Orthodox Wisdom

St. Nikolai's words from the mid-twentieth century are still relevant for American Orthodoxy today.📖 An excerpt from: St Nikolai Velimirovich on Orthodoxy in America & Its Futurehttps://www.orthodoxhistory.org/2018/07/18/st-nikolai-velimirovich-orthodoxy-america-future/🎧 Orthodoxy in the USA - Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/RIV6f31AWhY🎧 The Seven Phrases Christ Spoke on the Cross - St. Nikolai Velimirovićhttps://youtu.be/_AXpyZVw1pg⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work here:https://buymeacoffee.com/orthodoxwisdom_______St. Nikolai teaches:Personally, I have a deep admiration for these old Orthodox generations in America, both for those who passed away in the Faith, and for those who are still living by their faith. They have been a spiritual and constructive component of the New World’s humanity. I dare say that in their own way they have been heroic generations no less than other national groups, now blended into one…

Wisdom from the desert fathers of early Orthodox monasticism regarding welcoming others, showing hospitality, fasting, breaking one's own fast, among other matters. Note: Geronda is Greek for "Elder"📖 Text is from the Gerondikon (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/the-sayings-of-the-desert-fathers?srsltid=AfmBOooimpVQkQjsICBvWiDr87lPYCY9j_S5hpuDZY_C1VEyzk2DTyfT🎧 The 38 Sayings of St. Anthony the Greathttps://youtu.be/YNh81oWWJUc🎧 On Divine Fear - Abba Dorotheos of Gazahttps://youtu.be/7CHHNtUv2YQ🎧 Life in the Last Times - Abba Pambo (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)https://youtu.be/x9QlurpEwfk⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work here:https://buymeacoffee.com/orthodoxwisdom_______5. A brother came to Abba Poemen in the second week of Lent to seek some advice about his thoughts, and when he had received the answer he said, "I was not quite sure whether to come to you today or not." "Why…

St. Paisios arms us with the knowledge of how the devil works, how we can overcome his deceptions, and how to unite ourselves to Christ. "The devil can harm us only if," teaches St. Paisios, "we allow him to have power over us." 0:00 Intro 0:15 When We Sin We Give Rights to Temptation 3:21 Confession Deprives the Devil of His Rights 5:51 The Devil Will Not Approach a Pure Creature of God 10:02 We Should Not Start a Conversation With the Devil 11:43 The Devil is Weak 16:29 The Devil is Dumb 20:48 The Reason That God Allows the Devil to Tempt Us 24:55 The Devil Does Not Want to Repent 29:38 Humility Destroys the DevilReading from “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man”, p. 52-69📖 Spiritual Counsels, Vol. I: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man by St. Paisioshttps://www.holycross.org/products/with-pain-and-love-for-contemporary-man-elder-paisios?srsltid=AfmBOooG0oxZfwjniLoIMF1LXDQHdMBKr8W6eXoQxM2xf-AEqHLNx31u🎧 The Struggle Against Thoughts - St. Paisios the…

Christ is born! St. Sebastian offers a brief but thought-provoking homily for this glorious feast.📖 A reading from this important vook: The complete works of St. Sebastian: Beacon From the Bayhttps://www.amazon.com/Beacon-Bay-Collected-Sebastian-Francisco/dp/B0DP1FNJCV🎧 Life of St. Sebastian (five parts): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYiAmhiJ6mQaberXVJ0FZePY🎧 The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ - Homily by St. Gregory Palamashttps://youtu.be/DHG2gakIqdQ⛪️ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work here:https://buymeacoffee.com/orthodoxwisdom_______St. Sebastian teaches:Unfortunately we now often see in the world a decline in religious celebrations of Christian festivals, just as in political and civil holidays we now often notice a tendency to withdraw from public scenes to one's own narrow sphere of privacy, personal comfort, and individual satisfaction. Such conditions are detrimental to society at large. The…

St. Justin Popovic (+1979) the great Serbian theologian of the 20th century, explains the nature and veracity of God being Judge of all creation. "It is natural for the heavenly Sower," writes St. Justin, "who has abundantly sown the seed of eternal, divine truths in the earth of the human soul, to come and see how much of that seed has rotted in the mire of lust, been strangled by the thorns of passion or withered by the coals of sinfulness, and how much has grown and yielded divine fruit, and, also, to reap and winnow the ripe ears of corn."A reading from The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism by St. Justin Popovic, p. 85-88.NOTE: The meaning of Theanthropic: divine (in Greek theos = God) and human (in Greek anthropos = man); the Theanthropos = the God-Man, i.e. Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God.📖 The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism by St. Justin Popovichttps://lazarica.co.uk/bookshop/📖 Orthodox Faith and Life in Christ by St. Justin Popovichttps://ibmgs.org/miscellaneous.html🎧 Introduction to the Lives of…

Met. Luke of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) delivered this address on December 4, 2025 at the conference titled: "The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics" hosted by Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade, Serbia.📖 The Ecumenical Offensive as a Tool of Geopolitics: Media, Finances, and Diplomacy of the Vatican and the Phanar by Met. Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopolhttps://uoj.news/en/news/85834-uoc-bishop-calls-for-statement-on-boundaries-of-ecumenism🎧 On the Canons of the Ecumenical Councils - Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/d3nDu6TlWLA🎧 Ecumenism is "Downright Scum, Spiritual Filth" - St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyviahttps://youtu.be/QxFFmBHbFqM🎧 Ecumenism: One of the Most Dangerous Heresies - St. Sophrony the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/7A0_Vw--4LU🎧 Does the Russian Orthodox Church Need to Participate in the Ecumenical Movement? (Part I/II)https://youtu.be/FjCGKeBaMzw⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:…

For a very breif time in 1991, Elder Ephraim (+2019) was a member of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). Compelled to address his reasons for joining the Synod, Elder Ephraim composed this statement explaining the position of ROCOR and its canonicity. His statement is valuable to all Orthodox Christians in today's struggle against the heresy of Ecumenism and for the unity of the Orthodox Church.0:00 Introduction1:52 Elder Ephraim's StatementThe inclusion of the introduction by the editors of Orthodox Tradition (Old Calendarists from Etna, CA) is neither to promote nor demote them. At minimum, their words provide valuable context and are appropriate in setting up the audience for their english translation of Elder Ephraim's original greek. It's up to the listener to draw their own conclusions about the Old Calenderists and more importantly, the words of Elder Ephraim. 📖 Elder Ephraim on the Russian Orthodox Church Abroadhttp://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ephraim_roca.aspx🎧 PLAYLIST: Elder…

A spiritual son of St. Porphyrios describes how the elder served Christ with incredible love and devotion in the Divine Liturgy.A reading from “Father Porphyrios: The Discerning, The Foreseeing, The Healer” by Anargyros J. Kalliatsos, p. 52-54🎧 To Be A Christian You Must Become A Poet - St. Porphyrioshttps://youtu.be/sp_NV5zj9wo🎧 Noetic Sound Waves of the Heart - From the Life of St. Porphyrioshttps://youtu.be/n5dWVVDDvhM🎧 Original recording of Saint Porphyrios saying the Jesus Prayer:https://youtu.be/w7XSW7wpCfY?si=w3yUXGV94QMWg4FH📖 Wounded by Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios:https://www.holycross.org/products/wounded-by-love-the-life-and-the-wisdom-of-elder-porphyrios?srsltid=AfmBOoorE21YcZGUDow6RQlSnMJLerM851JSD-JP01Rl_2lvrmd0tO7n📖Healing the Soul: Saint Porphyrios as a Model for Our Lives. The St. John Chrysostom Monastery in Wisconsin publishes this book. Email them to ask how to obtain a copy:https://www.stchrysostomoscrafts.com/⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:…

Written in 1972, Fr. Seraphim Rose draws attention to the significance of St. Paisius Velichkovsky (+1794) for us today, stating, "...for Orthodox Christians of the 20th century there is no more important Holy Father of recent times than Blessed Paisius Velichkovsky."A reading of Fr. Seraphim Rose's Introduction to: "Blessed Paisius Velichkovsky: The Man Behind the Philokalia" by Schema-monk Metrophanes📖 Read the Introduction here:https://jordanville.org/news_121129_2http://orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/intro_bpv.aspx📖 Currently available books by Fr. Seraphim:https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Fr-Seraphim-s/1817.htm🎧 On Prelest (Spiritual Deception) - Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/Pt00jwZ37ik🎧 The Holy Fathers of Orthodox Spirituality, Pt. I - Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/ZEDGphNMUw0🎥 Experiences with Fr. Seraphim Rose - from Archpriest Paul Babahttps://youtu.be/w2Ej6Z8e90w🎧 See my playlist of readings of Fr. Seraphim Rose:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYjDHTp3rJVE7B66juR7bDzI⛪ FIND…

St. Seraphim addresses two related spiritual diseases that plague many at various times, offering insight into how to overcome them and remain close to Christ.This reading comes from: Life and Teaching of St. Seraphim of Sarov📖 Life and Teaching of St. Seraphim of Sarovhttps://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/life-and-teaching-of-saint-seraphim-of-sarov?srsltid=AfmBOopmeXl6e0F3AWUW23i0Sy5XOCVLP002Q85QzKN09lymGZj5VLdv🎧 Despondency in Prayer - St. John of Kronstadthttps://youtu.be/dlH-e6gQQEM🎧 Drive Out Despair With The Jesus Prayer - St. Barsanuphius of Optinahttps://youtu.be/ELcvcmLMI7A🎧 The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit - St. Seraphim of Sarovhttps://youtu.be/i5rTls7uTsM🎧 Never Despair of Your Salvation (Concerning the Sin of Self-abuse)https://youtu.be/OOQxdpPd_PI🎧 On Peace of Soul - St. Seraphim of Sarovhttps://youtu.be/6LTSr5pu00A⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work…

St. Paisios provides guidance on fighting the sins and passions that plague us, and how to win the battle to receive a heavenly crown.A reading from Spiritual Counsels, Vol. V: Passions and Virtues by St. Paisios, p. 21-36📖 Spiritual Counsels, Vol. V: Passions and Virtues by St. Paisioshttps://www.holycross.org/products/passions-and-virtues-elder-paisios?srsltid=AfmBOoosr8olgBCwD0SYQ-GFS_bfXyRVYAsxDAiBGL9MlAUJ1SC3ssyE🎧 The Struggle Against Thoughts - St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/5sN-zHdnjto🎧 On Attention and Distraction - St. Ignatius Brianchaninovhttps://youtu.be/v5ZIEmv8RwQ🎧 Everyone Needs a Spiritual Father - St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/xaSeWRcJPHo🎧 Fighting the Passions - Archbishop Theophan of Poltavahttps://youtu.be/tNYLK80dFvA🎧 Holiness is in the Struggle! - Elder Athanasios Mitilinaioshttps://youtu.be/Qhm2ffdEBsc⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work…

What was the nature of paradise? How should we understand the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? St. John of Damascus explains this and more. A reading from Chapter 2, Book 11 of the Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith 📖 Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith by St. John of Damascushttps://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/exact-exposition-of-the-orthodox-faith?srsltid=AfmBOooIh2HMkYAbPmSR-vRxp3-t7gnDMG-wE35u0kLCM3RfpbB0cVyi 🎧 Against Those Who Attack the Divine Images (First Apology) - St. John of Damascushttps://youtu.be/bm2eV_anejw 🎧 The Divine Bait - Sts. Gregory of Nyssa, Maximus the Confessor, & John of Damascus https://youtu.be/8olZ4qkUrJE🎧 Adam's Lament - St. Silouan the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/n0e2bb0lTa0 ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ 🎁Support my work here:https://buymeacoffee.com/orthodoxwisdom_______St. John teaches: Since God intended to fashion man after His own image and likeness from the…

St. Gregory details the nature and characteristics of the Triune God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. A reading from Homily 8 (p. 55-58) from Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies📖 Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilieshttps://mountthabor.com/products/saint-gregory-palamas-the-homilies🎧 The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ - Homily by St. Gregory Palamashttps://youtu.be/DHG2gakIqdQ🎧 The Filioque: From the Latins Which Were Obedient to Satan - St. Gregory Palamashttps://youtu.be/4FeQoutq16I🎧 Homily on the Eve of Theophany - St. Gregory Palamashttps://youtu.be/Z1whxp_kuV0🎧 The Hesychastic Life of the Young Mother of God - St. Gregory Palamashttps://youtu.be/uYsv8o0yyic⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/🎁Support my work here:https://buymeacoffee.com/orthodoxwisdom_______St. Gregory teaches:Believing in God is different from believing God. To believe God is to regard His promises to us as sure and true, but to believe in Him is to have a right…

St. Seraphim describes peace of soul in Christ and how to preserve this peace. As the saint says, "One must by every means strive to preserve peace of soul and not to be disturbed by offences from others..."This reading comes from: Life and Teaching of St. Seraphim of Sarov📖 Life and Teaching of St. Seraphim of Sarovhttps://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/life-and-teaching-of-saint-seraphim-of-sarov?srsltid=AfmBOopmeXl6e0F3AWUW23i0Sy5XOCVLP002Q85QzKN09lymGZj5VLdv🎧 The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit - St. Seraphim of Sarovhttps://youtu.be/i5rTls7uTsM🎧 On Refusal to Judge Our Neighbor - St. Dorotheos of Gazahttps://youtu.be/LiAZHn18uVI🎧 On God's Love For Us & The Grace of Humility - Elder Ephraim of Arizonahttps://youtu.be/SQblbVcDMts FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______St. Seraphim teaches:Nothing is better than peace in Christ; in it is destroyed every warfare of the spirits of the air and earth: “For we wrestle not against…

St. Silouan the Athonite writes on battling intrusive thoughts and recognizing delusions, emphasizing that we must "fight the enemy with the weapon of humility". A reading from "Saint Silouan the Athonite" by St. Sophrony the Athonite, p. 440-447📖 Saint Silouan the Athonite by St. Sophrony the Athonitehttps://www.holycross.org/products/saint-silouan-the-athonite📖 Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle by St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://www.athoniteusa.com/products/saint-paisios-the-athonite-spiritual-counsels-volume-iii-spiritual-struggle?srsltid=AfmBOorzehHI_pB20A84pZFWkAJxcyimzUiiZ-lhw3E6bX3XloJV4VFo📖 Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnicahttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/otdol.htm🎧 The Struggle Against Thoughts - St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/5sN-zHdnjto🎧 On Prelest (Spiritual Deception) - Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/Pt00jwZ37ik🎧 Holiness is in the Struggle! - Elder Athanasios Mitilinaioshttps://youtu.be/Qhm2ffdEBsc🎧 On…

Edifying excerpts from "The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way" concerning Jews and Orthodox Christianity. This reading is from the R.M. French translation of "The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way", p. 112-114, 139-140"Starets" means "Elder" in Russian🎧 Full audiobook:https://youtu.be/wh2Orojo1z0?si=LsyAccwIt7IzK94B⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______From his very earliest years he was preparing to be a rabbi and studied hard at all the Jewish chitchat which was meant to disprove Christianity. One day he happened to be going through a Christian cemetery. He saw a human skull, which must have been taken out of some grave that had been recently disturbed. It had both its jaws, and there were some horrible-looking teeth in them. In a fit of temper he began to jeer at this skull; he spat at it, abused it, and spurned it with his foot. Not content with that, he picked it up and stuck it on a post-as…

Written in 1968, Met. Philaret examines the spiritual implications of the phenomenon of replacing a man's heart. It's worth noting that nothing here is said about replacement of other organs and therefore the listener should be wary to draw unnecessary conclusions from these words from Met. Philaret. Additionally, Met. Philaret does not address those who wish to be organ donors or who wish to save the life of another, such as their spouse or child. To my knowledge, this is only text addressing heart transplants from someone venerated as a saint. Please leave a comment below if you aware of other texts from saints and elders on heart and organ transplants.📖 An Orthodox View of Heart Transplantations by Met. Philaret of New Yorkhttp://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/heart_trans.aspx🎧 Will the Heterodox Be Saved? - Met. Philaret of New Yorkhttps://youtu.be/wtI3PsNKpyY🎧 Who are the True Christian Patriots? - Met. Philaret of New Yorkhttps://youtu.be/dg208EJxByk🎧 The Life of Metropolitan Philaret of New…

Drawing upon St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop Averky examines this teaching from St. Paul and how modernists and ecumenists can and do twist it to their liking.📖 "There Must Be Heresies Among You" (1 Cor 11:19) (Orthodox Life, July-August, 1994)https://orthodoxlifemagazines.blogspot.com/🎧 Archbishop Averky: His Significance for the Ecumenical Orthodox Church - by Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://youtu.be/04DCg8rZsDg🎧 What is Orthodoxy? - Archbishop Averky of Jordanvillehttps://youtu.be/cOIy6YaV5po🎧 I Have Not Come To Bring Peace, But A Sword - Archbishop Averky of Jordanvillehttps://youtu.be/e3FiL7CCN9M⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______Achrbishop Averky writes:See how these people who so blatantly violate one of the most important rules of our Holy Church even dare to call themselves "Orthodox" and try, by way of all kinds of false interpretations of the Word of God, to justify their "dissension" with the age-old teaching of the…

St. Basil's mediation on the many virtues of bees and how Christians do well to imitate them. "Imitate the character of the bee," writes St. Basil, "because it constructs its honeycomb without injuring anyone or destroying another's fruit."An excerpt from homily eight of the Hexaemeron, a collection of nine homilies on the six days of creation. Note: in St. Basil’s time the queen bee was understood to be a king. They didn’t know the leader was a female until much later. I have kept the original text but when you hear “king” know that St. Basil is referring to the queen bee.📖 Hexaemeron by St. Basil the Greathttps://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/hexaemeron?srsltid=AfmBOopEzZqE0t0Z2M-lYo3Fmq7MeVjMJOG4eihWIa9zNc-wK5A5Pegl🎧 Scandalized? Be Like the Bee - St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/i9nRU9KnYIM🎧 A Lament for Sin - St. Basil the Greathttps://youtu.be/I6erTc_FPKI🎧 On Illness, Doctors, and Healing - St. Basil the Greathttps://youtu.be/WOxigGgPenw⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:…

The same arguments against icons today are found in this 9th century debate between the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Emperor. As St. Nikephoros said, "But the ‘Logos became flesh [Jn. 1:14].' He was a man seen by men, otherwise we could not reproduce in pictures what is unseen."Text is from the Life of St. Nikephoros of Constantinople found in the The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church (Lives of Saints)📖 Icons are Idolatry? A Discussion Between St. Nikephoros and the Emperor Leo V the Armenianhttps://www.nepsisblog.com/2025/06/icons-are-idolatry-discussion-between.html🎧 Against Those Who Attack the Divine Images (First Apology) - St. John of Damascushttps://youtu.be/bm2eV_anejw🎧 Never Will I Cease Honoring the Matter Which Wrought My Salvation! - St. John of Damascushttps://youtu.be/Dnp_CZasZgw⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______The saint the explained that the Orthodox do not paint God, the transcendent reality, in…

Excerpts from her 1917 diary from the section on marriage, family, and children. The wife of Tsar St. Nicholas II, Tsarina St. Alexandra's simple and beautiful words come from her small diary bound in light blue fabric sewn by the Tsarina herself with a small cross embroidered in the corner. On the inside of the cover, written by the hand of Her Majesty, is a simple “Alix, 1917.”📖 Garden of the Heart: Spiritual Diary by Her Majesty the Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna Romanovahttps://www.amazon.com/Garden-Heart-Alexandra-Fyodorovna-Romanova/dp/1533411999🎧 PLAYLIST: Marriage and Family Life - Teachings from Orthodox Saintshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYgkVz_d0SAUQkWSGp-L75yd⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______St. Alexandra writes:The meaning of marriage is to bring joy. It is meant to be that married life is the happiest, fullest, purest, and richest kind of life. This is God's establishment of perfection.Thus the…

St. John Maximovitch appears in a vision and comforts a young man who was grieving the death of his mother. As the young man understood, "[St. John] affirms the Church’s prohibition of offering public prayers for the departed non-orthodox, but also affirms the teaching that private prayers for them are of great value and should be encouraged."📖 Read the text of this recording here:https://orthodoxheritage.org/2007%20Issues.pdf📖 Man of God: St. John of Shanghai and San Franciscohttps://hvcbookstore.com/St-John-of-SF/Man-of-God📖 The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God by St. John Maximovitchhttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/ven.htm🎧 How Should We Treat the Non-Orthodox? Fr. Seraphim Rose Respondshttps://youtu.be/6b8MgXrudPs🎧 Life After Death - St. John Maximovitchhttps://youtu.be/PdW_p4CmF2A⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______I do not know the full meaning of what I experienced… One thing I noted is that Vladika…

We all have times of apathy, boredom, and a general cooling off of our once fiery zeal. Elder Athanasios draws out valuable lessons from Christ’s words in Revelation to help us regain our zeal and our love for Christ.A reading from Lesson 10 (Rev. 2:4-7) on Revelation by Elder Athanasios MitilinaiosElder Athanasios Mitilinaios, a dynamic and beloved preacher, abbot of the Monastery of Komnineiou and Saint John the Theologian in Stomion, Larisa, Greece, gave 104 consecutive lessons of Revelation to thousands of faithful. This beloved elder, venerated by many in Greece and around the world, reposed in the Lord in the year 2006.The Lord said, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." -Revelation 2:4-5📖 Revelation - The Seven Golden Lampstands (Vol. 1) by Elder Athanasios…

A reading of the Life of St. Olga of Alaska, published by the Orthodox Church in America who glorified her as a saint in June 2025. St. Olga's life is very accessible to us who live in the world. She was a matushka and a mother of 13 children, always offering hospitality and whatever she could to those in need. Her quiet and sacrificial labors did not end when she reposed; many have found divine help when calling upon her for heavenly assistance. She is a great intercessor especially for midwives, pregnant women, couples hoping to conceive a child, abused women, and others suffering on earth. As St. Olga said in an appearance to a victim of sexual abuse, "God can create great beauty from complete desolation and nothingness."📖 The Life of St. Olga, published by the Orthodox Church in Americahttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/10/27/100561-righteous-mother-olga-of-kwethluktanqilria-arrsamquqwonderworker🎥 Uncovering of Saint Olga (Arrsamquq) of Alaska's holy…

How should Orthodox Christians share their faith? As an Athonite who spent many years as a priest in a busy Greek city, St. Porphyrios points us in the right direction.A reading from "Wounded by Love" p. 186-188📖 Wounded by Love: The Life and the Wisdom of Elder Porphyrioshttps://www.holycross.org/products/wounded-by-love-the-life-and-the-wisdom-of-elder-porphyrios?srsltid=AfmBOoorE21YcZGUDow6RQlSnMJLerM851JSD-JP01Rl_2lvrmd0tO7n🎧 The Orthodox Spirit is the True One - St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyviahttps://youtu.be/3JgzCGJtfDc🎧 Divine Eros: Insatiable Love For Christ - St. Porphyrioshttps://youtu.be/v2iwE1FVYm0📖 Healing the Soul: Saint Porphyrios as a Model for Our Lives by Elder Savvas Hagiorite. The St. John Chrysostom Monastery in Wisconsin publishes this book. Email them to ask how to obtain a copy:https://www.stchrysostomoscrafts.com/⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______St. Porphyrios teaches:We should be zealots. A zealot is a…

Many answers to this question are offered today. Here we have a detailed answer from a saintly bishop. His answer may leave the listener wanting more, but with patience and consideration, the wisdom contained therein shines brighter and brighter.📖 Read the text of this recording here:http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/metphil_heterodox.aspx🎧 The Life of Metropolitan Philaret of New Yorkhttps://youtu.be/4rR4jJ_23RY📖 Living According to God’s Will by Met. Philarethttps://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/living-according-to-god-s-will📖 Metropolitan Philaret of New York: Zealous Confessor for the Faithhttps://uncutmountainpress.com/products/metropolitan-philaret-of-new-york-zealous-confessor-for-the-faith🎧 What is Orthodoxy? - Archbishop Averky of Jordanvillehttps://youtu.be/cOIy6YaV5po🎧 Life After Death - St. John Maximovitchhttps://youtu.be/PdW_p4CmF2A🎧 How Should We Treat the Non-Orthodox? Fr. Seraphim Rose Respondshttps://youtu.be/6b8MgXrudPs⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:…

From the publisher: In the 1790s, the brightest promises of the Enlightenment turned violent with the eruption of the French Revolution. Europe watched in shock as the French, intoxicated with promises of freedom, equality, and reason, sent their king — along with thousands of nobles, clergy, and commoners — to the guillotine. Legitimate fears that the revolution might destabilize the entire continent provoked a whirlwind of responses. Amid this upheaval, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, first confronted by undercover agents of republican ideology and later by Napoleon’s advancing armies, turned to one of its most renowned teachers, Saint Athanasios Parios, for a response.This reading is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of An Apology for Christianity by St. Athanasios Parios📖 Philokalic Library Volume 2: An Apology for Christianity by St. Athanasios Parioshttps://newromepress.com/philokalic-library-volume-2-an-apology-for-christianity?srsltid=AfmBOorC6pe_vWoFBjKuc44EYxDGo7SzKujPMSmMDP2KHttiXigp6qXg🎧 Introduction to the…

Metropolitan Philaret of New York, a Russian bishop who served in the United States and Australia, describes the criteria for true Christian Patriotism and why being a patriot is virtuous.This is an excerpt from: Patriotism & War - Metropolitan Philaret of New York🎧 https://youtu.be/Za6rSKXyulM📖 https://www.orthodoxethos.com/post/patriotism-war-metropolitan-philaret-of-new-york-excerpt-from-on-the-law-of-god📖 Find the full text in his book: Living According to God’s Will by Met. Philaret of New Yorkhttps://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/living-according-to-god-s-will⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you:https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______Met. Philaret writes:Naturally, one will love one's own family and the relatives he grew up with, most of all, and secondly, the whole country, the people to which one belongs. One is tied to this people both by state and civil obligations and by culture and customs. One is bound to one's people, to one's own homeland, and…

St. Paisios provides guidance on essential questions about the inner life of thoughts that we deal with our entire lives. A reading from Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle by St. Paisios, p. 62-760:12 Spiritual Life is Based on Thought8:03 Cultivating Good Thoughts12:07 The Purification of the Mind and the Heart14:28 We Must Not Be Suspicious21:23 Conversing with Thoughts24:30 Consenting to Thoughts📖 Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 3: Spiritual Struggle by St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://www.athoniteusa.com/products/saint-paisios-the-athonite-spiritual-counsels-volume-iii-spiritual-struggle?srsltid=AfmBOorzehHI_pB20A84pZFWkAJxcyimzUiiZ-lhw3E6bX3XloJV4VFo📖 Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnicahttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/otdol.htm🎧 On Attention and Distraction - St. Ignatius Brianchaninovhttps://youtu.be/v5ZIEmv8RwQ🎧 Noetic Sound Waves of the Heart - From the Life of St. Porphyrioshttps://youtu.be/n5dWVVDDvhM🎧 Everyone Needs a Spiritual…

An interview with Elder Justin Parvu of Petru Vodă Monastery (Romania) given on October 7th, 2009. Elder Justin spent 16 years in prison under the communists and tirelessly served the Romanian people until his repose on June 16th, 2013. Read a brief account of his life with the text of this interview below.The vaccine Elder Justin is referring to is likely the mandated vaccine for the 2009 swine flu outbreak.📖 The Pinnacle of Nihilism: An Interview With Elder Justin Parvuhttps://www.nepsisblog.com/2025/03/the-pinnacle-of-nihilism-interview-with.html🎧 On Our Times - St. Paisios the Athonitehttps://youtu.be/0KIEmH-qt2Q🎧 Sermon on the 1910 Cholera Pandemic - St. Peter Zverevhttps://youtu.be/gBYKptqJ-pI🎧 How to Understand the Jews as Being a Chosen People: An Orthodox Analysishttps://youtu.be/Zwtcox3ivCs⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______Elder Justin teaches:I urge you not to seek solutions anymore. There are no human solutions, my…

St. Tikhon’s pointed advice to monk suffering from apathy and despondency. “If you follow these four instructions, believe me, little by little you will attain both zeal and inclination.”📖 Read St Tikhon’s letter here:https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a8455a5a/files/uploaded/Moot%201.1.pdf🎧 On Love for God - St. Tikhon of Zadonskhttps://youtu.be/-OTb5r9wHlA🎧 Duties of Husbands & Wives in Marriage - St. Tikhon of Zadonskhttps://youtu.be/noirUMn89ac⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______St. Tikhon writes:I see from your letter that you have been assailed by the spirit of dejection. This is a grievous passion, against which Christians seeking salvation must struggle fiercely.As a lazy horse, driven by a whip, is compelled by man to walk and to trot, even so must we coerce ourselves into performing every kind of labor, and how the more to pray. God, beholding your efforts and your labor will grant you zeal and inclination.Zeal is…

A homily to stir up our hard hearts to sincerely repent, both now, wherever we are, and before our priest where we receive reconciliation with Christ and the Church.Reading from: Season of Repentance: Lenten Homilies of Saint John of Kronstadt, p. 76-81📖 Season of Repentance: Lenten Homilies of Saint John of Kronstadthttps://bookstore.jordanville.org/9780884653844📖 My Life in Christ by St. John of Kronstadthttps://bookstore.jordanville.org/my-life-in-christ-Hardcover📖 The Life of Saint John of Kronstadthttps://www.bostonmonks.com/product_info.php/products_id/986?srsltid=AfmBOooRVQ-AviJsWWeLqIOZ2qhT6w-7YTpOEEjKKMnVb_k_wRxJ4x2M🎧 Difficulties in Prayer - St. John of Kronstadthttps://youtu.be/9b6nz3ZfJCs🎧 What Has the Feast of Pascha Left In Our Souls? - St. John of Kronstadthttps://youtu.be/uWCkPqxuBt8⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______St. John teaches:What is required of a repentant person is compunction for his sins, the intention…

Abba Pambo, a 4th century Egyptian desert father, speaks prophetically about the state of the Church and the world in the last times.📖 Text is from the Gerondikon (Sayings of the Desert Fathers). The translation I read can be found here:https://orthodoxheritage.org/2003%20Issues.pdf🎧 The 38 Sayings of St. Anthony the Greathttps://youtu.be/YNh81oWWJUc⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______And I’ll tell you this, my child, that the days will come when the Christians will add to and will take away from, and will alter the books of the Holy Evangelists, and of the Holy Apostles, and of the Divine Prophets, and of the Holy Fathers. They’ll tone down the Holy Scriptures and will compose troparia, hymns, and writings technologically.The church leaders will consider useless anything concerned with salvation, as much for their own souls as for the souls of their flocks, and they will despise any such concern. All will show eagerness and energy for…

St. John Maximovitch describes the usual journey of the soul after death and how those still on earth can best help departed souls to be uplifted by the grace of God.Text here: http://livingorthodoxfaith.blogspot.com/2009/11/life-after-death-by-st-john-maximovitch.html?m=1📖 Man of God: St. John of Shanghai and San Franciscohttps://hvcbookstore.com/St-John-of-SF/Man-of-God📖 The Soul After Death by Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/sad.htm📖 The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God by St. John Maximovitchhttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/ven.htm🎧 An Exorcism In Our Own Days by St. John Maximovitchhttps://youtu.be/HA7_5npF2Oc⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______But when it leaves the body, the soul finds itself among other spirits, good and evil. Usually it inclines toward those which are more akin to it in spirit, and if while in the body it was under the influence of certain ones, it…

So many in the West today are learning about Orthodoxy but may not yet have a concrete answer to the fundamental question: What is Orthodoxy? Archbishop Averky offers us the answer. 📖 What is Orthodoxy? (Orthodox Life, May-June, 1976) https://orthodoxlifemagazines.blogspot.com/2015/10/v41-1.html 🎧 Archbishop Averky: His Significance for the Ecumenical Orthodox Church - by Fr. Seraphim Rose https://youtu.be/04DCg8rZsDg 🎧 I Have Not Come To Bring Peace, But A Sword - Archbishop Averky of Jordanville https://youtu.be/e3FiL7CCN9M ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Alas! How few people there are in our times, even among the educated, and at times even among contemporary "theologians" and those in the ranks of the clergy, who understand correctly what Orthodoxy is and wherein its essence lies. They approach this question in an utterly external, formal manner and resolve it too primitively, even naively, overlooking its depths…

The full passage of St. Paisios’ famous saying: Be the Bee Reading from “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. III: Spiritual Struggle”, p. 29-31 📖 “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. III”: https://www.holycross.org/products/spiritual-struggle-elder-paisios?srsltid=AfmBOooXR9CN7PYCrw_LtAPzstMv45LrxH5kcB9DeLsMIOd7zKxBD9gj 🎧 Spiritual Laws - St. Paisios the Athonite https://youtu.be/8E9PIINma_Q 🎧 The Fragrance of Reverence - St. Paisios the Athonite https://youtu.be/RVEI8v6IXqU ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Some people tell me that they are scandalized because they see many things wrong in the Church. I tell them that if you ask a fly, "Are there any flowers in this area?" it will say, "I don't know about flowers, but over there in that heap of rubbish you can find all the filth you want." And it will go on to list all the unclean things it has been to. Now, if you ask a honeybee, "Have you seen any unclean things in this area?", it will reply, "Unclean…

"The striking phrase, 'God is dead,' is the poetical expression of modern unbelief", writes Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose in his short but piercing analysis of the modern world and its apostasy. Christianity in the West fell long ago and its departure from the True Church, Holy Orthodoxy, is more and more evident. See the links below for more from Fr. Seraphim on this issue. 📖 The Orthodox Word, Jul-Aug 1966, Issue #9 https://deathtotheworld.com/articles/the-self-liquidation-of-christianity/ https://archive.org/details/100101V17N05061981SepOctNovDec/009%20V02N03%201966%20Jul%20Aug/page/n1/mode/2up 📖 Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age by Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/nihil.htm 📖🎧 Orthodox Survival Course by Fr. Seraphim Rose https://saintkosmas.org/orthodox-survival-course 🎧 Worldly Idealism, Social Mission, and the Kingdom Not of This World - Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose https://youtu.be/vPlxSlHoDTs 🎧 The Holy Fathers of Orthodox Spirituality, Pt. I…

Elder Aimilianos the Athonite discusses the post-industrial and digital information era, its blessings and dangers, and how Orthodox Christians can preserve a true life in Christ. As he says, "In post-industrial society, [people] are also becoming consumers and slaves to images and information, which fill their lives. Restraint and spiritual vigilance are... a weapon... which abolishes the servitude of humanity and preserves our health and sovereignty as children of God." 📖 Orthodox Spirituality and the Technological Revolution https://deathtotheworld.com/articles/orthodox-spirituality-and-the-technological-revolution/ 📖 The Life and Teachings of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra, "The Orthodox Word", St. Herman of Alaska Press https://www.scribd.com/document/412122487/Orthodox-Word-296-2014-G-Aimilianos 🎧 On Reception into the Orthodox Church - Elder Aimilianos Receives Roman Catholic Fr. Placide https://youtu.be/OnRLdIWrfaE 🎧 Marriage: The Great Sacrament - Elder Aimilianos of Mount Athos…

A thorough examination of Fr. Alexander Schmemann's views on the historical development and meaning of the Orthodox Church's prayer and worship. Fr. Michael Pomazansky, author of the popular book Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, provides an antidote to the poisonous stance of Fr. Alexander, which Fr. Seraphim Rose warns of, describing it as "the inevitable iconoclastic conclusions from Fr. Schmemann's already Protestant views". 0:00 Beginning 0:11 Introduction by Fr. Seraphim "Renovated Orthodoxy": The Liturgical Theology of Father A. Schmemann 2:10 Article Begins 3:50 The Orthodox Liturgical Order 9:51 The Constantinian Era 13:37 The Sacraments and the Sanctifying Element In Sacred Rites 21:53 The Hierarchy and the Sacrament of Priesthood 28:13 The Invocation and Glorification of Saints 41:43 Church Feasts 48:30 Conclusion Letters 51:13 "If Fr. Schmemann is their 'theologian'..." -Fr. Seraphim, Apr 26/May 9, 1970 52:31 “Who are not Orthodox” -Fr. Seraphim, June 8/21, 1970 📖 "Renovated Orthodoxy": The Liturgical…

A short but substantive article on priestly attire and why it is important that they wear their cassocks. Ecumenical Canons, comments from the author (a priest of the Russian Church Abroad), and stories illustrating the importance of the cassock for priests provide a memorable word on this topic. A reading of "Priestly Attire" from Orthodox Life, Jan-Feb, 1991 (Holy Trinity Seminary & Monastery, Jordanville, New York) 0:00 Introduction 1:29 Canons 3:52 Commentary 4:35 Stories7:23 Concluding Remarks Thumbnail: Patriach Pavle of Serbia walking down a crowded street (Left); The priest mentioned in the article who desired to be photographed with his cross in his pocket (Right) 📖 Priestly Attire (Orthodox Life, Jan-Feb, 1991) https://orthodoxlifemagazines.blogspot.com/2015/10/v41-1.html ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ The 27th Canon of the 6th Ecumenical Council states: "None who is counted with the clergy should dress…

St. Theophan discusses the aether, the way our prayers reach God, Saints, and Angels, the covering of our souls, and how to live life according to the Spirit. A reading of letters 13, 14, and 15 from _The Spiritual Life And How to Be Attuned to It_ 0:00 Beginning 0:15 Letter 13: Aether, True Happiness, Soul's Covering 11:19 Letter 14: The Covering of the Soul 17:36 Letter 15: How Saints Hear Our Prayers, Aether, Prayer From the Heart 📖 _The Spiritual Life And How to Be Attuned to It_ https://stpaisiusgiftshop.com/new-products/the-spiritual-life-new-edition/ 🎧 Excerpt from "Creation, Early Man, & Evolution" - St. Theophan the Recluse https://youtu.be/HRZHvGc6XTk ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Theophan wrote: In case you have not forgotten, at one time I began talking with you about *an exceedingly subtle element that is finer than light. It is called ether.* Let us suppose that it exists as a matter of fact, and not…

A love poem written by St. Joseph to our Lord Jesus Christ. One can quickly feel the deep love he has for Christ. Reading from _Letters & Poems by Saint Joseph the Hesychast_ , p. 529-531 📖 _Letters & Poems by Saint Joseph the Hesychast_ https://www.monasterevmc.org/en-us/products/letters-poems 📖 _Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast_ https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/monastic-wisdom 📖 _My Elder Joseph the Hesychast_ https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/my-elder-joseph-the-hesychast 📖 _Saint Joseph the Hesychast: A Narrative Biography for Children_ https://newromepress.com/saint-joseph-the-hesychast/?srsltid=AfmBOorhQKPF5m_Xxvl-g5UxUa0NyvhmdZZ9FWG2p-bRr9fXn5Oqnr7h 🎧 Elder Ephraim of AZ & St. Joseph the Hesychast - Readings (PLAYLIST) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYg5pt1Tvc3lnjd41E9pdR-p ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Joseph wrote: My sweetest Jesus, balsam of my soul,…

Two passages from St. Nikodemos on how Orthodox Christians should approach smoking in general, and specifically smoking tobacco. St. Nikodemos writes, "But when they inhale and swallow the foul fumes of tobacco through their nose and mouth... how afterwards are they to be, in accord with their calling [i.e. Bishops and Priests, but indeed all Orthodox Christians], sweet perfume and the savor of life to those who approach them?" Reading from _Smoking and the Orthodox Christian_ by Constantine Cavarnos (quoting St. Nikodemos in the section read for this recording). 📖 _Smoking and the Orthodox Christian_ by Constantine Cavarnos https://easternchristiansupply.biz/index.php/ecs/catalog/product/view/id/2888/s/smoking-and-the-orthodox-christian/category/41/ 📖 _Exomologetarion: A Manual of Confession_ by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite https://uncutmountainpress.com/shop/product/exomologetarion-a-manual-of-confession/ 🎧 On Guarding the Mind and the Heart - St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite https://youtu.be/QYD5-u6sGRQ 🎧…

St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) offers another homily during the Holy Fast of Nativity calling us again to active love for God and neighbor. "[Satan] is aroused with keener stings of hatred, that under a false profession of the Christian name he may corrupt those whom he is not allowed to attack with open and bloody persecutions, and for this work he has heretics in his service whom he has led astray from the catholic Faith..." 📖 Read the homily here: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2017/12/sermon-5-on-fast-of-advent-st-leo-great.html 🎧 By Almsgiving We Redeem Our Sins - Pope St. Leo the Great (Nativity Fast, Homily 1) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TWyeeSPJR4uDiE4uOpAWO?si=ppllmzpoQ5akNa_D6lnYuQ ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Leo teaches: And while all seasons are opportune for this duty, beloved, yet this present season is specially suitable and appropriate, at which our holy fathers, being Divinely…

A few passages from Fr. Seraphim Rose regarding the canons of the Ecumenical Councils. There are other passages from Fr. Seraphim one should find and read (see link below, for example). This collection presents a good overview of his views. The canons are laid down by the fathers of the Ecumenical Councils, are the teachings of the Holy Spirit, and are the responsibility of bishops and priests to apply and enforce. But they are also profitable for laypeople to know, as long as divine discernment is applied. As Fr. Seraphim says, the canons "have their place", but "we must go deeper into our faith" "if we are to remain in the Church in these difficult times." 0:00 Beginning 0:08 Concerning Canons - Letter dated Oct. 18/31, 1972 to Fr. Alexey Young (excerpt) 2:50 We Must Go Deeper - "Orthodox Christians Facing the 1980's" (excerpt) 3:50 Iconoclast and Met. Sergius - Letter Mar. 25/Apr. 7, 1971 to Daniel Olsen (excerpt) 6:44 Advice for a New Convert - Letter Apr. 20/May 3, 1979 to Barry (excerpt) 📖 Fr.…

Fr. Daniel Sysoev (+2009) addresses the dynamics of men and women, husbands and wives, headcoverings, and the often misunderstood teachings of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Fr. Daniel draws heavily on St. John Chrysostom and St. Theophan the Recluse in his analysis, offering timeless teachings for all Orthodox Christians. "...he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man." -St. Paul, 1 Cor 11:7Reading from _Women in the Church: Submission or Equality?_ by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, p. 10-31 📖 _Women in the Church: Submission or Equality?_ by Fr. Daniel Sysoev -BUY here: https://mission-shop.com/product/women-in-the-church-submission-or-equality/ -READ a portion here: https://issuu.com/mission-shop/docs/05-women_in_the_church-submission_o 🎧 The Life and Final Homily of Fr. Daniel Sysoev https://youtu.be/ufXoK_C1eyU 🎧 Why Should We Dress Modestly? - Fr. Daniel Sysoev Answers https://youtu.be/2BliiHVYngc ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/…

Drawing upon St. Theophan the Recluse's commentary, Fr. Seraphim Rose briefly discusses how souls formed in the "emotional and spiritual wasteland of our times" can become aware of this reality and how to live spiritually profitable lives in the Orthodox Church. Sometimes, as a stepping stone, even the best of the secular arts can be used to form the soul in godliness. 📖 Forming the Soul - Spirit, Soul and Body (from _Orthodox America_ , Issue #19, May 1982) https://www.roca.org/oa/volume-ii/issue-19/forming-the-soul 🎧 Fr. Seraphim Rose - Articles and Teachings (PLAYLIST) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYjDHTp3rJVE7B66juR7bDzI ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ Note: It appears one more article in this series was published before Fr. Seraphim's repose just a few months after this first article appeared in print. It was a review of "Bleak House" by Charles Dickens in _Orthodox America_ , Issue #20, June 1982. _______…

Learn how St. Porphyrios responded to seeing women dressed immodestly and to his spiritual children who were a bit judgmental. A reading of two accounts translated from the Greek: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/07/elder-porphyrios-and-scantily-clothed.html Source: Ἀνθολόγιο Συμβουλῶν Γέροντος Πορφυρίου, p. 168, 169. ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ *The Girl With the "Super Mini Skirt" Has a Wonderful Soul!* Years ago, when the Elder served at the Polyclinic of Athens, while walking in the area of Omonoia one day with two girls who were his spiritual children, he saw from across the street a young woman coming with a sexy appearance. She was wearing the familiar "super mini skirt" which was fashionable. When they saw her, the Elder said: "What do you have to say? What are you thinking? Are you judging that woman?" "No, Elder", they responded, understanding their position. "You do well to not judge her", said the…

Ever-timely gems of wisdom from St. John of Kronstadt on prayer. He speaks especially to people living in the world with everyday cares and responsibilities. Anyone discouraged in their prayer life will find consolation and inspiration in these words from this great saint of Russia. 0:00 Introduction 0:09 Perseverance in Prayer 5:17 The Ordering of Prayer 7:49 Hindrances in Prayer 13:03 Despondency in Prayer Reading from _The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt: Selected Passages from My Life in Christ_ , p. 47-56. 📖 _The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt: Selected Passages from My Life in Christ_ https://svspress.com/the-spiritual-counsels-of-father-john-of-kronstadt/?srsltid=AfmBOooJspRRbAgXWm6ERIqUEiy521j_H1M9hbdgZiz7Qxy-iX6qG0eB 📖 _My Life in Christ_ by St. John of Kronstadt https://bookstore.jordanville.org/my-life-in-christ-Hardcover 📖 The Life of _Saint John of Kronstadt_…

St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) calls us to embark on the Holy Fast of Nativity with gratitude and active love for God and neighbor. “For by prayer we seek to propitiate God, by fasting we extinguish the lusts of the flesh, by alms we redeem our sins: and at the same time God's image is throughout renewed in us, if we are always ready to praise Him, unfailingly intent on our purification and unceasingly active in cherishing our neighbor.” 📖 Read the homily here: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2017/11/sermon-1-on-fast-of-advent-st-leo-great.html ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Leo teaches: Accordingly, as God wishes us to be good, because He is good, none of His judgments ought to displease us. For not to give Him thanks in all things, what else is it but to blame Him in some degree. Therefore, dearly beloved, in all works of godliness let us use what each year gives us, and let not seasons of difficulty hinder…