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The Death of Jesus Christ and Redemption. -Bp Mikhail (Semyonov)
Read more: The Death of Jesus Christ and Redemption. -Bp Mikhail (Semyonov)Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov) We have spoken about the Person of Christ, about the radiance of His countenance. But it is well known that, for Christians, the center of Christ’s life is found in His death. The center of Christianity is the Cross and Redemption. It is not merely the God-Man with the purest teaching whom…
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Traditional Orthodox Philosophy: A General Outline. -K. Mikhailov
Read more: Traditional Orthodox Philosophy: A General Outline. -K. MikhailovBy Kiril Mikhailov In the 17th century, Francis Bacon developed the concept of “pure knowledge,” free from prejudice and superstition—a concept of tremendous importance to world science, and one that, with only minor modifications, still reigns today. With the exception of anti- and irrationalist philosophical schools, which did not significantly influence the development of science,…
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Old Believer Philosophy: The Triumph of the Spirit and the Metaphysics of Freedom. -R. Atorin
Read more: Old Believer Philosophy: The Triumph of the Spirit and the Metaphysics of Freedom. -R. AtorinBy Roman Atorin The past thirty years in Russia have been marked by a growing interest in faith, religion, and spirituality. Old Belief, as one of our traditional and culturally formative confessions, has not remained apart from these developments and is now the subject of extensive study by many researchers. Indeed, the true causes of…
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It is Customary. -Bp Innokenty (Usov)
Read more: It is Customary. -Bp Innokenty (Usov)Bishop Innokenty (Usov) They say there is one answer that fits any question. That answer is: “I don’t know.” In the same way, there is one excuse that fits any misdeed, any sin, any bad or foolish habit. That excuse is: “It is customary,” “I am not the only one who does this,” “Everyone does it.” Ask, for example, a card…
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Foundations of Christian Aesthetics. -Kiril Mikhailov
Read more: Foundations of Christian Aesthetics. -Kiril MikhailovBy Kiril Mikhailov “One must try everything in life!” This slogan is repeated, as if by the hypnotized, by nearly everyone. Television has ingrained this in us, and we no longer even think—we simply try, as long as the opportunity is there and no punishment follows. Moral and internal restraints are gone. After all, television teaches…
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Why do we call ourselves servants of God?
Read more: Why do we call ourselves servants of God?In the Gospel, Christ says: “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends.”(John 15:14–15) From this passage, we see that it is not the Lord who calls us servants; rather, we…
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The Degrees of Moral Condition. -Bp. Innokenty (Usov)
Read more: The Degrees of Moral Condition. -Bp. Innokenty (Usov)Bishop Innokenty (Usov) The Fathers of the Church divide those who do good and fulfill the will of God into four ranks or degrees: slave, hireling, son, and friend of God. He who does not commit evil and fulfills the commandments of God out of fear of eternal torments is in the rank of a…
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On Monasticism
Read more: On MonasticismThe spiritual experience of every Orthodox Christian is unique, subjective, and unrepeatable. Despite the universal laws of salvation, the Lord prepares for each person a distinct and unrepeatable spiritual path. Christianity blesses marriage and the continuation of the human race. This is embedded by the Lord Himself in the laws of nature, which were established…
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On the Urge for Monasticism
Read more: On the Urge for MonasticismHow do people become ascetics? What have they understood or realized? What drives them? Why do they strive so selflessly? Or is it a natural inclination they are born with? Christianity is a religion of spiritual struggle, and the Holy Fathers call Christ Himself the Initiator of that struggle. Christ commands those who wish to…