The two extremes of ecumenism and zealotry (St Seraphim Rose)

On December 12, 1986, Metropolitan Vitaly received formal notice from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston that it had left the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR). Nine days earlier the metropolitan had fulfilled the ROCOR Synod’s recommendation by suspending both Abbot Panteleimon and Hieromonk Isaac and appointing a commission to complete an investigation. Holy Transfiguration Monastery charged that the investigating bishops had “waged a campaign of slander” against them, and further charged the Synod with Ecumenism and “doctrinal abuses.”

Life of Saint Antipas the Hesychast of Moldavia (+ 1882)

 

Saint Antipas was born in 1816 in the little village of Calapodesti in Moldavia. He decided to embrace the monastic life at the age of twenty after a vision of the divine light. Although hard-pressed by the demons he kept to his resolve, which was confirmed by a miracle before the icon of the Mother of God at the Monastery of Neamts. He was received as a novice at the little monastery of Calderusani in Wallachia, and he worked there in complete renunciation of his own will. Having no cell of his own, he would snatch a little sleep on completing his work in the kitchen or on the farm. The hermit Gideon, who had been living as a recluse near the Monastery for thirty years, taught him the practice of inner prayer, and such was his zeal for it that his confessor advised him to leave for Mount Athos after two years.

Life of St Gregory of Nyssa (+394)

 

Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa is to be praised for the holiness of his conduct of life, his theological knowledge, and his zealous promotion of the Orthodox Faith embodied in the Nicene clauses. He is believed to have been born at Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia, ca. 335 or 336. The family of Saint Gregory was wealthy, distinguished, and conspicuously Orthodox. He was the younger brother of Saint Basil the Great (ca. 330-379). Our saint made no account of his honorable descent. He left blood lines, wealth, and splendor to the friends of this world. He believed that the Christian's lineage was his affinity with the divine.

The Apology of Martyr Apollonius of Rome

The Apology of Martyr Apollonius of Rome is an early Christian text from the second century (c. 183–185), representing one of the first written accounts of the defense of Christianity in the face of the Roman authorities.

In his speech to the Senate, Martyr Apollonius explains the essence of Christian teaching. He demonstrates that Christianity does not contradict common sense and poses no threat to the state, but rather, fosters loyal and virtuous citizens.

One of the main accusations leveled against Christians was their refusal to worship Roman gods and participate in traditional religious rites. Martyr Apollonius counters this accusation by explaining the essence of Christian worship as the worship of the One True God, the Creator of all things. He attempts to explain the fundamental tenets of Christian doctrine, such as faith in the One God, the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the future judgment.

Having refused to renounce his faith, Martyr Apollonius was executed.

Akathist to Jesus, Light to Those in Darkness

 

Kontakion 1

Out of the depths of darkness and despair I cry to You, O Lord, You that hung upon the Cross in darkness. From the pit of pain and confusion, I lift up this prayer, and with all my heart I sing aloud to You:
Jesus, light to those in darkness, glory to You!

Ikos 1

In the day of my trouble, I seek You, O Lord, and in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying. My eyes find no rest from weeping, and I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Yet as my spirit ponders in the night, I raise this song to You:
Jesus, rescuer of the abandoned!
Jesus, hope of those in despair!
Jesus, guiding star to the lost!
Jesus, joyful return of the exile!
Jesus, unforeseen victory!
Jesus, eternal triumph!
Jesus, radiant dawn after endless night!
Jesus, everlasting light of the Kingdom!
Jesus, wipe away my tears!
Jesus, calm the panic of my heart!
Jesus, exultation of those hemmed in by fear!
Jesus, joy of those crushed by sorrow!
Jesus, light to those in darkness, glory to You!

Life of Saint Philip Metropolitan of Moscow (+1569)

Saint Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, in the world Theodore, was descended from the illustrious noble lineage of the Kolichevi, occupying a prominent place in the Boyar duma at the court of the Moscow sovereigns. He was born in the year 1507. His father, Stephen Ivanovich, "a man enlightened and filled with military spirit," attentively prepared his son for government service. Theodore's pious mother Barbara, who ended her days as a nun with the name Barsanouphia, implanted in the soul of her son a sincere faith and deep piety. Young Theodore Kolichev applied himself diligently to the Holy Scripture and to the writings of the holy Fathers. The Moscow Great Prince Basil III, the father of Ivan the Terrible, brought young Theodore into the court, but he was not attracted to court life. Conscious of its vanity and sinfulness, Theodore all the more deeply immersed himself in the reading of books and visiting the churches of God. Life in Moscow repelled the young ascetic. The young Prince Ivan's sincere devotion to him, promising him a great future in government service, could not deter him from seeking the Heavenly City.

The Church as the Body of Christ (Excerpt from the letters of St Mikhail Novoselov)

1. About the Church as a living organism

From the very beginning there were two different ideas about Christianity and the Christian community.

The Jewish view is now called rationalistic. Christianity is reduced to a personal, inner connection between each individual and the Divine Person and to faith in Her and Her work. At the same time, the Person Herself, as being in heaven, "conceals" everything. The concept of Her becomes obscure, and Her teaching is substituted. And man "binds himself" not to the Divine Person, but to Her teaching.

Gnosticism degenerated into mystical sects. Mystics base their understanding of Christianity on principles of the heart, on love for the Person of Christ. They affirm the necessity of knowing the living, visible, and tangible Christ. And in this they are right, for the Gospel of Christ contains precisely this concept.

But the mystics are wrong when they seek and find the living, tangible and visible Christ where they seek and find Him.

Rationalists don't lie; they merely narrow the Gospel. Mystics expand—and rightly so—the rationalists' understanding, but they too (besides the error of seeking and finding) have a huge gap: they ignore a very important part of the Gospel.

Life of Newmartyr Nun Heruvima Tanasa from Petru Voda Monastery, Romania (1969-1998)

Because I read recently in one of the central newspapers that at the Central University of Europe from Budapesta, founded in 1990, the largest number of students from a single country was of romanians, 145 students from 1990 since now, I have decided to write this material about what I have seen and heard.

Life of Mikhail Novoselov - Bishop Mark of Sergiev (+1938)

 

Martyr Mikhail Alexandrovich Novoselov (in secret monastic tonsure and secret consecration – Bishop Mark) was born in 1864 in the village of Babye, Domoslavskaya Volost, Vyshnevolotsky District, Tver Governorate.

Life of St John the Baptist

 

Saint John the Baptist was the son of the Jewish Priest Zacharia. His mother was Elizabeth, a blood-relation to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. This righteous couple were childless, for Elizabeth was barren. They prayed much and long; as true Israelites they desired the consolation of being blessed with children, aspiring,—but in this instance with an humble and holy resignation—to the birth of the great Messiah, who was coming to save mankind, and, as they thought, to free and unite Israel. Although Zacharia and Elizabeth sorrowed in their old age to a day which was beyond the natural limit of child-bearing, still they continued hopefully praying. The prayers of faith of this priest and his patient spouse ascended on high, from whence came down an angel with the message telling them that the Creator of nature and the God of wonders had been pleased to fulfill their desire. Accordingly, Elizabeth bore unto her husband Zacharia a male child, who was called John.