“Graffiti” artists adorn Moscow's bridges, underpasses and abandoned churches in Russia with their work.
Even a bombed-out has been adorned with sacred images.
Even a bombed-out has been adorned with sacred images.
"Miracles are not impossible from a logical standpoint, and right reason does not deny them. Natural laws do not have the claim to be the only ones, nor are they threatened with being overturned by the appearance of other laws, supernatural ones, which also are conducive to the development and furtherance of creation... Miracles are a consequence of the Creator's love for his creatures."
+St Nektarios of Aegina (Nov 9)
+St Nektarios of Aegina (Nov 9)
“The path leading to perfection is long. Pray to God so that he will strengthen you. Patiently accept your falls and, having stood up, immediately run to God, not remaining in that place where you have fallen.” + St Nectarios of Aegina (Nov 9), Path to Happiness, 3
Photo: The last known photograph of St Nektarios, as he leaves his Monastery in Aegina for Aretaieio Hospital, Athens. There he would repose just a few weeks later, in a room there which today serves as a chapel.
Photo: The last known photograph of St Nektarios, as he leaves his Monastery in Aegina for Aretaieio Hospital, Athens. There he would repose just a few weeks later, in a room there which today serves as a chapel.
A forbidden icon: The Mother of God “Enthroned”
The “Enthroned” (or “Reigning”) Icon of the Mother of God appeared miraculously on March 2, 1917, the day of Tsar Nicholas’ abdication, in the village of Kolomskoye near Moscow.
Many copies of the icon were venerated throughout Russia, but these were confiscated by the Soviets. The original icon is in the Novodevichy Museum in Moscow. There is a copy in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Kolomskoye.
The “Enthroned” (or “Reigning”) Icon of the Mother of God appeared miraculously on March 2, 1917, the day of Tsar Nicholas’ abdication, in the village of Kolomskoye near Moscow.
Many copies of the icon were venerated throughout Russia, but these were confiscated by the Soviets. The original icon is in the Novodevichy Museum in Moscow. There is a copy in the Church of the Kazan Mother of God in Kolomskoye.
“If you want to serve God, prepare your heart not for food, not for drink, not for rest, not for ease, but for suffering … for 'by many afflictions is it appointed to us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven'.” (Acts 14:22)
☦️St. Sergius of Radonezh
At the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Kyiv, the icon of the church’s patron saint recently began to stream myrrh.
☦️St. Sergius of Radonezh
At the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Kyiv, the icon of the church’s patron saint recently began to stream myrrh.
“Lord, give me the servitude that sets the soul free and take away the freedom that enslaves my soul!” These were the last words of Valeriu Gafencu (Feb 18, 1952) Romania’s “Saint of Prisons.”
For his involvement in the Orthodox youth organization called the Cross Brotherhood, Valeriu was condemned to 25 years of hard labour. He was only 20.
Valeriu and other faithful prisoners made a prayer schedule that continued uninterrupted day and night.
After years of cold, torture and hunger, he became very sick with tuberculosis. Even in this miserable physical state, Valeriu was able to help his fellow prisoners, to the point of giving his lifesaving antibiotics to another prisoner.
Valeriu Gafencu died at Targu Ocna prison. His grave remains unknown. Prisoners were buried in a common pit and their head was smashed so that it would be beyond recognition. However, Valeriu asked to be buried with a small silver cross in his mouth. God willing, this may someday allow his holy relics to be found.
For his involvement in the Orthodox youth organization called the Cross Brotherhood, Valeriu was condemned to 25 years of hard labour. He was only 20.
Valeriu and other faithful prisoners made a prayer schedule that continued uninterrupted day and night.
After years of cold, torture and hunger, he became very sick with tuberculosis. Even in this miserable physical state, Valeriu was able to help his fellow prisoners, to the point of giving his lifesaving antibiotics to another prisoner.
Valeriu Gafencu died at Targu Ocna prison. His grave remains unknown. Prisoners were buried in a common pit and their head was smashed so that it would be beyond recognition. However, Valeriu asked to be buried with a small silver cross in his mouth. God willing, this may someday allow his holy relics to be found.
The Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip (Nov 14) discerned the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies, awaited the coming of the Messiah, and heeded the Savior's call to follow Him. (John 1:43). The holy apostle was crucified upside-down by the superstitious pagans of Hierapolis (in present-day Turkey) in about 80 AD. In 2011, St Philip's tomb was uncovered at a newly excavated church at Hierapolis.
By the prayers of the holy Apostle Philip, deliver Your Church O Lord Jesus Christ, from her enemies; through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!
By the prayers of the holy Apostle Philip, deliver Your Church O Lord Jesus Christ, from her enemies; through the Theotokos protect every city, most merciful Christ!
Abbot Daniel Tudor (Nov 17, 1962), New Confessor of the Romanian Orthodox Church, was, as a monk, part of group of scholars called The Burning Bush. Their goal was to regain, based on the Bible and the Holy Fathers of Orthodox Christianity, true spirituality. At the centre of their efforts was the noetic prayer.
Later monk Daniel went to the Sychastria Monastery where Elder Cleopas made him a hermit and later abbot of the Skete Raraou.
In June 1958, Father Daniel went to Bucharest after receiving a prophetic vision that he would die in prison, confessing Christ. A court magistrate condemned Father Daniel to prison on the ludicrous assertion that he wanted to burn Communism with The Burning Bush.
At one point in his incarceration, Father Daniel and a friend endured a “refrigerator” torture in a -30 degree storehouse. This form of torture would normally leave a prisoner dead within three days.
Later monk Daniel went to the Sychastria Monastery where Elder Cleopas made him a hermit and later abbot of the Skete Raraou.
In June 1958, Father Daniel went to Bucharest after receiving a prophetic vision that he would die in prison, confessing Christ. A court magistrate condemned Father Daniel to prison on the ludicrous assertion that he wanted to burn Communism with The Burning Bush.
At one point in his incarceration, Father Daniel and a friend endured a “refrigerator” torture in a -30 degree storehouse. This form of torture would normally leave a prisoner dead within three days.
After they were locked in the storage room, Father Daniel immediately lay face down with open arms on the dirt floor. He told his friend: "Sit on me back to back with open arms and say only this, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!'" Immediately, the storehouse was filled with a brilliant light. After eight days of extreme cold and complete deprivation of food, water, sleep or clothes, the guards came to take away their corpses only to find the two alive and well. When they touched Father Daniel he was hot, and what was around him had melted.
Father Daniel died after four years of suffering in Aiount Prison. Like many martyrs of the Communist yoke, we do not know exactly where his holy body is to be found.
Father Daniel died after four years of suffering in Aiount Prison. Like many martyrs of the Communist yoke, we do not know exactly where his holy body is to be found.