Saint Marina the Great Martyr and Vanquisher of Demons

Marina was born in Southern Anatolia, specifically from Pisidia in Antioch, at the end of the third century during the reign of Claudius II (268-270). She was the only daughter of noble pagan parents.

When she was five years old her mother died (some sources say she died shortly after childbirth), and since her father, Aidesios, was too busy carrying out his duties as a pagan priest to care for her properly, he turned her care over to a woman who happened to be a Christian.

This nanny lived in a small town about fifteen miles from where Marina was born. Away from her father’s idols and blasphemous practices her nanny taught her about the Christian Faith. As Marina increased in age, more so did she advance in knowledge, understanding, and compassion. Her faith in the Living God was so great that she desired the difficult path of Martyrdom. She told her father that she wished to become a Christian and to never marry so as to live a life of virginity. Her father despised her for her faith and disowned her as his daughter.

Life of Saint Vladimir the Great (+1015)

At the beginning of his reign in Kyiv, Saint Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, was distinguished by his cruelty, his penchant for polygamy, and his particular zeal for the pagan faith. By his order, idols were erected everywhere and sacrifices were made to them. The idol of Perun, revered as the god of thunder and lightning, was especially revered; it stood near the prince's palace and was adorned with gold and silver.

Especially numerous sacrifices were made to the gods for victories over enemies, and early in his reign, Prince Vladimir was often forced to wage war, either to subjugate new tribes or defend himself from attacks by neighboring peoples. When, after a successful campaign against the Yatvingians, Vladimir offered thanksgiving sacrifices to the gods, the city elders and boyars said, "Let us cast lots for young men and maidens; whoever it falls on, we will sacrifice to the gods." At that time, a Christian Varangian lived in Kyiv, and the lot fell on his son, also a Christian. Envoys from the people came to the Varangian and said, "The lot has fallen on your son; the gods have chosen him for us to sacrifice." The Varangian refused to hand over his son, saying, "Your gods are not gods, but trees. God is one, Whom the Greeks worship and Who created heaven and earth and man, but your gods are made by human hands." The messengers conveyed this answer to the people. An enraged crowd of pagans approached the Varangian's house and demanded that he hand over his son. The Varangian replied: "If your gods are truly gods, then let them come and take my son from my arms themselves. What do you care about?" With these words, he seized his son in his arms and did not let him go, while the enraged crowd of pagans rushed upon the Varangian and his son and killed them both. For the first time, the walls of Kyiv were stained with the martyred blood of Christians.

But the pagan faith did not hold sway in Kyiv for long. The all-good God willed that the Rus' land not perish utterly in idolatry, but be enlightened by Christian truths and receive the path to salvation.

An Analysis of the Roman Error about the Primacy and Infallibility of the Pope (Bishop Mitrofan Abramov)

The primacy of the pope

The cornerstone of all the errors of the Catholic Church is the doctrine of papal primacy. The essence of this doctrine is as follows: the Roman Pontiff, Catholics teach, is the supreme ruler of the entire Church founded by the Savior; he is God's vicar on earth and the head of all believers. As such, the Pope is superior to the Ecumenical Councils, which receive their confirmation and sanction from the Pope.

On what do Catholics base this anti-Christian teaching about the visible primacy of the Roman Pontiff in the Church?

The Roman Pontiff, Catholics teach, is the successor to the See of St. Peter the Apostle, and therefore should be entitled to all the privileges granted by God to Peter. Peter's privileges consisted in the fact that he was supposedly appointed by Christ as prince over the apostles and supreme head of the entire Church.

Before examining the above-mentioned teaching, let us ask Catholics in what sense they consider the pope to be the successor of the Apostle Peter. If the pope is the successor of the Apostle Peter in the see—in other words, he occupies the see that St. Peter supposedly once occupied—then this foundation is extremely shaky, since it is reliably known that St. Peter was never, in the true sense, Bishop of Rome. True, St. Peter, as tradition says, founded the Roman Church; but, according to the same tradition, St. Peter appointed St. Linus as its ruler, while he himself went to other places to preach the Gospel. If, however, we recognize the pope as the successor of St. Peter solely because the apostle founded the Roman Church, then, on this basis, we must also recognize the patriarchs of Antioch and Alexandria as successors of St. Peter, since the latter churches were also founded by St. Peter, the Antiochian Church even earlier than the Roman Church. – Why, then, do Catholics attribute only to their Pope the right to be called the successor of the holy Apostle Peter?

On the Church (Archbishop Averky Taushev)

And how strange it is sometimes to hear such speeches: “I believe in God, but I do not recognize the Church, because the Church is a human organization.”

Those who speak this way reveal their extreme spiritual ignorance.

They do not understand at all what the Church is, and it is not easy to explain it to them, for they are alien to the Church in spirit, and the Word of God is not an authority for them, since the only authority they recognize for themselves is their own authority - their "reason", as they say, or rather - their own stubborn prejudice against everything that does not agree with their proud, self-important, preconceived thoughts and feelings, with their unshakable confidence in their supposedly absolute rightness.

They do not want to, and cannot, understand that the Church is not at all a human organization (no matter how some try to make it so!), but a Divine institution, that the Church is not only bishops and priests, but all true believers in Christ, who make up the body of Christ, the Head of which is Christ Himself (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:20; Rom. 8:29); that individual bishops and priests, as people, can sin and err and fall away from the Truth of Christ's teaching, but that the whole Church as a whole can never sin and deviate from this truth , for it has been given a great promise by its Divine Founder Himself: “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), and the great Apostle of the Gentiles testified “The Church of the living God is the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

After all, all those sins and vices, shortcomings and imperfections of the Church's ministers, which its enemies and unbelievers and those of little faith love to point out, are their personal sins, for which they will answer to God, but they are not the sins of the Church itself, which is "holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27). And whoever blasphemes the Holy Church blasphemes God Himself, who founded the Church not for blasphemy and mockery, but for the eternal salvation of people. He blasphemes the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the Church. And this is a sin that, according to the words of Christ the Savior, will not be forgiven "neither in this age nor in the age to come" (Matt. 12:31), because such a blasphemer becomes incapable of repentance, without which there is no salvation.

That is why, when criticizing unworthy ministers of the Church, one must be very careful not to extend this criticism to the Church itself, as such.

And the Truth, which is sacredly and inviolably preserved by the true Church - the Orthodox Church, not subject to any chaotic changes of such a fickle “spirit of the times”, is what was believed in everywhere, what was always believed in, what everyone believed in (St. Vincent of Lerins).

Whoever rejects this one true Church, rejects God Himself, who founded the Church, which is why the great man of Christian antiquity, the holy martyr Cyprian of Carthage, says: “For whom the Church is not a mother, God is not a father.”

Source: https://myrophoros.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-post_04.html#more

On Dogma - Fr Savvas the Athonite (Homily, September 14, 2014)

When someone changes or distorts dogma—the truth about Christ and the Holy Trinity—they are outside the Church. If you add or remove even a single “and” from the Creed—as the Papists have done—you are outside the Church. This is a decision of the Third Ecumenical Council.

Why is dogma so important? Because dogma is the truth about Christ; when you change it, that is, distort it, you distort the truth about Christ. And when we say “truth about Christ,”

Life of Saint Princess Olga of Kyiv the grandmother of Saint Vladimir the Great

Saint Olga was the wife of the Rus' (circa modern day Ukraine) Prince Igor (912–945). In 945, during a campaign against the Drevlians, who lived east of Kyiv, Prince Igor was killed. It is said that the Drevlians, having defeated the Rus' army, barbarically murdered Igor: they tied him to the tops of two trees bent toward each other, and he was torn to pieces.

After Igor's death, while his son Svyatoslav was still a minor, Olga assumed control of the Rus' land. Having established the external and internal order of the state, Olga had already reached the age when a person, having satisfied the primary impulses of earthly activity, sees its near end and typically senses the vanity of earthly grandeur. Olga was a pagan, but the name of the Almighty was already celebrated in Kyiv. She could observe the solemnity of Christian rites; out of curiosity, she could converse with church pastors and, gifted with an extraordinary intellect, become convinced of the sanctity of their teachings. Illuminated by this ray of light, Olga desired to become a Christian and decided to travel to the capital of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire and the Greek (Romaic/Orthodox) faith, to draw upon its very source. Long before her departure for Constantinople, Olga chose Gregory as her guide. While conversing with her about the truths and destinies of the Church of Christ, the kind mentor perhaps more than once transported the princess's thoughts to the famous Constantinople, where Christianity then existed in all its glory. He often told her how magnificent the churches of God were, how solemn the divine services there were, especially during the Patriarch's rites, what an abundance of holy relics, miraculous icons, and, in general, all manner of Christian holy objects therein. Such conversations could naturally and imperceptibly awaken in the soul of the devout Olga a pious desire to see all this with her own eyes. And so the aged Olga—still a pagan, but already enamored of Christianity and deeply convinced of its divinity—resolved to travel to Constantinople to be baptized there.

The Holy Fathers on CHOSENNESS (Fr Mikhail Pitnitsky)

Venerable Abba Isaiah:

"Do not delude yourself into thinking that you are chosen by God. If you lack humility, then even if you raised the dead, you will be alien to God. God's chosen are recognized not by their gifts, but by the depth of their self-abasement."

Saint Theophan the Recluse:

"God chose us before the foundation of the world; but He chose us so that we would be holy and blameless before Him in love. God's election confirms our work of salvation, but does not replace it. It gives us strength, but does not accomplish salvation without us."

Saint John Chrysostom:

"God predestined us, not by compulsion, but by His own will. He does not make anyone chosen by force; on the contrary, He calls all, and those who willingly respond—them He makes chosen." Just as the sun shines on all, but only those who have opened their eyes benefit from it, so God calls everyone, but only those who themselves desire it become chosen.

Venerable Abba Dorotheus:

"No one knows which people are pleasing to God and which are not. Therefore, we must honor all people as holy and chosen, lest we ourselves be among the rejected. God's election is a mystery hidden in His heart, and we do not have the key to it."

Venerable Maximus the Confessor:

"The chosen are those in whom the Divine will has become their own desire. They are not 'chosen' by God as objects, but have become co-workers with God, because there is no room left in their hearts for a will contrary to God."

St. Gregory the Theologian:

"Many desire to be chosen, but few are ready to bear the responsibility that comes with being chosen." Chosenness requires a heart willing to be pierced, a life willing to be sacrificed. It is not a gift to be enjoyed, but a gift to be served.

Saint John Chrysostom:

“Do you want to know if you are chosen by God? See if temptations befall you. For God chastens whom He loves, and scourges every son He accepts. Trials are the seal of chosenness, with which the Lord marks His own, lest they become lost in this world.”

Saint Isaac the Syrian:

“God's chosen ones live in the world as strangers and pilgrims, and no one knows of their greatness, because they do not seek glory from men. Their chosenness is secret, in hidden worship of the spirit. Do not seek the signs of election externally; seek them in the silence of your heart, when it abides in love for God, despite all the storms of life.”

Saint Silouan the Athonite: On the Saints

God is glorified in the saints, and the saints are glorified by God.

The glory the Lord bestows upon the saints is so great that natural man cannot bear the glory of a heavenly manifestation. Do not be surprised at this. The Lord so loved His creation that He gave man abundantly the Holy Spirit, and in the Holy Spirit, man became like God. Why does the Lord love man so? Because He is Love Himself; and this Love is known by the Holy Spirit.

About humility (A sermon on the Dormition of Our Saint Father Sisoes)

"O God ," say some self-deluded ones, " I give You praise, for I am not like other men—extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers... I fast twice on the Sabbath, I give tithes of all that I can get" ( Luke 18:11-13 ). Simply put: they are accustomed to thinking of themselves as righteous. Is this good? Of course not. To judge ourselves so self-satisfied means to forget the Lord, to forget that His judgment of us may not coincide with our conceit. Doesn't it often happen that what seems lofty in our eyes is vile in His sight? And finally, didn't He say that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and only he who humbles himself will be exalted ( Luke 18:14 )? Yes, brethren, it is not good to think too much of ourselves. No matter how successful someone may be in a pious life, let no one ever boast of himself, but until death, constantly be aware of his unworthiness before God, and cleanse himself more often with repentance and tears.

Life of the Holy New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna (+1918)

Not every generation is destined to meet along its path such a blessed gift from heaven as was the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna for her time, for she was a rare combination of exalted Christian spirit, moral nobility, enlightened mind, gentle heart, and refined taste. She possessed an extremely delicate and multifaceted spiritual composition and her outward appearance reflected the beauty and greatness of her spirit. Upon her brow lay the seal of an inborn, elevated dignity which set her apart from those around her. Under the cover of modesty, she often strove, though in vain, to conceal herself from the gaze of others, but one could not mistake her for another. Wherever she appeared, one would always ask: "Who is she who looketh forth as the morning, clear as the sun" (Song of Solomon 6:10)? Wherever she would go she emanated the pure fragrance of the lily. Perhaps it was for this reason that she loved the color white—it was the reflection of her heart. All of her spiritual qualities were strictly balanced, one against another, never giving an impression of one-sidedness. Femininity was joined in her to a courageous character; her goodness never led to weakness and blind, unconditional trust of people. Even in her finest heartfelt inspirations she exhibited that gift of discernment which has always been so highly esteemed by Christian ascetics. These characteristics were perhaps in part due to her upbringing, which she received under the guidance of her maternal grandmother, Victoria, Queen of England and Empress of India. An unmistakable English stamp was placed on all her tastes and habits and English was closer to her than her native German.

The Life Saint Athanasius the Athonite (+1000)

 

This heavenly man, this earthly angel, this man worthy of immortal praise, was brought into mortal life by the great city of Trebizond, Constantinople nurtured him in learning, and within it, Ceminus and Athos offered sacrifice to God. His parents were renowned for their nobility and wealth, and were known to all for their rank and piety. His father hailed from great Antioch, and his mother from Colchis; they only resided in Trebizond. His father died before the saint's birth, and his mother, having given birth to him and baptized him, barely managed to nurse him before following her husband from temporal life to eternal life. This infant, orphaned while still in swaddling clothes, was given the name Abraham at the holy font. However, having lost his earthly parents, he was not left without the care and providence of the Heavenly Father of orphans. The Lord, by His all-powerful command, moved to compassion the heart of a certain nun—a noble and wealthy maiden, a friend and acquaintance of Abraham's mother. She took him in and began to care for him as if he were her own child. From his earliest years, Abraham showed signs of what he would become. Modesty in all his behavior, decorum, intelligence, a wisdom far beyond his years, and great abstinence were the distinguishing characteristics of his childhood. When he played with other children, their games prophesied his future: gathering in a cave, they chose him not as a king or a military commander, but as an abbot, and submitted to him. This was later fulfilled—and many of those children, as they grew older, became monks themselves. Seeing that the nun, his tutor, constantly practiced prayer and observed frequent fasts, Abraham marveled at her and asked her the reason for her behavior. She, noticing in him a receptiveness to good instruction, zealously and in every way strove to sow as many seeds of piety as possible on this fertile and fruitful soil. And her holy efforts were not in vain. Abraham listened with spiritual joy to his tutor's instructions, and from that time on, abandoning childish games, he began to instill in his heart the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, and with fear, the love of God. As his childish powers developed, strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, he began to practice the feats of virtue. Abraham's tutor, while nourishing his heart with pious instruction, did not neglect the education of his mind. She devoted the boy to book learning. Endowed with naturally blessed mental abilities, he understood the lesson so easily that he was a marvel to both the teacher and his companions.

Watchfulness: The Foundation of the Spiritual Life (St. Theophan the Recluse)

Without attentiveness, you will accomplish nothing properly, even in the ordinary affairs of life. In the spiritual life, attentiveness is even more essential—it is the very first requirement. It detects evil and brings it before the inner judgment. It stands guard over the inner palace where decisions are made about what ought to be done and how it should be done, and then it watches over the execution of those decisions.

For this reason, it is no surprise that the spiritual life in its entirety is called a life of watchfulness (nepsis). In the writings of the Holy Fathers, you will find more about watchfulness—or attentiveness—than almost anything else, for the two are one and the same.

It is of the greatest value to acquire the habit of attentiveness. It is the first labor of those who have resolved to care for their souls. Their struggle begins to bear fruit from the moment their attention starts to gather itself inward. Ordinarily, our attention is scattered outside ourselves rather than within. But from the moment it is collected inward, the inner life begins. Together with watchfulness, that inner life matures and grows stronger.

What does this mean? It means to stand with the mind in the heart before the Lord, consciously remaining in His presence, and from there to examine every thought and undertake every action. Such a way of life is, of course, not acquired all at once. It matures together with prayer. As prayer strengthens this watchfulness, so watchfulness, in turn, strengthens prayer.

Holy Russian Royal Martyrs (+1918)

 

Today marks 108 years since the brutal assassination of Saint Tsar Nicholas II and his family by the satanic Bolsheviks.

After midnight on July 4/17, 1918, the entire family, with their doctor and two faithful servants, was brought to the basement of the house of their confinement under the pretext of moving them once again. There they were brutally and mercilessly murdered, the children as well as the adults, under the cover of darkness - for "men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3.19). The Tsar was shot as he stood forward to defend his family. Tsaritsa Alexandra was able to make the sign of the Cross before she, too, fell. The first bullets did not bring death to the youngest ones, and they were savagely clubbed, bayoneted and shot at point-blank range.

Those killed were: the Tsar (born 1868), the Tsaritsa (1872), Olga (both 1895), Tatiana (1897), Maria (born 1899), Anastasia (born 1901), Alexis (born 1904), the Tsar's physician Eugene Botkin, the Tsaritsa's chamber-maid Anna Demidova, the cook Kharitonov and the servant Trupp. The sailor Clement Nagorny, who had looked after the Tsarevich since early childhood, and Sergius Sednev, the servant to the Grand Duchesses, both of whom had defended the Royal Family from robbery and insults in Ekaterinburg, were taken away to prison and shot there. Those who were refused permission to stay with the Royal Family at Ekaterinburg, and who were also shot in prison were General Elias Tatishchev and Prince Basil Dolgorukov. The maid-of-honour, Countess Anastasia Hendrikova, and the court teacher, Ekaterina Schneider, were taken to Perm and shot there.

Lives of the Holy Martyrs, Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Saints Cosmas and Damian of Rome

The Holy Martyrs, Wonderworkers and Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian – were brothers by birth, born at Rome, and physicians by profession. They accepted a martyr's death at Rome under the emperor Carinus (283-284). They were brought up by their parents in the rules of piety, they led strict and chaste lives, and they were granted by God the graced gift of healing the sick. By their good and unselfish attitude towards people, combined with their exceptional kindliness, the brothers converted many to Christ. The saints usually said to the sick: "It be not by our power that we treat the sick, but by the power of Christ, the True God. Believe in Him and be healed". For their unselfish doctoring of the infirm, the holy brothers were called "unmercenary physicians".

How should an orthodox christian relate to secular news?

Quotes of saints compiled by Fr Mikhail Pitnytsky☦️

Saint Gregory the Theologian:
“The best and safest thing is to close the windows of the senses and turn to oneself, not accepting into the soul the impressions of worldly storms and human strife, which, like muddy streams, only defile the purity of thoughts.”

Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"Curiosity about worldly rumors and wars is the enemy's secret network. He occupies a person's mind with other people's affairs so that he does not have time to repent of his own sins before the hour of exodus comes."

Saint John of Shanghai:
"There have always been and will always be wars and turmoil in the world, for the world lies in wickedness. But a Christian must guard his inner ark. Close the doors of the mind to external noise, so that amid the storm you may preserve the peace of Christ."

Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky:
"A mind captivated by concern for earthly kingdoms and wars becomes like a bird caught in a net. It flails, its wings weaken, and it cannot soar to Heaven. So too, a person who collects rumors is powerless to rise to pure prayer."

Saint Demetrius of Rostov:
"Many are eager to find out: 'What's new? What are the leaders' plans? Where have the troops moved?' But ask them: 'What's new in your heart? What passions have been conquered today?' - and they will remain silent, for their whole mind is turned outward, and within there is desolation."

Venerable Nilus of Sinai:
"Close your ears to news of others' misfortunes and strife, lest you feed your soul with the poison of hopelessness. The Lord rules the world, and entrust everything to Him, but keep the eye of your mind unperturbed."

Reverend Justin (Popovich):
"Worldly news bombards the human soul daily, trying to force it to live by earthly standards. But a Christian is called to live for eternity. Leave the world's worldly things, let the dead bury their dead, and you follow Christ in the silence of your heart."

Saint Alexander Schmorell (+1943)

The Holy Martyr Alexander Schmorell (now also St. Alexander of Munich) was a medical student during World War II and one of the founding members of the anti-Nazi group, the White Rose. Along with the other members of the White Rose, he tried to rally popular support amongst Germans to try to resist Hitler and the Nazi regime. He was arrested in February 1943, and was executed on July 13, 1943, at Stadelheim Prison in Munich. On 5 February 2012, he was glorified at the Cathedral of the Holy New-Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Munich, Germany. He is commemorated by the Church on July 13.

On the Serbian Orthodox New Martyrs of the Second World War

 

The twentieth century witnessed the crowning of a multitude of martyrs. Following the Bolshevik revolution, Holy Russia alone gave the Orthodox Church millions of new heavenly intercessors and champions of the faith—a sacrifice well known to the entire Orthodox world. Unfortunately, many Orthodox Christians remain unaware of the profound sufferings endured by nearly 750,000 Serbian Orthodox Christians during the Second World War.

These faithful gave their lives defending and confessing their faith within the territories of the so-called "Independent State of Croatia" and other parts of German-occupied Yugoslavia. They perished at the hands of Croatian nationalists and other enemies of the Orthodox Church, often with the instigation and open participation of the Latin clergy.

This persecution was explicitly aimed at the complete eradication of the Orthodox Church in these regions. Attempts at forced conversion to Catholicism were paired with the systematic, overt destruction of every trace of Orthodoxy. The violence was carried out with such fierce, inconceivable brutality, in such a short span of time, and across such a relatively small geographic area that it defies the imagination.

Indeed, the scale and nature of this recent persecution are virtually unprecedented in Church history since the trials of the first centuries. The sacrifice and memory of these Serbian martyrs must not remain hidden or known only to their countrymen; their witness should be shared and commemorated for the edification of all Orthodox Christians.

Elder Seraphim (Tyapochkin) and the Astonishing Miracle of St. Nicholas

Archimandrite Seraphim (Tyapochkin) was born on 1/14 August 1894 in a pious noble family. The infant was called Dimitry and was the last child in the large and amicable family of the Tyapochkins. At the age of seven Dimitry was prematurely accepted into a religious institute. From a young age the boy felt God’s summons and his priestly calling.

“Thanks, But No Thanks” (Hieromonk Savvas Agioritis)

For what reason, then, says Saint Luke the Physician, are people ungrateful? Why do they often repay good with evil, and not infrequently speak ill of their benefactors? What he says is frightening, yet it is truly correct.

"No enemy is more dangerous than an ungrateful person who has been benefited."

This saying is well known. No one, it says, is a more certain enemy than the ungrateful person whom you have helped. He is your most certain enemy. Not always, of course, but when the person remains unrepentant.

Why, then, are people ungrateful? Why do they so often repay good with evil and slander those who have done them good?

At the root of ingratitude, Saint Luke answers, lies selfishness. Those who receive a kindness often see nothing special in it. They regard it as something self-evident, natural, or even owed to them—that others should do them favors. They think highly of themselves. They give little thought or concern to others, considering that everyone is obliged to pay attention to them. Every good deed done for them they regard as insignificant and receive as something due to them.

There are also people, even more corrupted and proud, to whom a kindness is actually unpleasant—as strange as that may sound. Their ego is so great that they do not wish to humble themselves by asking for anything. Yet, says the Saint, when they are in need, they go and ask for help with bowed heads. But when they receive that help, instead of gratitude, anger and malice boil in their hearts. They are tormented by the fact that they were forced to ask for it and that a kind person was found who provided it. They do not think of thanking him.

This is the work of the devil. These are the passions. This is selfishness: instead of rejoicing and giving thanks, you become possessed by resentment and hatred for the good that another person does for you. Such people never think of thanking their benefactor.

Even more, sometimes their hearts become so hardened that the feeling of wounded pride and self-love gives birth to hatred toward the benefactor. This is the reaction of the selfish person, who considers it humiliating to receive a kindness.

*Hieromonk Savvas Agioritis (Homily, May 10, 2020)*

ON THE END OF THE WORLD (Archimandrite Tikhon Nevidimov)

- Father... when will the end of the world come?

+

Child... people have always feared the end of the world. But modern man is especially afraid, because his soul has lost its inner support. The world has become noisy, restless, and fragile. Wars, diseases, catastrophes, hatred, lies, the turmoil of nations—all this makes people ask: "Is the end really near?" But above all, remember the most important thing: a Christian should not await the end of the world, but rather a meeting with Christ.

SATANIC MYSTERY OF WAR (Archimandrite Tikhon Nevidimov)

In an era when the sky is streaked with missile trails and the earth is soaked in the blood of innocents, war appears not simply as a geopolitical conflict, but as a grand mystery played out in the shadows of the human soul. It is a satanic mystery, where ancient forces of evil take on new forms, masquerading as ideologies, technologies, and national interests.

Here we delve into mystical and historical depths, where the spiritual dimension of war is revealed as a battle for souls, echoing from the biblical apocalypse to modern battlefields. We see how Satan, the fallen angel, weaves a web of illusions, turning man into an instrument of his own destruction.


Human history is a chronicle of wars, not random skirmishes, but rituals dedicated to dark forces. Since ancient times, war has been a sacred act. In Sumerian myths, the goddess Inanna descended into the underworld, sowing chaos and death to gain power. In Egyptian papyri, Set, the god of chaos, tears apart the body of Osiris, symbolizing the eternal discord between order and destruction.
But the true mystery is revealed in the biblical narrative: in the Book of Genesis, Satan tempts Eve, introducing sin and division into the world. War, therefore, is a continuation of original sin, where man, expelled from Eden, is condemned to eternal struggle.
Moving through historical eras, we see how the satanic mystery evolves. The Roman Empire, with its gladiatorial arenas and conquests, was an altar where blood was spilled in the name of Mars, but implicitly in the name of Lucifer, who promised power through violence.

Life and works of Saint Paisios the Athonite (+1994)

On July 25, 1924, in Cappadocia (Asia Minor), a son was born to Prodromos and Evlampia Eznepidis, a large family. The child's baptizer, the now-glorified Saint Arsenios of Cappadocia, named the infant Arsenios, saying, "I want to leave behind a monk." Many years later, the monk "left behind" by the holy elder would write of him: "My father's life was holy, and hlike a spiritual generator driven by the great and all-encompassing love of God, it always miraculously imparted God's grace not only to Christians, but also to Turks, both believers and unbelievers... He preached the true faith through a righteous life. His flesh melted in the struggle from a warm love for God, and he changed souls with divine grace. He had deep faith and healed many, believers and unbelievers. Few words, many miracles. He experienced much and hid much. Beneath a hard exterior, he concealed his sweet spiritual fruit. Very strict with himself, he was the most tender father to his children. He taught them not the letter of the law, but its meaning, its zeal. As a servant of the Most High, he did not touch the earth, and as His fellow servant, he shone upon the world. He was glorified by God, Whom he glorified with his life."

Sermon on the Feast of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul (Elder Seraphim Tyapochkin)

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ( Matthew 6:33 ).

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness"—this commandment is given to us by the Divine Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ, as you heard in the Gospel reading you just read. Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness should be the fundamental goal of our earthly existence, that is, our entire earthly life. The merciful Lord created the world around us, He created us too, He made us partakers of worldly bliss. He called us from nothingness into existence, He gave us life, which each of us cherishes. But why do we live? Is it merely to worry about what to eat and drink, what to wear? No, not for that.

THE SIN OF JUDAS (St Onuphriy Gagaliuk)

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“When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the washing of the supper, then Judas the wicked, sick with the love of money, became darkened.”

How could it happen that the Apostle Judas Iscariot betrayed his Teacher and God? After all, he was a close disciple of the Savior, not even one of the 70, but one of His 12 disciples ( Mark 3:13–19 ). Judas Iscariot, like the other Apostles, had the gift of healing: he cast out demons and performed miracles, he heeded the words of the Divine Teacher ( John 6:67–71 ), and was constantly with Him ( Acts 1:20–22 ). And yet, he betrayed Him. What was the reason for this betrayal? The passion of avarice.

Life of Saint Sophrony of Essex - disciple and biographer of Saint Silouan the Athonite (1896-1993)

Elder Sophrony was born Sergei Simeonovich Sakharov on September 23, 1896, in Moscow to a pious Christian family. From childhood, he was surrounded by an atmosphere of prayer and simple, heartfelt communion with God. Already in his adolescence, a profound memory of mortality and a thirst for higher meaning awakened within him. He painted, demonstrating artistic talent, but his soul yearned. In his youth, influenced by the experiences of the revolution and war, he turned to Eastern mysticism and philosophy, seeking answers to eternal questions. This was a period of inner crisis and "argument with God," when the mind attempted to grasp the Incomprehensible.

The Lord, however, did not abandon His chosen one. Through sorrows and wanderings, He led him to the true path.

My three favourite orthodox movies

1. ''The Island'' (2006)

Pavel Lungin’s 2006 Russian film Ostrov (The Island) is widely considered a cinematic masterpiece of modern Orthodox Christian spirituality. Starring the late Pyotr Mamonov (whose own life mirrored a dramatic spiritual turnaround), the film strips away religious romanticism to present a raw, profound look at human frailty, the agony of guilt, and the transformative power of divine mercy.

At its core, ''The Island'' film on two foundational pillars of Orthodox monastic life: unceasing repentance and the Jesus Prayer.

Watch it for free here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz-vegualMg&t=594s&pp=ygUVdGhlIGlzbGFuZCAyMDA2IG1vdmll

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2. Man of God (2021) - The Life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina

Man of God (2021) is a biographical drama that brings to life the true story of Saint Nektarios of Aegina. A devout Greek Orthodox cleric whose humility and care for the poor sparked jealousy among prideful clergymen, he was unjustly defrocked, slandered, and exiled.

Written and directed by Yelena Popovic, the film stars Aris Servetalis as Saint Nektarios alongside American actor Mickey Rourke. It highlights Nektarios's resilience and unwavering faith despite the efforts of the religious establishment to discredit him.

Watch it for free here: https://vimeo.com/660340596

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3. Saint Paisios: From Farasa to Heaven (2022) series

The series presents the life of Saint Paisios and his family and records his path to monasticism. The shooting took place in places where Saint Paisios lived, such as Konitsa and Mount Athos, Greece.

Watch all the episodes for free here: https://ancientfaith.us/media1

The union between ROCOR and MP in 2007 was orchestrated by Putin and the KGB

Watch this little clip, you will immediately understand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3k6Rs5JPE8

For more info:

The 2007 reunification of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) with the Moscow Patriarchate (MP) was not a spontaneous ecclesiastical reconciliation but the culmination of a long-term, calculated political and intelligence operation directed by the Russian state and its security services (KGB/FSB) under Vladimir Putin.

Life of Saint Philaret the Confessor of New York (+1985) and his struggle against ecumenism

Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of New York and Eastern America, was born Georgy Nikolaevich Voznesensky on March 22 / April 4, 1903, in Kursk, Russia, into a pious Orthodox family. His father, Archpriest Nicolas Voznesensky, came from a lineage of priests and was a passionate pastor and a deeply prayerful man. He later became a monk, taking the name Dimitri, and subsequently became a bishop (later Archbishop of Hailar). The Voznesensky family had five children: two sons and three daughters. From a very young age, Georgy grew up in an atmosphere of Christian love and church life.

Life of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco (+1966)

Today is his 60th anniversary! Blessed Feast dear brothers and sisters!!!

On June 4, 1896, in the village of Adamovka in Kharkov Governorate, a son was born to Boris and Glafira Maksimovich. At baptism, the infant was named Mikhail in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. From childhood, Mikhail demonstrated fervent faith and expressed a desire to dedicate himself to serving God, but at his parents' insistence, he was forced to study at the Poltava Cadet Corps and then, in 1918, to continue his studies at the Faculty of Law of Kharkov University. In 1921, Mikhail and his family emigrated to Yugoslavia. There, in 1925, he graduated from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Belgrade. In 1926, at the Serbian Milkovo Monastery, Metropolitan Anthony tonsured Mikhail as a monk, giving him the name John in honor of his ancestor, St. John (Maximovich), Metropolitan of Tobolsk. That same year, he was ordained a hieromonk by Bishop Gabriel of Chelyabinsk. From 1925 to 1934, Hieromonk John taught at the Serbian Seminary in Bitola.

According to eyewitnesses, from the day of his monastic tonsure, Blessed John never slept lying down, spending every night in prayer, dozing only for a few hours while sitting in a chair. It is known that throughout his life, the blessed one celebrated the Liturgy daily, fasted strictly, and ate only once a day, at 11 p.m. In the morning, he would douse himself with cold water or take a cold bath. During Great Lent, during the first and last weeks, the ascetic ate ​​nothing but the Holy Gifts, and on the remaining days of Lent, only altar bread.