Financial transparency within the Church is not merely a matter of good governance and legal and regulatory compliance; it is a practical expression of a spiritual obligation. In an age when trust in institutions is often fragile, the way a church manages and communicates its financial affairs speaks volumes about its integrity, prudence, and witness to the world.

Washington state agrees to a permanent injunction against a provision of its mandatory child abuse reporting law that would have criminalized priests upholding the sacred seal of confession. 

The recent mass shootings at churches in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Grand Blanc Township, Michigan highlight the growing risk of violence targeting faith communities. It is a sad commentary that the Church, as a hospital for sinners and those who seek to repent, are no longer spared from those who opt to act out their anger and pain with violence. Failure to adequately prepare can result in tragedy as well as legal liability.

The vocation of law becomes a training ground for the spiritual life. Just as we are called to examine the “plank in our own eye,” we are also called to examine the weaknesses in our own arguments. Just as we are called to see all men as good, we are also called to see the merit in the opposing counsel’s position.

"The way of the world often times leaves us in a place of uncertainty...we find ourselves in a whirlpool and wonder what the point of spinning in the whirlpool is if we are never going to reach the sea."  - Bishop Serafim (Baltić)

Once people you meet learn you are a lawyer, you know what typically happens next. There’s usually a joke or maybe a snide comment, delivered perhaps as a nervous reaction. Telling someone you're a lawyer doesn't naturally put most people at ease, after all. . .

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops has joined amicus briefs advocating for the protection of religious freedom principles in various courts. The Orthodox Church in America and other Orthodox jurisdictions have sued the state of Washington for removing the clergy-penitent privilege as applied to its mandatory reporting law.

The legal profession is extremely demanding of our time which impinges on the time spent with our spouses and family. Now add to that the role of a ministry leader at a parish -- juggling these roles with our family lives is not easy. It is here that prioritizing and time management are critical. Let us look at the order of priority in the three most important areas of family, work, and church ministry.

A young attorney recently told me that when she told her family she wanted to become a lawyer, an uncle asked, incredulously, “You’re a good Christian, why would you want to be a lawyer?!” I’m sure many of us attorneys have heard some version of this sentiment about lawyers during our careers.

Overcoming Burnout through Prayer, Community, and the Sacramental Life

The legal profession is both intellectually demanding and emotionally taxing. We often face strict deadlines, high-stakes disputes, and the pressure to perform flawlessly before clients and tribunals. Add the constant mental engagement required for research, drafting, and negotiation, and it’s no wonder that burnout is a common and serious challenge. Yet, as Orthodox Christians, we have access to a wellspring of spiritual nourishment that can help us navigate these demands without losing ourselves.

Examples of Lawyers Glorified by the Orthodox Church 

The legal profession has existed for millennia and has enjoyed great respect and prominence throughout its history. Many famous people who excelled in a variety of areas started as lawyers. Among the Orthodox saints, there are also several members of the legal profession. Some abandoned jurisprudence for the service of God, others ascended to sainthood while practising law.

Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) wrote in 1984, “During the first one thousand years of her existence, the Church was courageous enough to respond to the challenges of her time. Many local councils were called and seven ecumenical councils were convened to deal with important issues which the Church had to face. What happened to that dynamism which characterized the life of the Church between Pentecost and the Tenth century? Did God stop speaking to the Church? . . . Why is it that every time there is a moral issue to be discussed, a Protestant, a Roman Catholic, and a Jew are invited for such discussion? How can we explain our Orthodox absence, despite the authenticity of our theology and moral teachings?”

Our natural inclination may be to compartmentalize our lives: Sundays are for church and God; the rest of the week is for work. However, the mystery of holy water—the sanctification of the most basic element of human life—teaches us that our entire lives can be sanctified...

It’s that time of year, again, when we reflect on our professional successes and lessons learned and prepare for a fresh start in the new year. Similarly, we are provided an opportunity to ponder as we prepare for the Feast of the Nativity.

On election night 2024, my perspective changed. On election night, I was reminded of what matters most. I was reminded, once again, of why I am a Christian...

Many Americans believe we are upon one of the most momentous elections in the history of our nation, with strong views on both sides of the political spectrum. Each side thinks the other is going to cause the downfall of democracy...

"If, as an attorney or technician within the fields of law or administration in modern society, an Orthodox Christian does not transmit the Orthodox vision, he will then himself be assimilated to the very mentality he is called upon to change. . ."

- Address by Bishop Maxim (Vasiljevic), OCAN Gathering, Oct. 27, 2017

In the Orthodox Church, we’re often tempted to think that only clergy do “work” for the Lord. But this is not only false, it’s a shirking of our duties as Christians to serve the Lord in all that we do.

A well-meaning volunteer finds a photo of happy volunteers on the web to accompany the priest’s article on service to others.  The article is posted on the church website to edify the faithful. Three years later, the church receives a cease and desist letter from the law firm of Soo & Kollect demanding $1,500 for copyright infringement for use of the photo. Sound outrageous? Yes, but unfortunately this scenario is all too common today, including among Orthodox churches.  What can churches do to protect themselves?

As Orthodox Christians, names mean something to us.  As attorneys, definitions matter. What about our name, “Orthodox Christian Attorneys Network”? What do each of the words mean and how do they relate to each other?  What do they reveal about who we are?

It’s summer and our social calendars have exploded with activity. Our caseload remains high and the occasional emergency appears to be occurring every week. The one constant thread, our Orthodox faith, remains steady. However, the frequency of the clashing demands for our time seems to be increasing.

As Orthodox Christians, we have an opportunity to integrate our faith, our family life and our professional work, as well as our volunteer work, in fostering spiritual growth and witness . . . 

The legal career is not exactly the most conducive to a life of prayer, reflection, and holiness. The billable hour can be tyrannical. Interacting with opposing counsel can be combative and anxiety-inducing. The track to partnership can be a rat race. And the law firm culture is, as they say, a jealous mistress. . .

The Orthodox Christian Attorney Network (OCAN) is pleased to announce its establishment as a formal nonprofit corporation, marking a significant milestone in its journey to minister to Orthodox attorneys and serve the Orthodox Church at large.