February 28, 7534
Indeed, secular people typically celebrate their birthdays by gathering guests for feasting, often with alcohol, music, dancing, and other inevitable attributes of worldly parties. Such people are entirely unfamiliar with the concept of name days or the day of their angel. It is worth noting that about a hundred years ago or more, things were different….
What should be the outward appearance of a Christian in church and outside of it? Are there restrictions? Is it permissible to attend church in non-traditional Russian but modest modern clothing? Can this clothing be worn outside church? May men wear shorts and sleeveless shirts? Can women wear trousers? How should a woman dress in…
The answer to this question largely depends on the individual’s specific life circumstances. It is one thing if the person is relatively healthy, young, and not in immediate danger of death, meaning they likely have time for a thorough preparation before joining. It is another matter entirely if the person is gravely ill, physically weak,…
“What dangers might a person face during the catechumenate period or immediately after baptism? Sometimes, especially during the process of becoming churched, a person sees or experiences “scary things” from demons. How can this be explained, and how can one protect themselves from such attacks?” The venerable Abba Dorotheus, in his book Spiritual Instructions, writes that…
The Stoglav Council of 1551 decreed that the sign of the cross, after touching the forehead, should be made upon the chest, where the heart is, and that those who do not cross themselves in this manner, according to chapter 32 of the Stoglav, should be excommunicated from the Church. Why, then, do we place…
The sign of the cross is a “hidden apostolic tradition,” as stated by St. Maximus the Greek. We believe that from the very beginning, the sign of the cross took the form of the two-finger gesture (dvoeperstie), as affirmed by Orthodox Church Fathers, including Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus; St. Peter of Damascus, hieromartyr and…
One of the main virtues of a Christian is temperance. What does it mean, and how can it be practiced in modern life? Temperance is indeed one of the most important virtues of Christian life. It was exemplified by the Old Testament prophets and demonstrated through the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle…