when she told me that Ukrainian Orthodox weddings do not allow music  (i.e.: violin, flute, harp) during the ceremony.   Is this true and if so, why? See answer

Can a person be a Freemason (member of the Masonic Lodge) and be an Orthodox Christian? See answer

An answer to a question from a visitor on abortion.

On Sept.27 Orthodox Christians will be celebrating the Feastday of the Elevation of the Cross.I have read quite extensively on this Feastday and what I find somewhat confusing are the synonymns used with reference to this Feastday. Please explain: elevation; exhaltation; glorification; adoration; veneration. see answer

I have read your article about Hallowe'en on this website and am wondering if this is the official Orthodox view or if this is an opinion article. See answer

Two questions from a visitor:

Some people have told me that one of the traditions of the Orthodox Church is to give communion using a some sort of "spoon" tool. I was wondering, whether or not, this is true and I'd also like to know about other communion traditions.

In the Orthodox church, can married men become priests and still live with their families as long as the men are not intimate with their wives? See answers

An answer to a visitor's question regarding customs on Transfiguration Feast Day

Can an individual Orthodox believe in the Immaculate Conception? See answer

Q. Can an individual Orthodox believe that Our Lord is present in the Holy Eucharist through Transubstantiation?
A. All Orthodox Christians believe our Lord is present in the Holy Eucharist, although they prefer to use the word "Transmutation" rather than "Transubstantiation" (which means the same thing). 

A reply to a question from a visitor concerning participation of Non-Orthodox parents in marriages.

Our replies to a visitor's commentary regarding the validity of Catholic sacraments.

I am Roman Catholic and my fiance is Ukrainian Orthodox. My question to you is, do you know of a way we can combine the two ceremonies? We want to have all the traditional orthodox elements (the crowns, the binding of the hands etc.) but we also want the traditional catholic elements (the classic vows, my father walking me down the aisle etc.) We were hoping also to have both an orthodox minister and a catholic priest present. Is that allowed? Also, I've heard that if an orthodox person marries in another church, he or she would be essentially excommunicated. Is that true? see answer

In surfing through various websites which include the words "Orthodox" or "Orthodox Church," I have come to realize that not all those which call themselves by this name are necessarily in communion with all the others.  What makes the difference, and with which are the Ukrainian Orthodox in communion? see answer

I am a Ukrainian Orthodox member of the church and was Christened Orthodox and I was wondering if it is okay to take communion at a Catholic church? If not, please explain why. thank you.see answer