Saint Sebastian was just glorified by the Holy Assembly of Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church during its regular session on May 29th, 2015 – alongside with Bishop Mardarije (Uskokovic). Glory be to God in His saints! Born to Serbian immigrants in San Francisco in 1863, Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich has the distinction of being the first […]
Category: Article
Kneeling Prayers at Vespers of Pentecost
On Pentecost, in the Vesper service following Divine Liturgy, Orthodox Christians kneel for the first time after Pascha. Led by the priest they pray the following “kneeling prayers” with great reverence: Prayer 1 O pure and blameless Lord, Who art without beginning, invisible and incomprehensible, unchangeable, immeasurable, and unbounded, Who art without evil and alone […]
In the News
From the Ashland Daily Tidings today: ARCHANGEL GABRIEL ORTHODOX CHURCH Orthodox Church raising funds to build new home Congregation has outgrown Ashland facility, has approval for temple north of town By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 8, 2015 at 2:00 AM Supporters of the first-ever Orthodox Christian church in Southern Oregon Thursday burned […]
The Laudation of the Holy Theotokos
“In Thee rejoices, o Thou Who art full of grace, all creation: the angelic assembly and the race of man.” With such words we glorify the Holy Theotokos at each Sunday service during the Great Lent. In truth, all creation rejoices in the Theotokos – both angels and men, for She is like a bridge […]
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 […]
Why Do We Light Candles in Church?
One of the first things a newcomer notice in an Orthodox church is how the faithful light candles before the icons. One may wonder, why do we light candles in church as we offer up our prayers? Here are six reasons handed down to us from St Symeon of Thessaloniki (c. 1381–1429): As the candle […]
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 […]
Blessing of Fruit at Holy Transfiguration
The blessing of grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables on this day is the most beautiful and adequate sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of God’s unending Kingdom of Life where all will he transformed by the glory of […]