On the Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent: A teaching by John Chrysostom on Repentance, and on How Sins Are Forgiven. Therefore, considering this, let us never despise anyone, and never, when we sin, fall into despair, nor let us become sluggish in returning once again. Rather, when we sin, let us offer contrite…
On Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent: A Teaching of Saint John Chrysostom on the Fear of God Listen, my brethren: above all, have the fear of God in your hearts. For if a man acquires the fear of God in his heart, he can be lifted away from all evil. Be diligent and…
On Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: A Teaching of St. Ephrem on Judgment and Repentance Come, all of you, brothers, both small and great, and listen to my humble teaching, for I speak to you for your benefit. Beloved ones, the great and dreadful day is drawing near, yet we remain careless, unwilling…
On Monday of the Second Week of the Fast: A Sermon of Saint Cyril the Monk on the Fear of God Beloved brethren and sisters, have ever before your eyes the fear of God, and remember the hour of death and those dreadful torments prepared for sinners. Let us fear the kinship of fire, for…
St. Amphilochius of Iconium Why is it, O sons of truth, that though you stand here in the Holy and Catholic Church, you cease not from sorrowing? If there be some reason for this, tell me, disclose it to me as beloved children to a father full of love, that you might receive comfort thereby….
By I.I. Alekseev Thousands of great and radiant lights burn before us, illuminating and warming with the rays of their gracious light the souls opened to them. Our earthly life, as one venerable father says, is a race toward heaven, an ascent up the great mountain of virtue. It is up to us to make…
By Andrey Denisov “Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” These words are written in the Holy Gospel. Just as, after a dark and gloomy night, the sweet light of day shines forth, and after a blizzard in the dead of winter comes a fragrant stillness that brings comfort to living creatures…
What is conscience in a person? How can one learn to hear it? In life, we often face choices, and we want to act according to our conscience. Conscience is directly connected to what humanity gained after the Fall: the knowledge of good and evil. Conscience is one of the qualities that distinguishes humans from…
What is the ideal moral image of a Christian? Is it the one according to which we were created—in the image and likeness of God? Is it the image of Christ, which we are called to emulate today? In the account of creation, known as the Hexaemeron, there is an interesting feature. The word “God”…
What are the main Christian commandments and virtues? Are they innate to human nature from birth, or must they be cultivated and nurtured through effort? The commandments of the Christian faith, on one hand, present a lengthy list of what is good and should be done, and what is bad and must be avoided. On…