Priestly

What should a Christian read or watch to avoid feeding the passions and to preserve the purity of the soul? What literature would you recommend for a Christian, especially considering the lack of free time?

I would recommend first and foremost reading the Holy Scripture, but always with the commentaries of the Holy Fathers, to avoid straying into self-willed interpretations of its passages, as Protestants and other non-Orthodox often do. It is very beneficial to read the works of St. John Chrysostom, who presents Orthodox teachings about God, the incarnation…

Read More What should a Christian read or watch to avoid feeding the passions and to preserve the purity of the soul? What literature would you recommend for a Christian, especially considering the lack of free time?
What should one do if Old Believers around you, including clergy, behave unchristianly, treat you coldly, and not in the way you would like? How can one cope with this, explain it to oneself, and continue attending this community and interacting with these fellow believers (edinovertsy)?

Judging by your question, it seems that you (the author of the question) have recently joined the Orthodox Old Believer Church. This is evident from your use of the term “edinovertsy” to refer to Old Believers, which is not customary among us (this term is typically used by clergy and parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate…

Read More What should one do if Old Believers around you, including clergy, behave unchristianly, treat you coldly, and not in the way you would like? How can one cope with this, explain it to oneself, and continue attending this community and interacting with these fellow believers (edinovertsy)?
Why do Old Believers celebrate name days instead of birthdays?

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….

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Can Old Believers sit at the same table with heretics, eat from the same dishes, and participate in joint prayer?

Much depends on the circumstances—whether you are visiting them or they are visiting you. There are numerous Church rules that regulate our conduct regarding heretics. What do these rules say? Looking at their context and interpretations, they prohibit joint prayer with heretics or those excommunicated from the Church, whether at home, privately, or in a…

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Can a Christian attend theaters, concerts, movies, and other cultural or entertainment events?

Theaters, public performances, and other forms of entertainment have long been integral parts of social life. The Christian Church has coexisted with these phenomena for centuries and has documented its experiences in the canons of Ecumenical and Local Councils. These canons are explained by well-known Orthodox canonists such as Zonaras, Valsamon, and Aristenes. If we…

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What is an ideal Christian in today’s world, a follower of Christ?

The surrounding world changes, but “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God’s commandments, which people must follow, also remain unchanged. The values and virtues that we should strive for are constant. The methods for achieving virtues and fighting sin have been described once and for all. Human nature itself does not…

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Traditional Handiwork

Modern individuals have stopped engaging in many traditional activities and crafts. For instance, many women no longer practice needlework. Does this have any negative consequences, and what were the benefits of women’s needlework and embroidery? Indeed, modern society has largely shifted to urban living. Just a hundred years ago, many activities and skills that seemed…

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Why is the surrounding world considered hostile to Christians (“the prince of this world is Satan”)? What is harmful and corrupt in modern society?

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,…

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On Pets

What should be a Christian’s attitude toward pets? Many modern people treat cats and dogs better than their neighbors, spending significant time and money on them. What should one do with kittens if no one wants to adopt them? Some people even set up animal shelters at home. A healthy attitude toward all animals should…

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What does Christian life include? What should be observed, and which Sacraments should one participate in?

Christian life can be described using two expressions from Sacred Scripture: “walking before God” and “following Christ.” “He walked before God and was blameless”—this phrase is used by the Lord in Scripture to characterize the righteous of the Old Testament. Walking before God is also called “the fear of the Lord,” which does not imply…

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