Why do we fast before the Dormition? “In a close-knit family, word that its matriarch is on her deathbed brings normal life to a halt. Otherwise important things (parties, TV, luxuries, personal desires) become unimportant; life comes to revolve around the dying matriarch. It is the same with the Orthodox family; word that our matriarch is on her deathbed, could not (or at least should not) have any different effect than the one just mentioned. …
Fr. Thomas Hopko has noted, she heard the word of God and kept it so well, that she of all women in history was chosen not only to hear His Word but give birth to Him. So while we fast in contemplation of her life, we are simultaneously preparing ourselves to live a life in imitation of her. That is the purpose of the Dormition Fast.”
—from the article "Why a Fast for the Dormition?", by Daniel Manzuk, published in “The Word", June 2008, Antiochian Archdiocese of America
Fr. Thomas Hopko has noted, she heard the word of God and kept it so well, that she of all women in history was chosen not only to hear His Word but give birth to Him. So while we fast in contemplation of her life, we are simultaneously preparing ourselves to live a life in imitation of her. That is the purpose of the Dormition Fast.”
—from the article "Why a Fast for the Dormition?", by Daniel Manzuk, published in “The Word", June 2008, Antiochian Archdiocese of America
Do not undertake to explain the Gospels or the other books of Holy Scripture yourself. The Scriptures were not expressed arbitrarily by the prophets and apostles, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How mindless then is it to explain them arbitrarily? The Holy Spirit, having expressed the Word of God through the prophets and apostles, explained it through the Holy Fathers. Both the Word of God and its explanation are a gift of the Holy Spirit. The holy Orthodox Church and its true children accept only this patristic interpretation!
☦️ St Ignatius Brianchaninov
☦️ St Ignatius Brianchaninov
The purpose of our struggle is not that we become better persons than we are now, but rather, the purpose of our prayer and struggle is for Christ to dwell in our hearts, together with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, and for us to become gods by grace.
—Archpriest Theodore Gignadze ©️
Facebook Page: Sermons by Father Theodore Gignadze
—Archpriest Theodore Gignadze ©️
Facebook Page: Sermons by Father Theodore Gignadze
Did someone say it was #WorldCatDay?
This is Kesha, a native of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve in Karelia, on the island in Lake Onega, Russia. The Dormition Church of Kondopoga is in the background.
This is Kesha, a native of the Kizhi Museum-Reserve in Karelia, on the island in Lake Onega, Russia. The Dormition Church of Kondopoga is in the background.
A true Christian is made by faith and love toward Christ. Our sins do not in the least hinder our Christianity, according to the word of the Savior Himself. He deigned to say: not the righteous have I come to call, but sinners to salvation; there is more joy in heaven over one who repents than over ninety righteous ones.
☦️ St. Herman of Alaska (Glorification Aug 9)
☦️ St. Herman of Alaska (Glorification Aug 9)
In August, 2021, massive wildfires plagued Greece. In Evia, where there are many monasteries, the fires were especially fierce.
At the monastery of Saint David of Evia, home to the modern Saint Iakovos Tsalikis, abbot from 1975 until he passed away at 1991, the monks processed with the Holy relics of the Saints and their icons. As the fire encircled the monastery, police came to evacuate the monks, who refused to leave and continued to pray. Everything around the holy monastery burned. Only the monastery was spared.
At the monastery of Saint David of Evia, home to the modern Saint Iakovos Tsalikis, abbot from 1975 until he passed away at 1991, the monks processed with the Holy relics of the Saints and their icons. As the fire encircled the monastery, police came to evacuate the monks, who refused to leave and continued to pray. Everything around the holy monastery burned. Only the monastery was spared.
Two days after this miracle, the fire approached the village of Prokopi, Evia, where the Church of Saint John the Russian and his holy relics are located. The women and children of the village began to pack their essential belongings for evacuation and the men began to build firebreaks.
The Metropolitan Chrysostom of Chalkis asked the village’s priest to do a procession with the relics. The priest called other priests in the area to bring relics and icons from their churches for the late-night procession. At 3am, police came to ask the few remaining villagers to leave. At about the same time a small cloud came above the village illuminated by the stars and a strong rain started to fall— even though none had been forecasted.
The Metropolitan Chrysostom of Chalkis asked the village’s priest to do a procession with the relics. The priest called other priests in the area to bring relics and icons from their churches for the late-night procession. At 3am, police came to ask the few remaining villagers to leave. At about the same time a small cloud came above the village illuminated by the stars and a strong rain started to fall— even though none had been forecasted.
“No one should presumptuously and haphazardly partake of the Holy Bread and sacred Communion, without any preparation. For this reason the Lord now tells us through the Prayer that we must be reconciled with God and with our brothers before approaching the divine Mysteries, just as He says in another place: “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
— from Explanation of the Lord's Prayer by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite ☦️
— from Explanation of the Lord's Prayer by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite ☦️
The teachings of the Holy Fathers provide wisdom and guidance for navigating the Royal Path.
What is the Royal Path? St. John Cassian, who emphasized the importance of “sober-mindedness” (or “discretion”) in navigating the spiritual journey. The Royal Path is a moderated and balanced approach to spiritual life, avoiding extremes of laxity or rigor. It is rooted in the teachings of the Holy Fathers, particularly St. John Cassian, who emphasized the importance of “sober-mindedness” (or “discretion”) in navigating the spiritual journey.
What is the Royal Path? St. John Cassian, who emphasized the importance of “sober-mindedness” (or “discretion”) in navigating the spiritual journey. The Royal Path is a moderated and balanced approach to spiritual life, avoiding extremes of laxity or rigor. It is rooted in the teachings of the Holy Fathers, particularly St. John Cassian, who emphasized the importance of “sober-mindedness” (or “discretion”) in navigating the spiritual journey.