Soglas Priestly

Apology for the Liturgy of Great Saturday. -Neminuschy

George Neminuschy Introduction In our present-day liturgical practice, the shortage of clergy, the necessity of undertaking practical tasks in preparation for Pascha, and the desire to rest before the all-night service of Paschal Matins and the Paschal Divine Liturgy often…

Step by Step, Upward. -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)

By Bishop Mikhail Semyonov This Sunday is dedicated to the memory of St. John of the Ladder, the author of a remarkable book about the Path to Heaven—thirty steps of ascent “up the ladder”… to that place where the seraphim stand…

Bows to the Ground and Waist Bows

Bows in the divine services are a visible sign of reverence for the Lord, the Mother of God, and all His saints. In Old Rite prayer practice, as in the pre-schism Russian Church, there are three types of bows. This…

What Is Fasting? -Bp. Mikhail (Semyonov)

We read of the true meaning and spiritual purpose of fasting in the writings of one of the brightest apologists of Orthodoxy in the early 20th century — Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov). What is fasting? Nowadays we hear many objections against fasting…

On Voluntary Fasts

In addition to the commonly observed fasting days for all (the four long fasts, and Wednesdays and Fridays of each week), there also exist customs of private fasting. A Christian, in agreement with his spiritual father, may take on an…

The Meaning of Christian Fasting

What is fasting? In general, fasting is abstinence—abstinence from carnal things, from sin, from anything that may corrupt our soul and lead us astray from the path of salvation. Fasting is a multifaceted discipline that touches not only on food…