In this moving account, Archpriest Nikolai Agafono narrates how a foolish childhood escapade led his family into Orthodox Christianity, despite their dismissive view of religion that exemplified attitudes imposed by the Soviet state. As the details emerge, he skillfully reveals how God’s love can permeate even the most rigid ideological filters that modern secularism is able … [Read more...] about The Night that Changed My Life
Spirituality
Pray First, Then Mow! Modern Life at the Convent of St. Thecla and the Dormition
Despite the abundance of recent news on Russia, much of it false or distorted, little attention has been shown to the remarkable renaissance of Orthodox Christianity in that country. Yet during less than thirty years since the fall of the Soviet Union, the number of churches in Russia has risen from less than 500 to nearly 40,000—about four new or restored churches per day! … [Read more...] about Pray First, Then Mow! Modern Life at the Convent of St. Thecla and the Dormition
Toll Houses: After Death Reality or Heresy?
In this interview with Kevin Allen, now newly reposed, Fr. Thomas Hopko offers a balanced and insightful discussion of the doctrine of the aerial tollhouses that the Church has traditionally taught we will encounter after our death. The toll houses have been the theme of recent debates so often assuming extreme positions that some have become skeptical of the issue altogether, … [Read more...] about Toll Houses: After Death Reality or Heresy?
Ye Shall Be As Gods: The Nature of Lawlessness
Source: Remembering Sion. Reprinted with permission. By Hieromonk Gabriel I wrote several days ago that lawlessness is the defining characteristic of both Antichristianity and the modern world. The Antichrist is described by St. Paul as “that lawless one,” and without any doubt at the heart of the modern era is revolution: the unprecedented systematic … [Read more...] about Ye Shall Be As Gods: The Nature of Lawlessness
What is Prelest?
Prelest (in Greek, “plani”) is the spiritual correlate of high blood pressure: its progression is slow and silent, and it often goes unnoticed until it reaches a deadly stage. From our friends at Orthochristian.com, here are two articles on prelest (or spiritual delusion) that discuss both its dangers and preventatives against it. Source: Orthodox Christianity By … [Read more...] about What is Prelest?
