February 20, 7534
We believe and confess that an Orthodox priest, in relation to a heretical bishop, is by no means “lesser,” but—by virtue of his belonging to the True Church of Christ and his authority to bind and loose sins—he is “greater” than a heretical bishop who has not joined the Church of Christ. While there is…
The Holy Fathers call schismatics (heretics of the second rank) those who introduce novelties into Church tradition, thereby separating themselves from the unity of faith. The Orthodox Old Believers not only introduced no novelties but actively resisted the innovations attempted by Patriarch Nikon and his like-minded followers. The holy martyr Protopriest Avvakum wrote in his Fifth…
The medieval Russian concept was slightly different and more comprehensive in its original form. Its essence can be summarized as follows: the First Rome, the Orthodox kingdom, fell into heresy; the Second Rome (Constantinople) fell to the Turks; now the last Orthodox kingdom is Moscow, the “Third Rome.” If Moscow were to fall, there would…
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…
–UNDER CONSTRUCTION– Introduction Three hundred years ago, Russia professed a single Christian, Orthodox faith and formed a single true Orthodox Church. At that time, there were no heresies, no schisms, no divisions within the Russian Church. For more than six centuries, beginning from the Baptism of Rus’ in 988, the Russian Church enjoyed inner peace…
From the Baptism of Rus Old Belief is, by definition, inseparably linked to history. Old Believers have always been distinguished by a profound historical memory. For them, not only recently glorified Russian saints but also the biblical patriarchs and prophets were real, living people, forming an integral part of the Orthodox world. In recounting the…
By George Neminuschy Foreword In this article, we shall attempt to uncover and articulate a direct link between the original attribute of Christ’s Church—its catholicity, or sobornost—and that which is referred to as communal life when speaking of Old Belief. We will not engage in an “apologia for Old Belief,” nor will we offer criticism…
(A sermon by Fr. Vasily Andronikov) The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?(Psalm 26:1) Lately, the whole world has been confronted with a new trial — the struggle against a strange and unprecedented disease! From nearly every…
We have now come to a very important and intriguing topic: the miracles of Christ. These miracles should not be a cause of doubt for anyone, for they were performed by the Lord Himself. And they were many. As the Apostle John the Theologian says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the…
What is our attitude toward the church service? Father Deacon and I begin the service at seven o’clock in the morning. I do not expect any of you to arrive that early. But you come at nine, at half-past nine. Some even rush into the church with their little ones, snatching off their hats just…