After the Ascension of Jesus Christ, the Most-holy Mother of God continued to live on earth for several years. One Christian historian says ten years, and another twenty-two years. The Apostle John the Theologian, according to the instructions of Jesus Christ, took her into his home and cared for her with great love as her own […]

Our Lord Jesus Christ called for a thorough conversion of our heart and mind and a complete turning away from the old man (our fallen nature). The main act that begins this conversion is metanoia, which means “thorough change of mind.” This happens when we become aware that we have sinned and that we are […]

The Lord said to the Jews that came to Him: “Strive to enter the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able.” And they will say: “Lord, Lord, open unto us” and He shall answer and say unto them, “I know you not from whence […]

Prior to electricity and central heating, most families gathered in parlors, spending evenings with reading, sewing, and family conversations. The notion that everyone would retreat to bedrooms, kitchens, or dens, separating themselves from other family members, was unthinkable. The communal nature of the family was natural. I can remember, as a child (this really dates […]

Given the difficulties we have all faced during this past year, it is likely that many of us will be happy to see 2020 disappear into history with the coming of the new year. Unfortunately, pandemics and similar trials do not always disappear with the turning of a calendar page. We pray that the pandemic, […]

St. Nikephoros the Leper (feast day January 4) is a twentieth-century saint who suffered from leprosy for many decades. He has emerged as a major saint to turn to during this time of pandemic, after word spread that he  had  appeared  to  an elderly man in Greece in early March, telling him not to fear […]

Priest’s Corner Last year at this time, I happily announced that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia had officially set the date for the full consecration of our church for this year’s patronal feast day. As we all know, of course, this was not meant to be. Although we […]

This year, 2020, we certainly experienced a memorable Easter period. It is tempting to compare the deprivation we have endured in our lifetime to the deprivation of services, the observance of old Russian traditions, and the anticipation, joy, and exuberance we have experienced on Easters past with the travails that our ancestors went through during […]

As the celebration of Holy Pascha comes to an end for this year, let us never allow this great joy to ever leave us, regardless of how oddly things may have gone this year. The eternal joy of Christ’s Resurrection is summarized beautifully in this excerpt from a homily by Fr. Anatoly Pravdolubov (+1981): “In […]

Priest’s Corner: The Promise of Pascha Every year, at the beginning of Great and Holy Lent, we are encouraged to increase our spiritual efforts over the last year and previous year’s Lent and to conduct it as never before. Those words have never rung more true than they do for us today. Never have we—of […]