Category: Article

Prayer for the Departed

By Thine own Blood, O Savior, Thou hast ransomed mortal men, and by Thy death Thou hast delivered us from bitter death, granting us eternal life by Thy Resurrection. Give rest, then, O Lord, to all those who have fallen asleep in godliness, whether in wilderness or city, on the sea or land, in every […]

The Orthodox Approach to Mission: Transforming the Heart of the World

Remarks Given at the XII All-Diaspora Youth Conference Paris, 5th July 2011   Your Eminence, Your Grace, Reverend Fathers, Beloved Brothers and Sisters: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: Amen. It is a joy for me to be giving what amounts to the first ‘formal’ lecture of this blessed […]

Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Optina

Although the beginning of monastic life in Optina monastery dates to at least as early as the sixteenth century, it is most known for its tradition of spiritual eldership in the tradition of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia, which flourished there in the nineteenth century—particularly in the monastery’s Skete of St. John the Forerunner. This […]

Blessing of Flowers and Fragrant Herbs on Dormition

Holy Tradition tells us that all the Apostles, with the exception of St. Thomas, were transported mystically to Jerusalem in order to be with the Mother of God – the Theotokos – as she reposed, and to be present at her burial. When the Apostle Thomas arrived the next day, the Apostles opened the tomb so that […]

On Same-Sex “Marriage” and the Orthodox Church

By Fr. Andrew Harmon “Over the last few years I have been asked many times about same-sex marriage. Especially in the last few months, as this issue has become so big, the question repeatedly comes: “What does the Eastern Orthodox Church say about this matter?” Some denominations will now perform such ceremonies. Within some denominations, […]

Veneration of the Holy Scriptures

Sometimes various Christians in the West find it strange that we show our veneration to the Scriptures, icons and holy object by kissing them. However, this video of (presumably Protestant) Chinese Christians receiving Bibles for the first time shows how natural this love and veneration of holy things are. When was the last time we […]

Paschal Hours

From the Holy and Great Sunday of Pascha until the Saturday of Renewal Week, in place of the usual Morning and Evening Prayers, Nocturns, the Hours, Compline, and the Prayers of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion, the following is read: [After the exclamation by the priest, we say:] Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down […]

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