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How to Pray at Home
Read more: How to Pray at HomeThere is an ancient saying: “The cell has no rule.” A layperson can develop a personal schedule for home prayer that suits their circumstances. For guidance, one might look to the expectations for a monk’s private prayer. It is advisable to read Compline and Midnight Office daily, as these are part of the mandatory private prayer rule for monks. Many Christians…
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The Lestovka
Read more: The LestovkaThe lestovka is a type of prayer rope that was widespread in ancient Rus’ and remains in use among the Old Believers. It is a variety of the vervitsa (corded rosary), typically made of braided leather (or, in later times, of cloth or imitation leather) sewn into a loop. It symbolizes both the ladder (lestvitsa) of spiritual ascent from earth to…
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Let Us Rest at the Foot of the Cross. -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)
Read more: Let Us Rest at the Foot of the Cross. -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)On the summit of a hill stands a dark, weathered Cross. And below lies a village—poor, impoverished, and weary. In moments of deep sorrow, it stretches upward toward that blessed tree. A line of wretched and broken people climbs the steep path, clinging to the rocks, bearing the full burden of their suffering. Whoever has…
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Christianity — the Religion of Bearing the Cross. -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)
Read more: Christianity — the Religion of Bearing the Cross. -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)…I once saw a beautiful painting entitled The Shadow of the Cross. The Lord, still a Boy, is standing beside Joseph’s carpenter’s bench. He has just finished His work: wood shavings lie scattered on the floor and the bench. The Child—Christ—gazes through a narrow window in the humble room. It seems to be evening: the window…
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Are there saints among the Old Believers after the Schism?
Read more: Are there saints among the Old Believers after the Schism?In Christ’s Church, saints are always present in every generation of Christians. Propagandists from among the New Rite often accuse the Old Rite Orthodox Church of lacking saints after the Schism. This is a profound misconception. Some of the more honest historians of the New Rite Church acknowledge that the number of canonized saints within…
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Homily for Pentecost, the Day of the Holy Trinity. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)
Read more: Homily for Pentecost, the Day of the Holy Trinity. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)Gospel Reading: John, reading 27 — chapter 7:37–52; chapter 8:12 Dear brothers and sisters, I congratulate you on the great Christian feast of the Most Holy Trinity! Today we render honor and glory to the Holy Divine Trinity — the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. “Glory to the Most Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving,…
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Homily on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)
Read more: Homily on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)John, reading 56. Chapter 17:1-13 Dear brothers and sisters, Today we commemorate the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. On the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity, the Church glorifies those who confirmed the true doctrine concerning the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The First Ecumenical Council was convened by the…
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Golden-mouth. Homily 75. Seventh Sunday of Pascha.
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 75. Seventh Sunday of Pascha.On the Seventh Sunday after Pascha: Teaching of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom on the Council of the 318 Holy Fathers who gathered against the heretic Arius. Today, beloved faithful, we commemorate the memory of the holy fathers. For by their confession—that the Son of God became man, willingly suffered, died, was buried,…
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Homily for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)
Read more: Homily for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. -Met. Korniliy (Titov)Our Lord Jesus Christ, for forty days after His Resurrection, remained with His disciples, teaching them “the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven” and preparing them for the reception of Divine grace. For forty days we have glorified the Risen Christ, and today we glorify His Ascension— the completion of His earthly ministry. At the…
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Golden-mouth. Homily 74. Thursday of the Sixth Week. Ascension.
Read more: Golden-mouth. Homily 74. Thursday of the Sixth Week. Ascension.On the Ascension of the Lord, preached by our Holy Father John Chrysostom on the Thursday of the Sixth Week after Pascha. Three exceedingly glorious wonders of the Lord took place from the beginning: the first was His descent to earth; the second, His resurrection from the dead; the third, His ascension into the heavens. For Elijah, though he too was…