February 5, 7534
by E.A. Ageeva. In the Old Believer tale “About the Greatly Zealous and Long-Suffering Archpriest Avvakum,” the great ascetic of faith is described as follows: “Archpriest Avvakum, a man of great good and abstinent life, of such great and fiery zeal: abundantly endowed with magnanimity and enriched with much suffering; he was known and loved…
For centuries, Old Believers were able to perform divine services in the most constrained conditions. But the coronavirus epidemic has shown that 30 years of existence in relatively comfortable conditions have greatly affected these skills. We offer our readers material dedicated to the views of the holy martyr Archpriest Avvakum on divine services that can…
First Preface To the pious reader, rejoice in the Lord and be enlightened. Part 1 In these present times, due to the lack of truly pious priests, many are perplexed: how can simple (lay) people perform certain Christian sacraments? Is it because there is no regulation for simple people regarding this? Therefore, some think: if…
Prayer has two aspects. First, prayer is communication with God, during which those praying express to the Divine their requests, thanksgiving, and praise. In prayer, a person pours out to God both joy and sorrow, repentance, and longing for the heavenly abode. Second, prayer is any supplication. Strictly speaking, one can petition, entreat, or implore…
This question needs to be divided into three parts. First, let’s determine whether it is possible to address God directly without any “intermediaries.” The answer is unequivocal: “Of course, it is.” God calls people to turn to Him. He does not reject those who come to Him. Moreover, like a shepherd seeking a lost sheep, He strives…
It is absolutely forbidden to submit commemorative notes for such individuals during the Proskomedia, that is, in the altar. During the Proskomedia and the Divine Liturgy, only the faithful—members of the Church—are commemorated. However, at home, you are free to decide for whom you pray, especially when it comes to your relatives. In church, you…
How should one pray at home for the health or repose of non-Orthodox people, especially if they have non-Russian names? Is it permissible to submit notes for deceased relatives of another faith in their heretical churches? Can one participate in the burial of a non-Orthodox relative? In response to your question, it is worth noting…
There 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…
The 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…
“Prayer is the breath of our soul,” says St. Macarius. How long can one remain alive without breath? Not long at all. In the same way, our spiritual life, if not refreshed and sustained by prayer, quickly weakens, withers, and dies. This is why the holy Apostle exhorts us not only to pray frequently—as often…