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by St. Symeon the New Theologian Our venerable and God-bearing father Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022) is one of three saints of the Orthodox church to have been given the title of Theologian (the others are St. John the Apostle and St. Gregory Nazianzen). Born in Galatia and educated at Constantinople, he became abbot of the monastery of St. Mamas. His feast day is celebrated on March 12, the date of his repose. 1. You have asked our … [Read more...]
By Rev. Dimitriy Yurevitch 1. Essential aspects of the Biblical doctrine of repentance The doctrine of Repentance is represented in different books of the Old and New Testament. There it is set out with different degrees of fullness depending on historical conditions as well as on the sacred authors? purposes and objectives. Philologically it is not restricted to any one term; and while the biblical teaching about salvation was evolving, … [Read more...]
by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony Bloom (1914 – August 4, 2003) was bishop of the Diocese of Sourozh, the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain and Ireland. He wrote masterfully about Christian prayer, and many Orthodox Christians in Great Britain and throughout the world consider him to be a saint. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Many are those among you who have … [Read more...]
From a discussion with the students of the Moscow Theological Academy at the Lavra of Saint Serge with the Metropolitan of Nafpaktos and Saint Vlassios, Hierotheos Vlachos. Question: How many times a year must one receive Holy Communion? Is the Sacrament of Confession necessarily tied to Holy Communion? Answer: Holy Communion is not absolutely linked to Confession. In the ancient Church, people had the Grace of God in them; they were in a state … [Read more...]
This excerpt from "The Way of A Pilgrim" offers some deep and profound awareness of the grace and love behind an Orthodox sacramental Confession. Turning my eyes carefully upon myself and watching the course of my inward state, I have verified by experience that I do not love God, that I have no religious belief, and that I am filled with pride and sensuality. All this I actually find in myself as a result of … [Read more...]
by Saint Nicolas Varzhansky During Great Lent, and the other fasts of the Church Year, it is customary for all Orthodox Christians to go to confession to their priest. Properly, this should be done several times a year, the exact frequency depending upon how often one is blessed to receive the Holy Mysteries and on the counsel and blessing of one's spiritual father. As a preparation for this sacramental confession and to help … [Read more...]
by St. Innocent of Alaska Our father among the saints Innocent of Alaska, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of North America (1797-1879), was a Russian Orthodox priest, bishop, archbishop, and Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia. He is known for his missionary work, scholarship, and leadership in Alaska and the Russian Far East during the 1800s. He is known for his great zeal for his work as well as his great abilities as a scholar, … [Read more...]
by Fr. John Dresko A priest of the Orthodox Church in America, Fr. John first published this excellent little article in March 1995. Great Lent is now upon us. It is a time for what Fr. Alexander Schmemann (of blessed memory) called "bright sadness." It is a time, above all, for reflection and movement back to God. Sin, in literal translation, means "missing the mark." Not being where we should be. Where we should be, but are not, is in communion … [Read more...]
As each of us clergy/preachers prepares not only for our own confession, but to exhort and encourage the repentance and confession of our flock, I thought this article would start off a series on Confession nicely. This was originally published in the publication "The Shepherd" published by the Brotherhood of St. Edward the Martyr, London, England. When preparing to go to confession, every Orthodox Christian should try to … [Read more...]
This article is an excerpt taken from the book titled "REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION", by Monk Moses of the Holy Mountain, "Orthodoxi Kypseli" Publications, Thessaloniki. I am indebted to Fr. John Stavropoulos for bringing it to my attention. Confession is a God-given commandment, and it is one of the Sacraments of our Church. Confession is not a formal, habitual ("to be on the safe side", or, "in view of upcoming feast-days"), forced and … [Read more...]
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