tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955546027620521292011-11-27T16:43:55.049-07:00Michaelnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1641100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-13509829744687794512011-07-27T16:10:00.001-07:002011-07-27T16:13:47.999-07:00

The Spiritual Root of Schism In recent times we have seen several examples of tiny groups of zealots, who have split away from various Local Orthodox Churches, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian and others. Their schisms have occurred on the self-justifying pretext that their participants alone have the pure Orthodox Faith and alone adhere to the canons. We have also seen, almost

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-721164033849113892011-07-04T21:28:00.002-07:002011-07-04T21:28:50.496-07:00

I have started a new blog site to journal my experiences at seminary. My post to this blog will be quite limited. http://stots-journal.blogspot.com/

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-41820289188785311462011-06-30T17:59:00.003-07:002011-07-04T08:29:30.158-07:00

This is one of the more personal posting that I have ever made here. Since enrolling in the Orthodox Pastoral School (which I highly recommend for those looking for an online theological education) I have largely neglected this blog. This neglect will likely only continue as I start my seminary education this fall at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary. I found out this news out only last week

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-78257574429742086032011-04-25T06:17:00.001-07:002011-04-25T06:18:42.957-07:00

The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia - Official Website: "NEW YORK: April 22, 2011 Paschal Epistle of Metropolitan HILARION of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia I greet you, fellow archpastors, and dear in Christ fathers, brothers, and sisters, with the luminous, universal, and eternal triumph of Holy Pascha. Along with you, I

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-55592942995641310732011-04-05T18:44:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:44:05.512-07:00

On Attendance Declining in Russian Churches in the West : A Russian Orthodox Church Website: "Why is Attendance Declining in Russian Churches in the West?Archpriest Serafim Gan Mar 23rd, 2011Archpriest Serafim GanThere are, of course, many reasons.The old emigration was more ideological: it was concerned with the instruction and upbringing of future generations in the spirit of Orthodoxy, with

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-59155071037324096582011-04-05T18:40:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:40:27.555-07:00

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-51375150773910582852010-10-12T20:44:00.000-07:002010-10-12T20:44:33.588-07:00

Saint Theophan the Recluse  It reached my ears that, as it seems, you consider my sermons very strict and believe that today no one should think this way, no one should be living this way and therefore, no one should be teaching this way. “Times have changed!”  How glad I was to hear this. This means that you listen carefully to what I say, and not only do you listen, but you are also

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-21328629389835388212010-09-21T08:59:00.000-07:002010-09-21T08:59:39.607-07:00

of Sainted Andrew, ArchBishop of Crete The present feastday is for us the beginning of feastdays. Serving as boundary limit to the law and to foretypes, it at the same time serves as a doorway to grace and truth. "For Christ is the end of the law" (Rom. 10: 4), Who, having freed us from the writing, doth raise us to spirit. Here is the end (to the law): in that the Lawgiver, having made

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-51744527640074647462010-09-18T08:35:00.001-07:002010-09-18T08:43:13.426-07:00

Holy Cross Monastery in West Virginia has become one of the most rapidly growing monastic communities in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. Media Office correspondents spent a week living amongst the monastics in order to gain a better understanding of the daily life of monks. Reader Peter Lukianov met with the deputy abbot of the monastery, Abbot Seraphim (Voepel), for an interview on the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-42490465010128108852010-09-17T08:25:00.000-07:002010-09-17T08:25:26.598-07:00

The assumption that every offense could cause violence insults Muslims. Is Michael Bloomberg to blame for the deaths of the 18 Muslim men in Indian-controlled Kashmir who rioted over reports that someone in America burned the Koran? Let’s think it through. As I explained at length in an earlier column, I believe that the New York City mayor could have stopped the Park51 (“Ground Zero mosque”)

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-9604129018859880952010-09-16T07:52:00.001-07:002010-09-16T07:54:25.316-07:00

THE PERSECUTION AND DEATH OF FR. MAXIM SANDOVICH A 2Oth Century Carpatho-Russian Martyr for Orthodoxy The Orthodox movement in Carpatho-Russia had deep roots and causes. The infamous union with Rome did not originate with the masses of the common people, but had been imposed through the machinations of the urban merchant class and a small minority of the clergy who greatly desired the same

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-28060287235928462372010-09-10T10:33:00.000-07:002010-09-10T10:33:49.389-07:00

Commemorated on August 28 The Monk Moses Murin the Black lived during the IV Century in Egypt. He was an Ethiopian, and he was black of skin and therefore called "Murin" (meaning "like an Ethiopian"). In his youth he was the slave of an important man, but after he committed a murder, his master banished him, and he joined in with a band of robbers. Because of his mean streak and great physical

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-63160314843505779292010-08-25T20:30:00.000-07:002010-08-25T20:30:17.364-07:00

Sainted Tikhon of Zadonsk, Bishop of VoronezhCommemorated on August 13 (O.S.) Glory be to God for everything! Glory be to God for having created me to His image and likeness. Glory be to God for having redeemed me, the fallen. Glory be to God for having extended his solicitude to me, the unworthy. Glory be to God for having led me, the sinner, to repentance. Glory be to God for having offered me

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-6913522028105692082010-08-22T20:31:00.000-07:002010-08-22T20:31:47.732-07:00

Commemorated on August 10 (O.S.) Sermon by Fr. John McCuen The holy martyr and archdeacon Laurence of Rome shows us the labors of a martyr, and the reward, both earthly and heavenly, that is paid to one who testifies to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even at the cost of one’s life. The holy martyr Laurence was an archdeacon and servant of the Pope, St. Sixtus, and the treasurer of the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-55801128382323133082010-08-16T19:46:00.000-07:002010-08-16T19:46:03.125-07:00

Developing the heart means developing within it a taste for things holy, divine, and spiritual, so that when it finds itself amidst such things it would feel as though it were in its element. Finding them sweet and blessed, it would be indifferent to all else, with no taste for anything else; and even more—it would find anything else revolting. All of man's spiritual activity centers in the heart

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-69119072558989174622010-08-15T14:39:00.000-07:002010-08-15T14:39:26.729-07:00

By St. Theophan the Recluse Developing the will means impressing upon it good dispositions or virtues—humility, meekness, patience, continence, submissiveness, helpfulness and so on—so that in blending with and grafting onto the will, the virtues would eventually constitute its very nature, and when something is undertaken by the will, it would be undertaken according to their inspiration and in

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-39553397935875823342010-08-13T18:36:00.000-07:002010-08-13T18:36:49.507-07:00

By St. Theophan the Recluse Part 1 of 2 A Christian intellectual development occurs when all the truths of the Faith are impressed so deeply into the intellect that the intellect's whole existence is made up of these truths alone. When it begins to reason over something, it reasons according to what it knows of the Christian truths, and would never make the slightest move without them. The

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-45656578613446233992010-08-12T20:07:00.000-07:002010-08-12T20:07:42.069-07:00

By St. Theophan the Recluse In the soul we find three powers: the intellect, the will, the heart, or, as the Holy Fathers say, the intellectual, desiring and incensive powers. Each of them is assigned particular curative exercises by the holy ascetics. These related exercises are both receptive and conducive to grace. They need not be contrived according to some theory, but rather chosen from

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-91920214421662352052010-08-11T19:08:00.000-07:002010-08-11T19:08:57.987-07:00

I'm always amazed when I hear self-proclaimed Christians attribute something happening to being caused by karma. I'm sure that when some say it, they're just using it as a phrase, kind of an, "I deserved that." But there are some Christians I know that truly say they believe in karma. They believe that what goes around, comes around. Karma is a direct contradiction of Christianity. There

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-67682283783873155362010-08-08T19:59:00.002-07:002010-08-08T19:59:44.129-07:00

In April, European airlines and air travel were thrown into chaos by a volcano in Iceland. In July Poland, Romania and Moldova in particular were hit by terrible floods. Now Russia has been struck by a terrible heat wave, drought and forest fires. All these countries have been hit by ‘natural’ crises, that is, the crises which happen in the fallen and so unnatural world. Now the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-92074304130272361652010-08-06T13:06:00.000-07:002010-08-06T13:06:05.609-07:00

By Saint John of Kronstadt The Divine Liturgy is truly a heavenly service upon earth, during which God Himself, in a particular, immediate, and most close manner, is present and dwells with me, being Himself the invisible Celebrant of the service, offering and being offered. There is nothing upon earth holier, higher, grander, more solemn, more life-giving than the Liturgy. The temple, at

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-42800439989399916752010-08-04T20:08:00.000-07:002010-08-04T20:08:47.949-07:00

Commemorated on July 23, September 8 and on the Friday of the Bright Week      The Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God is among the most venerable sacred items of the Russian Church. It is reknown throughout all the Slavic world: they venerate it in Russia, in Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria and other places. Christians also of other confessions come for veneration of the wonderworking image of the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-56351713574418781432010-07-28T18:33:00.000-07:002010-07-28T18:33:05.147-07:00

"Deep faith in God and love for your brother are inseparable, and if a man does good deeds, loves people, perhaps even gives his life for others but does not love God, does not believe in God, then, in spite of his goodness he is spiritually dead because he does not want to know God. I happen to have met such people. They may be good, warm-hearted, ready to give away their last piece of bread,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-53884918036012769552010-07-27T18:22:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:22:20.282-07:00

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master.  (Matt. 10:25)       All talk of individual liberty not withstanding, each of us is servant to a master; our freedom lies in choosing the master we wish to serve: God or mammon. Under the constant pressure to conform to the ways of the world, many unwittingly choose to serve the latter, whether it be in the form of material prosperity,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-6815590243087150042010-07-24T09:42:00.004-07:002010-07-24T10:14:41.358-07:00

Show romanization Today, July 11, On the Church calendar, we celebrate the memory of St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547), father of Western monasticism. As abbot, St. Benedict wrote a monastic rule known today as the Rule of St. Benedict. Apart from wonder working miracles, the Rule of St. Benedict, has become his greatest legacy due to it becoming the basis was for Western monasticism. During his

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-22858637062520169952010-07-22T18:57:00.001-07:002010-07-22T18:58:16.787-07:00

(from the book: “Eternal Mysteries Beyond The Grave”) There was a paralytic who, becoming impatient of his suffering, cried out to the Lord and asked that his miserable life might end. An angel appeared to him and said: “Very well. Since the Lord is unspeakably good, He will respond to your prayer. He will put an end to your life on earth, but on one condition. Will you consent to spend three

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-44211016072355583722010-07-20T21:26:00.000-07:002010-07-20T21:26:32.936-07:00

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep. I Cor 11, 30 I am a companion of all them that fear Thee and keep Thy commandments. Holy Saturday Matins, Stasis 1, 64 Introduction In recent times, especially since the 1960s, new forms of pseudo-Christianity or

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-83443613149207052882010-07-17T08:38:00.000-07:002010-07-17T08:38:18.797-07:00

http://mediasuite.316networks.com/player.php?v=m20ywkm1 “Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn’t need to be invented now. Those attempts to invent new morality look for me like atempts to invent a new religion — a sort of modern paganism. “When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Spirit that inspired the Bible

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-47582560913259723222010-07-14T13:29:00.000-07:002010-07-14T13:29:26.832-07:00

YOU must often return to the source of grace and divine mercy, to the fountain of goodness and perfect purity, if you wish to be free from passion and vice, if you desire to be made stronger and more watchful against all the temptations and deceits of the devil. The enemy, knowing the great good and the 236 healing power of Holy Communion, tries as much as he can by every manner and means to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-76477759784645675482010-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:002010-07-13T13:26:26.211-07:00

THESE are all Your words, O Christ, eternal Truth, though they were not all spoken at 212 one time nor written together in one place. And because they are Yours and true, I must accept them all with faith and gratitude. They are Yours and You have spoken them; they are mine also because You have spoken them for my salvation. Gladly I accept them from Your lips that they may be the more deeply

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-89976172529729321062010-07-12T20:58:00.000-07:002010-07-12T20:58:34.044-07:00

Try to remember what a donkey is like — now that so few of them are left. Not an old, stubborn, vicious one that would give you a kick when you least expected, but a young one with his ears up like antennae. He lives on a meagre diet, is hardworking and has a quick, cheerful trot. There are hundreds of animals more beautiful, more deft and strong. But it was a donkey Christ chose when he

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-43049415694939498582010-07-11T15:08:00.000-07:002010-07-11T15:08:25.306-07:00

The holy chief Apostles Peter and Paul, according to Church tradition, received their martyrdom on the same day—June 29 (which falls on July 12 NS, for those following the Julian Calendar). This date is shown in the ancient calendars that have been passed down to us (the Roman calendar of the fourth century; the Carthaginian calendar of the fifth century), in the martyrologue of Blessed Jerome (

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-32835194382643137032010-07-09T12:50:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:50:06.211-07:00

Who among you works honestly all the hours you are supposed to, without indulging in distractions, giving to it all your energy, knowledge and patience? This applies especially to those who work for a flat wage. We get paid in full regardless of whether we put in an honest day's work or not. If we use time at work for other things, the money we receive is yet another example of dishonest gain.

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-15665070962841325442010-07-08T13:27:00.000-07:002010-07-08T13:27:48.671-07:00

Our life is children's play, only not innocent, but sinful, because, with a strong mind, and with the knowledge of the purpose of our life, we neglect this purpose and occupy ourselves with frivolous, purposeless matters. And thus our life is childish, unpardonable play. We amuse ourselves with food and drink, gratifying ourselves by them, instead of only using them for the necessary nourishment

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-15739764972075774242010-07-07T20:47:00.000-07:002010-07-07T20:47:12.166-07:00

By Fr. Alexander Lebedeff What is the distinction between Old and New Calendars? Why is the division so prominent? At the risk of rattling up some acrimonious discussion, I will go ahead and wade into this one with both feet. The opinions I express are my own, and do not necessarily represent the official position of the ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), in which I have

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-39328827252294294072010-07-06T23:01:00.002-07:002010-07-06T23:01:45.205-07:00

By Fr. Alexis Miller Source: American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA In the Orthodox Church we often use the expression that the home should be like "a little church." In Romania, a country the size of the state of Pennsylvania with over 500 monasteries, they take this saying a step further and say that the home

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-64124137618011975652010-07-05T13:00:00.000-07:002010-07-05T13:00:59.057-07:00

The greatest desire of every Christian should be to draw nearer to our Lord, God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Many are the means provided for us to do so; among them are the sacraments, the Holy Gospel, and prayer. A special means of drawing closer to Christ is through devotion to His most pure Mother, the Ever-Virgin Mary. Our Lord dwelt in her as a babe in her womb. He was always with her, either

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-9925258366524480782010-06-30T21:45:00.001-07:002010-06-30T21:47:07.414-07:00

Stand fast on spiritual watch, because you don't know when the Lord will call you to Himself. In your earthly life be ready at any moment to give Him an account. Beware that the enemy does not catch you in his nets, that he not deceive you causing you to fall into temptation. Daily examine your conscience; try the purity of your thoughts, your intentions. There was a king who had a

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-55527897993223269402010-06-24T14:30:00.000-07:002010-06-24T14:30:35.838-07:00

By Fr. Alexey Young The Orthodox Christian Home. What is an Orthodox Christian home? To answer this question we must go back to square one and talk about the three main ingredients of true love. Our Faith teaches us that love is composed of three parts - not all of them of equal importance: the physical the mental the spiritual The physical is obvious: a boy is naturally attracted to a

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-30571745452291353502010-06-23T18:21:00.000-07:002010-06-23T18:21:21.202-07:00

By Preist Alexey Young Orthodox Christianity is a way of life, not merely something we do on Sunday mornings and quickly forget when we leave church. A way of life is a whole coming together of habits and attitudes, ideas and actions: a style of life, a way to live. For us Orthodox, Christianity is our daily bread. Like a fish in water, we must swim in our Faith. As followers of Christ, we

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-17298625338118624812010-06-21T09:15:00.000-07:002010-06-21T09:15:48.460-07:00

...they go on talking and talking, for the greater part amusing themselves with trifles, and there is no mention of God--the common Father of all--of His love for us, of the future life, of recompense; why is it so? Because they are ashamed to speak of God. But what is still more surprising is that even persons deeming themselves pious, themselves luminaries, seldom speak of God, of Christ

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-72341994119077313222010-06-19T14:11:00.000-07:002010-06-19T14:11:05.906-07:00

An excerpt from the Homily by St. Nikolai Velimirovichon the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday after PentecostMatthew 8:5-13 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. What a vast difference between this burning faith and the cold, legalistic beliefs of the Pharisees! A difference no

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-36415861170185177762010-06-18T10:14:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:14:06.492-07:00

Excerpts from the "The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation." By St. Theophan the Recluse. Govenie is done at a certain time, but the spirit of preparation should eventually become a constant state. Certain exercises must be used that will help to root this state. Because govenie includes three illuminating works: fasting, Confession and Communion, these three things

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-30224216939174104772010-06-15T09:37:00.000-07:002010-06-15T09:37:54.310-07:00

Surely it is a great blessing to live in a democratic society. We are free to choose our own livelihood, our own domicile, our own recreations and hobbies, and we can read whatever books we wish, We can vote freely on those issues and for those candidates that reflect our own values. We have the right to worship according to the dictates of our conscience. These and other benefits readily

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-58641745500961058442010-06-10T14:31:00.001-07:002010-06-10T14:32:28.006-07:00

by Fr. Michael Pomazansky The Orthodox teaching of the Church, which in itself is quite clear and rests upon Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, is to be contrasted with another concept which is widespread in the contemporary Protestant world and has penetrated even into Orthodox circles. According to this different concept, all the various existing Christian organizations,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-88418102577786141332010-06-07T21:00:00.001-07:002010-06-07T21:03:14.898-07:00

Excerpts from Family Life by Elder Paisios the Athonite PART IV: SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER I: Spiritual Life in the Family The practice of virtue within the family— Geronta, how can a husband become practiced in the virtues? — God will give him opportunities. Many men, however, after asking God to give them opportunities to practice the virtues, grumble when they are faced with a certain

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-43890856944340454472010-06-05T14:03:00.000-07:002010-06-05T14:03:07.862-07:00

SAINT VLADIMIR THE GREAT, PRINCE OF RUSSIA At baptism Vladimir was called Basil and was the son of Prince Svyatoslav, and the grandson of Igor and Olga. In the beginning Vladimir was a total pagan both in his belief and in his lifestyle. Learning that other faiths exist, he carefully began to inquire as to which of them was the very best. For this reason he sent emissaries to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-21496887437697581432010-06-03T15:10:00.000-07:002010-06-03T15:10:20.404-07:00

From 'Orthodoxy and the World' http://www.pravmir.com/printer_987.html By Orthodoxy and the World Translated by Julia Zubkova Edited by Hierodeacon Samuel (Nedelsky) Archpriest Alexander Men was murdered on the morning on September 9, 1990, on the path to the Semkhoz railway station.  An unidentified person struck him on the head with a heavy object (probably an axe). The priest walked to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-22802533993651545872010-06-02T21:29:00.003-07:002010-06-02T21:33:01.598-07:00

Excerpted from Chapter 7 of The Heart Of Orthodox Mystery The clash between Orthodox Christianity and the culture of the world has always been dramatic. The reaction of the world may vary, of course, but the inevitable basic challenge of Orthodox Christianity always representing a counterculture is always there for the lover of Christ...  Is the “pursuit of happiness” not, according to the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-90687619536308196262010-05-25T10:10:00.000-07:002010-05-25T10:10:45.218-07:00

Of major importance in the history and development of Orthodoxy was the conversion of the Slavs and the shifting of the focus of the Church to the northern regions of Bulgaria, Serbia, Moravia, Romania, and then Russia. In the middle of the 9th Century, Patriarch Photius initiated large scale missionary labors in these regions by sending out the two brothers Constantine (in

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-3527794281015878792010-05-24T08:52:00.000-07:002010-05-24T08:52:07.051-07:00

In the Old Testament there are only obscure indications of the Divine Mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Bible says that before the creation of man, God said, Let us make man according to our image and likeness, which indicates that God is not one Person. But there is no indication as to how many persons are in the Godhead and who these conversers and co-creators are. Elsewhere [in the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-63676487722878160942010-05-21T21:38:00.001-07:002010-05-21T21:40:12.718-07:00

The tenth day after the Ascension of Jesus Christ was the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ. It was the Jews’ great feast of Pentecost, which commemorated the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. All the apostles, the Mother of God, the other disciples of Christ, and other of the faithful were all together in one room in Jerusalem. It was the third hour of the day by the Hebrew

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-36165612365411407442010-05-20T08:30:00.000-07:002010-05-20T08:30:15.055-07:00

Since You came into the world for all, o Savior, therefore You came for me, for I am one of all. you came into the world to save sinners; therefore You came to save me also, for I am one of the sinners. You came to find and to save him who was lost; therefore You came to seek me too, for I am one of the lost. O Lord, O my God and Creator! I should have come to You as a transgressor of Your law.

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-5673028005941766182010-05-18T14:49:00.001-07:002010-05-18T14:52:46.249-07:00

On May 6 / 19 Old Style, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Old Testament suffering servant Job who was a descendant of Esau, grandson of Abraham Here is a summary of the Book of Job taken from The Law of God by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy. In ancient times, east of Palestine, there lived a righteous man by the name of Job. He was a just and good man, who always strove to please God

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-64763952556365961072010-05-16T21:13:00.001-07:002010-05-16T21:13:47.276-07:00

Fr. Thomas Hopko's “55 Maxims” - 55 things that a believer, very simply, would do if they were really a believer and were really obedient to God and wanted to live the way God would have us live. 1. Be always with Christ. Trust God in everything. Never forget God. 2. Pray as you can, not as you want. Pray as God inspires you to pray, not as you want to,but as God gives. And for a

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-68582910665090676582010-05-15T22:30:00.001-07:002010-05-15T22:37:23.299-07:00

Today, 3 May on the Church’s calendar, we celebrate the memory of St Theodosius (†1074), Abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery and founder of Russian cenobitism. Here is a sermon by St. Theodosius' Sermon to his monks entitled "On Patience and Love." Taken from A Treasury of Russian Spirituality by G. P. Fedotov (1886-1951) Beloved, what did we bring into this world, or what have we to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-6278540254457509342010-05-15T09:16:00.001-07:002010-05-15T09:17:20.949-07:00

On the first Sunday after the Ascension of the Lord, the Church remembers the god-bearing fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Here is a brief summary of the 1 st ecumenical council taken from the The Law of God by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodsky. ________________________________________ The First Ecumenical Council was convened in 325 A.D., in the city of Nicea, under the Emperor

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-44629607639754332632010-05-12T19:18:00.000-07:002010-05-12T19:18:29.397-07:00

"While He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy"...with great joy ... "and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God" (Lk. 24:51-3). If, during the course of six weeks, the Holy Church has been teaching us to preserve this peace which Christ granted on the first day of His

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-49071467107117495822010-05-11T20:38:00.000-07:002010-05-11T20:38:08.547-07:00

In order to live, most of us have to work. There are many types of work: manual work, such as various trades, agriculture, and so forth; and intellectual work, such as administration, law, management, education, etc. There is important and unimportant work, difficult and easy, extraordinary and conventional, work for yourself, for your family for society, etc. All work that is not opposed to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-74479722478756708462010-05-11T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-11T06:22:45.832-07:00

How many times have we heard this from others and also said it ourselves? It is true: ALL we can do is pray...but that is not how this is usually said. Usually, there is a sigh, a shrug of the shoulders and then, Well, all I can do now is pray after we have turned to every worldly solution which man has to offer for whatever problem may be facing us: troubled marriage, illness, rebellious

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-43776954784278172032010-05-08T06:05:00.002-07:002010-05-08T06:10:09.727-07:00

Happy is the man who becomes wise – who comes to have understanding (Proverbs 3:13). We live today in a society where husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, have been torn from their roots, ripped from time-honored and theologically-sanctioned values about what it is to be a man, a woman, a family. The old values and roles, so easily nurtured in a largely agrarian and patriarchal

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-52955189794805774222010-05-01T16:21:00.003-07:002010-05-02T08:53:02.550-07:00

John 4:6-38 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! In today's Gospel we heard the story of our Lord's meeting with a simple woman. This woman wasn't going to the temple, nor to prayer, nor even on her way to perform some good deed. She was merely going for water, as thousands of women in every country, and as she had done from her youth. She would take the bucket, walk to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-74614492223411063252010-04-17T09:45:00.000-07:002010-04-17T09:45:57.233-07:00

Third Sunday of Easter: Myrrhbearing Women. "And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-84315602611940596272010-04-11T16:41:00.003-07:002010-04-11T16:43:59.070-07:00

Second Sunday of Easter: Thomas’s Sunday.   "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe (Jn. 20:24-25). What

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-55851890922356105132010-04-08T21:37:00.000-07:002010-04-08T21:37:56.130-07:00

Bright Friday This icon has a wonderful and comforting appearance. Depicted is an enormous stone chalice, standing in a wide reservoir, filled with water. Above the chalice, holding in Her arms the Preeternal Infant and wearing a crown, hovers the Most Holy Virgin.   To the reservoir filled with life-giving water have streamed those who thirst. The unfortunate and life-weary drink of the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-17210828119726956102010-04-04T10:38:00.003-07:002010-04-04T10:43:35.693-07:00

NEW YORK: April 2, 2010 Paschal Epistle of His Eminence HILARION, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia  Now are all things filled with light: heaven and earth, and the nether regions… Let all creation celebrate the arising of Christ, in Whom we are established. (Paschal Canon,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-77295296279867479042010-04-03T18:58:00.000-07:002010-04-03T18:58:01.454-07:00

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-46662836646842530692010-03-26T21:43:00.001-07:002010-03-27T07:43:07.827-07:00

Founder of western monasticism, born at Nursia, c. 480; died at Monte Cassino, 543. The only authentic life of Benedict of Nursia is that contained in the second book of St. Gregory's "Dialogues." It is rather a character sketch than a biography and consists, for the most part, of a number of miraculous incidents, which, although they illustrate the life of the saint, give little help towards a

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-10900765321681087272010-03-25T20:37:00.001-07:002010-03-25T20:38:27.299-07:00

Lazarus Saturday There are no wasted or superfluous motions in God's economy. He never lets even the most seemingly insignificant event or word to proceed without the utmost advantage to us. During our Lord's earthly ministry, His every deed, every action was directed towards our salvation. The healing of the sick, the restoring of sight to the blind, the feeding of the multitudes--all were

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-11396647306278265782010-03-21T07:52:00.000-07:002010-03-21T07:52:52.236-07:00

Fifth Sunday of Lent Mark 10:32b-45 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Mark by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 32-34. And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him, saying, Behold, we go

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-38545846040872977982010-03-13T20:13:00.000-07:002010-03-13T20:13:20.684-07:00

Fourth Sunday of Lent Mark 9:17-31 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Mark by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 14-18. And when He came to His disciples, He saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld Him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him, saluted Him. And He asked the scribes, What

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-21633021879959407482010-03-06T19:41:00.000-07:002010-03-06T19:41:44.181-07:00

3rd Sunday of Lent: the Cross Preserves the Universe In the Prophet Ezekiel (9:6), it is said that when the Angel of the Lord was sent to punish and destroy the sinning people, it was told him not to strike those on whom the "mark" had been made. In the original text this mark is called "tau," the Hebrew letter corresponding to the letter "T," which is how in ancient times the cross was made,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-91446894980177034182010-03-05T07:31:00.000-07:002010-03-05T07:31:36.890-07:00

I am a heavy reader of spiritual books and have studeied theology. I am guilty of trying to understand God with my rational mind instead if my heart. I know this is a weakness of mine and try to supplement theologgical readings with reading the lives of the saints and martyrs that lived there lives as carried their cross for Christ as the Gospel commanded many of whom had little education and

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-42217833676318196472010-02-27T09:57:00.000-07:002010-02-27T09:57:11.844-07:00

Second Sunday of Lent - Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Mark 2:1-12 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Mark by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 1-5. And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was heard that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-2413206626469723262010-02-25T21:22:00.000-07:002010-02-25T21:22:43.323-07:00

O Lord, my God! Direct my steps throughout this day, that solely I may, by truth and according to Thy will, walk with a clean conscience and an immaculate will; turn me away, throughout this day, O Lord, my God, from the path of the impious; safeguard me from my enemies who seek my soul; and save me from evil and irreligious company, in order that I may, walking boldly all day long according to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-3473566985380816132010-02-19T17:21:00.000-07:002010-02-19T17:21:26.028-07:00

Please read this very enlighting sermon by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov http://frsergei.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/what-is-orthodoxy/ On the first Sunday of Great Lent we celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy, a feast that was established in the year 842 to mark the final defeat of the Iconoclast heresy. In issuing a decree to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Synod of Constantinople wished to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-63452250953423579392010-02-16T08:12:00.000-07:002010-02-16T08:12:17.422-07:00

“The Christian is one who imitates Christ in thought, word and deed, as far as is possible for human beings, believing rightly and blamelessly in the Holy Trinity.” (Step 1, Section 4) “Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me: ‘We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead the solitary life?’ I replied to them: ‘Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-88668575527141079142010-02-13T20:46:00.000-07:002010-02-13T20:46:15.375-07:00

Sermon for Forgiveness Sunday by Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko, 1893-1978) from the book - "The One Thing Needful" This is the very beginning of Great Lent. For whatever we begin in life, we always compose some kind of plan of action, a program of what we have to accomplish and in what order. But here we don’t have to do this; today’s Gospel gives us this program. Earlier, the Holy Church was

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-5982740115260281472010-02-09T21:32:00.000-07:002010-02-09T21:32:38.031-07:00

Today we on the Orthodox Calendar we commemorate our Holy Father St. Ephraim the Syrian. Perhaps the most renown hymnographer in Church history. Here is one of the prayer that that touches my soul; Inside I Am Not What I Appear To Be Woe is me, to what judgement will I be subject, and of what disgrace am I worthy? My inner self is not like my outward appearance: I talk about how to free oneself

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-31579512528540394782010-02-07T08:38:00.000-07:002010-02-07T08:38:33.072-07:00

Meatfare Sunday Matthew 25:31-46 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Matthew by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 31-33. When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-19765615867432418412010-01-30T13:28:00.000-07:002010-01-30T13:28:32.347-07:00

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. (Luke 15:11-32). The parable of the Prodigal Son is a most instructive lesson for youth. We see in the prodigal son the true character of flighty youth: light-minded, thoughtless, thirsting for independence; in short, everything that usually distinguishes the majority of youths. The younger son

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-34044446711823137542010-01-28T18:02:00.000-07:002010-01-28T18:02:37.864-07:00

From the Prologue by St. Nikolai Velimirovich- Jan 28 / Jan 15 "And the victory that conquers the world in our faith" (I John 5:4). Christ the Lord conquered the world. That, brethren, is also our victory. The apostles conquered the world and that is our victory. The saints, virgins and martyrs conquered the world and that is our victory. Brethren, there is nothing more powerful in the world

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-28933723048558988642010-01-27T21:30:00.000-07:002010-01-27T21:30:12.043-07:00

Just Finished reading this book. It is an academic (Non-Hagiographa) look at the life of Saint John of Kronstadt and late Imperial Russia. I was concerned that this book might have been overly critical of Saint John and was hesitant to read it. However, it is very well balalanced and showed glimpses into this Saint's life and the times that he lived. Very interisting read and it has given me even

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-91591067038148642642010-01-24T12:05:00.000-07:002010-01-24T12:05:00.620-07:00

Thirty-third Sunday after Pentecost Luke 18:10-14 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 9-14. And He spake this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-23504836465021566882010-01-19T07:56:00.004-07:002010-01-19T08:06:58.978-07:00

Holy Theophany - The Baptism of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ   Mt 3:13-17 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Lukeby Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 13-14. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade Him. Jesus is pure, yet He is baptized in order to wash us, and to show us that if we intend to be baptized

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-80558297537868540982010-01-16T07:28:00.000-07:002010-01-16T07:28:28.746-07:00

http://fundforassistance.org/ffa_site/eng/haiti_earthquake.html Please Assist Our mission in Haiti! January, 13 New York ...for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; Matthew 25: 35 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A very powerful earthquake has devastated Haiti, the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-30534816849047503842010-01-14T18:31:00.000-07:002010-01-14T18:31:37.743-07:00

The days of the commemoration of St. Seraphim are August 1 and January 15 (July 19 and January 2 by the church calendar). St. Seraphim (born Prohor Moshnin) was born in 1759 to a merchant family in Kursk. At the age of 10, he became seriously ill. During the course of his illness, he saw the Mother of God in his sleep, who promised to heal him. Several days later there was a religious

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-70673491218106089532010-01-13T06:51:00.000-07:002010-01-13T06:51:31.119-07:00

In honor of my wife Name Saint St. Melania  From the Prologue Born in Rome of devout and very wealthy parents, she was forced by them to marry a young nobleman, Pinian. She was taken very seriously ill in giving birth to her second child, and told her husband that she would be healed only if he vowed before God to live with her in future as brother and sister. Her husband agreed and

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-81700974145222407292010-01-10T11:07:00.001-07:002010-01-10T11:17:07.297-07:00

Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost Luke 18:35-43 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Lukeby Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria35-43. And it came to pass, that as He was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-41844756583946598862010-01-06T06:44:00.003-07:002010-01-06T06:56:09.902-07:00

I will be very busy celebrating the festivities tomorrow so I am posting this a day early.  BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast,

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-53860406609061526502010-01-03T15:21:00.000-07:002010-01-03T15:21:15.012-07:00

The Sunday before the Nativity of our Lord  Matthew 1:1-25 Sermon by Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko, 1893-1978)  Except from "The One Thing Needful" "Adam...where art thou?" (Gen. 3:9). This is the voice of God which resounded in Adam’s conscience after the Fall and tormented him. As long as Adam was in obedience to God — cultivated and kept Paradise, receiving strength for this by eating the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-75622311665185576542010-01-02T08:29:00.002-07:002010-01-02T08:41:57.264-07:00

Januarary 2nd/December 20th (Traditional Calendar) the Orthodox Church commemorates St. John of Kronstadt. In order to commemorate his life and works and also prepare for the coming Nativity of our Lord let us meditate upon a Sermon on the Nativity of Christ by St John of Kronstadt. The Word became flesh; that is, the Son of God, co-eternal with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit, became

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-58962320781956542142009-12-30T17:41:00.001-07:002009-12-30T17:45:50.151-07:00

It is very simple. Follow the prayer book. That belongs to the Church, not to individuals, who set themselves up as 'spiritual fathers'. Morning and evening prayers, and force yourselves to do them day in, day out. If in a hurry in the morning, read them on the way to work or substitute with the Jesus Prayer, said secretly and without any display of prayer knots (which are to be kept in the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-70552886354827554862009-12-27T09:40:00.001-07:002009-12-27T14:58:48.634-07:00

Sunday of the Holy Fore-FathersLuke 14:16-24 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 16-20. Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and called many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were called, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one accord began to make excuse. The first

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-82994967843988772102009-12-24T22:52:00.000-07:002009-12-24T22:52:48.326-07:00

Most Christians in America including New Calendar Orthodox are celebrating the birth of Christ today. However, throughout the the Orthodox world following the Julian Calendar we wait and fast 13 more days for the coming of Christ! Instead today we commemorate St. Herman of Alaska, America's first saint. So to those brethren following the New Calendar, Merry Christmas - Christ is Born! For us Old

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-68087131043486810652009-12-22T18:45:00.000-07:002009-12-22T18:45:02.366-07:00

On December 22nd, (the 9th, old style), the Church commemorates the conception of the Most-holy Theotokos by Saint Anna. In the land of Galilee, in the city of Nazareth, there lived the righteous couple Joachim and Anna, who were descendants of kings and high priests. By their pious life this couple so pleased God, that He chose them to become the parents of the Holy Virgin Who had been

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-58241970291078696162009-12-20T10:12:00.001-07:002009-12-20T11:08:56.950-07:00

Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost Luke 17:12-19 From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke by Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria 11-19. And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-17830531817346486482009-12-18T18:48:00.001-07:002009-12-18T18:53:42.285-07:00

My wife and I recently read this book a couple of months ago. It is a terrific book for Orthodox Spirituality that is not too theological. In fact, this book is fiction but also loosly related to the author's life. Written by Valeria Alfeyeva mother of the Russian Orthodox Church's Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev. While this book is wrritten for the an audenice of women it also well suited for men

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-3710418992158335842009-12-17T09:26:00.001-07:002009-12-17T11:25:21.393-07:00

I do not like to blog Personal opinions or experiences, I tend to just report about orthodox news, articles, and books with a traditional outlook. However, recently I was confronted by an Orthodox Priest with the question of why I am a member of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russian (ROCOR) instead of his closer Orthodox parish of another jurisdiction. The best I could answer at the

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895554602762052129.post-71869992662901895022009-12-12T16:47:00.003-07:002009-12-12T16:51:19.505-07:00

Twenty-seventh Sunday after PentecostLuke 13:10-17From The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Lukeby Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria10-17. And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over, and could in no wise straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to

Michaelnoreply@blogger.com0