March 1, 7534
Khirothesia is the ordination of a lower church minister — a reader or candle-bearer. These lower church ministers do not receive the grace of the priesthood but are appointed by the bishop’s blessing to serve in the church through reading and singing. The duties of a reader include reciting the appointed psalms and prayers during…
A bishop is the highest-ranking clergyman. He not only performs divine services and all the sacraments himself, but also has the authority to perform ordinations—that is, to confer on others the grace-filled gift of celebrating services and sacraments. Unlike priests, a bishop may: “Those anointed with chrism—laypeople—do not possess the gifts of the priesthood or…
The one chosen to be ordained a deacon is led from the center of the church by two deacons through the Royal Doors into the altar. Bowing low before the bishop, who at that moment is seated on the kafedra (cathedra) near the Holy Table on the right side, he receives the bishop’s blessing. Then…
As a rule, priests hear confessions in enclosed areas within the church, at the entrances to which the faithful line up. For example, in the Intercession Church at Rogozhskoye, confession takes place in the side-chapels behind the main iconostasis. Some churches have special confessionals. While waiting for their turn to approach the priest, one…
By Priest Evgeny Chunin Many today have their own idea of what repentance is. And indeed, in our lives, the human feeling of repentance is expressed in many different forms and manners. It can be a simple “forgive me” spoken to a loved one, or “excuse me, please” to others, or even a casual “pardon,”…
Throughout our lives, we all commit transgressions. Sometimes our conscience immediately convicts us of wrongdoing; other times, we come to realize only later that our actions were incompatible with the Christian way of life. These transgressions are called sins. Sins burden the soul in this life and, in the life to come, can hinder…
“Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Our earthly life—its purpose and meaning—is a preparation for Eternal Life. What awaits us beyond depends entirely on how we live here: either we shall become co-heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, or we shall perish, cast into the outer darkness prepared…
Epitimia is a spiritual directive intended to help a person overcome sinful attachments and serve as a means of atoning for sins committed. Epitimia may consist of specific prayer assignments (for example, making a certain number of bows each day with a prayer to a particular saint, or reading a set number of kathismas),…
Sin and Repentance The feeling of repentance is, to some degree, familiar to everyone. In human life, it manifests in a wide variety of forms and expressions. It may be a simple “forgive me” addressed to a loved one, or a polite “excuse me, please” for others, or even a lighthearted “pardon,” as well as…
A Christian places his full trust in the Lord, attributing both health and illness to His saving providence. Yet the desire to preserve health, and to restore it when lost, is natural to all people, including Christians. The body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, and caring for it is a natural human…