-
About the Sunday of All Saints
Read more: About the Sunday of All SaintsIn 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…
-
Homily 80. On the Second Sunday, after the Commemoration of All Saints, A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom
Read more: Homily 80. On the Second Sunday, after the Commemoration of All Saints, A Teaching of St. John ChrysostomFriends 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…
-
Golden-mouth. Homily 79. On the First Sunday after Pentecost, A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom in Commemoration of All Saints
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 79. On the First Sunday after Pentecost, A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom in Commemoration of All SaintsNow 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)….
-
Golden-mouth. Homily 78. On Pentecost Monday: A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom Concerning the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Holy Disciples and Apostles of Christ
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 78. On Pentecost Monday: A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom Concerning the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Holy Disciples and Apostles of ChristGreat, 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…
-
Golden-mouth. Homily 77. On Pentecost Sunday, a Teaching of St. John Chrysostom
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 77. On Pentecost Sunday, a Teaching of St. John ChrysostomFor those who love God, there is no weariness in keeping feast. Behold, as we now keep festival, the angels rejoice with us, the archangels are glad, and all the heavenly powers celebrate together with us. Let us then keep festival, not like the unbelievers, nor like the children of the Jews, but being filled…
-
Golden-mouth. Homily 76. On Pentecost Saturday, a Teaching of St. John Chrysostom: That One Should Not Weep Excessively for the Dead
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 76. On Pentecost Saturday, a Teaching of St. John Chrysostom: That One Should Not Weep Excessively for the DeadIt is fitting to do all things with discernment. One ought not to mourn excessively for the dead, nor to tear out one’s hair, nor to scratch one’s face, as the unbelievers do—those who have no hope of being with God. For the faithful, sorrow is appropriate only if someone dies without repentance; for such…
-
Does the Church have any requirements or recommendations regarding a Christian’s health?
Read more: Does the Church have any requirements or recommendations regarding a Christian’s health?In Orthodoxy, there is no strict dichotomy between the soul and the body, nor any teaching that all physical things are sinful and corrupt, with the soul’s ultimate goal being to escape the “filthy” body. Orthodox Christianity teaches that the body and soul together form a single human being and that Christians living on earth,…
-
What is forbidden for an Old Believer and why? (e.g., smoking, drunkenness, profanity, shaving the beard, playing cards, working in sinful industries like tobacco or cosmetics, having abortions, dancing, wearing makeup, painting nails, women wearing pants or immodest clothing, cutting or styling hair, dyeing hair, etc.)
Read more: What is forbidden for an Old Believer and why? (e.g., smoking, drunkenness, profanity, shaving the beard, playing cards, working in sinful industries like tobacco or cosmetics, having abortions, dancing, wearing makeup, painting nails, women wearing pants or immodest clothing, cutting or styling hair, dyeing hair, etc.)The Apostle Paul says: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.”\(1 Corinthians 6:12) Thus, we should view the restrictions mentioned not as a denial or violation of the freedom Christ has called us to, but as the Church’s guidance to help us on the path to salvation in Christ. Our…
-
What should a Christian read or watch to avoid feeding the passions and to preserve the purity of the soul? What literature would you recommend for a Christian, especially considering the lack of free time?
Read more: What should a Christian read or watch to avoid feeding the passions and to preserve the purity of the soul? What literature would you recommend for a Christian, especially considering the lack of free time?I would recommend first and foremost reading the Holy Scripture, but always with the commentaries of the Holy Fathers, to avoid straying into self-willed interpretations of its passages, as Protestants and other non-Orthodox often do. It is very beneficial to read the works of St. John Chrysostom, who presents Orthodox teachings about God, the incarnation…
-
What should one do if Old Believers around you, including clergy, behave unchristianly, treat you coldly, and not in the way you would like? How can one cope with this, explain it to oneself, and continue attending this community and interacting with these fellow believers (edinovertsy)?
Read more: What should one do if Old Believers around you, including clergy, behave unchristianly, treat you coldly, and not in the way you would like? How can one cope with this, explain it to oneself, and continue attending this community and interacting with these fellow believers (edinovertsy)?Judging by your question, it seems that you (the author of the question) have recently joined the Orthodox Old Believer Church. This is evident from your use of the term “edinovertsy” to refer to Old Believers, which is not customary among us (this term is typically used by clergy and parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate…