August 16, 7533
“We believe in the resurrection, but as for those who do not believe—woe unto them, for they have been grievously deceived.”(Prayers at the Burial) The aim of the funeral rite is to warm the soul, separated from the body, with prayer; to comfort the grieving loved ones with the hope of a just reward for…
In churches we often witness a sorrowful scene. Relatives come to arrange the burial of an Orthodox Old Believer. And the first, entirely reasonable question from the standpoint of a believer—“Who was the spiritual father of the deceased?”—throws them into confusion. The second question, “When was the last time he went to confession?” prompts them…
The Lord Jesus Christ once said: “Verily I say unto you, If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in…
What is our attitude toward the church service? Father Deacon and I begin the service at seven o’clock in the morning. I do not expect any of you to arrive that early. But you come at nine, at half-past nine. Some even rush into the church with their little ones, snatching off their hats just…
Reading: Matthew, Reading 38 (10:32–33, 37–38; 19:27–30) Dear brothers and sisters! Today the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of all the saints. After the feast of the Descent of the Holy Ghost, the Church now reveals to us the operation and fruits of the glory and grace of the Holy Ghost, which sanctified, enlightened, strengthened,…
Gospel Reading 9: Matthew 4:18–23 Dear brothers and sisters! Our Divine Teacher Jesus Christ, who came down from Heaven to teach mankind the wisdom of Heaven, began His preaching in Galilee. His first sermon began with a call to repentance, which can draw us near to the Kingdom of God: “Jesus went into Galilee and…
In antiquity, it was customary to commemorate all the martyrs for the faith of Christ—both those known and those whose names were forgotten. This commemoration was observed on various days throughout the year in different local Churches. The custom of celebrating it on the Sunday following the Feast of Pentecost was originally a practice unique…
Friends and brethren, I had hoped that with each passing Sunday more people would gather in church to listen to the divine words. But now I see that fewer of you are coming. If I were speaking on my own behalf, you would do well not to come. But now I proclaim to you the…
Now that we have celebrated Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Ghost, not even seven days have passed, and behold—the honorable commemoration of all the saints is already upon us. For the Lord Himself said: “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 17:24)….
Great, beloved, are the gifts given us by God on this day’s feast. Let us joyfully glorify Christ our God—for behold, we have arrived at the coming of the Holy Ghost. Today the apostles received power and began to speak in different tongues, as the Holy Ghost gave them utterance. But why did the Holy…