Rating: 5,8|Votes: 4

On Holy Tradition

Archimandrite Cleopa (Ilie)

Holy Tradition is the teaching of the Church, given by God with a living voice, a portion of which was later written down. Like Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition also contains Holy Revelation, and is therefore fundamental for our salvation. Holy Tradition is the life of the Church in the Holy Spirit; and, in concord with the enduring life of the Church, it is a wellspring of Holy Revelation, and thus it possesses the same authority as Holy Scripture.

What do the Gospel Words, "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come" (Mt. 11:14) Mean?

Hieromonk Job (Gumerov)

The great Prophet Elias was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot (4 Kings 2:1–18). According to the Old Testament Prophecy, he will return to the earth before the coming of the Messiah Christ: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD (Mal. 4:5).

Rating: 9,6|Votes: 7

St. Seraphim on Monastic Life

From the book, St. Seraphim of Sarov, by Elena Kontsevitch

Elena Kontsevitch

“One distinguishing characteristic of the superior should be his love for his inferiors: for the true pastor, according to the words of St John Climacus, is shown by his love for his flock. For it is out of love that the Chief Shepherd was crucified on the cross.”

Rating: 10|Votes: 4

Faith and Works in Solovki

Vasily Pisarevsky

And suddenly I found myself on that very spot, that legendary place, and I was awestruck, how many people are streaming in to venerate the spiritual wellsprings of Orthodoxy. Here indeed there is an unusual atmosphere of peace and spirituality, especially for someone from New York, with its hellish rhythms. This is especially sensed on the island of Anzer, where, according to tradition, elders who were experienced in piety settled to devote themselves to prayerful podvig in the remote peacefulness.

Rating: 10|Votes: 7

Homily of the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated July 8/21, October 22/November 4

Archimdrite Kirill (Pavlov)

Thus we see, dear brothers and sisters, that the main cause of our country’s salvation from destruction was the firm Orthodox faith of our ancestors. When hope in human strength was no more, then all the true children of the Church and Fatherland placed a three day fast on themselves and prayed to the Mother of God before her Kazan icon. Their prayer was heard.