February 2, 7534
A word of Andrei Denisov, Pomorian coenobiarch “The righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4) Many and ineffable blessings are brought about by the virtues; for the sake of them, those who have acquired them are counted blessed with immortal glory. For every virtue truly embraced crowns its lover with inexpressible beauty and adorns him…
The Apostle James wrote these words when explaining in his epistle how a person is justified before God. At that time, an idea had already appeared in Christianity that simply believing in Christ was sufficient for the salvation of the soul, allowing one to live however they pleased, without observing commandments or following any restrictions….
Scripture repeatedly states: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”(Psalm 110:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10) But it also says: “Perfect love casteth out fear.”(1 John 4:18) These statements are not contradictory; they describe different stages of spiritual growth. A house must be built starting with the foundation, not the roof. The journey…
Since the fall of human nature and the rupture between man and God, a longing for the lost paradise has been hidden deep within the souls of men. The curse, imposed as a punishment for the fall, often acts as a remedy for the soul, reminding each person of that blessed life and delight, of…
It is quite common to hear statements like this: “I am Orthodox, baptized, but I don’t go to church. I don’t trust priests. But I believe in God in my soul. I wear a cross. I’ve been taught not to steal or wish harm on others. I believe that’s enough. After all, the main thing…
By Kiril Tovbin On November 1, 2007, I attended a lecture by Deacon Maximus Urbanovich of the Orthodox Church in America. The topic was “Why I Became Orthodox.” I had prepared many questions, but instead of a lecture I witnessed an ordinary Protestant-style sermon. Urbanovich waved the Bible, made theatrical gestures, and jumped around, shouting…
By Kiril Mikhailov To my friend M.M. Rodin The field lies open—nothing is sacred! A qualitatively new godlessness has arrived. We have entered a time in which faith is wholly overtaken by pretense, by a mere likeness of faith. The believer has been replaced by an actor playing the believer. In my view, no period…