From Old Testament times, the people of God prepared for holy occasions with fasting and prayer, and the New Testament continued this holy tradition. The Lord Himself fasted for forty days before beginning His earthly ministry, demonstrating the importance of fasting before starting any spiritual task. Christ even went so far as saying, “When you […]

In the Christian life, there are two paths to salvation, and whichever road you choose must be embraced with your whole being. The married state and monasticism both have as their primary means of aiding in our salvation the acquisition of a humble and a contrite heart. Without having attained humility, there is no salvation. […]

As we finish celebrating the cycle of feasts that comprise forty days of the life of Christ, from His Nativity to His Baptism to His Presentation in the Temple, we reflect on the meaning of candles in our pious practices. It is often customary to bless candles at the end of the Liturgy celebrating the […]

It is essential that we expose our youth to the teachings of the Church, and offer them serious facts about traditional Christianity, while letting them see that faith is not simply a religious expression of the ethnic heritage of their parents or of keeping a generational family tradition alive. If our youth don’t know the […]

Behold a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead […]

With the advent of Nativity Lent, we already hear the joyous refrains of “Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ cometh from Heaven, meet ye Him!” during the Vigil services, reminding us that the year is coming to an end and a new one is beginning. Lent is always a time for reflection and prayer, but […]

If we are to be true to our calling as the children of God, we must live in imitation of Christ. We must imitate His meekness and humility. We must love others just as did He. We must be willing to be transformed, and made whole, that others might see in us the Light of […]

The news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by the hierarchy, clergy and faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia with the Christian admixture of sorrow and joy that ever accompanies the mystery of death. We sorrow, for we have lost the Sovereign of realms in which our […]

On the 18th of September, the Orthodox Church celebrates a very special feast the day of Saints Peter and Fevronia. These two saints from the 13th century are considered to be the patron saints of family, love, and fidelity. The Duke of the Russian city of Murom, Peter met Fevronia (a peasant girl) when she cured […]

Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires its followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is not “saved” in a vacuum but as part of the corporal life of the Church. Your salvation must be […]