Orthodox Christianity

Monday, October 20/November 2, 2026. 23rd Week after Pentecost.

No fast.

Great-martyr Artemius, at Antioch (362).

St. Artemius of Verkola (1545). St. Theodosius, hieromonk of Svyatogorsk Monastery (1850). St. Gabriel (Urgebadze), archimandrite, of Mtskheta (Georgia) (1995).

New Hieromartyr Nicholas Lyubomudrov, priest, of Latskoye village, Yaroslavl (1918). New Hieromartyrs Herman (Kokel), bishop of Alatyr and John Rodionov, archpriest, of Yesentuki (Kursk) (1937). Uncovering of the relics of New Hieromartyr Nikodim (Kononov), bishop of Belgorod (2012).

Martyr Zebinas of Caesarea in Palestine (308). Martyrs Aborsam and Senoe, of Persia (ca. 341). St. Acca, bishop of Hexham (England) (ca. 740). St. Matrona of Chios (1462). St. Gerasimus the New, ascetic, of Cephalonia (Mt. Athos) (1579). Translation of the relics of New Monk-martyr Ignatius of Bulgaria and Mt. Athos from Constantinople to Mt. Athos (1814).

Repose of Abbot Theodosius (Popov) of Optina Monastery (1903) and Metropolitan John (Snychev) of St. Petersburg (1995).

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Ukrainian Church Crisis

“Tormented by a Spiritual Thirst”, or the Finest Speech in My Life

“Tormented by a Spiritual Thirst”, or the Finest Speech in My Life In Memory of Metropolitan John (Snychev) “Tormented by a Spiritual Thirst”, or the Finest Speech in My Life In Memory of Metropolitan John (Snychev; October 9, 1927–November 2, 1995) Alexei Solonitsyn I kept speaking—never once faltering—after reciting The Prophet and remembering everything that needed to be said, so that we might awaken from our spiritual slumber and root out, once and for all, that “loose and sly” tongue.

Lessons Learned from Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze)

Lessons Learned from Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze) Ketevan Bekauri Lessons Learned from Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze) Ketevan Bekauri Looking at Fr. Gabriel, you understand that there was no other monk or elder like him in the twentieth century.

A Sower Went Out to Sow. Luke 8:5–15

A Sower Went Out to Sow. Luke 8:5–15 Priest Dimitry Vydumkin A Sower Went Out to Sow. Luke 8:5–15 On how to till your “soil” Priest Dimitry Vydumkin Christ's parable of the sower, prophetically proclaiming that the seed of the word of God will remain largely fruitless among mankind, above all sounds a warning to us Christians.

St. Gabriel (Urgebadze)

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Publications

Hieromartyr Neophyte Lyubimov. Part 2. A burning lamp of faith in Moscow

Natalia Vashchina

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Hieromartyr Neophyte Lyubimov. Part 2. A burning lamp of faith in Moscow

Natalia Vashchina

In the indictment, the investigator noted, “Lyubimov is an avowed monarchist and an opponent of Soviet power,” and concluded with: “Shoot immediately.”

Hieromartyr Neophyte Lyubimov. Part 1. A Teacher of Good Lessons of Faith in Simbirsk

Natalia Vashchina

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Hieromartyr Neophyte Lyubimov. Part 1. A Teacher of Good Lessons of Faith in Simbirsk

Natalia Vashchina

Hieromartyr Neophyte was a missionary and educator who likewise “laid the foundations for a culture of upbringing and systematic spiritual education” which largely shaped the formation of Russian Orthodox Church pastors and their future wives.

Elder Martinian’s Prayer: Icon of the Mother of God, the “Deliveress”

Svetlana Rybakova

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Elder Martinian’s Prayer: Icon of the Mother of God, the “Deliveress”

Svetlana Rybakova

The holy icon has been renowned for its miracles since ancient times.

About Six-Year-Old Maria Shchegoleva’s Prophecy

Churches and Monasteries

About Six-Year-Old Maria Shchegoleva’s Prophecy

It was she, Maria Shchegoleva, who would become the one responsible for the Church of St. Mary of Egypt, built in one of the most famous monasteries in Russia.

Holy Blessed Domna of Tomsk

Commemorated October 16/29

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Holy Blessed Domna of Tomsk

Commemorated October 16/29

She was born into a noble family in the early nineteenth century. Orphaned at a young age, Domna was raised in the household of her aunt. She received an excellent education and spoke several languages fluently.

When Life Loses Its Colors

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

When Life Loses Its Colors

The history of humanity holds many examples of how people found a way out of the deepest spiritual crises. And each time, that way out lay through acknowledging their pain, through an honest conversation with themselves and with God.

Let’s Go to Petushki, to St. Afanasy (Sakharov)

Hieromonk Athanasius (Deryugin)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Let’s Go to Petushki, to St. Afanasy (Sakharov)

Hieromonk Athanasius (Deryugin)

Bishop Athanasius (Sakharov) of Kovrov was one of the remarkable Confessors of the twentieth century, having spent more than thirty years in captivity.

How Do We Talk about God with Committed Materialists?

Part 2. Archpriest Alexander Berezovsky

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

How Do We Talk about God with Committed Materialists?

Part 2. Archpriest Alexander Berezovsky

Publicly defending a stance is one thing; the soul is another. Every human soul seeks God, because it was created by God, and because without Him it is incomplete and suffers.

How Do We Talk about God with Committed Materialists?

Part 1. Archpriest Igor Fomin

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

How Do We Talk about God with Committed Materialists?

Part 1. Archpriest Igor Fomin

We do not converse with him to prove we are right, but so that he, too, may find happiness and come to salvation.

It’s a Great Blessing to Worship the Living God

Twelfth Talk on the Divine Liturgy

Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

It’s a Great Blessing to Worship the Living God

Twelfth Talk on the Divine Liturgy

Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol

Everyone worships someone or something. Some worship themselves, with their passions and egotism. Others worship their knowledge, their mind. But we’re called to worship the true living God, Christ, our Savior.

Mount Athos. Procession with the Iveron Icon

Photogallery

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Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

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Mount Athos. Procession with the Iveron Icon

Photogallery

One of the greatest sacred shrines of the Christian world is the miracle-working Iveron icon of the Mother of God, located in the Iverson Monastery on Mount Athos. Twice a year the monks make a solemn cross procession with this icon.

Why Do Orthodox Christians Have Icons?

Fr. James Guirguis

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Why Do Orthodox Christians Have Icons?

Fr. James Guirguis

The 7th ecumenical council tells us that icons are not only good, but absolutely necessary. They are a continual reminder that God is no longer understood as simply an invisible spirit.

Autumn in Optina. Photos by Hieromonk Vitaly (Belov)

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Churches and Monasteries

Autumn in Optina. Photos by Hieromonk Vitaly (Belov)

Can there be anything more wistfully charming than Optina Monastery in autumn?

When Mercy Crosses Borders: A Son’s Gratitude and Appreciation

Priest Joseph Coleman

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

When Mercy Crosses Borders: A Son’s Gratitude and Appreciation

Priest Joseph Coleman

Mercy is not weakness, nor does compassion require the abandonment of conviction.

“Live Without Distress, Don’t Condemn, Don’t Annoy, and My Respects to All”

Sermon on the Feast of St. Ambrose of Optina

Hierodeacon Vasily (Nemets)

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“Live Without Distress, Don’t Condemn, Don’t Annoy, and My Respects to All”

Sermon on the Feast of St. Ambrose of Optina

Hierodeacon Vasily (Nemets)

His advice and sayings were always practical, clear, and accessible to everyone.

“Stand Frequently in Thought before the Lord!”

St. Innocent of Penza

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“Stand Frequently in Thought before the Lord!”

St. Innocent of Penza

The saint received his surname at the Pererva Theological Seminary for his humble and meek disposition. He was renowned among his contemporaries for his Christian virtues and purity of life.

Athonite Elder Agathodor

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Athonite Elder Agathodor

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

He was a true father to his spiritual children, and they loved him dearly. The door to his cell was always open to all.

On Spiritual Fatherhood and the Relationship Between Spiritual Father and Spiritual Child

Priest Anthony Rusakevich

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

On Spiritual Fatherhood and the Relationship Between Spiritual Father and Spiritual Child

Priest Anthony Rusakevich

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, who reflected on spiritual fatherhood over the course of many decades, offers a profound and sober understanding of the subject, grounded in the experience of the Holy Fathers and his own pastoral ministry.

“Beloved Children, This World Is Sustained by Love!”

In memory of Elder Hilarion (Dzyubanin) of the Kiev-Caves Lavra

Deacon Sergei Geruk

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“Beloved Children, This World Is Sustained by Love!”

In memory of Elder Hilarion (Dzyubanin) of the Kiev-Caves Lavra

Deacon Sergei Geruk

Fr. Hilarion adhered to a strict, ascetic principle: unceasing prayer, rigorous fasting, non-possessiveness, humility, and labor.

The Bright Icon Lamp of Manchuria

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

The Bright Icon Lamp of Manchuria

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

Vladyka himself led a very modest life; his clothes were patched, his food was simple, and he gave his entire teaching salary to help poor students. The flock loved their cheerful and kind archpastor: people came to his apartment without fear.

“Everyone Is Called to Holiness”

For the anniversary of the birth of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

“Everyone Is Called to Holiness”

For the anniversary of the birth of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

Alexandra Kalinovskaya

“Here at the monastery, I once felt that I loved everything. A kind of wondrous, ineffable joy enveloped my entire being. I felt an indescribable peace. I loved everything and could no longer feel anger."

Of Whom Does God Sing?

The Ancient Prophecy of Zephaniah and Our Times

Alexei Tereshchenko

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Of Whom Does God Sing?

The Ancient Prophecy of Zephaniah and Our Times

Alexei Tereshchenko

Remarkably, his principal accusation is directed not against those who consciously oppose God, but against those whose faith in Him is merely superficial. Zephaniah conveys these terrifying words of the Lord:

Writing Drafts of Life

Why we keep putting it off until later

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Writing Drafts of Life

Why we keep putting it off until later

Putting off living is not just a psychological problem. It’s a spiritual problem. And this habit has a precise name in ascetic literature: sloth.

Be Ye Therefore Merciful

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Luke 6:31–36

Igumen Andronik (Trubachev)

Homilies and Spiritual Instruction

Be Ye Therefore Merciful

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost. Luke 6:31–36

Igumen Andronik (Trubachev)

Why does Christ exalt mercy so highly? Because in nothing else, dear brothers and sisters, can we become so like God as in mercy.

Patriarch Job Is a Model of Higher Spiritual Life and Righteousness

Saints. Asceties of Piety. Church Holy Days

Patriarch Job Is a Model of Higher Spiritual Life and Righteousness

St. Job then initiated a new project vital for the Russian Orthodox Church—the printing of liturgical literature, which was in short supply everywhere.