Dmitry Lapa

The Serb Boban, Max the Dog, and Their Chalet in Sar Planina Mountains

Notes from Kosovo and Metohija

Maria Vasic

There have been no clashes on nationalistic grounds in Brezovica: They have lived and continue to live peacefully. No one here is surprised when a Serb helps his Albanian neighbor or vice versa.

The Word of God Is an Immeasurable Treasury

Metropolitan Serafim (Joanta)

The Book of Psalms, more than any other book of the Bible, is a concentration of praise, thanksgiving and petition to God.

Donbass: “We must not allow hatred to reign in our hearts”

A talk with Nun Zosima (Khomyakova) from the Dormition Monastery of Sts. Nicholas and Basil the Great

Even after seeing the life of the monastery under siege, the suffering of the refugees, monks and nuns, she nevertheless gave our coordinates to those who want to destroy us. Even after seeing the children, seeing that there are no military personnel here, and after shedding a tear…

Attention, Christians!

Priest Tarasiy Borozenets

What makes faith living? Attention and determination to live up to what you believe in.

A Few Words on the Calling For Monastic Life

Hieromonk Eutychius

Most sincere Orthodox Christians have faced this difficult question at some point in their lives: whether to go to a monastery, or to live in the world.

The Local Saints of Central England

Part 3: Sts. Ragener and Tibba

Dmitry Lapa

If asked who is the most mysterious early English saint, lovers of Anglo-Saxon holiness may well name St. Ragener, who was greatly venerated in Northampton, the county town of Northamptonshire. This holy soldier and martyr for Christ would have remained in obscurity but for a series of visions and miracles which occurred three centuries after his death.

The Local Saints of Central England

Part 2. St. Osburga of Coventry, Commemorated March 30 / April 12

Dmitry Lapa

Pilgrimages to St. Osburga’s shrine continued throughout the Middle Ages, and in 1410, following petitions of the laity and clergy of Coventry, an official feast in honor of this saint was established. Her reliquary stood in the south transept of the post-Conquest monastery church of Coventry. Her relics were translated in 1482 within the monastery. Her splendid shrine with relics, along with her head enclosed in copper and gold, was destroyed during the sixteenth-century Reformation, and the monastery dissolved.

The Local Saints of Central England

Part 1: Betti, Hardulph, Modwenna

Dmitry Lapa

Central England is home to such ancient ecclesiastical centers as Coventry, Derby, Leicester, Lichfield, Repton, Southwell, Stafford and Tamworth.

The Local Saints of Southern England. Part 2

Edburga, Sexburga

Dmitry Lapa

St. Edburga was one of several saintly daughters of the pagan King Penda of Mercia, who ruled between 626 and 655.

The Local Saints of Southern England. Part 1

Cuthburga, Cwenburga, and Dicul

Dmitry Lapa

The first Christians had appeared in the south of England with the Romans and merchants in the first century A.D. But the development of the Orthodox faith did not begin until the early seventh century.

The Local Saints of Western England

Part 2: Sts. Edfrid of Leominster and Werstan of Malvern

Dmitry Lapa

St. Werstan was one of the last pre-schism saints of the British Isles. Though obscure, he is associated with some of the most important and interesting holy places of western England.

The Local Saints of Western England

Part 1: Sts. Arilda of Thornbury and Edburga of Winchester

Dmitry Lapa

Not long ago a thirteenth-century Latin hymn in praise of St. Arilda was found in the cathedral archives, translated into English, and this version is sung by the congregation at Oldbury-on-Severn every year close to St. Arilda’s feast.

The Local Saints of Eastern England

Part 2: St. Hibald of Lindsey (December 14/27), St. Pandwina, Nun of Eltisley (August 26/September 8), St. Pega of Peakirk (January 8/21), St. Wendreda of March

Dmitry Lapa

St. Hibald (Hygbald), who reposed in around 690, was a disciple of St. Chad of Lichfield, the Apostle of Mercia, whose example he tried to follow.

The Local Saints of Eastern England

Part 1: Sts. Cyneburgh and Cyneswith, Abbesses of Castor (March 6/19) and Holy Passion-Bearer Fremund, Prince of Mercia (May 11/24)

Dmitry Lapa

So many churches were founded in this region that Norfolk is regarded as the area with the highest concentration of churches in the world!

Local Saints of Northern England: Alkelda, Everilda, Herbert and Godric

Dmitry Lapa

The north of England was a beacon of Christianity in the “dark ages” not only in England, but at a European level.

Venerable Ebba, Abbess of Coldingham

Commemorated August 25/September 7 (repose) and November 2/15 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

It is regrettable that only a few facts about the life of this great abbess who was venerated all over Scotland and northern England and esteemed by the Venerable Bede are known. Now that the interest in this holy woman is increasing among the Orthodox, let us recall her biography.

Venerable Brendan the Navigator, Abbot of Clonfert and Wonderworker

Commemorated: May 16/29

Dmitry Lapa

St. Brendan (Brandan, Brandon), called the “Navigator” or also the “Voyager”, is one of the greatest ascetics who lived in Ireland.

The Saints and Shrines of Glastonbury

Dmitry Lapa

Over the centuries Glastonbury has been renowned for its numerous saints. Let us recall some of them.

Venerable Merewenna and Ethelfleda of Romsey

Commemorated: February 10/23 (St. Merewenna) and October 23/November 5 (St. Ethelfleda)

Dmitry Lapa

This article is dedicated to two heroic holy women who served as Abbesses of Romsey, a convent in Hampshire in southern England, which remains a holy site to this day.

Two Saints of Somerset: Congar of Congresbury and Decuman of Dunster

Dmitry Lapa

Before the English had invaded the whole of Somerset by 710, a host of Celtic saints—monastery builders, preachers, and hermits—had struggled here, and after Somerset had become part of Wessex many early English saints labored on its territory. Such great national saints as Dunstan and Alphege of Canterbury were born in Somerset. This county is home to a number of ancient shrines and sites visited by pilgrims. Let us recall two holy Celts who carried out their spiritual labors in this land: Sts. Congar and Decuman.

Two Women Saints of Ireland: Attracta of Killaraght and Monenna of Killeavy

Dmitry Lapa

This article is dedicated to two female saints of Ireland, whose wide veneration from ancient times has continued in the Emerald Isle. Both of them are venerated by modern Orthodox Christians today, and both are depicted on the icon of the Synaxis of All the Saints of Britain and Ireland that can be found in the Russian Dormition Patriarchal Cathedral in London and elsewhere. Their names are Attracta of Killaraght and Monenna of Killeavy.

Holy Hierarch Swithin, Bishop of Winchester and Wonderworker

Commemorated: July 2/15 (repose) and July 15/28 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

St. Swithin is one of the greatest wonderworkers of England and most beloved and popular saints, who has always been venerated by pious English people on a par with St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 22

Saint Wite (Candida) of Dorset

Commemorated June 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

And today numerous miracles still occur by the prayers of St. Wite of Dorset both near her relics and her holy well. Let us recall who she was.

Rating: 10|Votes: 20

Holy Hierarch Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland and Wonderworker

Commemorated: March 17/30

Dmitry Lapa

The future saint obtained a good education, but Christian teaching did not interest him much. When the boy was sixteen, Irish pirates pillaged his father’s villa during a raid. Thus the young Patrick was sold into slavery and sent to Ireland.

Rating: 10|Votes: 8

Venerable Brigid, Abbess of Kildare

Commemorated: February 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

The most popular woman saint of Ireland, St. Brigid is ranked as the second patron of this land after St. Patrick.

Rating: 7|Votes: 13

Women Saints of Cornwall. Part 2

Dmitry Lapa

St. Buriana’s Church in St. Buryan is one of the most interesting churches in Cornwall.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 20

Women Saints of Cornwall, Part 1

Dmitry Lapa

Among the host of saints who shone forth from the fifth to the seventh centuries in Cornwall to the far southwest of England, there were many women. We find holy missionaries, teachers, anchoresses, abbesses, nuns, righteous laywomen, martyrs, princesses and queens. Many of them were natives of Cornwall, but many came from Ireland and Wales where Orthodox Christianity flourished at that time.

Rating: 9.8|Votes: 15

Saints of the Isle of Man

Dmitry Lapa

This small island has a very rich Christian heritage dating back to the first centuries of Christianity and the so-called “Celtic tradition” which prospered there in the first millennium.

Rating: 10|Votes: 14

Righteous Walstan of Bawburgh

Commemorated May 30 / June 12

Dmitry Lapa

Over the past century a keen interest in this unique saint has developed among Orthodox, Catholics and Anglicans in East Anglia; more recently the prominent Suffolk historian Carol Twinch has thoroughly researched St. Walstan. Let us recall his Life.

Rating: 8.5|Votes: 6

Holy Hierarch Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne

Commemorated: May 25/June 7 (repose) and May 5/18 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

A very talented man by nature, under the influence of other fathers among his contemporaries, Aldhelm became a prominent scholar, writer, poet, musician, singer, pastor, archpastor, teacher and builder of churches.

Rating: 10|Votes: 8

Holy Hierarch John of Beverley, Bishop of York, Wonderworker

Commemorated: May 7/20 (repose) and October 25/November 7 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

There are a number of early saints of England whose spirit of love, humility and kindness was not erased by the centuries of Protestantism and secularism. St. John of Beverley, whom our great authority, the Venerable Bede of Jarrow, referred to as a “wonderworker”, is one of them.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 14

Venerable Withburgh (Withburga) of Dereham

Commemorated: March 17/30 (repose) and July 8/21 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

Although the Venerable Bede does not mention her, we know about St. Withburgh from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, early traditions and the Latin manuscript called Liber Eliensis, which is a chronicle compiled in the monastery in Ely at the beginning of the twelfth century and contains, among other things, brief Lives of several East Anglian female saints.

Rating: 9.9|Votes: 7

Holy Hierarch Felix, Apostle of East Anglia

Commemorated: March 8/21

Dmitry Lapa

This early Orthodox saint, sometimes known as “St. Felix the Burgundian”, has long been venerated as the enlightener of East Anglia, one of the seven ancient kingdoms that formed most of what is now England.

Rating: 9.6|Votes: 15

Two Saints of the Channel Islands: Helier and Branwalader

Dmitry Lapa

We hope and pray that the veneration of these two early saints of the Channel Islands, which many centuries ago expressed the Orthodox traditions of Celtic Wales and Cornwall and mainland Gaul alike, will revive among Orthodox believers and that the Orthodox faith will be restored in this unique small region between England and France.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 5

Saint Tysilio of Wales

Commemorated: November 8/21

Dmitry Lapa

St. Tysilio, whose name means “Dear Little Sunday’s Child”, is ranked among the Fathers of the Welsh Church.

Rating: 9.3|Votes: 13

Holy Infant Prince Rumwold of Buckingham

Commemorated: November 3/16 (repose) and August 28/September 10 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

Not only was Rumwold recognized as a saint, thanks to him many inhabitants of early and late medieval England came to believe in Christ, and his popular veneration was nearly nationwide.

Rating: 9|Votes: 3

Holy Hierarch Paulinus of York

Commemorated: October 10/23

Dmitry Lapa

Paulinus was most probably born in the early 570s in what is now Italy and eventually became a monk at St. Andrew’s Monastery in Rome and a disciple of the Holy Pope Gregory.

Rating: 9.6|Votes: 7

Two Saints of Devon: Rumon of Tavistock and Urith of Chittlehampton

Dmitry Lapa

Saintly men and women—preachers, teachers, hermits, bishops, abbots and abbesses, holy rulers, princes and princesses—carried out their spiritual labors in Devon and today churches, holy wells and monastic ruins bear witness to their presence.

Rating: 9.8|Votes: 4

Two Saints of the English Midlands: Bertram of Ilam and Alcmund of Derby

Dmitry Lapa

The English Midlands has its wealth of ancient relics and shrines. Let us talk about two ancient Midland saints whose veneration by Orthodox and other Christians is still alive.

Rating: 10|Votes: 8

Saint Samson of Dol

Commemorated: July 28/August 10

Dmitry Lapa

St. Samson, one of the most successful Celtic missionaries, was born in about 486/490 and reposed in about 565. This saint played a key role in establishing the Church of the British settlers in Brittany.

Rating: 10|Votes: 4

Saint Alban of Verulamium, Protomartyr of Britain

Commemorated June 22/July 5

Dmitry Lapa

We firmly believe that the very name of St. Alban predetermined that he became one of the symbols and chief patrons of this country. Let us hope and pray that through his intercession the ancient faith and spirituality will be restored in this ancient Orthodox Christian land.

Rating: 9.8|Votes: 11

Venerable Columba of Iona, Wonderworker

Commemorated: June 9/22

Dmitry Lapa

The founder of the great and famous monastery on Iona along with numerous other monastic communities and churches, St. Columba has for fourteen centuries been greatly venerated by many Christians as the enlightener of Scotland, a co-patron of Ireland and the spiritual father of a host of churches throughout Europe.

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Venerable Maelrubha of Applecross

Commemorated: April 21/May 4

Dmitry Lapa

St. Maelrubha (Maolrubha) has been venerated as one of the apostles of the Picts in Scotland and of Skye. This saint is mentioned in many Irish annals of the time.

Rating: 5.9|Votes: 7

Saints Brynach and Derfel Gadarn of Wales

Dmitry Lapa

This article is dedicated to two Welsh saints whose veneration has continued for many centuries and whose feast days are very close to each other. They are Sts. Brynach and Derfel Gadarn.

Rating: 8.2|Votes: 10

Venerable Enda, Abbot of Inishmore

Commemorated: March 21/April 3

Dmitry Lapa

The fame of St. Enda spread far and wide. The loving care of the holy abbot was directed not only toward monks, but also at the poor, the oppressed and suffering. According to tradition, he ordered the monks to build “eight places for refuge” on the island, where all who had nowhere else to go could find shelter and care.

Rating: 5.8|Votes: 5

Saints Piran and Constantine of Cornwall

Dmitry Lapa

Let us now talk about two saints of Cornwall, one of whom was Irish but moved to evangelize Cornwall, and the other one who was Cornish but left his native land to preach in faraway Scotland. They are Sts. Piran and Constantine.

Rating: 9.6|Votes: 5

Holy Hierarch Chad of Lichfield, Apostle of Mercia, Wonderworker

Commemorated: March 2/15

Dmitry Lapa

Pious English people, especially ordinary folk, have deeply loved and venerated this saint for more than 1300 years as one of their protectors. His veneration is similar to that of Sts. Aidan and Cuthbert of Lindisfarne and Swithin of Winchester; he lived absolutely in the same spirit with them.

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Holy Hierarch Aidan (Moedoc), Bishop of Ferns

Commemorated: January 31/February 13

Dmitry Lapa

An ancient tradition relates that there was no boat on the isle to deliver the newborn Aidan to mainland Ireland so that he could be baptized. Then he was miraculously brought to the Irish shore on a stone and was successfully baptized.

Rating: 4.1|Votes: 17

Venerable Dwynwen of Llanddwyn Island, Patroness of Love and Marriage

Commemorated: January 25/February 7

Dmitry Lapa

One of the most celebrated female saints of Wales is Venerable Dwynwen (also Donwenna: + c. 460; according to another version: fifth-sixth centuries).

Rating: 6.4|Votes: 5

Four Saints of Aberdeenshire: Sts. Machar, Drostan, Nathalan and Fergus

Dmitry Lapa

The Christian Church and monasticism developed in Scotland on the Irish model. The Christianization of Scotland continued till the eighth century, and despite the recurring pagan reaction, it was very successful.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Venerable Cadfan of Bardsey in Wales

Commemorated November 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

One of the greatest and most venerated “insular saints” of Wales is St. Cadfan.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 2

Venerable Frideswide, Patroness of Oxford

Commemorated October 19/November 1 (Repose) and February 12/25 (Translation of Relics)

Dmitry Lapa

For over 1000 years St. Frideswide has been venerated as the patron saint of Oxford in England and for over half of millennium, as the heavenly patroness of Oxford University and its students.

Rating: 8.5|Votes: 6

Saint Triduana of Scotland

Commemorated: October 8/21

Dmitry Lapa

St. Triduana (also Triduna, Tradwell), one of the most venerated female saints of Scotland, lived between the fourth and the eighth centuries.

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Main cause of abortions is loss of genuine meaning of life, priest believes

Fr. Alexei has noted that over fifty percent of families at the Holy Trinity parish where he serves have many children. “For the majority of them it was a tough decision to have three-five children. However, when a person overcomes his fear and begins to trust God wholeheartedly, he becomes convinced that his decision was not in vain. And such families find genuine joy,” the priest explained.

Israeli archeologists discover how Biblical city of Armageddon was destroyed

The city is famous due to its Jewish name “Har Megiddo”—hence the Greek word “Armageddon,” which refers to the battle between good and evil at the end of the world. According to the revelations received by Apostle John the Divine, this battle is to take place precisely at Tel Megiddo. However, this city experienced its own “apocalypse” 3,000 years ago.

Rating: 5|Votes: 12

Very rare manuscripts from Mt. Athos presented at exhibition in St. Petersburg

An exhibition of very rare tenth-eighteenth century notated manuscripts from Holy Mount Athos opened on October 11 at the National Library of Russia in St. Petersburg.

All Bible commentaries gathered on mobile iOS app

Let us keep the following words said by Venerable Ephraim the Syrian in our memory: “When you notice that you get bored with reading Divine Scriptures and that you listen to spiritual instructions with reluctance, then know that your soul has become extremely sick. For this is the beginning of evil-mindedness and those who have had it reaped the fruit of death.”

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Past twenty-eight years show greatest growth of faith in Russia—Metropolitan Hilarion

“The epoch which we call ‘the second Baptism of Russia’ begun in our Church in 1988. The mass baptism of our population started in Russia in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s,” Metropolitan Hilarion said while relating the history of Orthodoxy in Russia to the Italian guests.

Rating: 10|Votes: 5

Patriarch Kirill announces imminent completion of expert examination of supposed remains of the Royal Family

According to His Holiness, “the remains are encrypted” and none of the experts doing the tests know in which vessel the remains are located. “I have a list which was made in the presence of other people, so we are aware which vessels contain which specific remains,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill added, noting that the measures taken will enable us “to trust this examination.”

Rating: 1.7|Votes: 3

Manuscripts of St. Maximus the Greek presented in St. Petersburg for the first time

Manuscripts of the prominent Greek writer and translator Venerable Maximus the Greek are being presented at an exhibition at the National Library of Russia for the first time.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

“Fundamentals of Orthodoxy” taught to over eighty percent of school students in Moscow region

The majority of fourth graders’ parents of Moscow region schools choose the “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” course for their children.

Rating: 1|Votes: 3

Scandalous crucifix “Christa” installed in NY cathedral

A crucifix depicting Christ with a woman’s figure was installed at the Episcopalian Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, more than thirty years after it had been displayed at the cathedral for the first time.

Rating: 7.8|Votes: 9

Holy Hierarch Finbarr of Cork

Commemorated September 25/October 8

Dmitry Lapa

St. Finbarr preached energetically in the south of Ireland and, according to some traditions, also in Scotland, though there is no written evidence to confirm that. The saint of God spent a part of his life as an anchorite in full seclusion on an island in lake Gougane Barra in county Cork. With time the holy ascetic was joined by numerous disciples, mainly from southern Ireland, and St. Finbarr founded a monastery and a school near his hermitage at Gougane Barra, both of which became very famous and attracted a large number of monks and students from the southern part of the emerald island.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Putin supports teaching spiritual and moral culture at schools

Earlier the new Education Minister Olga Vasilyeva accepted the expansion of the “Fundamentals of Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics” school courses and the improvement of textbooks.

People have flooded earth with blood of their own children says Metropolitan Daniel

Metropolitan Daniel of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory has signed the citizens’ appeal for a legislative ban on abortions.

Rating: 5|Votes: 270

2016 Nobel prize winner scientifically proves that fasting is good for health

The Nobel Prize winner’s discovery indicates that abstaining from food and keeping fasts is wholesome—the body truly cleans itself. This is confirmed by the Nobel Prize Committee.

Rating: 5.2|Votes: 9

Family life should be promoted in Russia says new children's ombudsman

On Tuesday the new children’s ombudsman under the President of the Russian Federation Anna Kuznetsova called for applying every effort to promote family life in Russian society, to support families, and to revive spiritual and moral traditions in family relations and child-rearing.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Home for young mothers blessed at Novodevichy Convent of St. Petersburg

Young moms and women in difficult life situations can now appeal for help to a special home which has opened at the Resurrection Novodevichy (“New Maidens’”) Convent of St. Petersburg.

1000 believers hold rally near Rada against bill promoting raiding seizure of churches

On October 5, 2016, the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) prayed to God to bring the people’s deputies to their senses and prevent them from becoming instruments in the anti-religious struggle.

Verkhovna Rada to consider bill no. 4128 on Thursday

According to its authors, the aim of the draft law is “to provide religious communities with the right to conscious choice and the free and unimpeded change of their subordination to religious centers for the satisfaction of their spiritual needs and the appropriate expression of religious feelings.”

Rating: 6.6|Votes: 5

By abortion we offend God Who allowed the child to be conceived—Abbot of Dochiariou Monastery on Mt. Athos

Abortion is the sin of our age. And as Orthodox Christians we must organize a sort of a resistance on this front in order to bring the heavy burden of this sin to people’s notice.

Bishop Tikhon (Shevkunov) meets with President of Macedonia

Bishop Tikhon is currently on a two-day visit to Macedonia to participate in the launch of the Macedonian edition of his book, Everyday Saints and Other Stories.

Sign of the cross is a great power, Metropolitan Onuphry says

On September 27, 2016, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, during the Divine Liturgy at the Kiev Caves Lavra His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine spoke of the spiritual power of the Cross in the lives of Christians.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Regular services with sign language translation commence at UOC-MP cathedral

Regular Sunday services for deaf and hearing-impaired people have commenced at the lower Church of Sts. Andrew and Vladimir of the Resurrection Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Kiev.

Rating: 5|Votes: 2

Patriarch of Jerusalem calls upon Orthodox Ukrainians to be prepared for bearing witness to Christ by their blood

All true Christians have always been persecuted in this world, but they have never given way to despair and they consider it an honor to suffer for Christ, the Patriarch of Jerusalem said.

Rating: 9|Votes: 4

Current Education Minister is new Nero, bishops of Church of Greece say

Metropolitan Paul of Sisanion and Siatista has compared the behavior of the current Greek Education Minister with that of the notorious Roman Emperor Nero: “Nero set Rome on fire and accused Christians of this crime so as to avoid the people’s wrath. Likewise, Mr. Nikos Filis, who holds the primary responsibility for society’s moral degradation is accusing the Orthodox Church of everything.”

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus supports hierarch prosecuted under anti-discrimination law

According to Metropolitan Seraphim, the activities of the Metropolitan of Mantineia and Kynouria “have inspired God’s people” for many decades. “He has taken care for his diocese wisely, with prudence and sacrificial love."

Metropolitan Stephanos suggests uniting Church in Estonia under his authority

Presently there are two active Orthodox jurisdictions in Estonia: the Estonian Orthodox Church (EOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC) of the Patriarchate of Constantinople (the latter was established early in the 1990s). Both Churches themselves claim to be autonomous though they do not recognize the autonomous status of each other.

Rating: 7.9|Votes: 8

Schism is the work of satan, Primate of Polish Orthodox Church says

"If I am Orthodox then I love God, love the Church, and my people, and aspire to unity. But if I do not understand this, then am I really Orthodox?”

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Abortion is dreadful murder says Archimandrite Ephraim

"A heavy responsibility lies on the shoulders of those who allow abortions. A crime is committed by physicians, parents and the woman who gets an abortion."

Russian Church raises 38 million rubles to combat abortion

Over the past five years forty-five new homes for women in crisis situations, from Kaliningrad to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, have been opened in Russia with the participation of the Church.

Vandals pour paint over monument to Prince Vladimir in Kiev

Vandals have desecrated the monument to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir in Kiev. The sculpture and relief images were damaged by red paint and the area near the pedestal is saturated with it.

The whole civilized world opposes abortions and we support this position, Russian children's ombudsman says

The new children’s ombudsman under the Russian Federation’s President Anna Kuznetsova has spoken up for a ban on abortion in Russia.

Rating: 8.3|Votes: 6

Venerable Edith of Wilton

Commemorated: September 16/29

Dmitry Lapa

St. Edith (also Editha, Eadgyth, Eadgith) was one of the most venerated female saints of England.

Patriarch Kirill: Salvation and happiness impossible without suffering and sorrows (+Video)

For the first time Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy accompanied by sign language translation. Throughout the service several specialists were present at the church who translated everything into sign language.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

First Church in Ukraine in honor of St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia consecrated

The Church of St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia was built over a short span of time by the efforts of the convent’s mother-superior – Abbess Barbara (Pop), along with the convent’s benefactors: the Livch and Mandzyuk families.

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Meeting with French Orthodox theologian Jean-Claude Larchet held at Moscow Sretensky Monastery

A meeting with the modern French theologian Jean-Claude Larchet was held at Moscow Sretensky Monastery.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

315,000 people venerate relics of Venerable Silouan the Athonite

In all approximately 315,000 people have venerated the relics of the holy elder Silouan the Athonite in Belarus and Russia. In Moscow around 65,000 people have venerated the relics of the saint and the same number of small icons of the saint were distributed.

Religious feelings of US believers under serious threat, archbishop of Baltimore warns

Catholic Archbishop William Lori, Chairman of U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Religious Freedom which was set up in 2011 by Catholic hierarchs, has described as “irresponsible” the statements made by Chairman of the U.S. Federal Commission on Civil Rights Martin Castro in which the latter condemned religion as a cover for intolerance and homophobia.

Rating: 1.5|Votes: 2

Unique Georgian monuments of Tetritskaro Municipality

Malkhaz Ebralidze

According to some information, there are around 375 historic architectural monuments on the territory of the Tetritskaro Municipality within the historic province of Kvemo Kartli in southeastern Georgia.

Rating: 6|Votes: 2

Aum Shinrikyo Japanese sect outlawed in Russia

The Supreme Court of Russia has banned the activity of the Aum Shinrikyo international religious organization on the territory of the country.

Polish Parliament to consider bill banning all abortions

The Polish Federation of Defenders of Life has submitted a bill banning all abortions to the Seim (the Polish Parliament).

Albanians prevent Serbs from cleaning inside desecrated church

As soon as Serbs started removing rubbish and excrement from the desecrated temple which Albanians had turned into a public lavatory and refuge for drug addicts, the police appeared and demanded that they immediately stop the works “on unregistered premises.”

Rating: 2|Votes: 2

Oldest Christian churches in Russia may be lost forever

Maria Shustrova

Every year hundreds of tourists visit the canyon of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River in order to admire the magnificent tenth century Christian temples built on the site of the ancient settlement of Nizhny Arkhyz. Most scientists identify this ancient settlement with Maghas, or Maas – the capital of the large kingdom of Alania which existed in the Middle Ages. The city grew and prospered because strategic routes of the Silk Road passed through it. Alania flourished the most in the mid-tenth century when the kingdom’s nobility embraced Christianity. It was then that over twenty churches were erected in the Bolshoy Zelenchuk valley.

Holy Prince Vladimir leads in vote for most outstanding Ukrainian political figure

As of September 19 the Holy Prince Vladimir of Kiev, Baptizer of Rus, ranks first with over thirty percent casting the vote that the Equal-to-the-Apostle Prince Vladimir made the greatest contribution to the development of Ukraine.

Rating: 4.3|Votes: 3

Festival of ringing of bells returned from Harvard to be held in Moscow

Bell compositions will be performed at the festival by the best bell-ringers of Moscow and many regions of Russia, Belarus, Latvia and Ukraine.

Rating: 5.6|Votes: 10

Unique seventeenth-century icon returns to Russia

Persistent efforts to find the precious icon continued for over ten years but with no result. In 2016, by a miracle of God it was found by Levon Nersesyan, research assistant of the State Tretyakov Gallery, in a private collection in Venice.

Rating: 6.9|Votes: 8

Oldest Christian church in Turkey to be opened to visitors

The newly-restored basilica was originally dedicated in honor of the Holy Martyr Neophytes who was slain by Roman legionaries in 303 AD precisely on the site of the church.

Rating: 8|Votes: 5

Valaam monks gather first grain harvest in seventy-seven years

From 1939 on Valaam’s arable land was overgrown with tall weeds and underbrush. Fifteen years ago the restoration of monastic farming and the methodical reclamation of land on Valaam began. Specialists were found in neighboring Finland where the conditions are similar and lighter technical equipment is produced which is suitable for the waterlogged fields of the island.

Rating: 8.6|Votes: 8

Venerable Eanswythe of Folkestone

Commemorated: August 31/September 13 and September 12/25

Dmitry Lapa

St. Eanswythe gained fame as a wonderworker. There are several cases of her miracles which are known: firstly, she returned sight to a blind woman by her prayers; secondly, she restored the mental health of a mad man; thirdly, a holy spring with healing properties gushed forth at her intercessions which provided fresh water to her community and the saint even commanded it to flow upstream from a mile away; fourthly, she forbad birds to steal corn from the convent fields and they obeyed her.

Overwhelming majority of Ukrainians against same-sex “marriages," debauchery on TV, and spread of drugs – poll

Ukrainians’ negative attitude towards same-sex “marriages” has increased in all socio-demographic groups. Almost seventy per cent of respondents state that such relations should be totally prohibited in Ukraine, fifteen per cent believe that they should be substantially restricted, and only eight per cent are against any restrictions.

Rating: 3|Votes: 1

Ancient church with pre-Mongolian frescoes to be restored in North Ossetia

The monumental wall paintings of the pre-Mongolian and Mongolian periods have survived in this church which was transferred to the diocese in 2015. Similar examples of such early Church artwork are known mostly in the north of Russia, first of all in Veliky Novgorod and Pskov.

Around 150,000 people have venerated relics of St. Silouan in Russia already

On September 8 the reliquary with relics of Venerable Father Silouan the Athonite was delivered to the Church of the Nativity of Christ of the Shovskoye village in the Lipetsk region – the saint’s birthplace. For the relics’ arrival the house where the future saint had spent his childhood and youth was restored in the village and a chapel was erected in his honor.

Issues of spiritual security in information society to be discussed at Kiev Caves Lavra

The theological section of the conference included answers from archpastors, pastors and theologians to questions of the faithful, including “How can I keep my personal identity whole, without renouncing Christ?," “How can I guard myself against camouflaged idolatry?," “How can we, those having ears, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches?," and “How can I avoid involuntarily participating in lawless acts?”

Poroshenko again raises question of autocephaly of Church in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has stated that the creation of one local autocephalous Ukrainian Church in the country will not restrict the freedoms of the faithful and will not change the principles of interaction between the authorities and religious organizations.

Agreement signed for Russian help decorating St. Sava's Cathedral in Belgrade

"Given the scale of the project and the scope of the work, it became clear that we would not be able to carry it out without the support of the Russian state. So His Holiness Patriarch Kirill appealed to the President of the Russian Federation. We received confirmation of the Russian Federation’s participation in this large-scale project, and today we are happy that the project is beginning to be practically implemented."

We must glorify God by our deeds, says Metropolitan Onufry

“We are taught that man can remain faithfull to the Lord until the end and do everything in his life for the glory of God,” His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry stressed.

Right arm of St. Andrew the First-Called returning to Moscow from Simferopol (+Video)

“We are closely linked with Crimea, our connection is spiritual, and the bringing of the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called to the lands where he preached – which were later called Rus’, or Russia – is seen as a significant milestone in our people’s spiritual strengthening,” President of St. Andrew Foundation Vladimir Bushuyev noted.

Rating: 5.5|Votes: 13

Temperature of Holy Fire around 40°C in first few minutes

Fr. Gennady Zaridze used a pyrometer, which by means of a non-contact infrared thermometer measures the temperature of an object’s surface, for measuring the temperature of the Holy Fire. A silver plate which was five millimeters wide and one millimeter thick was used as an object. As silver is one of the greatest heat conducting metals, when you place a plate in fire it will instantly obtain the temperature of the flame.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Film on victims of sects shown in Moscow

Valeria Mikhailova

The actor noted that the film’s primary aim is to tell people that they are not alone: “The movie gives you the understanding that there will always be people who will support you; you need only to find them… Please, do not think that your problem is unsolvable."

On the benefits of historical re-enactment, and the ridiculous “knights” and perniciousness of neo-paganism

Peter Davydov, Igor Ruchin

We have not abandoned Christ completely and still have a chance to return to Him. For those who call themselves pagans in reality reject the spirit of paganism in their heart of hearts. But any flirtation with paganism is very dangerous as it is.

Rating: 7.3|Votes: 3

Two new saints canonized at Kiev Caves Lavra

Both saints are buried in the Kiev Caves Lavra. The grave of St. Ioanniky is situated at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the grave of Venerable Vassian can be found near the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Rating: 8|Votes: 2

A miracle-working icon of Christ associated with St. Silouan to be brought from Mt. Athos to Belarus and Russia for the first time

For many years the wonderworking icon, before which St. Silouan the Athonite was praying when the Lord Jesus Christ Himself appeared to him, was kept at the Russian St. Panteleimon’s Monastery on Holy Mount Athos permanently and never left it.

Rating: 6|Votes: 2

Monument to Olga Constantinovna, Grand Duchess of Russia and Queen of the Hellenes, to appear in Greece

Queen Olga went down in Russia’s and Greece’s history not only as a lady of royal blood. Famous for her wide-ranging charity both in Russia and Greece, she was a true example of Orthodox ministry to the people. She opened hospitals (including military ones), orphanages, and infirmaries.

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

White Robes: in Memory of Murdered Igumen Daniel (Sokolov)

Over the period of his service in the Yaroslavl and Pereslavl Dioceses, Igumen Daniel earned the love and respect of the clergy, monks, and laity, and was actively involved in providing spiritual support to young people and servicemen. Herein are a number of reminiscences of Igumen Daniel by a number of people who knew him well.

Venerable head of St. Silouan the Athonite brought to Minsk (+ Photos)

At Minsk National Airport, the holy relic was solemnly met by clergy and laity headed by Bishop Veniamin of Barysaw and Maryina Horka. The hierarch accompanied the relic from the aircraft’s boarding ramp to the airport building and served a prayer service before the venerable head with clergy of the dioceses of Minsk and Barysaw concelebrating with him.

Young man who called for killing of Christians detained in Belgium

Early in August a video appeared on the internet in which a young man was strolling about the streets of Verviers, a Walloon city in eastern Belgium, reciting a Muslim prayer in Arabic which contained death threats against Christians.

Orthodox Christians to hold “a festival of virginity” at the foot of Mt. Elbrus

“Mt. Elbrus is crowned by two summits, one of which slightly dominates the other one, and it reminds us that a husband is the head of a wife. The indissolubility and stability of marriage is symbolized by the uniting of these two summits under the skies into one flesh. The snow-white top of Mt. Elbrus which is the same in every season always resembles the holiness and purity of marriage that is 'made in heaven' by God,” reports the press service of the “No to Divorce!” Orthodox movement in defense of marriage which is organizing the festival.

Rating: 7.3|Votes: 3

"For Life" festival in defense of family values opens in Moscow

“Our aim is to get close to Christ and to help others in achieving this. One’s soul transforms when a person unites with Christ. The primary purpose of human life is to follow Christ, and that is why we must witness to the Savior, the Truth."

Children of several Russian orphanages to go to the Holy Land in October 2016

“I feel certain that the participation of many people in preparations for the children’s pilgrimage will fill it with special meaning. Just as we used to build churches 'all together' in Russia, we are now uniting and teaming up to kindle the light of faith and hope in the hearts of children who are bereft of parental affection."

Rating: 9.3|Votes: 3

Archeologists discovered old Russian prince's seal with depiction of the Annunciation

The seal was stamped on behalf of Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich who was a grandson of Prince Vladimir Monomakh of Kiev. The prince himself was the elder son of Grand Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich of Kiev and Grand Duchess Christina, daughter of the Swedish king Inge I the Elder. He lived from about 1095 till February 11, 1138.

Rating: 9.8|Votes: 4

Modern Art and Church Art

Nikita Filatov, Archpriest Leonid Kalinin

Is secular art capable of talking about God, or is this the prerogative of church art only? When and why does an artist start to support evil? Is there a chasm between secular and church art, or can they interact with each other? Are modern technologies and styles permissible in the Church?

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Holy Hierarch Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester

Commemorated August 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

A true revival of English Orthodox monasticism and piety became possible only in the second half of the tenth century, under the three saintly figures known as the “Three English Holy Hierarchs.” These were the holy hierarchs Dunstan of Canterbury, Oswald of Worcester and York, and Ethelwold (originally Aethelwold) of Winchester, three great archpastors for whom veneration was nationwide.

Oath of fourteenth-century Georgian Orthodox doctors is published

"I will not give a deadly mixture to anybody, even to those who wish it, and will never disclose its recipe; likewise, I will never offer a woman any remedy, to be used either externally or internally, for the abortion of a fetus."

Rating: 10|Votes: 13

“I am waiting for you at Samtavro”: on a miracle of Elder Gabriel (Urgebadze)

Constantine Tsertsvadze

Soon I was shown the tests results and the computer-aided tomography scan of my son’s brain: he had a malignant tumor with metastases in the brain. Georgian doctors refused to perform an operation on my child.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Slab with inscription of Biblical King Darius the Great discovered in Kuban

"The finding of the stele with a king’s inscription which was created on behalf of Darius I and, obviously, dedicated to the Ionian Revolt’s suppression, is, without exaggeration, a scientific sensation of international importance. Discovering such an artifact in Phanagoria places this ancient city in the context of one of the most significant events in early history with far-reaching effects for Greeks and Persians alike."

Synod of the Church of Greece in Athens pelted with Molotov cocktails

Four Molotov cocktails were hurled into the monastery at about 3:00 AM. The fire damaged four automobiles in the monastery courtyard where offices of the Synod of the Church of Greece and the archbishopric are located.

Catholics in India prevented demolition of cathedral

The incident took place on August 1 when representatives of the authorities and workers arrived on the site to demolish a part of the cathedral building in order to widen the road. But hundreds of parishioners, supported by political opposition representatives, stood in their way.

Book readers live longer lives, scientists state

In the final analysis the researchers arrived at the conclusion that those who like reading books live, on average, two years longer than those who do not like reading books.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

There is a direct correlation between euthanasia and abortions! (+Video)

A talk with Archpriest Maxim Obukhov

Nikita Filatov, Archpriest Maxim Obukhov

What shift in the public consciousness makes the population accept homicide? In our talk with Archpriest Maxim Obukhov, director of the “Life” (“Zhizn”) Orthodox medical and educational center, we discuss this and other issues caused by the spread of the “good death”, that is, euthanasia.

Rating: 5.7|Votes: 11

Saint Edith, Abbess of Polesworth

Commemorated July 15/28

Dmitry Lapa

Early England can be proud of having around forty holy abbesses, most of whom were of royal origin. One of them is St. Edith (also Editha, Eadgyth) who became Abbess of Polesworth in central England.

Rating: 10|Votes: 9

Hear with Your Heart: a Talk with Archpriest Andrei Goryachev, Rector of the Community of Deaf and Blind, Deaf, and Mute People in Moscow

Nikita Filatov, Archpriest Andrei Goryachev

Today, we are talking with Archpriest Andrei Goryachev, rector of this church, who speaks the same language as those who cannot hear and understands perfectly those who cannot speak.

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Resentment Towards Parents—Who is to Blame? (+ Video)

Igumen Nektary (Morozov)

Does a Christian have the right to take offense at his parents? Why do so many elderly parents find themselves alone nowadays? Are the children of “bad” parents exempt from any obligation to honor and care for them? How can parents and children develop a proper relationship?

Rating: 7.4|Votes: 9

Venerable Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely

Commemorated: June 23/July 6

Dmitry Lapa

St. Etheldreda (Aethelthryth, Audrey) is the most venerated English female saint.

Rating: 1.5|Votes: 2

Athonite monks have commemorated all Venerable Fathers of Mt. Athos

This feast is by tradition celebrated on Mt. Athos every year on the Second Sunday after Pentecost. According to the centenarian abbot of the Russian monastery on Mt. Athos Schema-Archimandrite Jeremiah (Alekhin), on this day the whole of Holy Mount Athos rejoices because each of its monasteries is blessed with having its own ascetics who pleased God and were famous for their holy life.

Memorial services for Russian Il-76 crash victims to be served in churches of Irkutsk region

Monday July 4 has been declared a day of mourning in Russia’s Irkutsk region in connection with the crash on July 1 of the Ilyushin-76 jet of the Ministry for Emergency Situations which was involved in extinguishing forest fires.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Tomsk meets the Pantanassa icon of the Mother of God

“Through this icon the Mother of God shows all of us that She is close to us, that She is listening to us and is always willing to take an active part in our life and help us, to stretch forth a helping hand in hard times, when we are exhausted, and when we lose our hope and orientation,” Metropolitan Rostislav stressed.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Metropolitan Amvrosios of Kalavryta and Aigialeia: “The EU is a union of atheists and deceivers”

Metropolitan Amvrosios has stressed that the external forces, “allied with mendacious Greek politicians who obey them, have put Greece on the verge of disaster”. He has characterized “the godless occupiers who lost the fear of God” as “instruments in the hands of the antichrist who are working hard in order to separate people from God”.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Saint Herveus of Plouvien

Commemorated: June 17/30

Dmitry Lapa

Although St. Herveus (Herve) who lived in the sixth century is still venerated all over Brittany, very little genuine information on him survives. The first detailed Life of this unique holy ascetic was written only in the late Middle Ages. However, besides these late sources, numerous Breton traditions and pieces of folklore testify to St. Herveus and his veneration in Brittany throughout many centuries.

Rating: 8|Votes: 8

Orthodox pastors on what should we do if the Lord does not grant us children

After getting married, newlyweds always dream and hope that the Lord will bless their family with children. But a year, five, ten years pass and the long-awaited pregnancy does not occur. What should a couple do in this situation? Beyond all doubt, they should keep praying. But do they need to do anything else and should they have recourse to modern medicine? And are all popular contemporary assisted reproductive technologies, such as extracorporal (in vitro) fertilization, acceptable for Orthodox Christians?

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Panikhida served at Valaam Monastery for children who died in Karelia

“Death is the door to eternity. People fear to open this door and even to come up to it because our physical life on earth is closely connected with this world. But each of us is due to go through this door, since we can enter into eternal life only through the door of death. And after that we will stand before the Lord’s face,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia reminds us.

Bridge collapse prevented 1,500 pilgrims in Karachai-Cherkess Republic from visiting ancient church

Archbishop Theophylact of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk believes the incident should be interpreted as a call for everybody’s consolidation for the sake of preservation of ancient holy sites.

Ritualism or reverence

On praying and keeping holy things at home

Alexei Lysenko, Oleg Starodubtsev

In Orthodox circles, some want to venerate wonderworking icons without fail, to visit “the holiest places”, to bring earth from the grave of one or another saint, to dry up and keep prosphora given them by a priest at home and so on. Do these practices bring us closer to paganism or are they indicative of our reverence for divine things?

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Orthodox Albania: “A seed that is sown needs time to germinate”

Peter Davydov

And now we, Orthodox Albanians, are travelling with the mission to Kosovo, meeting with Kosovars and trying to convince them of the fact that Orthodoxy exists for all nations, that Orthodoxy is as natural for Kosovars and Albanians as it is for Serbs and other nationalities, and that if we had been with Christ we would not have been bogged down with all these troubles.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 4

Life and Death

A talk with Fr. Alexei Timakov, a priest and emergency room doctor

Nikita Filatov, Priest Alexei Timakov

Priest Alexei Timakov is doctor by profession who has worked in both intensive care units and the emergency room for many years. What kind of experience does one have seeing people die and return to life every day? What happens after life? And how should we prepare ourselves for death, or, to be more exact, for eternal and true life? Our talk with Priest Alexei will be precisely on this theme.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Saint Wistan of Mercia, Passion-Bearer

Commemorated June 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

There are a number of early English saints, mostly kings and princes, who have been venerated from time immemorial as what we call passion-bearers. These saints in most cases were slain not explicitly for Christ, but rather for the truth and righteousness. They were usually murdered by their coreligionist-Christians because of the latter’s spite, perfidy and involvement in plots, especially wishing to seize power.

Rating: 2.4|Votes: 7

Orthodox pastors on whether sex discrimination exists in the Church

Today there has been much discussion on the issue of women’s equality. Some find a “violation of women rights” even in the Orthodox Church. Indeed, an Orthodox woman cannot become a priest (or “priestess”), she cannot enter the altar, she submits to her husband in marriage and so on. But is it really sexism? Is there gender inequality in Orthodoxy? What is the role of women in the Church? What should we say to heterodox Christians and non-believers regarding “women’s priesthood”?

Travellers from Ryazan are investigating the Orthodox heritage of Russian America in Alaska

Special attention will be devoted to the person of one of the first Orthodox missionaries of North America – St. Herman of Alaska (c.1757-1837; feast: July 27/August 9), a native of Russia’s Ryazan region.

Rating: 10|Votes: 7

A Testimony From Eternity

Maria Panisheva

In the following days a great and long-expected event happened in their flat where the Heavenly Kingdom had clearly and openly manifested itself, just as the Holy Prophets Elias and Moses appeared before the apostles on Mount Tabor. A priest baptized the dying man, chrismated him, and then gave him the Holy Body and Blood of Christ and anointed him.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Holy Hierarch Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury

Commemorated May 27/June 9 (repose) and September 13/26 (translation of relics, in Canterbury only)

Dmitry Lapa

Together with St. Gregory the Dialogist (Gregory the Great, according to the Western tradition), the Pope of Rome, St. Augustine (also Austin) is venerated as “the Apostle of the English”.

Ukrainian deputies are recommended to legalize seizure of churches by raiding

According to the Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, “Amendments to the Ukrainian law on the freedom of conscience and religious organizations”, proposed by the deputy, are instrumental in legalizing the takeover of churches by raiding and pose a potential threat to Ukrainian society.

To find the role of the Church in the modern world, without compromising our principles. UOC primate on the tasks of the Pan-Orthodox Council

“This Council aims to find the role of the Church in the world – a place where we would not compromise our rules, principles and dogmas, but where we would live on and labor for the salvation, which the Church has been doing for already 2000 years,” His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry stressed.

Muslim refugees in Europe increasingly converting to Christianity – media

As the newspaper noted, the Catholic Church of Austria has received no fewer than 300 applications for Baptism of adults for the first quarter of 2016, of which about 70% are refugees. Liverpool Cathedral in England holds special weekly services in Persian (Farsi), attended by 100-140 people – nearly all of them from Iran, Afghanistan, and central Asian countries.

Cross procession for children held in Kharkiv

The clergy, parishioners and children – pupils of Sunday schools of the Diocese of Kharkiv along with students of educational institutions of the city of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region – walked in the cross procession from the Annunciation Cathedral to the Monastery of the Protection of the Mother of God.

Part of a street in Yekaterinburg on the site of martyrdom of the Royal Family has been renamed "Tsarskaya"

Among other options considered by the commission were "Romanovskaya," "Nikolaevskaya" and "Ipatievskaya." However, the commission members unanimously voted in favor of the name "Tsarskaya."

Rating: 7.1|Votes: 24

The Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, “The Inexhaustible Cup”

Commemorated: May 5/18

Nadezhda Dmitrieva

And let everybody see the hidden spiritual meaning in the fact that “The Inexhaustible Cup” Icon became a source of saving hopes and cures from the wicked passion of alcoholism: the Mother of God is praying for every single sinner; She, the merciful one, knows the suffering of those who give themselves over to debauchery, knows how strong is the desire of many of them to rid themselves of this brutal vice, but cannot find strength to struggle.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Church rehabilitation center for handicapped children opens in Yoshkar-Ola

Each rehabilitation cycle at the center will last for 20 working days, including rehabilitation for children with Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and Autism. The center will be able to take up to 10 children simultaneously. Not only medics, but also hospital nurses (sisters of charity) of the Yoshkar-Ola Sisterhood of the Holy New Martyr Grand Duchess Elisabeth will work with them.

Tsargrad Russian TV channel to show historic visit of Putin and Patriarch Kirill to Mt. Athos live

At the Tsargrad studio in Moscow historians, politicians, public figures and people of art will speak about the phenomenon of Holy Mount Athos, Russian-Athonite relations and their own pilgrimage experience. The program will also cover the events which were organized not only in Russia and Greece but also in the whole of the Orthodox world.

Rating: 3.9|Votes: 11

The last words of Christian girl burned alive by ISIS bandits: “Forgive them!”

The human rights activist Jacqueline Isaac who shared this story at a conference said: “There is always a light beam in the black abyss. And as long as we have this light, there is a hope.”

Rating: 9|Votes: 2

Holy Hierarch Erconwald, Bishop of London

Commemorated April 30/May 13

Dmitry Lapa

According to early Orthodox tradition, Christianity was brought to London by the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul who both preached there. The tradition holds that St. Peter founded a church “in the west” which was a predecessor of what is now Westminster Abbey, while St. Paul erected a church “in the east”, which was a predecessor of what is now St. Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill.

Rating: 1|Votes: 1

Monks of the Kiev Caves Lavra bid their former abbot a final farewell

The memorial Divine Liturgy along with the funeral service over the newly departed were headed by Bishops Alexis of Buzuluk and Sorochinsk and Thomas of Zhigulevsk. The archimandrite was buried on the territory of the Iveron Convent.

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

A Protestant pastor in Kaliningrad embraces Orthodoxy

“I would compare my joining of the Protestant community with the escape from Egypt (that is, from the sinful world) to the Desert of Sinai. And my return to Orthodoxy is like the crossing the Jordan, the beginning of the invasion of the promised land.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Hieromartyr Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury

Commemorated: April 19/May 2

Dmitry Lapa

St. Alphege (also Aelfheah) is one of the most beloved holy primates of the early English Church, whose liturgical veneration was nationwide for many centuries.

Rating: 10|Votes: 15

A Miracle of Blessed Matrona of Moscow

Elena Alexandrova

Here is the last turn of the queue, and I already see the wonderworking icon of St. Matrona straight ahead. All I had in my mind was an entreaty to God—to give health to my mother and to save her life!

UOC informs European organizations of its stand on bill no. 4511

The bill considerably restricts the right of freedom of conscience and religion, contains signs of discrimination and splits Ukrainian citizens on the basis of religion. The adoption of this bill may lead to new conflicts in the country’s social and religious environments and have a negative impact on the international image of Ukraine.

First Liturgy celebrated in unique Donbass church whose construction was interrupted by war

“Today Metropolitan Mitrofan has given the Lord, Who is going to His voluntary passion, this present – this wonderful cathedral which was created with such taste! It is an amazing gift to God and to all of us in the days of anticipation of Holy Pascha! Your Eminence, let me cordially thank you for your ability to give marvelous presents not only to your neighbors, but also to the Almighty! We have no church in the whole of Donbass that can rival this one!” Metropolitan Hilarion said after the service.

Rating: 1.5|Votes: 2

Saint Paternus of Wales

Commemorated April 15/28

Dmitry Lapa

When Paternus grew up he decided to follow in the steps of his father and, obtaining his mother’s permission and blessing, he set out to Wales together with a group of other young ascetics seeking the solitary life.

Rating: 8.8|Votes: 13

New Orthodox church opened in Chechnya

The Church of the Nativity of Christ in the village of Naurskaya was built by specialists invited from Yekaterinburg, which is why the temple’s architectural features are atypical for churches of the Northern Caucasus. The church has a polished tile floor made from seven types of granite, the domes are covered with gold leaf, and an automated bell ringing system has been installed which can be operated by SMS. The icons for the iconostasis were painted by sisters of the Novo-Tikhvin Convent in Yekaterinburg, modeled on fifth-century Byzantine icons.

People leaving Church of Norway in droves over blessing of same-sex couples

Representatives of the Church of Norway report that as many as 4200 people have resigned their membership in the denomination since the beginning of 2016, with most leaving the Church in April.

Rating: 9.9|Votes: 7

Monasticism is Not a Retirement Hobby

A talk with Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich) of Boryspil and Brovary (the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate)

Such decisions as whether to take up monasticism can only be made after serious and sober reflection. And you need to have an earnest desire and be convinced (following a long period of testing) that this is really your vocation.

Rating: 9.1|Votes: 7

Miracles of the Optina Martyrs—Fr. Vasily, Fr. Trophim, and Fr. Therapont

On April 5/18, 1993, three monks of the famous Optina Monastery in Russia were slain with a knife that had the numbers “666” on inscribed on the handle. It was the act of a Satanist, whose master hates all mankind but especially monks. But these men, Hieromonk Vasily and monks Trophim and Therapont, are now venerated by the Church as martyrs—and many facts in the lives show that the Lord had prepared His chosen ones for such an end. Now through their prayers, miracles happen. Here are a few examples taken from the Optina Monastery website.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 29

“I grew up near St. John.”

We do feel his presence in this church. Many people come to ask for help—it is he who brings them here. And the archbishop helps them himself. It is he who should be thanked for this help.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 11

Orthodoxy is a Way of Life

A talk with Marilyn Swezey, the secretary of Bishop Basil (Rodzianko)

My interviewee has had an extremely interesting and unusual life for an American woman. Charming, intelligent, she looks some 15 years younger than she really is. And behind her there is a long life full of the hard labors of a noble, self-sacrificing person who seeks to see Divine providence in every turn of her life. Here she is: secretary of Bishop Basil (Vasily) Rodzianko, assistant to Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), an expert in the Russian literature and arts, honorable parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Marilyn Pfeifer Swezey.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech and all clergy of his diocese oppose document of the Pan-Orthodox Council

There are no other churches besides the Holy Orthodox Church, except for heresies and schisms, and it is dogmatically, theologically and canonically totally incorrect to call these organizations “churches”.

Rating: 4|Votes: 3

Metropolitan Amvrosios of Kalavryta: Soon the only thing left for us to do will be to sing "Memory Eternal" to Greece!

The end of Greek Christian culture will mean the end of Greece as a state as well. This process is developing very rapidly and soon there will be for us only to sing ‘Memory Eternal!’ to Greece.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

People locked inside church of Pticha village in Ukraine are freed

The events in the Pticha village developed on March 30 after an unsuccessful attempt to block the Kiev–Chop international highway, made by representatives of the so-called "Kyiv Patriarchate". The attempt failed and as a result the schismatics locked the Orthodox faithful inside the church for three days without water and food.

Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Patriarch Kirill: We must learn to carry the cross

“There are no extraneous or false words in the Holy Scriptures," the patriarch noted. "If the Lord says something, then it is true. If sorrows come to our life, even from our own mistakes and folly, we should accept them as a saving cross, the carrying of which fills our life with meaning and opens the gates of eternity."

The Abkhazian Constitution now officially bans abortions

According to the main obstetrician-gynecologist of Abkhazia Rita Trapsh, around 700 abortions were performed in 2015, only fifteen of which were done for medical reasons. But in most cases, the doctor says, women have abortions because of social issues.

Bishop Joanikije: for the sake of NATO propaganda the authorities bury victims in oblivion

“These victims represent the whole of Montenegro at the time when the criminal armada was destroying our motherland, and our duty is to remember them. The Montenegrin authorities should commemorate them as well, because these victims are not the Vietnamese, but Montenegrins."

Volhynia: children from Zalestsy village come to pray at the church every day

The road to the country school runs past the church and thus it occurred to Fr. Nikolai to gather the children before their lessons for morning prayer.

Rating: 8.9|Votes: 16

Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Wonderworker

Commemorated: March 20/April 2 (repose) and September 4/17 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

“Have faith and wholeheartedly trust God Who will never abandon those who Love Him”—these words belong to St. Cuthbert, “the wonderworker of the English land” who lived more than 1300 years ago. It is indisputable that St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne is the most beloved and venerated English saint throughout the history of the country.

Sister of elder Gabriel (Urgebadze) reposes in the Lord

Constantine Tsertsvadze

On March 31 Metropolitan James of Bodbi celebrated the funeral service over the newly-departed Emma in the courtyard of the church which the holy elder Gabriel had built with his own hands in 1955. After the repose of her brother, Emma looked after their house for 21 years.

Rating: 10|Votes: 4

Patriarch Ilia II: “I said what I had to. And if I had been silent, it would have been shocking”

"Georgia is a country which has never oppressed anybody. Georgia is a country where everyone always feels free, but there are some things that can never be tolerated. How can unlawfulness be legitimated? Legalization of abominations is a grave sin. This is precisely what I said before."

Conference dedicated to the problems of the Pan-Orthodox Council held in Greece

During the conference the participants unanimously adopted a resolution pointing to “the lack of theological fullness, clarity and unambiguousness” in the documents prepared for the Pan-Orthodox Council.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

City streets should not be named after murderers and terrorists says Patriarch Kirill

Speaking before the Moscow State Duma deputies, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia urged them not to justify the utilitarian preservation of names of city objects which perpetuate the memory of murderers and terrorists.

Among the passengers of the hijacked Egyptian airplane were bishops of the Church of Alexandria

Both hierarchs are safe and in good health reports Romfea.

Archbishop Joachim of Beroun: “Slavic peoples should stay together”

Archbishop Joachim of Beroun (the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia) talks about the life of this Local Orthodox Church, the difficulties it is faced with, the cooperation among the Slavic Churches and the destructiveness of schisms.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Metropolitan Ambrose of Kalavryta: Through immigrants the powers that be are seeking to change the identity of Greece

Let us not receive immigrants on the Peloponnese! Let us keep our national identity intact and free from contamination. Let us defend the Orthodox faith and our tradition. Let us defend our language and culture.

Saidnaya Convent in Syria celebrates 'the Resurrection of Icons' (+Photos)

It should be noted that the Convent of the Nativity of the Mother of God at Saidnaya was one of the first Syrian monastic communities to suffer at the hands of militants: on Sunday January 29, 2012, the convent, situated 35 kilometers from Damascus, was shelled, although the shell that pierced the wall and flew into a cell did not explode.

Rating: 8.3|Votes: 8

Saint Kieran of Saighir

Commemorated March 5/18

Dmitry Lapa

Kieran in his spiritual labors imitated the feats of the Desert Fathers and especially St. John the Baptist, and, like many of them, he wore animal skins and slept on the ground. Angels were his companions and helpers from childhood throughout his life.

Holy Hierarch Oswald, Bishop of Worcester and Archbishop of York

Commemorated February 28/March 13

Dmitry Lapa

Oswald was the offspring of pagan Danes who had invaded England in the ninth century and settled in the east and north of England, the region that came to be known as the Danelaw.

Holy Community of Mt. Athos: “the Holy Mountain has become a thoroughfare!”

The cause of the complaint was the shooting of a documentary by the BBC2 British TV channel.In fact, the BBC2 film crew with their cameras and equipment sailed up to Esphigmenou – one of the Athonite monasteries – in a boat at night.

Rating: 8|Votes: 1

“The purpose of art is to remind mankind of the higher spiritual values”.

A talk with actor Dmitry Pevtsov

And the main thing in the creative life is to find a right balance between the Orthodox worldview and our “passionate” theater art.

Rating: 8|Votes: 4

“My husband and I had no children for many years”

A miracle by St. Simeon the Myrrh-Flowing

A couple’s childlessness of many years, a long-awaited but very difficult pregnancy, emergency delivery, intensive care… And constant prayer. Infant Simeon would not have been born without the help of God, the Mother of God and saints.

“By getting rid of the conceived you will not get rid of those killed”

A talk with head of the Foundation for the Protection of Family, Motherhood and Childhood of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Nikolai Moiseyev

Nikita Filatov, Nikolai Moiseyev

A talk with head of the Foundation for the Protection of Family, Motherhood and Childhood of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Nikolai Moiseyev

Rating: 8.2|Votes: 11

Saint Teilo of Wales

Commemorated: February 9/22

Dmitry Lapa

The veneration of St. Teilo throughout Wales and in Brittany was widespread; many churches across Wales and in western England were dedicated to him. His late Life was composed early in the twelfth century by the cleric Geoffrey of Llandaff.

Rating: 8.3|Votes: 8

Saint Gildas the Wise of Wales, Abbot of Rhuys in Brittany

Commemorated: January 29/February 11

Dmitry Lapa

St. Gildas is regarded as one of the principal apostles of the Orthodox faith and early preachers of Wales, though very scarce details of his activities in the region survive.

Rating: 6.7|Votes: 10

Saint Fursey of Ireland

Commemorated: January 16/29

Dmitry Lapa

Fursey spent most of his life in his native Ireland where he founded the famous Rathmat Monastery, probably in County Clare, which became a celebrated center of Irish monasticism.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 17

A modern story of miraculous healing from cancer in the Kiev Caves Lavra

Svetlana Pirogova

Time flows differently when you leave the hospital having been diagnosed with cervical cancer, knowing that there is no money for the treatment, and that you cannot tell your relatives about it.

Rating: 3.3|Votes: 30

Holy Mount Athos in the photographs of British journalists (a photo gallery)

The publication’s author describes these photographs as “striking” and briefly relates the everyday life of the Holy Mountain: church services lasting many hours, the work with ancient manuscripts and church artworks.

Rating: 6.8|Votes: 59

Russia in winter

The Pravoslavie.ru website is offering you a gallery of selected photographs of Holy Russia (Rus’) in winter—its nature, people and churches. We wish our readers to spend the Christmas holidays to the benefit of body and soul.

Rating: 10|Votes: 4

“Today is a black day for the history of Greece, but it will get worse.” An interview with Athanasius Zoitakis

Deputy chief editor of the AgionOros (“Holy Mountain”) publishing house, editor-in-chief of the AgionOros website, expert on Greece Athanasius Zoitakis talks about the new pro-sodomite law in Greece and its consequences

Deputy chief editor of the AgionOros (“Holy Mountain”) publishing house, editor-in-chief of the AgionOros website, expert on Greece Athanasius Zoitakis talks about the new pro-sodomite law in Greece and its consequences

Rating: 3.5|Votes: 4

Holy Hierarch Flannan of Killaloe

Commemorated: December 18/31

Dmitry Lapa

The holy man called Flannan who lived in the seventh century is equally venerated in Ireland and Scotland.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 17

On Fasting Again

Archpriest Oleg Stenyayev

To those on the new style calendar who are celebrating the Nativity of Christ, we wish all a joyous feast. Please keep this delightful article on fasting in mind for Wednesdays and Fridays, and the other three extended fast periods. But for those who are still observing the Nativity fast, may these instructions encourage you during this final stretch.

“There are no winners in such conflicts!”

Metropolitan Bartholomew of Rivne appeals to President Petroshenko concerning Right Sector attacks

Bartholomew, Metropolitan of Rivne and Ostroh

Please, tell us who is the true criminal in this case? How can they commit such unlawful things on this feast, which is one of the most important and joyous days for Ukrainians?

Rating: 8.7|Votes: 7

Talia the fearless motorcycle racer (and great-great-granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I)

Olga Lunkova

I would like to open one of the little-known pages of the book of the imperial Romanov family, and to remember its last legitimate male line descendant, who spent almost all her life in the USSR (as a class enemy) and post-Soviet Russia.

Rating: 7.7|Votes: 11

Saint Edmund the Martyr, King of East Anglia and Patron-Saint of England

Commemorated November 20/December 3

Dmitry Lapa

St. Edmund, whose name means “blessed protection”, was probably born in 841. He lived during one of the most troubled periods of early English history, when hordes of Danish pirates were devastating English kingdoms one after another, burning churches and monasteries, ravaging them, murdering Christians and all inhabitants.

Rating: 5.3|Votes: 4

Holy Hierarch Dyfrig (Dubricius) of Wales

Commemorated November 14/27

Dmitry Lapa

St. Dyfrig, also known by the Latin name of Dubricius, was one of the founders of Orthodox monasticism in Wales.

Rating: 3.6|Votes: 9

Venerable Illtyd, Abbot of Llantwit Major in Wales and the Teacher of the Welsh

Commemorated November 6/19

Dmitry Lapa

St. Illtyd, who knew very well both the Old and New Testaments, all kinds of philosophy, and other sciences, and was one of the most learned figures of his age, was probably born in the first half of the fifth century.

Rating: 6.3|Votes: 13

At any Cost. A story

Viktoria Borimskaya

Maria had only the following words in her mind throughout the pregnancy: “I do not want a girl. I want another boy.” And also: “At any cost.” Even when Maria was already in the maternity hospital and the midwife asked her jokingly: “Who will we deliver: a girl?” Maria answered stubbornly: “No, only a boy!”

Rating: 6|Votes: 1

Venerable Fintan Munnu, Abbot of Taghmon in Ireland

Commemorated: October 21/November 3

Dmitry Lapa

St. Fintan is venerated in both Ireland and Scotland where churches dedicated to him are to be found in various regions.

Rating: 4.5|Votes: 6

Saint Edwin of Northumbria, King and Martyr, and Saint Ethelburgh, Queen and Abbess of Lyminge

Commemorated October 12/25

Dmitry Lapa

The ferocious pagan called Penda soon afterwards began to rule over the Kingdom of Mercia in present-day central England. The northeastern part of the country then was called Northumbria, which was later ruled by Edwin, who was still a pagan but who was destined to become one of the apostles of his Kingdom. Let us now recall his life.

Rating: 10|Votes: 1

Saint Melor the Breton, Prince and Martyr

Commemorated October 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

Unfortunately, no authentic information on St. Melor (also Melorius, Mylor) survives. We know neither when nor where he lived. The only thing we can say for sure is that his life was connected with Brittany and/or Cornwall, and the most important center of his veneration for many years from the tenth century was the English town of Amesbury in the county of Wiltshire (southern England).

Rating: 10|Votes: 5

Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopil: “We will defend our holy places”

On the violent takeover of a church in Katerinovka

We simply cannot leave our church to its fate or hand it over to someone else. Now some people have lost the fear of God and do not want our communal prayer to continue in the church. And we will do our best to defend our holy places.

“Mommy, I am in Syria.” Parents whose children left for Jihad relate how it happened

On October 7, 2015, a public campaign to support the parents whose children went to participate in jihad was launched in France. It was initiated by four families who had gone through this drama and who still cannot understand their children’s choice.

Rating: 9.3|Votes: 22

A Monastic Leaven

A Conversation with Archimandrite Pimen (Adarchenko), Superior of the Monastery in Ganina Yama in honor of the Holy Royal Martyrs

Our guides say that very many people even change outwardly after visiting our monastery. They straighten their shoulders. Even their appearance changes! Attitudes to their own lives also change along with their perception of Russian history.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Venerable Adomnan, Abbot of Iona in Scotland

Commemorated: September 23 / October 6

Dmitry Lapa

The young Adomnan soon became famous for his learning, brilliant knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and theology, fine teaching abilities and holiness of personal life.

Rating: 4.5|Votes: 43

Lost in the forest. A real story that took place in Georgia

Nikoloz screamed and ran out, crying: “The icon began weeping and speaking to me! She has said such things to me… Woe to me, a wretched man, and unto all those who are desecrating the house of God!”

Holy Hierarch Deiniol, Bishop of Bangor in Wales

Commemorated September 11/24

Dmitry Lapa

St. Deiniol (the Welsh from of Daniel) lived in the sixth century. He was a descendant of one Celtic ruler in Northern Britain.

Rating: 6.5|Votes: 11

Saint Bega, Anchoress of Cumbria

Commemorated: September 6/19 and October 31/November 13

Dmitry Lapa

St. Bega is said to have been Irish. She was a virgin who led a holy life in north-western England. The legend says that she was an Irish princess, the most beautiful in her kingdom, who fled from her native land to avoid marriage with a pagan Viking—a Norwegian prince. Guided by an angel, Bega refused a pagan husband, as she wanted to devote her life to the Heavenly Bridegroom—Christ.

Rating: 8.8|Votes: 13

"To remain Christians. If we can manage…"

Igumen Daniel (Irbits) on the new “migration of peoples”

Peter Davydov

The arrival of thousands of refugees, migrants and settlers from Africa and Asia to “the Old World” is already being interpreted by many Europeans as a catastrophe, a curse, and a real challenge not only to the culture, economy, and the Christian faith of the continent (which is still alive, though is becoming very weak), but, therefore, to the very existence of the continent and its native inhabitants. What should Europe do not to be afraid?

Rating: 9.6|Votes: 5

Holy Hierarch Aidan of Lindisfarne, Apostle of Northumbria and Wonderworker

Commemorated August 31/September 13

Dmitry Lapa

The first missionary who came from Iona was Corman, but he was very stern with the Angles and could not speak their language, so he soon had to go back. On his return to Iona, Corman told the brethren: “What a hopeless task it is to preach to these savage and stubborn Angles!” One of the monks, named Aidan, answered him gently: “Brother, you were probably too strict with these illiterate people.” So it was decided to send Aidan to Northumbria.

Rating: 7.9|Votes: 7

Venerable Neot of Cornwall

Commemorated: July 31/August 13

Dmitry Lapa

St. Neot lived in the ninth century. He was of noble birth. Neot began life as a soldier but after some time he resolved to give up a military career and dedicate his life to the service of God and prayer.

Venerable Mothers Ermenburgh, Mildred, Edburgh, and their Minster-in-Thanet Monastery

Dmitry Lapa

So we see three examples of holy women who were abbesses of Minster successively. All these nuns and those living after them were witnesses in quite difficult and unstable times, full of dangers and challenges, but in spite of everything they unceasingly glorified Christ, loved their neighbors and practiced hospitality and prayer.

Rating: 7.5|Votes: 2

Saint Maelruain, Abbot of Tallaght in Ireland

Commemorated July 7/20

Dmitry Lapa

This holy man contributed immensely to the restoration of spirituality and serious monasticism in Ireland in the second half of the eight century. Under his influence the monastic life and asceticism in the country reached a high level such as can only be compared with that of the era of the great founding fathers of Irish monasticism of the sixth century.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 2

Saint Moluog of Lismore

Commemorated: June 25 /July 8

Dmitry Lapa

St. Moluog was an Irishman destined to become one of the most venerated saints in Scotland. He was born in about 530 in what is now Northern Ireland to a noble family. His first monastery was Bangor in Ireland; and about the year 562 he crossed the Irish Sea and founded a monastery on the Scottish isle of Lismore.

Rating: 4.6|Votes: 5

Holy Martyr Nectan of Hartland

Commemorated June 17/30

Dmitry Lapa

As a young man, Nectan decided to become a monk and serve God for the rest of his life, imitating the Holy Fathers of Egypt. So together with a group of his pious relatives, Nectan boarded a boat, promising to lead an ascetic life at the site where his boat would land.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 23

Venerable Kevin of Glendalough, Wonderworker

Commemorated: June 3/16

Dmitry Lapa

St. Kevin is one of the greatest saints of Ireland and founder of the famous and important Glendalough Monastery.

Rating: 10|Votes: 7

St. Ethelbert of East Anglia, King and Martyr

Commemorated: May 20/June 2

Dmitry Lapa

As soon as the young king mounted his horse, a sudden earthquake occurred that made all his companions panic. Leofruna saw in this a sign from the Lord that her son would never return home alive.

Rating: 5.6|Votes: 9

Venerable Carantoc of Cornwall

Commemorated: May 16/29

Dmitry Lapa

St. Carantoc was a Celtic missionary, ascetic and abbot, who lived in the 6th or 7th century. He was born most likely in the present-day county of Ceredigion in western central Wales and was the grandson of a local ruler.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Holy Hierarch Asaph of Wales

Commemorated May 1/14

Dmitry Lapa

Veneration for St. Asaph was so strong that with time the town where his diocese was centered was renamed to St Asaph in his honor. The monastery and cathedral associated with the saint were very famous.

Rating: 10|Votes: 5

Venerable Beuno, Abbot of Clynnog Fawr in Wales

Commemorated April 21/May 4

Dmitry Lapa

Of the life of Venerable Abbot Beuno, probably the greatest saint in North Wales, we know very little. His Life was written many years after his repose, but even the bloody 16th-century Reformation could not erase the memory of this saint of God.

Rating: 9.4|Votes: 10

Venerable Guthlac of Crowland, Wonder-Worker

Commemorated April 11/24

Dmitry Lapa

St. Guthlac of Crowland is one of the greatest hermit-saints of the early English Church and is considered to be the most popular pre-Norman English saint after St. Cuthbert.

Rating: 8|Votes: 8

Saint Edward the Martyr, King of England

Commemorated: March 18/31 (Martyrdom) and September 3/16 (Local Translation of Relics)

Dmitry Lapa

St. Edward ascended the English throne in 975 at the age of only thirteen (or sixteen) after the sudden death of his father St. Edgar aged only thirty-two.

Rating: 10|Votes: 5

Saint Senan, Abbot of Scattery in Ireland

Commemorated March 8/21

Dmitry Lapa

Notably, the saint had so many disciples whom he instructed, that every time he left the monasteries he had established he blessed dozens of them to remain and live there and blessed the most experienced ones to be in charge of these communities.

Rating: 9.7|Votes: 12

An Interview With Fr. John Musther of Cumbria

“Christ Won the Battle and Made my Heart Orthodox!”

Dmitry Lapa

Father John Musther, an Orthodox Englishman, serves in the Orthodox missionary parish of Sts. Bega, Mungo and Herbert in Keswick, Cumbria, North West England. His community, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is part of the ancient tradition of the Orthodox Church. The congregation is a living witness of the truth of Holy Orthodoxy to the people living nearby.

Rating: 2|Votes: 1

Venerable Milburgh, Abbess of Much Wenlock in England

Commemorated: February 23/March 8

Dmitry Lapa

From time immemorial Milburgh has been one of the most popular and venerated female saints of the county of Shropshire in the west of England, along with St. Winefride.

Rating: 8.9|Votes: 34

Holy Father Modomnoc of Ossory, Patron Saint of Bees

Commemorated: February 13/26

Dmitry Lapa

Before he had sailed three miles he suddenly saw a small black cloud that was swiftly approaching from the Welsh coast. Soon the cloud drew near and the holy man to his great astonishment realized that these were the bees from all the beehives of the Mynyw Monastery. The insects began impetuously and joyfully descending onto the boat of their master.

Venerable Werburgh of Mercia, Patroness of Chester

Commemorated February 3/16

Dmitry Lapa

The seventh century played a key role in the history of Christianity in England, as all seven early English kingdoms were converted to the Orthodox faith in that century; the period can be called “the golden age of English Orthodoxy.”

Rating: 10|Votes: 7

“The Choice is in Our Hands.” An Interview With Archpriest Andrew Phillips

Archpriest Andrew Phillips, Dmitry Lapa

It is no good us Russian Orthodox saying, “It cannot happen here.” Remember the Tower in Siloam. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13, 4-5). If we do not go to Church, at least attempt to live a Church life, the same thing will happen to us, our children and grandchildren.

Rating: 9|Votes: 7

Venerable Cadoc, Abbot of Llancarfan in Wales

Commemorated: January 24/February 6 and September 25/October 8

Dmitry Lapa

St. Cadoc (c. 497 - c. 580) was the founder of the famous monastery of Llancarfan (c. 518) in the present-day Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. This monastery was to become one of the best-known in Wales, as well as a great centre of learning.

Rating: 8|Votes: 12

Venerable Ita of Limerick, “Foster-mother of the Irish Saints”

Commemorated: January 15/28

Dmitry Lapa

Saint Ita is the second most popular Irish woman saint after St. Brigid. She is venerated in Ireland by Orthodox and Catholic believers to this day.

Rating: 6.4|Votes: 19

A Family of Saints: Sts. Kentigerna, Fillan and Comgan of Scotland

Dmitry Lapa

Amazingly, Celtic holiness is unique for its “families of saints”, which were sometimes very large and included representatives of several generations. There was the spiritual relation between saints; but besides this, there were many saints who were relatives by blood: holy parents and children and grandchildren, holy brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

Rating: 5.8|Votes: 12

Venerable Samthann, Abbess of Clonbroney in Ireland

Commemorated December 18/31

Dmitry Lapa

St. Samthann was distantly related to St. Patrick who lived over 200 years before her. As a child she was given to the Irish king Cridan to be brought up. When Samthann grew up, the king found her a suitable, rich candidate as a husband. But the future ascetic did not wish to marry, but rather to live in chastity, prayer and service to God.

Rating: 7.5|Votes: 4

Venerable Hilda, Abbess of Whitby

Commemorated November 17/30 (repose) and August 25/September 7 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

The wisdom and prudence of this holy woman were held in such high esteem that even kings and bishops asked for her advice. Venerable Hilda took special care of the poor and the oppressed, for which she was revered and loved as “the mother of her country”.

Rating: 9.8|Votes: 4

Holy Fathers Seiriol and Cybi of Anglesey in Wales

Commemorated February 1/14 (St.Seiriol); November 8/21 (St. Cybi)

Dmitry Lapa

St. Seiriol is one of a great multitude of island saints who led a solitary life in tiny hermits’ cells on small isles off the coasts of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. St. Cybi is along with St. Seiriol one of the most venerated saints in Anglesey.

Rating: 5.7|Votes: 11

Saint Colman of Kilmacduagh in Ireland, Wonder Worker

Commemorated: October 29/November 11

Dmitry Lapa

St. Colman’s zeal and thirst for spiritual perfection were so strong that with time he resolved to leave the island monastery and to retreat to a remote and quiet place to pray more deeply.

Rating: 7.6|Votes: 23

St Kenneth, Abbot of Aghaboe in Ireland

Commemorated: October 11/24

Dmitry Lapa

St. Kenneth became renowned for his sermons, which were full of inspiration and rated very highly by his contemporaries. Among other things, the saint was a well-known spiritual poet and theologian as well. These written works include commentaries on all four Gospels, known as the “Chain of St. Canice”.

Rating: 6.4|Votes: 11

Saint Ciaran, Abbot of Clonmacnoise in Ireland

Commemorated September 9/22

Dmitry Lapa

Ciaran was educated by the prominent theologian St. Finnian of Clonard, the spiritual father of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland”. Here he showed himself to be a most gifted student and one of the most zealous monks.

Rating: 7.6|Votes: 14

Saint Ninian of Whithorn, Apostle of the Southern Picts, Wonderworker

Commemorated August 26/September 8

Dmitry Lapa

The future saint was most probably born in the second half of the fourth century—perhaps in about 360. He belonged to the so-called “Roman-British” tradition of early British Christianity. His native land was most likely Cumbria; at least it is nearly certain that he was born south of Hadrian’s Wall in today’s northern England. His father, according to some sources, was a local Christian ruler.

Rating: 7.8|Votes: 11

Saint Oswald of Northumbria, King and Martyr

Commemorated August 5/18

Dmitry Lapa

Once Sts. Oswald and Aidan were sitting at the same table on Easter Day. Servants brought the king the royal meal on a large, silver dish. Suddenly one servant informed him that a great multitude of beggars had gathered in the neighbouring streets, waiting for alms from the king. The king at once ordered all the food to be given to the beggars as well as to break the dish into pieces and give them to the needy. St. Aidan then took Oswald by his right arm and exclaimed: “May this arm be incorrupt forever”.

Rating: 7.4|Votes: 17

Saint Kenelm of Mercia, Prince and Passion-Bearer

Commemorated July17/30

Dmitry Lapa

The boy related his dream to his old and wise nanny Wolweline. The latter wept very bitterly, realizing that the boy was to be martyred very soon and that unrighteous people were to seize power in the kingdom. But at the same time she rejoiced as Kenelm was to dwell among the saints.

Rating: 7.3|Votes: 3

Venerable Botolph of Iken, Patron-saint of travellers

Commemorated 17/30 June and 1/14 December

Dmitry Lapa

St. Botolph has been venerated in many countries outside Britain—in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, where many churches are dedicated to him. In the 11th century, his veneration reached Kievan Rus’ and more recently it reached North America. In England and the whole of Western Europe St. Botolph is mainly venerated as patron-saint of travellers, as the saint travelled much himself.

Rating: 8.7|Votes: 9

Venerable Petroc of Cornwall

Commemorated June 4/17

Dmitry Lapa

The Gospel was brought to Cornwall in the fifth century or even earlier, and monastic life began there in 475. At that time Cornwall became known as “the land of saints” or “the Thebaid of saints”. Indeed, between the fifth and sventh centuries Cornwall produced so many saints, ascetics, hermits, abbots, missionaries, holy bishops and kings, that nearly each town and village in the region has its own patron-saint.

Rating: 4.2|Votes: 12

Venerable Comgall, Abbot of Bangor in Ireland

Commemorated May 10/23

Dmitry Lapa

St. Comgall is venerated as one of the greatest confessors, spiritual fathers and ascetics of his age. The biographer of St. Columban, Jonah of Bobbio, wrote the following of St. Comgall: "He was a great father of monks in Ireland, noted for his perseverance in teaching and strict discipline." St. Comgall was venerated all over Ireland.

Rating: 7.3|Votes: 6

Holy Hierarch David, Patron Saint of Wales

Commemorated: March1/14

Dmitry Lapa

The abbot led the same simple life as his monks and worked as hard as any of them. All the community members wore simple clothes and all their belongings were held in common. Voluntary poverty and the refusal of all possessions were among the main rules of the monastery. St. David himself, like many other Celtic saints, used to retreat to the river to read the whole Psalter, standing in cold river water even in winter.

Rating: 9.3|Votes: 3

Saint Cuthman of Steyning

Commemorated February 8/21

Dmitry Lapa

St. Cuthman of Steyning, one of the most venerated saints in southern England, probably lived in the late 7th to early 8th century. He is best remembered in the small town of Steyning in West Sussex. Sussex people have for many centuries venerated him for his meekness, humility, love, compassion, closeness to the people and many miracles.

Rating: 6.9|Votes: 14

Holy Hierarch Kentigern (Mungo) of Strathclyde, Bishop of Glasgow, Wonderworker

Commemorated January 13/26

Dmitry Lapa

St. Kentigern was much loved and venerated by the people for his gift of working miracles. Once he brought back to life a tame robin of St. Serf, which had been killed by jealous monks. Another time he miraculously lit a fire in St. Serf's monastery, which had earlier gone out.

Rating: 10|Votes: 3

Archaeologists examining one of the most ancient churches in Britain

Dmitry Lapa

Archaeological excavations on the site of one of the most ancient surviving Christian shrines of Britain will soon begin.

Rating: 10|Votes: 4

Holy Hierarch Egwin, Bishop of Worcester

Commemorated December 30/January 12 (repose) and September 10/23 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

Once a certain herdsman named Ioves was searching for a pig that had gone astray. He walked deep into the forest and saw the Mother of God with two angels on the site of present-day Evesham. Amazed by this vision, the herdsman told Bishop Egwin about the miracle. The saint prayed very hard for several days and then decided to go to that place himself. The holy hierarch had exactly the same vision, which had already appeared to Ioves. The Mother of God ordered Bishop Egwin to found a monastery on the site and blessed him with a cross. This event is considered to be the first recorded miraculous appearance of the Mother of God in England.

Rating: 6.4|Votes: 7

Venerable Finnian, Abbot of Clonard

Commemorated December 12/25

Dmitry Lapa

The disciples of Clonard established hundreds of churches and monasteries in Ireland as well as in other countries. According to a custom which existed in Clonard, every monk who left the monastery as a missionary took with him a copy of the Gospels, a crozier and some holy object and later, when building his own church or monastery, placed these relics inside it.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 6

Holy Hierarch Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester-on-Thames and Apostle of Wessex

Commemorated December 3/16 (repose) and September 4/17 (translation of relics)

Dmitry Lapa

In 635 the bishop successfully reached the shores of Albion and landed in the port of Southampton on the south coast of Britain, in the Kingdom of Wessex. He intended to go further inland where there were no missionaries, but since he met only pagans in Wessex, he realized that he must remain there.

Rating: 9.5|Votes: 17

Russian Translator Dmitry Lapa on England, the Handicapped, and Ancient Saints

Dmitry Lapa, Olga Kirianova

—Dmitry, the readers of Pravoslavie.ru know you as the translator of a series of articles on the history of Christianity in England and its Orthodox Saints. You are also an independent author of publications about English Orthodoxy. It is less well known that you are a visually handicapped person from childhood and these works are a testimony to the courage and persistence with which you have overcome your handicap. How did your interest in Orthodoxy in England begin?