Orthodox Faith pinned «—Archpriest Lawrence Farley “Out of the depths of darkness and despair I cry to You, O Lord, You that hung upon the Cross in darkness. From the pit of pain and confusion, I lift up this prayer, and with all my heart I sing aloud to You: Jesus, light to those…»
Given the anxiety being experienced by many faithful over covid vaccinations, Fr Michael Gillis reminds us:
“Throughout the history of the church, there have been conflicts—especially during times of social change or stress.”
“The bishops are the ones granted the grace of God to teach the Church. Can a bishop be wrong? Sure. But the likelihood of someone who is not the bishop being wrong, in my opinion, is much greater.”
“Throughout the history of the church, there have been conflicts—especially during times of social change or stress.”
“The bishops are the ones granted the grace of God to teach the Church. Can a bishop be wrong? Sure. But the likelihood of someone who is not the bishop being wrong, in my opinion, is much greater.”
“We are limited, do not know everything and are easily deceived. Our trust has to be in God, not in man. And yet, and this is the miracle of the Church, despite all of its humanity and its many human mistakes along the way, the Holy Spirit still guides the Church.“
Fr Michael notes that at the time of St Cyprian of Carthage, many confessors (those who had suffered torture for Christ and survived) were erroneously acting like priests, “wrongly absolving sins and even celebrating the Holy Eucharist” because some people believed that their status as confessors gave them such authority.
“To be faithful children of God in the Church, humility and obedience are much more necessary than logical or emotional assurance that you or this person or that person is right about this or that point. The Church is self-correcting. If I or my bishop or a holy Elder on Mt. Athos make a mistake, the Holy Spirit will correct it, maybe not in my lifetime, but the Holy Spirit will correct it. In the mean time, I must remain humble, fearing God and trusting, as Isaiah exhorts us, that He will be my sanctification.” https://www.pravmir.com/assurance-about-the-vaccine?
Fr Michael notes that at the time of St Cyprian of Carthage, many confessors (those who had suffered torture for Christ and survived) were erroneously acting like priests, “wrongly absolving sins and even celebrating the Holy Eucharist” because some people believed that their status as confessors gave them such authority.
“To be faithful children of God in the Church, humility and obedience are much more necessary than logical or emotional assurance that you or this person or that person is right about this or that point. The Church is self-correcting. If I or my bishop or a holy Elder on Mt. Athos make a mistake, the Holy Spirit will correct it, maybe not in my lifetime, but the Holy Spirit will correct it. In the mean time, I must remain humble, fearing God and trusting, as Isaiah exhorts us, that He will be my sanctification.” https://www.pravmir.com/assurance-about-the-vaccine?
Pravmir
Assurance About The Vaccine? | A Russian Orthodox Church Website
vaccine. Fear God only and, the text goes on to say, “He will be your sanctification.” Conspiracy theories have always existed, and they have always produced fear, paranoia and hysteria. Beware of conspiracy theories because they stimulate passions and give…
This hand-painted icon by Fr Deacon Paul Drozdowski depicts the event that led to the harsh persecution of St Gabriel the New Confessor of Georgia (Nov 2/ Nov 15). As a young monk in 1965, he famously set fire to a banner of Lenin during an International Workers' Day parade in Tbilisi. He was arrested, tried, ruled psychotic, and confined to a mental hospital for seven months. He was even suspended from his priesthood for years, after the Soviet government put pressure on the Georgian Orthodox Church, although his status was later restored.
Holy Saint Gabriel pray to God for us!
Holy Saint Gabriel pray to God for us!
In the Heavens angels continually behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, rejoicing over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). We commemorate all of God’s angels on November 8– the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers.
Angels are spirits sent forth by God to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14), as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8). One Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole. One is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12).
Angels are spirits sent forth by God to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14), as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8). One Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole. One is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12).
“Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we who are unworthy beseech you, by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you: ‘Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!’”
Troparion, Tone 4
Troparion, Tone 4
This is considered to be the last photograph of St Nektarios (Nectarios) of Aegina (Nov 9/ Nov 23) as he leaves his monastery in Aegina for Aretaieio Hospital, a hospital for the poor in Athens. At his repose, St Nectarios had endured many years of slander, malice, and neglect from ecclesiastical authorities. Hospital workers were shocked to discover that the man dressed in simple monk's clothes was a bishop.
When St Nektarios was the Metropolitan of Pentapolis, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, filled with jealousy toward the saint, told Patriarch Sophronius that Nectarius was plotting to become patriarch himself. St Nektarios was not deposed but was removed from his position and he was placed under severe restrictions without any reason given.
When St Nektarios was the Metropolitan of Pentapolis, the Patriarchate of Alexandria, filled with jealousy toward the saint, told Patriarch Sophronius that Nectarius was plotting to become patriarch himself. St Nektarios was not deposed but was removed from his position and he was placed under severe restrictions without any reason given.
The room where St. Nectarios reposed now serves as a chapel for the hospital. As the nurse and the nun who sat with him began to prepare him for burial, they removed his sweater and placed it on the bed of a paralyzed man next to St Nektarios. Immediately, the paralytic got up from his bed, glorifying God.
Saint Nektarios was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina. Several years later, his grave was opened to remove his bones. His body was found whole and incorrupt as if he had been buried that very day.
Saint Nektarios was buried at the Holy Trinity Monastery on Aegina. Several years later, his grave was opened to remove his bones. His body was found whole and incorrupt as if he had been buried that very day.
"Christ is hung upon the Cross, and the devil has become a corpse. Christ has been stretched on the Cross, and a standard of salvation has been given to the world. Christ has been nailed to the Cross, and every soul has been released from bonds. Christ has been fixed to the Cross, and all creation has been set free from the slavery of corruption. Christ has breathed his last on the Cross, and a new marvel has been shown to the world; for the sun’s light is darkened"
+ St. John Chrysostom, on the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross
+ St. John Chrysostom, on the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross
A new online radio station, Orthodox Sentinel Radio, “Defending the Faith, With the Sword of Truth”, is now streaming regularly.
A growing number of Orthodox clergy who have been censored by mainstream social media and silenced even by “Orthodox” media have either already found, or are expected to find, a teaching platform on the station.
Orthodox Sentinel Radio declares itself to be “dedicated to equipping Orthodox Christians for the Spiritual Warfare of the 21st century.”
“The clergy selected to be featured on Orthodox Sentinel Radio, represent multiple canonical jurisdictions within the Orthodox Church.”
Along with audio features from Trisagion Films, podcasts from clergy such as the Very Reverend, Abbot Tryphon of All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington, and Archpriest John Whiteford of St. Jonah Orthodox Church in Spring, Texas, are currently featured on the station. More traditionally-minded clergy are currently being sought for podcasts.
A growing number of Orthodox clergy who have been censored by mainstream social media and silenced even by “Orthodox” media have either already found, or are expected to find, a teaching platform on the station.
Orthodox Sentinel Radio declares itself to be “dedicated to equipping Orthodox Christians for the Spiritual Warfare of the 21st century.”
“The clergy selected to be featured on Orthodox Sentinel Radio, represent multiple canonical jurisdictions within the Orthodox Church.”
Along with audio features from Trisagion Films, podcasts from clergy such as the Very Reverend, Abbot Tryphon of All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington, and Archpriest John Whiteford of St. Jonah Orthodox Church in Spring, Texas, are currently featured on the station. More traditionally-minded clergy are currently being sought for podcasts.