Judaism

Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been a growing interest among various Christian Churches in the history and religion of the Jewish people, accompanied by attempts at their renewed interpretation. At the same time, a renewed interest in the person of Jesus has been awakening among Jewish philosophers, theologians, and spiritual leaders. Within the Jewish community, congregations have emerged that accept Jesus as Lord while zealously preserving their Jewish identity. In this context, we present a lecture by Father Peter Hocken.

What does the Orthodox Church say about Judaism? How does it understand the shared roots and key differences between the two faiths? In this thoughtful and nuanced conversation, renowned Soviet Orthodox priest Fr. Alexander Men offers insight into the historical, theological, and spiritual connections between Christianity and Judaism — while also explaining why the paths of these two religions diverged.

In the published work, Father Sergey Mikhailovich Solovyov (1885–1941), the grandson of the famous historian and nephew of the renowned philosopher, highlights the spiritual barrenness of Judaism that rejected the Messiah, while at the same time urging us to "feel a deep concern for the people of Israel and believe that 'all Israel will be saved.'"

In a lecture on Judeo-Christianity delivered to an audience of Jews, Father Alexander Men explains the Christian faith using terms that are familiar within the framework of Judaism.