The following is a very informative article by His Grace Bishop Alexei of the Diocese of Alaska (OCA). Our parish encourages the traditional use of head coverings for women, but neither enforces nor demands it. Humility, chastity, and modesty are virtues that especially adorn the Most-Pure Virgin Mother of our God. Modesty is itself one […]
Category: Holy Fathers Quote
The House of God – Homily of the Day of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
Let us faithfully praise the Virgin Mary, for she is brought into the Holy of Holies, to be raised in the Lord. Ikos from Matins On this day, my brethren, the holy Church celebrates the solemn Entry into the temple in Jerusalem of the three-year-old child, Mary—the blessed daughter of righteous parents, Joachim and Anna—to […]
The Ascension of Our Lord
On the feast of the Ascension of our Lord we celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy of King David, which is used as the Prokimenon of the day. What does it mean for Orthodox Christians? It is not only Jesus Christ Who has ascended; for He has raised human nature itself to the heavens. We […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Cross of Life
The paradisal tree of life remained in paradise. In its place the tree of the Cross was set up on earth. The goal of both is the same: if a man eats, he will live. Come, cleave to it with your lips and drink life from it. You will cleave to the Cross when, having […]
The Power of the Cross
The Elder wrote about [the sign of the Cross] to one of his spiritual daughters: “The experience of the ages shows that the sign of the cross has great power over all a person’s actions during the entire course of his life. Therefore it is necessary to strive to root in children the habit of protecting […]
The Sign of the Cross
Do not do anything without signing yourself with the sign of the Cross! When you depart on a journey, when you begin your work, when you go to study, when you are alone, and when you are with other people, seal yourself with the Holy Cross on your forehead, your body, your chest, your heart, […]
The Way of the Kingdom
Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not lie to anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate anyone; do not be absent from the divine services; be compassionate to the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man’s domestic […]
How to be a Child of God
How is it possible to be a child of God? By being free from all passions and showing gentleness to those who offend and wrong us. There is nothing that brings us as near to God and makes us so much like Him as doing these good things. Therefore, when Paul says, “Be ye followers […]