An interview with Elder Justin Parvu of Petru Vodă Monastery (Romania) given on October 7th, 2009. Elder Justin spent 16 years in prison under the communists and tirelessly served the Romanian people until his repose on June 16th, 2013. Read a brief account of his life with the text of this interview below.The vaccine Elder Justin is referring to is likely the mandated vaccine for the 2009 swine flu outbreak.📖 The Pinnacle of Nihilism: An Interview With Elder Justin Parvuhttps://www.nepsisblog....
Mar 27, 2025•14 min
St. Tikhon’s pointed advice to monk suffering from apathy and despondency. “If you follow these four instructions, believe me, little by little you will attain both zeal and inclination.”📖 Read St Tikhon’s letter here:https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a8455a5a/files/uploaded/Moot%201.1.pdf🎧 On Love for God - St. Tikhon of Zadonskhttps://youtu.be/-OTb5r9wHlA🎧 Duties of Husbands & Wives in Marriage - St. Tikhon of Zadonskhttps://youtu.be/noirUMn89ac⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery ...
Mar 12, 2025•3 min
A homily to stir up our hard hearts to sincerely repent, both now, wherever we are, and before our priest where we receive reconciliation with Christ and the Church.Reading from: Season of Repentance: Lenten Homilies of Saint John of Kronstadt, p. 76-81📖 Season of Repentance: Lenten Homilies of Saint John of Kronstadthttps://bookstore.jordanville.org/9780884653844📖 My Life in Christ by St. John of Kronstadthttps://bookstore.jordanville.org/my-life-in-christ-Hardcover📖 The Life of Saint John o...
Mar 05, 2025•10 min
Abba Pambo, a 4th century Egyptian desert father, speaks prophetically about the state of the Church and the world in the last times.📖 Text is from the Gerondikon (Sayings of the Desert Fathers). The translation I read can be found here:https://orthodoxheritage.org/2003%20Issues.pdf🎧 The 38 Sayings of St. Anthony the Greathttps://youtu.be/YNh81oWWJUc⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______And I’ll tell you this, my child, that t...
Feb 20, 2025•4 min
St. John Maximovitch describes the usual journey of the soul after death and how those still on earth can best help departed souls to be uplifted by the grace of God.Text here: http://livingorthodoxfaith.blogspot.com/2009/11/life-after-death-by-st-john-maximovitch.html?m=1📖 Man of God: St. John of Shanghai and San Franciscohttps://hvcbookstore.com/St-John-of-SF/Man-of-God📖 The Soul After Death by Fr. Seraphim Rosehttps://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/sad.htm📖 The Orthodox Veneration ...
Feb 11, 2025•10 min
So many in the West today are learning about Orthodoxy but may not yet have a concrete answer to the fundamental question: What is Orthodoxy? Archbishop Averky offers us the answer. 📖 What is Orthodoxy? (Orthodox Life, May-June, 1976) https://orthodoxlifemagazines.blogspot.com/2015/10/v41-1.html 🎧 Archbishop Averky: His Significance for the Ecumenical Orthodox Church - by Fr. Seraphim Rose https://youtu.be/04DCg8rZsDg 🎧 I Have Not Come To Bring Peace, But A Sword - Archbishop Averky of Jordan...
Jan 24, 2025•14 min
The full passage of St. Paisios’ famous saying: Be the Bee Reading from “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. III: Spiritual Struggle”, p. 29-31 📖 “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. III”: https://www.holycross.org/products/spiritual-struggle-elder-paisios?srsltid=AfmBOooXR9CN7PYCrw_LtAPzstMv45LrxH5kcB9DeLsMIOd7zKxBD9gj 🎧 Spiritual Laws - St. Paisios the Athonite https://youtu.be/8E9PIINma_Q 🎧 The Fragrance of Reverence - St. Paisios the Athonite https://youtu.be/RVEI8v6IXqU ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery...
Jan 21, 2025•4 min
"The striking phrase, 'God is dead,' is the poetical expression of modern unbelief", writes Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose in his short but piercing analysis of the modern world and its apostasy. Christianity in the West fell long ago and its departure from the True Church, Holy Orthodoxy, is more and more evident. See the links below for more from Fr. Seraphim on this issue. 📖 The Orthodox Word, Jul-Aug 1966, Issue #9 https://deathtotheworld.com/articles/the-self-liquidation-of-christianity/ https...
Jan 15, 2025•6 min
Elder Aimilianos the Athonite discusses the post-industrial and digital information era, its blessings and dangers, and how Orthodox Christians can preserve a true life in Christ. As he says, "In post-industrial society, [people] are also becoming consumers and slaves to images and information, which fill their lives. Restraint and spiritual vigilance are... a weapon... which abolishes the servitude of humanity and preserves our health and sovereignty as children of God." 📖 Orthodox Spiritualit...
Jan 10, 2025•15 min
A thorough examination of Fr. Alexander Schmemann's views on the historical development and meaning of the Orthodox Church's prayer and worship. Fr. Michael Pomazansky, author of the popular book Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, provides an antidote to the poisonous stance of Fr. Alexander, which Fr. Seraphim Rose warns of, describing it as "the inevitable iconoclastic conclusions from Fr. Schmemann's already Protestant views". 0:00 Beginning 0:11 Introduction by Fr. Seraphim "Renovated Orthodoxy": T...
Jan 03, 2025•55 min
A short but substantive article on priestly attire and why it is important that they wear their cassocks. Ecumenical Canons, comments from the author (a priest of the Russian Church Abroad), and stories illustrating the importance of the cassock for priests provide a memorable word on this topic. A reading of "Priestly Attire" from Orthodox Life, Jan-Feb, 1991 (Holy Trinity Seminary & Monastery, Jordanville, New York) 0:00 Introduction 1:29 Canons 3:52 Commentary 4:35 Stories7:23 Concluding ...
Jan 02, 2025•8 min
St. Theophan discusses the aether, the way our prayers reach God, Saints, and Angels, the covering of our souls, and how to live life according to the Spirit. A reading of letters 13, 14, and 15 from _The Spiritual Life And How to Be Attuned to It_ 0:00 Beginning 0:15 Letter 13: Aether, True Happiness, Soul's Covering 11:19 Letter 14: The Covering of the Soul 17:36 Letter 15: How Saints Hear Our Prayers, Aether, Prayer From the Heart 📖 _The Spiritual Life And How to Be Attuned to It_ https://st...
Dec 31, 2024•23 min
A love poem written by St. Joseph to our Lord Jesus Christ. One can quickly feel the deep love he has for Christ. Reading from _Letters & Poems by Saint Joseph the Hesychast_ , p. 529-531 📖 _Letters & Poems by Saint Joseph the Hesychast_ https://www.monasterevmc.org/en-us/products/letters-poems 📖 _Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast_ https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/monastic-wisdom 📖 _My Elder Joseph the Hesychast_ https://stanthonysmonastery.org/product...
Dec 19, 2024•4 min
Two passages from St. Nikodemos on how Orthodox Christians should approach smoking in general, and specifically smoking tobacco. St. Nikodemos writes, "But when they inhale and swallow the foul fumes of tobacco through their nose and mouth... how afterwards are they to be, in accord with their calling [i.e. Bishops and Priests, but indeed all Orthodox Christians], sweet perfume and the savor of life to those who approach them?" Reading from _Smoking and the Orthodox Christian_ by Constantine Cav...
Dec 17, 2024•10 min
St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) offers another homily during the Holy Fast of Nativity calling us again to active love for God and neighbor. "[Satan] is aroused with keener stings of hatred, that under a false profession of the Christian name he may corrupt those whom he is not allowed to attack with open and bloody persecutions, and for this work he has heretics in his service whom he has led astray from the catholic Faith..." 📖 Read the homily here: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/201...
Dec 17, 2024•12 min
A few passages from Fr. Seraphim Rose regarding the canons of the Ecumenical Councils. There are other passages from Fr. Seraphim one should find and read (see link below, for example). This collection presents a good overview of his views. The canons are laid down by the fathers of the Ecumenical Councils, are the teachings of the Holy Spirit, and are the responsibility of bishops and priests to apply and enforce. But they are also profitable for laypeople to know, as long as divine discernment...
Dec 13, 2024•8 min
Fr. Daniel Sysoev (+2009) addresses the dynamics of men and women, husbands and wives, headcoverings, and the often misunderstood teachings of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Fr. Daniel draws heavily on St. John Chrysostom and St. Theophan the Recluse in his analysis, offering timeless teachings for all Orthodox Christians. "...he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man." -St. Paul, 1 Cor 11:7Reading from _Women in the Church: Submission or Equality?_ by Fr. Daniel Sys...
Nov 26, 2024•29 min
Drawing upon St. Theophan the Recluse's commentary, Fr. Seraphim Rose briefly discusses how souls formed in the "emotional and spiritual wasteland of our times" can become aware of this reality and how to live spiritually profitable lives in the Orthodox Church. Sometimes, as a stepping stone, even the best of the secular arts can be used to form the soul in godliness. 📖 Forming the Soul - Spirit, Soul and Body (from _Orthodox America_ , Issue #19, May 1982) https://www.roca.org/oa/volume-ii/is...
Nov 25, 2024•11 min
Learn how St. Porphyrios responded to seeing women dressed immodestly and to his spiritual children who were a bit judgmental. A reading of two accounts translated from the Greek: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/07/elder-porphyrios-and-scantily-clothed.html Source: Ἀνθολόγιο Συμβουλῶν Γέροντος Πορφυρίου, p. 168, 169. ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ *The Girl With the "Super Mini Skirt" Has a Wonderful Sou...
Nov 20, 2024•3 min
Ever-timely gems of wisdom from St. John of Kronstadt on prayer. He speaks especially to people living in the world with everyday cares and responsibilities. Anyone discouraged in their prayer life will find consolation and inspiration in these words from this great saint of Russia. 0:00 Introduction 0:09 Perseverance in Prayer 5:17 The Ordering of Prayer 7:49 Hindrances in Prayer 13:03 Despondency in Prayer Reading from _The Spiritual Counsels of Father John of Kronstadt: Selected Passages from...
Nov 19, 2024•17 min
St. Leo the Great, Pope of Rome (+461) calls us to embark on the Holy Fast of Nativity with gratitude and active love for God and neighbor. “For by prayer we seek to propitiate God, by fasting we extinguish the lusts of the flesh, by alms we redeem our sins: and at the same time God's image is throughout renewed in us, if we are always ready to praise Him, unfailingly intent on our purification and unceasingly active in cherishing our neighbor.” 📖 Read the homily here: https://www.johnsanidopou...
Nov 15, 2024•10 min
How should a man relate to his wife, and a women relate to her husband? St. Paisios presents us the royal path: why love and respect are really the same thing, and how the husband is the head of his wife but also the "lowest laborer", and how the wife is subject to her husband but also the "noble lady of the household". A reading from _Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 4: Family Life_ by St. Paisios, p. 39-48 📖 _Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 4: Family Life_ by St. Paisios the Athonite https://www.holycross.o...
Nov 12, 2024•19 min
Practical advice for daily life in the world from St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. His wisdom is summarized when he says, "The essence of any striving toward the Lord is attentiveness." Reading of chapter 27 from _The Field: Cultivating Salvation_ by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov 📖 _The Field: Cultivating Salvation_ by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov https://www.holytrinitypublications.com/the-field 🎧 Exhortation on the Prayer Rule - St. Ignatius Brianchaninov https://youtu.be/YvCo0NiHMjU 🎧 On Attention a...
Nov 12, 2024•7 min
The great Theologian of the 11th century stirs up the hearts of his readers, calling us to a truly Christian life that daily stands ready for the dread Day of the Lord. Reading from St. Symeon's Tenth Ethical Discourse "On the Fearful Day of the Lord and the Future Judgement" from _On the Mystical Life, The Ethical Discourses, Vol. I: The Church and The Last Things_ p. 166-170 📖 _On the Mystical Life, The Ethical Discourses, Vol. I: The Church and The Last Things_ by St. Symeon the New Theologi...
Nov 07, 2024•10 min
St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia on Mount Athos discusses how to pray the Jesus Prayer and why it is "the key to the spiritual life" for every Orthodox Christian. A reading of _Wounded by Love_ p. 118-122 📖 _Wounded by Love: The Life and the Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios_ https://www.holycross.org/products/wounded-by-love-the-life-and-the-wisdom-of-elder-porphyrios?srsltid=AfmBOoorE21YcZGUDow6RQlSnMJLerM851JSD-JP01Rl_2lvrmd0tO7n 🎧 Original recording of Saint Porphyrios saying the Jesus Prayer: http...
Nov 04, 2024•11 min
What separates the Orthodox Church and the various Non-Chalcedonian churches? Is it merely semantics and misunderstandings, as some today proclaim? The Holy Monastery of Gregoriou on Mount Athos, in this 1994 treatise, gives a detailed examination of the issues and offers much for anyone interested in the truth of Christ, His Church, and the Non-Chalcedonian heresy. 📖 This is a reading of _The Non-Chalcedonian Heretics_ by the Monastery of Gregoriou (Mount Athos) (originally published as _The N...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 20 min
A reading of the revelation of Jesus Christ to St. Silouan from _Saint Silouan the Athonite_ by St. Sophrony (p. 429-431) 📖 _Saint Silouan the Athonite_ by St. Sophrony: https://www.holycross.org/products/saint-silouan-the-athonite 🎧 Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not - St. Silouan and St. Sophrony (Commentary on the Saying) https://youtu.be/n0CCxFuH5I4 🎧 Playlist from Orthodox Wisdom: St. Silouan & St. Sophrony - Teachings and Prayers https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KY...
Oct 29, 2024•5 min
What is the firmament? What does Scripture mean by “waters above the heavens”? St. Ambrose expounds upon the Scriptural testimony and raises our minds and hearts both to God’s creation and God Himself. As he asks rhetorically, "When you hear this, why do you marvel if, by the operation of such majesty, water can be held suspended above the celestial firmament?" 📖 "Hexaemeron" by St. Ambrose of Milan https://www.scribd.com/doc/46349268/Hexaemeron-of-Saint-Ambrose-of-Milan 🎧 The Firmament and th...
Oct 28, 2024•17 min
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, one of the most beloved Russian saints of the past few centuries, describes the duties of husbands and wives towards each other in marriage. Text is from "Journey to Heaven: Counsels on the Particular Duties of Every Christian" by St. Tikhon of Zadonsk ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. Tikhon writes: The husband and wife must lay virtue, and not passion, as the foundation of their love,...
Oct 25, 2024•6 min
Excerpt from "For Catechumens in the Orthodox Church" by Metropolitan Augoustinos (Kantiotis) of Florina (+2010), from his book “On the Divine Liturgy: Vol. 1" 📖 “On the Divine Liturgy: Vol. 1" by Met. Augustinos: http://ibmgs.org/chatechetic.html 🎧 For Catechumens in the Orthodox Church - Met. Augoustinos of Florina https://youtu.be/pE52JnVeueQ ⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/ https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Met Augustinos teaches: The cate...
Oct 17, 2024•3 min
