The Orthodox Church considers prayers for the dead to be of the greatest importance. As stated by St Theophen the Recluse: “The lot of the departed is not considered decided until the general Last Judgment. Until then, we cannot consider anyone as finally judged; and on the basis of this we pray, convinced in our hope in God’s immeasurable mercy!” But what … [Read more...] about “Pray for Our Loved Ones who Are Beyond!”: Canon of Supplication to St Varus
Practical Christian Life
Fr. Seraphim Rose and the Signs of the Times Part II
In these times of global pestilence, it is easy to engage in speculations about whether the Last Days are upon us, seizing upon things uncommon or extraordinary as signs of Apocalypse. Anything from the arrival or locusts in East Africa to corona shaped hailstones in Mexico may be taken as coded messages from God. It is, then, perhaps a good time to reflect soberly upon … [Read more...] about Fr. Seraphim Rose and the Signs of the Times Part II
Grandma’s Icons
When Communist theorist Antonio Gramsci fled Rome for Russia, he was disappointed to discover that Bolshevism was not going to succeed. He concluded that it was the deeply ingrained Orthodox Christian culture of the Russian people that stood in the way. And as many of our readers can attest, it was the babushkas, those mothers of all mothers and fathers, that most of all kept … [Read more...] about Grandma’s Icons
Fr Georges Massouh on the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The true disciple of Jesus, whether a man or a woman, is not the one who carries a Christian identity on account of having been baptized, but the one who imitates the courageousness of Joseph of Aramathea, the Myrrh-Bearing Women, and the martyrs who offered themselves up in order to hold fast to their faith... only the courageous deserve to be beloved of Jesus. By Fr … [Read more...] about Fr Georges Massouh on the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Stubborn Apostle
The Apostle Thomas, writes Fr. Daniel Sisoyev, was by nature skeptical and stubborn. He demanded to see Christ in his body after the resurrection before he would believe the apostolic testimony that Christ rose from the dead. "The other disciples said unto Thomas, 'We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my … [Read more...] about The Stubborn Apostle