Orthodox Christianity

Friday, May 2/15, 2026. 5th Week after Pascha. Fast Day.

Fish, wine and oil allowed.

St. Athanasius the Great, archbishop of Alexandria (373). Translations of the relics of the Holy Passion-bearers Boris (1072) and Gleb (1115) of Russia, in holy baptism Romanus and David.

Martyrs Hesperus, Zoe, and their sons Cyriacus and Theodulus, at Attalia (2nd c.). St. Boris-Michael, prince of Bulgaria (ca. 908). St. Serapion (Sysoev), metropolitan of Krutitsa (1653). St. Athanasius III, patriarch of Constantinople and wonderworker of Lubny (1654). Blessed Basil of Kadom, fool-for-Christ (1848).

“Putivl” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1600).

St. Jacob (Putneanul), metropolitan of Moldova (1778).

Repose of Eldress Theodosia (Kosorotikhina) of Skopin (Ryazan) (2014).

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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.

The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus

The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus A Tale. Part 2 The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus A Tale. Part 2 Georgy Ogorodnikov Metropolitan Chrysanthus studied Russian, made use of the rich library of the main seminary, and became acquainted with the history of Russia and its church structure

The Holy Passion–Bearers Princes Boris and Gleb of Russia

The Holy Passion–Bearers Princes Boris and Gleb of Russia Elena Detinina The Holy Passion–Bearers Princes Boris and Gleb of Russia Elena Detinina The first Russian saints, brothers Boris and Gleb, who were deeply humble and peace-loving in an era of internecine wars, received their martyrs’ crowns together. Their Christian act had a profound and lasting influence on the entire history of Russia.

The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus

The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus Georgiy Ogorodnikov The Remarkable Journey of Metropolitan Chrysanthus A Tale. Part 1 Georgy Ogorodnikov For eleven years the hierarch fearlessly defended the Orthodox flock from the caprice of the local pasha and the greed of Ottoman officials.

Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb

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Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

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The Royal Lily

On Holy Queen Tamar

Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

The Royal Lily

On Holy Queen Tamar

Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin)

By day, seated upon the throne, she governed the affairs of state and rendered judgment, astonishing all who came before her with wisdom and magnanimity, like Solomon himself. By night, Holy Tamar clothed herself in sackcloth and prayed to the Mother of God, calling Her the Queen of Georgia and herself Her lowest handmaid.

“There Is No Salvation Outside This Path!”

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“There Is No Salvation Outside This Path!”

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

On this day, let us partake of at least a single drop from the ocean of spiritual wisdom left to us by this saint, ascetic, and righteous man.

The Virtue That We All Lack the Most Now

Sermon on the feast of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

Hieromonk Ignaty (Shestakov)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

The Virtue That We All Lack the Most Now

Sermon on the feast of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov)

Hieromonk Ignaty (Shestakov)

Through the lips of an early ascetic, St. Ignatius answers this question: “Who can be saved even in these complicated circumstances? Only a humble, humble-minded person.”

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

Notes from a Serbian enclave

Dejan Baljosevic

Suffering Church

“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

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

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

Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

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.

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)

0 4

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!”