Fasting, as a form of piety, has been known since ancient times. The Old Testament recounts prophets who fasted during their communion with God, such as the prophet Moses, who fasted for forty days while conversing with God on Mount…
Observing fasts teaches Christians one of the virtues, namely temperance. The righteous and the prophets of Old Testament times observed fasting. Even our Lord Himself fasted, giving us an example of restraint. The requirement for Christians to observe the Great…
According to ancient pious customs, children in Old Believer families were taught to fast from the age of two or three. Today, the more common practice is to begin fasting labors upon emerging from infancy, around six or seven years…
Man, in the conditions of this earthly existence, is like a prisoner in a “dungeon.” “In every person, in his soul, there is a noble captive whom he must set free. There is no one in the world in whose…
by Bishop Mikhail Semyonov What is fasting? Nowadays, we hear objections against fasting more frequently than ever. Why is it necessary? “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth,” saith…
Ingredients: Grease your baking molds with butter and fill them about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake for 35–40 minutes at 350°F (adjust according to your oven). Let the kulich cool and decorate as desired! Makes 6–7 small kulich cakes.…
How can a child be prepared for confession? To answer this question, we have gathered advice from several priests:
I have spoken about parents, mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, but said nothing of children—of their duties to the family, to father and mother. On this subject, if I find time, I shall speak in detail. For now, just a word or two.…
How should one choose a name for a newborn? What are the traditions and rules in this regard? Please provide a reference to the source. In the early Christian Church, during times of persecution, people were often baptized as adults,…
According to Orthodox teaching, when a person is baptized, a guardian angel is given to him, who protects the soul from demonic assaults and guides him toward virtue. This angel accompanies the person throughout his life and, after the soul’s…