Orthodox Christianity

Wednesday, April 30/May 13, 2026. 5th Week after Pascha. Fast Day.

Fish, wine and oil allowed.

Apodosis of Mid-Pentecost. Holy Apostle James, the brother of St. John the Theologian (44). Uncovering of the relics of St. Nicetas, recluse, of the Kiev Caves, bishop of Novgorod (1558). St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol (1867).

St. Donatus, bishop of Euroea in Epirus (ca. 387). Uncovering of the relics of Hieromartyr Basil, bishop of Amasea (4th c.). Martyr Maximus of Ephesus.

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Of the Passion.”

Martyrs Eutropius and Estelle, of Saintes (Gaul) (3rd c.). St. Erconwald, bishop of London (ca. 693). St. Clement the Hymnographer, abbot, of the Studion (9th c.). New Martyr Argyra of Prusa, at Constantinople (1725).

Repose of Schema-abbess Martha (Protasieva) (1813), disciple of St. Paisius (Velichkovsky), and Hieromonk Clement (Sederholm) of Optina Monastery (1878). Slaying of Priest Igor Rozin of Tyrnyauz (Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Russia) (2001).

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Ukrainian Church Crisis

Christ is Risen! The Bright Resurrection of Christ, Pascha: Homilies and Spritual Instruction — Hymnography and Services — History and Culture — The Holy Fire — Around the World.

“I’ll Cut off Your Head”, and Other Everyday Things

“I’ll Cut off Your Head”, and Other Everyday Things Notes from a Serbian enclave “I’ll Cut off Your Head”, and Other Everyday Things Notes from a Serbian enclave Dejan Baljosevic H.K. saw me: our eyes met. I saw sinister hatred in his glare and realized that I could expect nothing good.

Thirst! Fr. James Guirguis Thirst! Fr. James Guirguis This is always the path to salvation, conversation and engagement with Jesus Christ.

Met. Athanasios of Limassol: Recollections of St. Dionysius Ignat

Met. Athanasios of Limassol: Recollections of St. Dionysius Ignat Met. Athanasios of Limassol: Recollections of St. Dionysius Ignat Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol He was a very measured man, filled with discernment and nobility. Very noble—he never reproached anyone, nor did he shy away from dealing with us and our problems.

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

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Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

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News

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Publications

The Supernatural Power of Love

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) answers questions from young folk. Part 3

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

The Supernatural Power of Love

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) answers questions from young folk. Part 3

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

We continue to introduce our readers to the previously unpublished answers of Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov; before monastic tonsure, Archpriest Valerian) to young people.

Life as Service of God

Sermon on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Hieromonk Athanasius (Deryugin)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Life as Service of God

Sermon on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Hieromonk Athanasius (Deryugin)

Our attitude towards others, our behavior at home and at work, even our communication with people who we meet by chance—everything should be the service of God, because everything should be directed towards the commandments of God.

On Faith and Miracles at War

Hero Alexander Tipanov, Poet Mikhail Dudin, and Actor Innokenty Smoktunovsky

Archdeacon Vladimir Vasilik

Church History

On Faith and Miracles at War

Hero Alexander Tipanov, Poet Mikhail Dudin, and Actor Innokenty Smoktunovsky

Archdeacon Vladimir Vasilik

There was a moment when a German officer slid by right next to him without noticing the prisoner of war. On his last legs, the escapee made it to the nearest house and collapsed at the door. And another miracle happened: They did not give him up, even though the Germans shot people for hiding prisoners of war.

The Evangelist Mark—Our Contemporary

Deacon Pavel Serzhantov

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Rating: 4|Votes: 5

The Evangelist Mark—Our Contemporary

Deacon Pavel Serzhantov

Look at how dynamic the Gospel of Mark is, just like our life now. One event in it is replaced by another, one after another, and all of this without any pause, without delay; but there is no hustle and bustle in sight.

With One Accord in Prayer and Supplication…

Studying the Book of Acts, Part 2B

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Theology

With One Accord in Prayer and Supplication…

Studying the Book of Acts, Part 2B

The Church, in fact, continues the path of Christ on Earth.

“The Main Thing in Life Is Purpose.”

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) questions from young folk. Part 2

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

“The Main Thing in Life Is Purpose.”

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) questions from young folk. Part 2

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

But even if the goal is right and lofty, in Orthodoxy the principle born in the Catholic West, “the end justifies the means,” is impossible. In Orthodoxy, both the end and the means must be of the same spirit.

Sermon on the Feast of Greatmartyr George the Victorious

Hieromonk Seraphim (Panich)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Sermon on the Feast of Greatmartyr George the Victorious

Hieromonk Seraphim (Panich)

Among a whole host of holy martyrs shine forth particularly the holy great-martyrs, who endured especially terrible sufferings for Christ and whose victory is of great importance for all Christendom.

The Feast of Mid-Pentecost

Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose)

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Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Rating: 9.2|Votes: 21

The Feast of Mid-Pentecost

Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose)

As celebrated by Orthodox Christians, this feast occurs exactly midway between Easter and Pentecost and serves as a link between them. It continues the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection, emphasizing His Divine nature and glory; for it was proper to no one but to God to conquer death.

Churches of St. George Around the World

Photogallery

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Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Churches of St. George Around the World

Photogallery

OrthoChristian.com presents a collection of photographs of churches dedicated to St. George that have been built around the world.

Elder Nectarios (Vitalis). Faith Is Everything

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Elder Nectarios (Vitalis). Faith Is Everything

On the day appointed for the operation, the saint appeared to him again and comforted him. And then it turned out that the operation was no longer necessary, since the cancerous tumors simply disappeared.

Venerable St. Vitaly

22 April/5 May

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Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Venerable St. Vitaly

22 April/5 May

Before Vitaly’s funeral, the women whom Vitaly had put on the right path assembled to tell Patriarch John and many other people about Monk Vitaly’s virtuous life.

“The Main Thing Is to Fulfil God’s Will.”

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) Answers Young People’s questions. Part 1

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“The Main Thing Is to Fulfil God’s Will.”

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov) Answers Young People’s questions. Part 1

Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail (Krechetov)

The father of seven children and grandfather of thirty-five grandchildren, batiushka was always especially happy to communicate with children and young people who visited his church on excursions. We offer our readers some of the elder’s previously unpublished answers to young people’s questions.

Sermon on the Fourth Sunday after Pascha, of the Paralytic

Hieromonk Silouan (Mezhinsky)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Sermon on the Fourth Sunday after Pascha, of the Paralytic

Hieromonk Silouan (Mezhinsky)

Only with Christ does the human soul become the most precious gem or diamond, the greatest jewel on earth.

“Matronushka Always Helps”

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“Matronushka Always Helps”

We were given work clothes and asked to help with work in church. After that, we were escorted to St. Matrona’s relics without waiting in line. Then we left the convent and headed for the metro.Suddenly Julia said, “Mom, I can see normally!”

The Spiritual Law of the First Fruits

Alexei Tereshchenko

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

The Spiritual Law of the First Fruits

Alexei Tereshchenko

To rise for prayer before opening the phone, a book, or sitting down to breakfast—that is our spiritual firstfruit.

Venerable Basil Ratishvili (13th century)

Memory 18 April (1 May)

Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

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Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Rating: 8|Votes: 1

Venerable Basil Ratishvili (13th century)

Memory 18 April (1 May)

Archpriest Zakaria Machitadze

Saint Basil Ratishvili, one of the most prominent figures of the 13th-century Church, was the uncle of Catholicos Ekvtime III. He labored with the other Georgian fathers at the Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos.

Between The Sunday of The Myrrh-Bearing Women and the Sunday of the Paralytic

On Paschal joy and the Pentecostarion: From Our Family Experience

Vladimir Shishkin

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Between The Sunday of The Myrrh-Bearing Women and the Sunday of the Paralytic

On Paschal joy and the Pentecostarion: From Our Family Experience

Vladimir Shishkin

At times, a single text from the Pentecostarion can fill us with Paschal vigor, illumine us with joy, warm the heart.

The Spirit of Consumerism in the World and in the Church

Priest Tarasiy Borozenets

Orthodoxy Today

The Spirit of Consumerism in the World and in the Church

Priest Tarasiy Borozenets

In consumerist consciousness man is the consumer, God is the service provider, the Church is the company providing these services; faith, the sacraments, and prayers are means.

Eternal Pascha in Dachau

Deacon Dionisy Akhalashvili

Church History

Eternal Pascha in Dachau

Deacon Dionisy Akhalashvili

From the very heart of death, from the depths of this veritable hell on earth, carried the words, “Christ is Risen!” And in reply came the shout, “In Truth He is Risen!”

The Quiet Demons of Modernity: Why Have the Miracles Fallen Silent?

Metropolitan Luke (Kovalenko)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

The Quiet Demons of Modernity: Why Have the Miracles Fallen Silent?

Metropolitan Luke (Kovalenko)

When a person refuses the Divine will, he inevitably becomes a toy in the hands of alien powers.

The Authority of the Priest

Fr. Lawrence Farley

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

The Authority of the Priest

Fr. Lawrence Farley

Christian authority is built on the foundation of a prior and more fundamental equality: before one is a father, one is a brother. All Christians share a common brotherhood, offering their ultimate submission to Christ and God the Father.

They Weren’t Distinguished by Virtues Until They Knew Christ

Homily for the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women

St. Seraphim (Chichagov)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

They Weren’t Distinguished by Virtues Until They Knew Christ

Homily for the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women

St. Seraphim (Chichagov)

The holy Church of Christ blesses the memory of all saints, and Christians especially cherish these Myrrh-bearing Women, these happy companions of Christ, who served the Master not only from their substance, but also with the work of their hands; who were devoted to Him with all their hearts.

Do Not Be Amazed!?

Fr. James Guirguis

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Do Not Be Amazed!?

Fr. James Guirguis

With the true revelation of the identity of Jesus, there is a new paradigm, a new set of rules…..a new reality.

The Mount of Temptation

Svetlana Rybakova

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

The Mount of Temptation

Svetlana Rybakova

I remember how difficult the ascent was: the searing heat, as if we had been placed inside a huge oven, the steep rocky path running between the mountain and the precipice, and on top of this the continual thirst.

Sermon on the Third Sunday of Pascha, of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

Igumen Tikhon (Borisov)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Sermon on the Third Sunday of Pascha, of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

Igumen Tikhon (Borisov)

We can find very little about the holy Myrrh-Bearing Women in the Gospel pages. But there are the most important things in this “little”: faithfulness and love.