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.
"Before I am an athlete, I am an Orthodox Christian."
Novak Djokovic is often described as best athlete in the world. He has donated millions of dollars to humanitarian causes: early childhood education, medical supplies, disaster relief worldwide, and churches and monasteries. In 2011, Djokovic donated €100,000 to the reconstruction of the church of St. Archangel Michael Church in Belgrade, which was damaged during NATO bombings in 1999.
Novak Djokovic is often described as best athlete in the world. He has donated millions of dollars to humanitarian causes: early childhood education, medical supplies, disaster relief worldwide, and churches and monasteries. In 2011, Djokovic donated €100,000 to the reconstruction of the church of St. Archangel Michael Church in Belgrade, which was damaged during NATO bombings in 1999.
A young catechumen to Fr. Seraphim Rose: “Father, I am reading the Fathers diligently! Every evening when I go home I read the saints and Orthodox theology. I read nothing but Orthodox works." Fr. Seraphim’s reply: “Go home and read Dickens."
What was Father saying? Let me make an attempt at explaining. Our faith is a practical one, not merely an ideology. The Lord taught us to pray that Heaven would come down to earth. What is the use of amassing an impressive collection of theological books but having no practical spritual life and eyes that are closed to the suffering of others— even our very neighbours and fellow Orthodox parishioners. What is the use of becoming a keyboard warrior for the Faith without any practical attempt at developing an ascetic life of love, humility and charity? Do we love Jesus Christ enough to see the true needs of others and help them even in small ways, or do we dismiss them as intellectually and morally inferior?
What was Father saying? Let me make an attempt at explaining. Our faith is a practical one, not merely an ideology. The Lord taught us to pray that Heaven would come down to earth. What is the use of amassing an impressive collection of theological books but having no practical spritual life and eyes that are closed to the suffering of others— even our very neighbours and fellow Orthodox parishioners. What is the use of becoming a keyboard warrior for the Faith without any practical attempt at developing an ascetic life of love, humility and charity? Do we love Jesus Christ enough to see the true needs of others and help them even in small ways, or do we dismiss them as intellectually and morally inferior?
St Seraphim of Sarov: “Acquire a peaceful spirit and thousands around you will be saved.” Are we living our faith in such a way that we are truly acquiring the Holy Spirit, as St Seraphim declared as the aim of the Christian life? Or, are we wasting our lives in the deception of a self-righteous, falsely pious, joyless intellectual bubble? God grant us repentance while there is still time.
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Holy water, red like blood, flows from the tree in Vounina, Greece where New Martyr Nicholas of Vounina (May 9/ May 22) was murdered by Arabs in 720. After the departure of the Arabs, the bishop of Larissa transferred the relics of St. Nicholas and his co-martyrs to the city. However, the relics of St. Nicholas miraculously appeared in a hollow in the trunk of the oak tree.
In 985, Prince Euthymianus of Thessalonika was stricken with leprosy. He was directed to go to the mountain of Vounenissa and immerse his sick body in the holy spring next to the place of burial of Martyr Nicholas. Euthymianus built a church to house St Nicholas’ holy relics. After a second revelation, he found the spring, and in the Name of the Holy Trinity, immersed himself thrice in its miraculous waters, and was healed. The oak of St. Nicholas still stands.
In 985, Prince Euthymianus of Thessalonika was stricken with leprosy. He was directed to go to the mountain of Vounenissa and immerse his sick body in the holy spring next to the place of burial of Martyr Nicholas. Euthymianus built a church to house St Nicholas’ holy relics. After a second revelation, he found the spring, and in the Name of the Holy Trinity, immersed himself thrice in its miraculous waters, and was healed. The oak of St. Nicholas still stands.
Every year on the anniversary of St Nicholas’ martyrdom according to the Julian calendar, services are held next to the oak, and from it pours blood-like liquid. The faithful carefully collect it and with faith use it to heal physical and spiritual maladies. The Holy Martyr Nicholas is especially renowned for healing diseases of the skin.
Video source: Kosmas.gr on Facebook
Video source: Kosmas.gr on Facebook