Preface to “On the Dogma of the Church” by St. Hilarion Troitsky

From the Publisher's Overview: On the Dogma of the Church: An Historical Overview of the Sources of Ecclesiology, the Holy Hieromartyr Hilarion (Troitsky) explores patristic resources from the early centuries of Christianity. He brings seminal works at the periphery of the consciousness of every Christian to the forefront as living witnesses to the unbroken tradition of the Church. St. Hilarion's staggeringly extensive familiarity with sources both patristic and modern, coupled with his own lucid thinking and profoundly Orthodox outlook, superbly equip him for his extensive analysis of the subject. BUY the book: https://uncutmountainpress.com/shop/product/overview-of-the-dogma-concerning-the-church/ This recording was originally posted on the  @OrthodoxEthos  channel: https://youtu.be/3wTQKWCbJPI WATCH more on St. Hilarion's book: --OE EXTENDED PODCAST: NEW BOOK: On The DOGMA of the CHURCH by St. Hilarion Troitsky (UMP) https://www.youtube.com/live/kQ2EDb9b2mQ?feature=share --On the Dogma of the Church (BOOK TRAILER) - by Saint Hilarion Troitsky https://youtu.be/J_2NIJFfE-w LISTEN to more from St. Hilarion: --Christianity or the Church? - St. Hilarion Troitsky (Pt. I/III) https://youtu.be/zh2OwJhlxG4 --The History of the Baptism/Chrismation Controversy according to St. Hilarion Troitsky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyU7oVMQViU&ab_channel=GregoryDecapolite --Christianity and Socialism - St. Hilarion, New Martyr of Russia https://youtu.be/OIIUuFXMjQM --Holy Scripture and The Church - St. Hilarion Troitsky (Pt. I/III) https://youtu.be/vcpkGHs96A4 --The Incarnation and Humility - St. Hilarion Troitsky https://youtu.be/C1_eYN9b4iQ _______ St. Hilarion writes in the Preface: The dogma concerning the Church may be termed the self-identification of the Church. It is this dogma that determines what the Church is and what distinguishes it from all that is not the Church. The Church is not a phenomenon of the natural earthly order: the mysterious depths of church life, in accordance with the unfailing promise of Christ the Savior, are always and invariably enveloped by the grace-filled power of the Holy Spirit. The full depth of this mystical life of the Church is not of course subject to logical definitions and scholarly research: it is given directly to him who participates in it, as Hilary of Poitiers expressed in the words: "This is the peculiar property of the Church, that when she makes herself known, then she is understood.” (On the Trinity 7.4). For this reason we may say that the self-identification of the Church is experienced specifically by one who dwells in the Church and is a living member of her living body. One cannot help but notice how in our time questions arise and are discussed that have long been quite sufficiently resolved by the writers of the ancient Church. Who is not aware that the question of the Church is the chief, principle question in modern polemics with sectarianism in various forms? And of course, in conducting these polemics one must always bear in mind the dogmatic conclusions reached by the theological thought of the ancient Church. This is why a study on the history of the dogma concerning the Church is able to meet the modern needs of church life. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!