Publications by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
Holy Wisdom (St. Sophia Quarterly), 2025
The prayers of the Church are rich with theological meaning and poetic grace. While their overt s... more The prayers of the Church are rich with theological meaning and poetic grace. While their overt spiritual and doctrinal significance is frequently analyzed, this paper explores their more subtle effects—specifically how repetitive, structured prayer shapes our instincts, intellect, heart, and sense of community. Drawing from ritual theory, Orthodox theology, and sociology, I argue that the daily prayer rule not only expresses but incarnates theological truth; forming believers so that they can live well, think rightly, and behave as proper imagers of God. Far from empty repetition, the prayer rule is shown to be a dynamic tool of transformation for individuals and communities.
Holy Wisdom (St. Sophia Quarterly), 2025
This paper explores the foundational principles of sacramental theology through the lens of creat... more This paper explores the foundational principles of sacramental theology through the lens of creation, fall, redemption, and worship, emphasizing the liturgical nature of the world and humanity’s priestly vocation within it. Drawing on biblical narratives—particularly Genesis—it presents the world as originally ordered by God through a divine liturgy, with humanity called to nurture creation in harmony with its Creator. The fall introduced distortion into every human endeavor, including relationships, work, and artistic expression. Music serves as a central metaphor, illustrating how careful listening, unity, and harmony can train individuals toward spiritual perfection and communion. The Divine Liturgy, particularly in the Orthodox tradition, is shown to embody this theological vision through three interwoven layers: sacred music, inspired liturgical texts, and the communal, incarnational act of worship. These elements not only reflect divine beauty but also participate in the transformative work of Christ in the world. The paper concludes with a reflection on apophatic theology, asserting that at the heart of all liturgical pattern lies the ineffable mystery of God, best approached in reverent silence.
Holy Wisdom (St. Sophia Quarterly), 2024
The Church needs different people. All - both those who are distinguished by a gentle disposition... more The Church needs different people. All - both those who are distinguished by a gentle disposition and those who are severe in temper - bring their ministry to the Church. The human body needs different food - both sweet and sour, even bitter dandelion leaves are needed. After all, every food has its own substances and vitamins. Likewise, the Body of the Church needs people of any kind. One person makes up for the temper of another. Each of us is obliged to endure not only the peculiarities of the spiritual makeup of our neighbor, but even those weaknesses that exist in him as a person. Unfortunately, some have unreasonable complaints about others. They want everyone to be of the same spiritual make-up as themselves, and when another person differs from them, for example, in a more condescending or harsh character, they immediately come to the conclusion that he is not a spiritual person. - St. Paisios the Athonite
The Mystical Tradition of the Eastern Church: Studies in Patristics, Liturgy, and Practice (edited by Sergey Trostyanskiy and Jess Gilbert), 2019
There are various ways of describing the road to theosis of the acquisition fo the Holy Spirit. ... more There are various ways of describing the road to theosis of the acquisition fo the Holy Spirit. Vladimir Lossky describes the "ascent towards perfect union" as being composed of two inseparable stages: action and contemplation. Action, here meaning the ascetic disciplines of Orthodoxy, is the mechanism that tames the flesh. Right action eventually leads it to a state of stillness and immunity from the passions of the world. Contemplation is developed through acts of the intellect (to include apophaticism), but has as its goal an explicitly inactive state of quiet vigilence. This paper uses findings from the field of psychology (especially the work of Daniel Kahneman and Jonathan Haidt) and examples from parish life to describe how common Orthodox rituals do this work of stilling the passions so that contemplation can occur without outside distraction. It then goes on to explain how Orthopraxis can create a safe and sustainable state for those who are as of yet incapable of or unready for the advanced word of quiet vigilance. In this intermediate state, ascetic disciplines tame the will, rituals strengthen the moral instincts, and positive theology imbues rituals with meaning, thus allowing actions of the body and mind to work together in accordance with God's will and grace. The resulting state provides a safe and stable foundation for the next step of transformation. The paper ends with a call for an increased focus on Orthopraxis and ritual apologetics at the parish level.
Published on the website of the Foreign Policy Research Institute., 2017
This essay is adapted from the 21th Annual Templeton Lecture on Religion and World Affairs delive... more This essay is adapted from the 21th Annual Templeton Lecture on Religion and World Affairs delivered on November 7, 2017, at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Ukrainian Quarterly: A Journal of Ukrainian and International Affairs, 2017
There is an ancient tradition within Christianity whose worship and culture are distinctly Easter... more There is an ancient tradition within Christianity whose worship and culture are distinctly Eastern, Byzantine/Greek, and Orthodox. In Ukraine there are four large Churches that are part of this tradition: the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), the Ukrainian Autocephalist Orthodox Church (UAOC), and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP). All of these Churches have the same commitment to salvation through Christ, the same belief in the reality and efficacy of the Holy Mysteries (or Sacraments), the same (or very similar) Rite of Worship, and the same (or very similar) ecclesiology (e.g. “apostolic succession”). Ironically, they also profess the same commitment to fulfilling God's desire that “we all be one as He is one” (St. John 17:22b). This is ironic because none of these groups, despite their common beliefs, culture, and purpose, are in communion with one another. Instead, they have parallel structures and often act more like competitors than brothers in our Lord Jesus Christ. In this paper, I describe the common genesis of these Churches and the five “moments” that led to their division, how their disorder asserted itself in America, how some of these divisions in America have been overcome, and how this reconciliation provides reason for our hope of closer ecclesiastical cooperation and even unity in Ukraine.
Southeastern Political Review. 27:4. , 1999
The manner by which politicians attempt to mobilize support helps determine the character and qua... more The manner by which politicians attempt to mobilize support helps determine the character and quality of democracy, as well as the possibility for democratic consoliciation. This article argues that the mobilization strategies politicians pursue as they attempt to win elections are affected by their access to seconciary organizations, patronage, mass media outlets, and the electoral system. The results suggest that in cases where only one of these resources is available, the model performs as expected In cases where multiple options are available, the politicians seem to prefer indirect method of mobilization to direct ones, as well as using state patronage to support their efforts.
Party Politics, 1996
This paper represents part of an ongoing attempt to understand the nature of party formation and ... more This paper represents part of an ongoing attempt to understand the nature of party formation and change in electoral democracies. The original goal was to account for the weakness of East European parties and party systems. This remains an important topic because weak parties are thought to be indicative of weaknesses in the democratic regimes themselves. Finding the theories of area specialists lacking, the author turned
to traditional theories of party formation and change, which were created to explain these phenomena in the western setting. These theories, combined with the contextual insights provided by area specialists, provide considerable leverage on the question of party formation and change in Eastern Europe. In this paper, the author attempts to develop and provide evidence in support of a theory of party formation based on political choice in which actors operate not in a vacuum, but in a context that both constrains and provides resources for agency.
Conference Papers by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
Paper presented at the Conference on "Evil and Spiritual Combat in a time of Pandemic" at Union Theological Seminary, New York, NT, 2020
One of the challenges of our present spiritual situation is that our society has settled for some... more One of the challenges of our present spiritual situation is that our society has settled for something less than truth. This affects the quality of our opinions, policies, and judgments and undermines our ability to live and spread the Gospel. One of the indicators of the seriousness of this is our growing inability to listen to, learn from, and love people who think differently than we do. In this paper, I frame the situation as a problem of discernment, compare scientific and Orthodox methods of knowing, and describe how we are failing to use either well. I conclude with a discussion of the critical role diversity plays in discerning truth, showing how the very things that currently divide us can bring us closer to a knowledge of the truth. This paper is a celebration of the practical power of the Gospel; our growing unity in Christ increases our ability to know, serve, and love.
Paper presented at the International Orthodox Theological Association on 9-12 January 2019 in Iasi, Romania., 2019
What is the relationship between ritual actions and moral development How does Orthopraxis mold ... more What is the relationship between ritual actions and moral development How does Orthopraxis mold believers into virtuous people? More specifically, what role do common Orthodox practices like prostrations, prayer rules, fasting, and kissing the hands of priests and bishops play in the strengthening of certain "conservative" moral instincts (i.e. sanctity, respect for authority/tradition, and loyalty)? Answering these questions is of more than just academic interest: it can help us more successfully foster a parish and family life that creates authentic and well-rounded saints. This paper uses findings from the field of psychology and examples from parish life to discern the link between Orthodox rituals and Orthodox morality, making the case that Orthodox rituals play a role in training all three parts of the mind, but that it plays a special role in training the instincts or gut.
Paper presented at the Sophia Institute Conference at Union Theological Seminary, New York NY., 2016
There are various ways of describing the road to theosis or the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. V... more There are various ways of describing the road to theosis or the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. Vladimir Lossky describes the " ascent towards perfect union " as being composed of two inseparable stages: action and contemplation (p. 202). Action, here meaning the ascetic disciplines of Orthodoxy, is the mechanism that tames the flesh (p. 203). Right action eventually leads it to a state of stillness and immunity from the passions of the world (pps. 199-200). Contemplation is developed through acts of the intellect (to include apophaticism), but has as its goal an explicitly inactive state of quiet vigilance (pps. 203-204). This paper uses findings from the field of psychology (especially the work of Daniel Kahneman and Jonathan Haidt) and examples from parish life to describe how common Orthodox rituals do this work of stilling the passions so that contemplation can occur without outside distraction. It then goes on to explain how Orthopraxis can create a safe and sustainable spiritual state for those who are as of yet incapable of or unready for the advanced work of quiet vigilance. In this intermediate stage, ascetic disciplines tame the will, rituals strengthen the moral instincts, and positive theology imbues rituals with meaning (p. 189), thus allowing actions of the body and mind to work together in accordance with God's will and grace (p. 180). The resulting state provides a safe and stable foundation for the next step of transformation. The paper ends with a call for an increased focus on Orthopraxis and ritual apologetics at the parish level.
There is an ancient tradition within Christianity whose worship and culture are distinctly Easter... more There is an ancient tradition within Christianity whose worship and culture are distinctly Eastern, Byzantine/Greek, and Orthodox. In Ukraine there are four large Churches that are part of this tradition: the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), the Ukrainian Autocephalist Orthodox Church (UAOC), and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP). All of these Churches have the same commitment to salvation through Christ, the same belief in the reality and efficacy of the Holy Mysteries (or Sacraments), the same (or very similar) Rite of Worship, and the same (or very similar) ecclesiology (e.g. “apostolic succession”). Ironically, they also profess the same commitment to fulfilling God's desire that “we all be one as He is one” (St. John 17:22b). This is ironic because none of these groups, despite their common beliefs, culture, and purpose, are in communion with one another. Instead, they have parallel structures and often act more like competitors than brothers in our Lord Jesus Christ. In this paper, I describe the common genesis of these Churches and the five “moments” that led to their division, how their disorder asserted itself in America, how some of these divisions in America have been overcome, and how this reconciliation provides reason for our hope of closer ecclesiastical cooperation and even unity in Ukraine.
Keynote Presentation at the Orthodox Christianity and Humanitarianism Conference at Hellenic College, Brookline MA., 2015
It is such a great blessing to be among such prominent clergy, theologians and activists, and I a... more It is such a great blessing to be among such prominent clergy, theologians and activists, and I am honored and humbled to be giving the keynote at this wonderful conference.
I am Fr. Anthony Perkins, a parish priest and part-time seminary professor and administrator. I am not His Grace, Bishop Daniel, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Diocese and President of the Consistory of the UOC-USA. He is a great humanitarian who spends a great deal of time ministering to both the spiritual needs of his flock here and to the physical needs of suffering people in the country of his birth, Ukraine. I work for His Grace on the Consistory, with him on our Metropolitan Council, and for him as a professor, administrator, and as the Vocations Director of St. Sophia Seminary. I have heard him speak many times about his charitable work in Ukraine and have had many discussions about the challenges and blessings of that work.
While I will use examples from his ministry, I will be speaking more generally about what it means to be human and a humanitarian, and some of the ways we can miss the mark. Of course, throughout my talk I will be taking advantage of the insights into providing humanitarian aid His Grace, Bishop Daniel, has given me. In general, if it sounds really good I am sure to be paraphrasing him.
Paper presented at the 2001 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association in Bosto... more Paper presented at the 2001 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association in Boston, MA.
Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Washington DC. , 2000
Recently there has been a renewed interest in the merit, both normative and practical, of politi... more Recently there has been a renewed interest in the merit, both normative and practical, of political machines and their formation (Kitschelt 2000). This research uses observations from Europe, Russia, and South Africa to explain the formation and non-formation of patronage-based political parties. In order to make a better case for causation, the comparative analysis provided is augmented by the use of a micro-level rational choice mechanism. My model demonstrates how the incentive structure surrounding individual politicians changes the relative utility of the machine strategy and largely determines the type of party organizations that are likely to result. I argue that under certain conditions, such as those observed in parts of Europe, political machines helped consolidate democracy by strengthening and institutionalizing political parties. Alternatively, under other conditions, such as those obtained in contemporary Russia and, perhaps, South Africa, citizens are deprived of similar positive externalities.
Book Reviews by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
Religion and Liberty, 2018
These are difficult times that divide Christians from their neighbors and from one another. In la... more These are difficult times that divide Christians from their neighbors and from one another. In large part this is because we do not agree on how to relate with secular culture and which parts of it, if any, can be blessed. Eastern Orthodox theologian and ethicist Vigen Guroian’s new analysis of secularism and how it insulates us from the power of the Gospel is timely and spot on. We can look to his work, and especially the collection of essays in The Orthodox Reality: Culture, Theology, and Ethics in the Modern World (Baker Academic, 2018), to see where he comes down on each of the major issues. He is, for example, pro-life, pro-traditional marriage and family, and pro-reestablishment of communion between East and West. But his views on specific issues are less important than understanding the process he used to arrive at them. His main point is that the widespread application of that process – a living connection to God through traditional worship – would lead, not just to a consensus on issues, but to the creation of a culture that can actually replace (rather than just battle) secularism.
Religion and Liberty, 2017
“It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.... more “It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” – Abraham H. Maslow in Toward a Psychology of Being.
And if that hammer is the power of the state, and if the wielder is unconstrained by morality or a worthy goal, then the result is bound to be a hell on earth for everyone but the wielder. This was certainly the case of Stalin and what he did to Ukraine. Anne Applebaum’s Red Famine describes how the Soviet regime turned the breadbasket of Europe into an Armageddon where neighbor turned on neighbor, millions were starved to death and the Communists showed themselves to be priests, crusaders, jailers and torturers for the Evil One.
Religion and Liberty, 2016
It is hard to get objective information about Ukraine. This isn’t just because the initial frame ... more It is hard to get objective information about Ukraine. This isn’t just because the initial frame through which most of us encountered Ukraine presented her as a territory of Imperial Russia or the Soviet Union. Nor is it simply a result of the confusion about facts and intentions that always exist when one country invades or annexes part of another. Both of these certainly come into play, but they are exacerbated by Moscow’s aggressive information strategy that is as much directed toward undermining Western ideological hegemony abroad as it is at reinforcing its own at home. The fact that the West is trying to do the same thing in reverse and that both Moscow and the West define Ukraine in a way that bolsters their own cause means that Ukraine is rarely seen on its own terms.
Can it happen again? A review of Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939
Religion and Liberty. 27:1, 2017
Ullrich’s book succeeds in demythologizing Hitler and thus provides a great service to modern rea... more Ullrich’s book succeeds in demythologizing Hitler and thus provides a great service to modern readers. That is not to say that this service is likely to bring us comfort. Studying Hitler as a man makes it clear that the horrific things he did could indeed happen again. He was a wicked man with a horrific agenda, but his enabling trait was his ability as a tactician. What is to keep a similarly wicked man and strong tactical skills from spreading chaos? The answer does not come from Ullrich’s book, it comes from our Founding Fathers. The thing that will protect us from new Hitlers is the same thing that has protected us from tyranny for the past 230 years: A liberal democracy that decentralizes economic and political power.
Using a love story to tell the world about the Holodomor; a review of the 2017 film Bitter Harvest.
Religion & Liberty, 27:2, 2017
The movie is far from perfect. For instance, I am not convinced it provides enough information ab... more The movie is far from perfect. For instance, I am not convinced it provides enough information about the Soviet regime and its policies for its actions and motivations to make sense to most viewers. Moreover, many will be turned off by the movie’s style. The acting is solid, but the characters are intentionally exaggerated if not caricatured. However, it could have been worse. In other hands, there might have been an attempt to sympathize with or even excuse the totalitarian Communist regime and the men who worked to enforce its evil policies. My hope, like that of its creators, is that Bitter Harvest will help make the tragedy of the Holodomor more well-known and the ideology and symbols of Communism better understood and reviled.
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Publications by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
to traditional theories of party formation and change, which were created to explain these phenomena in the western setting. These theories, combined with the contextual insights provided by area specialists, provide considerable leverage on the question of party formation and change in Eastern Europe. In this paper, the author attempts to develop and provide evidence in support of a theory of party formation based on political choice in which actors operate not in a vacuum, but in a context that both constrains and provides resources for agency.
Conference Papers by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
I am Fr. Anthony Perkins, a parish priest and part-time seminary professor and administrator. I am not His Grace, Bishop Daniel, Ruling Hierarch of the Western Diocese and President of the Consistory of the UOC-USA. He is a great humanitarian who spends a great deal of time ministering to both the spiritual needs of his flock here and to the physical needs of suffering people in the country of his birth, Ukraine. I work for His Grace on the Consistory, with him on our Metropolitan Council, and for him as a professor, administrator, and as the Vocations Director of St. Sophia Seminary. I have heard him speak many times about his charitable work in Ukraine and have had many discussions about the challenges and blessings of that work.
While I will use examples from his ministry, I will be speaking more generally about what it means to be human and a humanitarian, and some of the ways we can miss the mark. Of course, throughout my talk I will be taking advantage of the insights into providing humanitarian aid His Grace, Bishop Daniel, has given me. In general, if it sounds really good I am sure to be paraphrasing him.
Book Reviews by V. Rev. (Douglas) Anthony Perkins
And if that hammer is the power of the state, and if the wielder is unconstrained by morality or a worthy goal, then the result is bound to be a hell on earth for everyone but the wielder. This was certainly the case of Stalin and what he did to Ukraine. Anne Applebaum’s Red Famine describes how the Soviet regime turned the breadbasket of Europe into an Armageddon where neighbor turned on neighbor, millions were starved to death and the Communists showed themselves to be priests, crusaders, jailers and torturers for the Evil One.