The Church

Ecclesiastical Polity and Life on the Ground

• John Meyendorff, "Christian Marriage in Byzantium: The Canonical and Liturgical Tradition": Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 44 (1990), pp. 99-107.

• J. A. McGuckin, "A Conflicted Heritage: The Byzantine Religious Establishment of a War Ethic" (Dumbarton Oaks Papers, Vol. 65/66 (2011-2012)), pp. 29-44. An important discussion of the attitude of the Eastern fathers toward war and peace, conflict and pacifism, empire and church.
• Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh (+2003), "The Authority of the Powerless Church": interview with M. B. Meilakh in London, printed in Literator, an organ of the Leningrad Writers’ Organization, on September 21, 1990. Spoken on the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vladyka Anthony’s words have only gained relevance with time.
• The Canons of the Seven Ecumenical Councils: the entire corpus of canons of the seven councils considered "ecumenical" or "universal" by the Orthodox Church (later synods, such as Vatican II, are considered to be local councils only). This text given here is that of the Pedalion, compiled by St Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain (D. Cummings, trans. The Rudder: Orthodox Christian Educational Society, Chicago, 1957). For a comment on the these councils, their canons, and on the (qualified) significance of the Pedalion itself, see Archbishop Peter L'Huilleur's introductory remarks.
• Christos Yannaras, "The Church Canons and the Limits Set to Life": Chapter 10 of The Freedom of Morality (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY: 1984), pp. 173-193. An important statement on the nature of the canons.
• Christos Yannaras, "The Historical and Social Dimensions of the Church's Ethos", including section 9, "The Sole program— Reconstruction of the Parish". Chapter 11 of The Freedom of Morality (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY: 1984), pp. 223-229.