| “But he didn’t want all this wealth,” Father Thomas said. The saint’s legend claims he disposed of some of this wealth by helping a poor man whose daughters were in danger of being sold into slavery. Nicholas secretly gave the man money by hiding gold coins in the stocking he hung to dry every night in front his fireplace — inspiring the tradition of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas’ modern pop-culture avatar, leaving gifts in stockings hung above a fireplace. Father Thomas ended by imitating the saint, distributing coins (not of gold, but gold-foil wrapped chocolate) to the three children who attended the service. Peninsula Clarion 21 декабря 2015 г. Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также For the Love of the People Jesse Dominick, Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska For the Love of the People A Conversation with Bishop David Mahaffey on Serving in Alaska Jesse Dominick, Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska " I decided go to the church early and pray a Panihkida for my wife in front of St. Herman’s relics. I went back in the altar, and I don’t know if it was St. Herman talking to me or who, but somebody said to me in myself, " I replaced the beauty of your wife with the beauty of Alaska, and I replaced that love that you and your wife had with the love of these people for you. " And then I understood. " " The Disappearing Church " documents Russian Orthodox worshipers " The Disappearing Church " documents Russian Orthodox worshipers The story of the Russian Orthodox Church is indeed interesting. The church is full of history and is now in its 9th decade of worship. However, the church " s future is uncertain, as members of the Russian Orthodox denomination are becoming rare in this area. Many of the members have died out, leaving only three who are faithful to the church each Sunday. Sisters Ann Mizerak and Mary Baken, and Ann " s son David, still attend each week and listen to recorded message from the past. Team works to restore St. Nicholas Orthodox Church to its former glory Team works to restore St. Nicholas Orthodox Church to its former glory More than 100 years ago, oral tradition goes, several Tlingit leaders in Juneau were having a recurring dream. In it, a short man with a white beard told them they should become Christian. Комментарии © 1999-2015 Православие.Ru |
| And such a person, having recovered his sight (truly!), begins to search for the One Who can heal him. And that, of course, is only God. And in such a person appears a sincere, contrite, correct condition, complicit, like leavened dough, with a fervent desire to unite with the Lord—the only Deliverer from sin. This is called repentance. This is called, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:3). Such a person hurries to church, hastens to confession, to the priest, to deliver himself from the burden of sins captivating his soul; he hastens to receive within himself the Body and Blood of Christ, to be freed from sins and passions and to unite with his beloved God. This is what the holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John speaks to us about. Recall, brothers and sisters, his testament: As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Lk. 3:4-6). Therefore, with the help of God we will, brothers and sisters, vigorously bring low our proud spiritual hills, straighten our passionate, sinful crookedness, and then our heart’s contrite and repentant inner valley will be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit. And the human flesh (i. e. nature) of each of us shall behold the salvation of God. This is the main work, beyond all doubt, of every Orthodox Christian. St. John the Baptist will help us in this. O Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, pray unto God for us! Fr. Andrei Chizhenko Translated by Jesse Dominick Orthodox Life 27 января 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Смотри также Комментарии Мы в соцсетях Подпишитесь на нашу рассылку |
| A remnant of the people was saved. That’s important. The prophet Zachariah has some words about the remnant (cf. Zech. 8:11 ). Of course, the Lord cares for every man and has custody over the whole of the people of God. However, belonging to the people of God by fact of birth is not all that connects us with God. Man, being born into the people of God is called to live not “as everyone else,” not “as he must,” not “as he wants,” but according to the will of God. In fulfilling the will of God he enters into the remnant of the people of God. And the Lord preserves His people, as the apple of His eye. Trying ordeals also fall upon them as their lot, but the Lord does not leave them without help and consolation. If there would be no people of God history would lose its meaning, would deplete itself, approaching the final apocalyptic moment. As long as there are repenting sinners on the earth, as long as there is a remnant of the people of God, the history of salvation is not finished. The Lord is continuing to save people. Do we not read about the apple of the eye of the Most High in the New Testament? The Savior says in a parable of the Heavenly Kingdom, For many are called, but few are chosen (Mt. 22:14). The Lord highly values every one of us; the hairs are numbered on the heads of the elect. Prophet Zachariah What do we hear from the prophet Zachariah? The Lord calls His people, strengthens them, comforts them, fills their heart with valor, elects them for new life, and shows them the path to repentance and the forgiveness of sins. They passed through a bitter captivity, and He redeemed them from this captivity. The Lord holds dear His people, as the apple of His eye. Deacon Pavel Serzhantov Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 21 февраля 2017 г. This article was written in 2013, thus Dcn. Pavel means 2012. But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts . Incidentally, in the book of the prophet Zechariah we find symbols known to us from the book of Revelation (cf. Zech. 5-6). |
| Birth and marriage are connected with this world. In that world people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but will be as the angels. That is, a husband will know his wife, and a wife her husband, and of course, children their parents, but a husband will not know his wife according to earthly appetites, but according to love, which united them in this world. The Sadducees didn’t believe in angels . But Christ, speaking with them, spoke about angels even though they hadn’t asked Him about them. Remember when Moses, having escaped from Egypt, was tending his father-in-law’s flock, he saw a bush which was burning but not consumed, and he drew near to see what it was. And the Lord spoke to him from the fire and said, Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Ex. 3:5-6). In this way, God comforted Moses: the Jewish people would not die in Egyptian slavery. They would burn, as in a fire, but not be consumed. And another wonder of the burning bush is that it was a symbol and sign of the Holy Theotokos, who received and gave birth to the Son of God. She is the bush that was not consumed by the fire of God. We must bear in mind that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is not called the God of millions, but the God of every one of us, in every generation—of the whole of mankind: in one generation, He is the God of the Patriarch Abraham, in another, the God of the Patriarch Isaac, in a third, the God of the Patriarch Jacob. Let us strive, brothers and sisters, that God could be called our God in that we are His true sons and daughters. God bless you! Patriarch Pavle Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 29 марта 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Trials and Crucifixion of Christ, Part 2b. The Traps. Dr. Jeannie Constantinou Trials and Crucifixion of Christ, Part 2b. The Traps Dr. Jeannie Constantinou Monday evening contains the questions asked by the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes to trick or to humiliate Christ. Заголовок: Getting to the Point Fr. Stephen Freeman Getting to the Point Fr. Stephen Freeman The English vocabulary exceeds 200,000 words. Thus, it is interesting when English doesn’t quite have a word for something. This is the case with the language of worship. Simple Images of the Kingdom of Heaven Deacon Pavel Serzhantov Simple Images of the Kingdom of Heaven Deacon Pavel Serzhantov How can ordinary people like us feel what this Kingdom of Heaven is? Комментарии © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
| By the way, in The Spiritual Meadow , St. Gregory the Great is mentioned. There is no room to quote this story here—look for it yourself, if not in long-form in The Spiritual Meadow , then in short in the life of St. Gregory the Dialogist written by St. Dmitry of Rostov. Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Photo: Foma.ru Let us finish the story about the holy miracle he performed at Liturgy. The story needs no commentary. The only thing is to remember it over the weekend, when with hands crossed over our chest, by the grace of God, we will approach the Chalice of Christ. So, let’s listen. “A woman, well-known in Rome, brought prosphora to the Divine altar; His Holiness Pope Gregory was serving the Liturgy by himself at the time. When he was distributing Divine Communion to the people, this woman approached to commune of the Holy Mysteries. But when she heard St. Gregory’s words, ‘Receive the life-giving body of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ she began to laugh. Then Pope Gregory, holding back his hand, asked her, ‘What are you laughing at?’ “‘It’s strange to me, Vladyka,’ she responded, ‘that the bread baked from flour with my own hands, you called the Body of Christ.’ “The saint, seeing her disbelief, prayed to God, and immediately the bread turned into real human flesh in appearance. And not only did this woman see this bloody human flesh, but everyone present in the church; everyone, seeing this miracle, glorified Christ God and was further established in the faith, not doubting at all that in the Most Pure Mysteries, under the appearance of bread, is distributed the real Body of Christ, and under the appearance of wine, His true Blood. Afterwards, the saint again prayed, and the appearance of the human body turned again into bread. Then this woman communed with great fear and firm faith, receiving the bread as the Body of Christ, and the wine as the Blood of Christ. Ilya Timkin Translated by Jesse Dominick Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: |
| Monument to the original Glen Rock Carolers. Photo: The star of Bethlehem led the Magi of old to the Christ Child, to bow their knees before Him and offer gifts of love, while in humble Glen Rock, since 1959, the Carolers are overseen by the star placed high on the hill behind Trinity UCC, which can be seen from many locations in the town and lights the night. The star belongs to no one, being supported by donations for the delight of all the community. Having braved the elements and the call of a warm bed, after six hours or so of raising voice in song, the Carolers end their journey at the town Christmas tree, located directly across the street from the Glen Rock Mill Inn, where since 2014 also stands a monument to the original Carolers, with Thomas Ken’s words of Christian exultation: Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. (“Doxology”) Jesse Dominick 11 января 2017 г. The words to all the songs in their repertoire can be found here . Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Editor’s Pick of Christmas Videos Editor’s Pick of Christmas Videos Just as in Medieval Europe the people gathered to hear the Christmas madrigals, we can also enjoy Christmastime song and watch how different cultures celebrate the birth of Christ. Here is a sampling of Christmas videos from around the world, to make the Christmas spirit linger with our readers. Photo gallery “Snow is flying all over Russia, like good tidings of great joy” “Snow is flying all over Russia, like good tidings of great joy” Photo gallery At the beginning of Chrismastide and before the feast of Theophany, we greet our readers with this photo gallery from Pravoslavie.ru of the best winter photographs by the remarkable photographer Yuri Anatolievich Kaver. The Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Christ in Pakistan St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan (The Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan) The Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Christ in Pakistan St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan (The Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan) Fr. Joseph Farooq The law enforcement agencies increased security around the churches after the suicide blast in Peshawar on 22 September 2013, therefore the Christmas celebrations were held under tight security due to threats by Taliban. Christians in Pakistan are brave and come on the feasts in the church singing joyfully with complete faith in Lord Jesus Christ. Комментарии Jess " s, Gma 11 января 2017, 17:00 I would just like to say how proud I am of my Grandson, for a job well done. As a side note did you know Gpa and I own the Heathcote house, in Glen Rock, PA. Deb D. 11 января 2017, 15:00 ...and so now all of Russia has been exposed to Glen Rock! © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
| Name your sins in the Mystery of Confession to receive forgiveness from the Lord and cleanse your soul of all sinful defilement. Try to live according to the Divine commandments and to do good for your neighbors. And who are our neighbors? The Lord answers in the Gospel: neighbors are all who are in need of your help, and all who happen to be near to you (Lk. 10:25-37). Christianity does not divide people into friends and enemies, those who need help and those who do not need any help. For Christians every person is a neighbor. And the Lord will teach us this through His Gospel, through the Sermon on the Mount, through parables and other teachings brought to us by His holy apostles. Never doubt the truth of the words of the Lord in the Gospel. Never doubt the truth of the teachings of the Church. Evil and lying voices will continue to say that there is no truth in the Church or that it lacks the fullness of truth, or that it is somewhere in error. Don’t believe these voices and don’t listen to them. If you come across any sectarian, schismatic, or heretical literature, abhor it as an abomination, don’t keep it in your houses, destroy this literature and don’t allow your friends to come into contact with it, for its corrupting influence, which you personally experienced, would adversely affect other people. Live Christian lives. Love God, love the Church of God, love one another and the Lord will always be with you, blessing your life’s path. Amen.” Work with people who have fallen away from Orthodoxy is carried out in the Moscow church of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God by the Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Non-Traditional Religions in memory of A. S. Khomiakov. Currently the center is lead by the church’s cleric priest Eugene Tremaskin. Preparatory talks are conducted for a few months before celebrating the rite of uniting to the Orthodox Church of sectarians and schismatics desiring to return to the true faith. Translated by Jesse Dominick |
| Taken from the bulletin of Moscow's Zachetevsky Monastery on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, 2017 Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Surozh Translated by Jesse Dominick 14 февраля 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Homily on the Prodigal Son St. Cyril of Alexandria Homily on the Prodigal Son St. Cyril of Alexandria It is our duty, therefore, to conform ourselves to that which God wills: for He heals those who are sick; He raises those who are fallen; He gives a helping hand to those who have stumbled; He brings back him who has wandered; He forms anew unto a praiseworthy and blameless life those who were wallowing in the mire of sin; He seeks those who were lost; He raises as from the dead those who had suffered the spiritual death. Let us also rejoice: let us, in company with the holy angels, praise Him as being good, and loving unto men; as gentle, and not remembering evil. For if such is our state of mind, Christ will receive us. 3 reasons it’s good to contemplate your sins Joel J. Miller 3 reasons it’s good to contemplate your sins Joel J. Miller But we’re not meant to look at our failings without also looking to the cross. I heard a presentation by Fr. Tom Hopko on the Lord’s Prayer in which he mentioned three reasons why it’s good for us to remember our sins. The first goes right to this point: We remember our sins to more fully appreciate the grace of God. Seeking Vision of God Joseph Frangipani Seeking Vision of God A Homily on the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee Joseph Magnus Frangipani Too often, we mostly identify with the airport on top of our head. This airport welcomes compulsive thoughts taking off, landing, circling around us. We " re constantly debating with ourselves, assessing everything. Whether good or bad, the fact our will is independent says we " re not in harmony with God. Most of us don " t hear God speaking in our midst because we " re tuned in to this airport. Комментарии © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
| The life and labors of the holy Right-Believing Prince Daniel of Moscow are an example of true Christian courage for us, worthy of the memory not only of rulers and politicians, but even the most ordinary Christians. It was courage—to love against all odds and to remain faithful to the evangelical commandments when the logic of events happening around us negate it. History again and again justifies the truth that the most solid foundation for every work is the rock of the love of Christ, for Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Mt. 5:5). Roman Savchuk Translated by Jesse Dominick Pravoslavie.ru 17 марта 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow was born at Vladimir in the year 1261. He was the fourth son of St Alexander Nevsky. Dmitri of Uglich and the Three False Dmitris: One of the Most Bizarre Episodes in Russian History Dmitri of Uglich and the Three False Dmitris: One of the Most Bizarre Episodes in Russian History Dmitri ‘rose from the dead’ one last time in the person of False Dmitri III. This Dmitri gained the support of the Cossacks in the east, and was proclaimed Tsar in 1612. However, only a few weeks into his ‘reign,’ False Dmitri III was captured, sent to Moscow, and executed. This was the end of the parade of frauds claiming to be the poor young (and dead) heir of Ivan the Terrible, and Dmitri of Uglich was finally able to rest in peace. St. Peter, Tsarevich of the Horde (1290) Commemorated June 30/July 13 St. Peter, Tsarevich of the Horde (1290) Commemorated June 30/July 13 One day, after the holy hierarch Kirill had reposed, Peter fell asleep on the shore of the lake after a hunt. He had an amazing dream: two men shining with an unearthly light woke him and said, “Peter, your prayer has been heard, and your almsgiving has risen to God.” Комментарии © 1999-2016 Православие.Ru |
| What does spiritual progress mean? Do you remember what Christ said to the holy apostle Peter? Follow Me (Jn. 21:19). The apostle Peter asked what would come of the Evangelist John, and the Lord answered him, “And what’s it to you? Perhaps John will remain here until the Second Coming. The question is what will you do with Me?” What benefit have you drawn from your pilgrimages? One lady returned from an Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, and got into a serious fight with her husband. Her son said, “She came home after the Akathist and just started fighting. And before that she went and got her hair colored at the hairdresser. So what did she get from the Church; what did she learn; how did she change?” And others therefore don’t change, having seen that we have not changed. And we are good in word only. I am the same. My father told me this two months ago, because I was always ducking his calls, being too busy and having taken on too many commitments. He said to me, “Hold on, hold on, don’t hang up. I’ll talk quickly. Why are you so kind to everyone and so harsh with me?” The phone was dangling in my hands. I said, “You’re right, forgive me.” I’ll tell you the reason for this. He didn’t talk to me when I was young, and now that he is retired and totally given up his work, he always wants to talk. So I got a little annoyed and told him that he paid no attention to me my whole life, and now, when he’s 72, “you want us to talk on the phone?” However, he was right in that I talk to people one way, and another to him. Do you understand? Real progress is not to make a spectacle, but to show your true face. Become who you should become, and then the other will understand it without any words. He will draw closer to you and love you. A wife tells her husband she loves him, and that for her there’s no other, but it’s unconvincing. There’s no need to talk about it when it’s true—a wave of truth, warmth and love will flow from you to others. Archimandrite Andrei (Konanos) Translated by Jesse Dominick |
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