| Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! After going through a long and arduous journey through Great Lent, we are often so exhausted and tired from the grind of the spiritual boot camp that we had just been through, that we forget (or do not pay as much attention to) the 40-day celebration and reward for our efforts! Just as we had Sundays during Lent, where we were inspired by figures like St. Gregory Palamas, and St. Mary of Egypt, we have these same celebratory Sundays which always follow Great and Holy Pascha! Today, we have the Church’s version of “Mother’s Day”, as we learn from the incredible example of the Myrrh bearing Women. This is the Sunday where the Church shouts from the rooftops after experiencing the Resurrection, what it means to have “Christian Courage” in life. St. Mary Magdalene our Patroness, the Theotokos, Joanna, Salome, Mary the wife of Cleopas, Susanna, Mary and Martha of Bethany…unlike Joseph of Arimathea who we also commemorate today, there was no “secret discipleship” for them! They publically cared for Christ, they cared for the disciples, and they all had a deep devotion to our Lord. And when the hard times came, when Christ ran into trouble with the civil authorities…these women didn’t abandon Christ. Even when his closest friends abandoned Him, denied Him, betrayed Him, and left Him alone to suffer and die…the Myrrh Bearers stayed by His side. Their love for Christ was so great. Their devotion was unmatched, and their desire to remain in contact with Him remained so strong…that not even the power of the Roman empire, the soldiers, nor the Jewish leaders, could intimidate them. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it takes courage to love like this. This is something that is desperately lacking in each and every one of our lives today. To have Christian courage means to be able to walk through life with COMPLETE CONFIDENCE in Who Christ is and what He has done for us. This is what those Myrrh bearing women did! They walked through the dangers of the world with perfect freedom! They were afraid of no one! They were intimidated by no one! There was no place that they could not go, and there was nothing that they could not do! |
| Tweet Нравится New Western Rite monastery planned for Louisiana Moscow, January 25, 2017 Photo: http://www.rocor-wr.org/ With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, plans are underway to open a new Western Rite monastery in Louisiana. As Archpriest Mark Rowe, Dean of ROCOR Western Rite communities, writes , the monastery will be in the Benedictine tradition, under the patronage of Our Lady and St. John the Forerunner and Baptist, and under the abbacy of Hieromonk Ezekiel (Vieages), tonsured by Met. Hilarion in December, 2014. Photo: http://stillwaterorthodox.org/ Monastery plans include monastic housing, guest cells, a full chapel and refectory and cemetery. There is to be a convent-metochion attached as well, named in honor of St. Mary Magdalene. There are currently two nuns, Mother Barbara and Mother Cecilia. Hopes are to develop a place of spiritual renewal, and a location for ordinations, retreats, seminars, etc. ROCOR’s Western Rite aims to respond to the desire of those Western Christians seeking to re-establish the pre-schism Western Church, and who may not otherwise unite themselves to the Orthodox Church due to the uniqueness of the Eastern Rite or ethnic cultures. Currently there are twenty-five parishes and eight monasteries within the Western Rite communites. Fr. Mark writes: “This is a huge project, and we ask you undergird this project with prayer, fasting and almsgiving to reach its potential… Please, of your Christian Charity, consider a gift today to start the building fund.” Donations earmarked for the monastery can be made via Paypal at the ROCOR Western Rite site . 25 января 2017 г. Подпишитесь на рассылку Православие.Ru Рассылка выходит два раза в неделю: Предыдущий Следующий Смотри также In Defense of Western Rite Orthodoxy A Deacon of the Orthodox Church In Defense of Western Rite Orthodoxy A Deacon of the Orthodox Church In recent years, some Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States and Great Britain have accepted whole parishes that converted from Anglicanism or Catholicism to Orthodoxy. |
| Prince Charles visits the Russian Convent of St Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles in Gethsemane Source: ROCOR Photo: missionrocor.ru Concluding his official visit to Israel and Palestine, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales visited the Convent of Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles in Gethsemane, Jerusalem, where the great-great-aunt and grandmother of the heir to the British Throne are buried. Prince Charles represented England during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the emancipation of Auschwitz by Russian soldiers. His Royal Highness also visited the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem, Palestine. The Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), represented the mission during the Bethlehem celebrations. On January 24, 2020, Prince Charles visited the convent, where Fr Roman greeted him. The Chief of the Mission escorted the Prince to the convent church, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, where His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany and Abbess Elizabeth (Smelic), head of the monastery, welcomed him with the traditional Russian bread and salt. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Prince Charles by a student of Orthodox Bethany School for girls. Vladyka Mark took the royal into the church, where the nuns sang the church’s troparion. Many Years was then intoned to “Her Highness Queen Elizabeth, His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Entire Royal Windsor Family” in English. They proceeded to the crypt of the holy relics of Holy Grand Duchess Elizabeth, who was the great-great-aunt of Prince Charles. He venerated the crypt and placed flowers on the crypt and lit a candle. The Chief of the Mission gave a brief account of the dramatic story of the transfer of the coffin containing Grand Duchess Elizabeth’s body to Jerusalem. The prince was also shown other relics relating to the tragic fate of his holy relation kept at the convent—a bloodied remnant of the coat worn by her spouse, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, when he was assassinated. |
| Prince William visits the tomb of his great-grandmother Princess Alice of Battenberg in the Russian Orthodox church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, June 28, 2018. Sebastian Scheiner/Pool via Reuters On the first-ever official visit of English Royalty to Israel, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, visited the Monastery of St Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Gethsemane on June 28, 2018, where his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, is entombed, and the relics of his great-great-great-aunt St Elisabeth lie in the church. His Royal Highness was greeted at the gate of the monastery by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, who escorted Prince William into the church. On the terrace before the church, Fr Roman pointed out the holy places of the old city of Jerusalem seen from there. Abbess Elisabeth (Smelic) greeted him with the traditional bread and salt. The high guest entered the church with the nuns singing the troparion of St Mary. The head of the REM intoned petitions for the health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, His Royal Highness Prince William and for the Royal House of Windsor. Afterwards he intoned Many Years. Prince William laid flowers on the reliquary and lit a candle. Fr Roman explained the relationship between St Elisabeth and the church, the death of her husband, of her becoming a nun and opening the Convent of SS Martha and Mary in Moscow, where there was an orphanage and hospital. He also explained how she, along with her august sister Empress Alexandra with her daughters, were operating-theater nurses during WWI. Fr Roman explained the circumstances of her death, telling the Prince that “the murder of St Elisabeth was a tragedy for the Russian people and a personal loss for his family, but now we have a fervent intercessor before the throne of the Lord.” Afterwards His Highness also lit a candle at the reliquary of St Barbara. Prince William spoke briefly with Mother Elisabeth, who is from Australia, and therefore a member of the Commonwealth. |
| Patriarch Daniel Expresses Gratitude to Christian Women for Being ‘Models of Faith and Courage in Times of Trial’ Source: Basilica.ro In his annual message occasioned by the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel expressed his gratitude to Christian women for being ‘models of faith and courage in times of trial.’ Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro/Raluca Ene The message that will be read throughout the Romanian Patriarchate this Sunday reminds of the presence of the myrrh-bearing women at Christ’s tomb as an act of great bravery and witness. Since their love was greater than fear, the Myrrhbearers proved to be more devoted to the Lord than the apostles. On this occasion, the Patriarch of Romania thanked and blessed all Christian women, who show the same sacrifice and courage in their families and in society, by educating children and caring for the elderly. The Myrrh-bearing Women – models of faith and courage in times of trial: full text Christ is risen! On the third Sunday after Easter, also called the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, the Orthodox Church commemorates and honours the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, who came to the tomb of the Saviour Jesus Christ with precious myrrh, receiving from the angels, before all, the news that Christ had risen from the dead. These myrrh-bearing women became bold confessors of the Lord’s Resurrection, becoming worthy of the great joy of meeting the Risen Christ Himself (Matthew 28: 9). From the New Testament, we know the names of the myrrh-bearing women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jacob and Joseph or Josiah, Mary of Cleopas, Joanna the wife of Chuza, the steward of King Herod, Salome and Susanna, who helped the Saviour and the Holy Apostles in the holy work of preaching the gospel. To these are added Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus of Bethany. The presence of the myrrh-bearing women at the tomb of the Lord is an act of great courage and responsible acceptance to profess the faith, in that their love for Christ the Lord was stronger than the fear produced by those who decided His crucifixion. |
| Archive Metropolitan Hilarion completes his pilgrimage to Holy Land 12 January 2019 year 09:14 On January 10 and 11, 2019, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), continued his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On January 10, after his meeting with His Beatitude Theophilos II, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, the DECR chairman went to the Jordan River and after that visited the Russian museum and park compound located in the center of Jericho on the so-call “Joasaph’s” area of about 10 hectares. This land was purchased in 1886 by Hieromonk Joasaph (Plekhanov) with the funds given by Russian benefactor Helen Reznichanko and later handed over to the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society. Surviving there is the orange-tree garden planted by Father Joasaph and several pise buildings. In 2008, the Palestinian authorities gave this land back to Russia. Archaeologists discovered there ruins of a 5-century Byzantine church. The compound was opened in January 2011. Growing in the park are plants mentioned in the Bible, and its main object of note is Zacchaeus’s fig tree. In the museum, there are archaeological discoveries including Jewish, Byzantine, Roman and Arab coins, artefacts, church vessels and fragments of Byzantine mosaic. His Eminence Hilarion met with the director of the museum and park compound, R. Dikansky. On January 11, Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission representation in Tiberias dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene Equal-to-the-Apostles. The archpastor was assisted by Hieromonk Dometian (Markarian), deputy head of the Mission, and Rev. Alexander Karzan, DECR. This land was purchased by Archimandrite Leonid (Sentsov), head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, in 1908. The St. Mary Magdalene church was built there in 1962. In the 90s, the church walls were painted with frescoes reflecting events linked with the Sea of Galilee also called Lake Tiberias or Lake of Gennisaret. |
| Photo: oca.org The 20th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America concluded on Friday with the fifth Plenary Session. The morning began with a performance by the youth. After preparing throughout the week with the youth program leaders, they sang liturgical hymns in two-part harmony for the delegation. The youth program for the All-American Council brought together 103 children from across the Orthodox Church in America for five days of education and activities. A resolution was brought to the floor that advises ways to improve communication between the Pension Board and Metropolitan Council . Among the points the resolution recommends include regular and in-depth reporting on the OCA Pension Plan , and professional pension training for Pension Board and Metropolitan Council members. The resolution passed by majority. In lieu of the report on military and veteran chaplaincy , Archpriest Peter Dubinin and Priest James Parnell offered presentations on the work of chaplains and the need for more candidates to pursue this path. Archpriest Steven Voytovich then outlined the work of institutional chaplains in his report. He emphasized that this vocation is not limited to ordained clergy, but can also be a career opportunity for lay men and women. The delegation viewed three short videos produced by ELEOS Poland, the charitable organization of the Polish Orthodox Church, which outlined the work undertaken for Ukrainian refugees. Earlier this year, ELEOS Poland received more than from the Orthodox Church in America to further their care for those affected by the war in Ukraine. This donation is the result of the largest single charitable collection ever taken up by the Orthodox Church in America. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon offered his closing remarks, connecting today’s feast of Saint Mary Magdalene with the theme of the Council, “Becoming Vessels of Grace.” Just as Saint Mary proclaimed her experience of the Resurrection to others, he remarked all the members of the delegation should take what they have experienced over the past week and “offer it to God’s people. |
| The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Visits the Convents of the Russian Church Abroad in the Holy Land Source: ROCOR Photo: www.synod.com On Saturday, May 18, 2019, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine visited the Convent of St Mary Magdalene in Gethsemane, Jerusalem, where he was greeted by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, his monks and Abbess Elizabeth (Smelic) and her nuns. Accompanied by the singing of “The Angel Cried,” His Beatitude venerated the altar table and holy relics of the “Royal Church” of the convent. After a brief prayer service, Fr Roman welcomed Metropolitan Onuphry, assuring him of the prayers for the canonical Church he heads and the people of Ukraine by the monastics of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church expressed his profound gratitude for the prayers and support, wishing the monastics patience and heavenly aid in their difficult labors in the Holy Land. As they venerated the relics of Holy Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, His Eminence anointed his fellow-travelers with oil from the lampadas which perpetually burn at their reliquary. Metropolitan Onuphry then went to Ascension of the Savior Convent on the Mount of Olives. Here, under the peal of bells from the bell tower known as the “Russian Candle,” His Beatitude was greeted by Abbess Barbara (Novikova) and her sisters, proceeding to the church, where he venerated the holy altar table and the church’s relics, as well as the burial site of Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin), one of the greatest Chiefs of the REM. In the chapel of St John the Forerunner of Christ, the pilgrims accompanying Metropolitan Onuphry made confession, and the Rules for Holy Confession were then read among the convent’s olive trees. His Beatitude then expressed gratitude for the opportunity to venerate the holy relics of the convent, and, together with Bishop Evsevy of Shepetovsk and Slavutsk and the pilgrims, departed for the Holy Sepulcher of the Lord for the celebration of night-time Liturgy. |
| Celebration commemorating St Mary Magdalene takes place in Magdala admin 09 August 2013 August 8, 2013 On 4 August 2013, the commemoration day of St Mary Magdalene, the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission’s Metochion in Magdala celebrated its patronal feast. Magdala is a village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, birthplace of St Mary Magdalene. On the eve of the feast, Archimandrite Sergiy (Obyedkov) celebrated the All-Night Vigil at the Metochion. Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth officiated at the Divine Liturgy on the feast day. Concelebrating with him were Archimandrite Sergiy (Obyedkov) and the clergymen who came to the Holy Land from Russia. Praying at the service was hegumenness Georgia (Schukina), abbess of the Gorneye Convent. After the Liturgy, the procession of the cross went to the spring of St Mary Magdalene where a thanksgiving was said, web-site of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem reports. Source: DECR Tweet Donate Share Code for blog Celebration commemorating St Mary Magdalene takes place in Magdala admin August 8, 2013 On 4 August 2013, the commemoration day of St Mary Magdalene, the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission’s Metochion in Magdala celebrated its patronal feast. Magdala is a village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, birthplace of St Mary Magdalene. On the eve of the feast, Archimandrite ... Since you are here… …we do have a small request. More and more people visit Orthodoxy and the World website. However, resources for editorial are scarce. In comparison to some mass media, we do not make paid subscription. It is our deepest belief that preaching Christ for money is wrong. Having said that, Pravmir provides daily articles from an autonomous news service, weekly wall newspaper for churches, lectorium, photos, videos, hosting and servers. Editors and translators work together towards one goal: to make our four websites possible - Pravmir.ru, Neinvalid.ru, Matrony.ru and Pravmir.com. Therefore our request for help is understandable. |
| The Convent of St. Mary Magdelene, Jerusalem The St. Mary Magdalene Convent in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is situated on the slope of the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane and is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks of Jerusalem. This striking example of Russian architecture was built in the Muscovite style with golden onion domes or cupolas. It was built as a memorial to Empress Maria Alexandrovna by her son the Russian Czar Alexander III and his brothers. Grand-Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, brother of Alexander III, and his wife Grand-Duchess Elizabeth (Princess Elizabeth of Hesse-Darmstadt), grand-daughter of Queen Victoria and sister of the last Empress of Russia, presided at the consecration of the church of Saint Mary Magdalene in 1888 as representatives of the Emperor. The Grand-Duchess took a deep personal interest in the church and commissioned the well-known Russian artist Sergei Ivanov (1864-1910) to paint the large imposing murals depicting the life of Saint Mary Magdalene which were brought to Jerusalem for the consecration and hang in the church today. The large canvas above the iconostasis shows Mary Magdalene before the Roman Emperor Tiberius. In her hand she holds a red egg which she presents to the Emperor, symbolizing the resurrection and eternal life. She tells Tiberius about the unjust judgment and death on the cross of Jesus Christ. It is known that after re-examining this unlawful trial Pilate, at that time governor of Jerusalem, was deposed and sent into exile. The elegant white marble and bronze iconostasis holds icons by the distinguished Russian artist, Vereshchaguin. On the right side of the iconostasis in a specially carved wooden icon-case is the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God ‘HODIGITRIA’. This icon comes from Lebanon. Records of its miracles date back to the 16th century when it miraculously survived a fire that consumed the church. Later it healed many people during a cholera epidemic. |
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