by Melito of Sardis (d. 180 a.d.) This text preserves an early version of the Virgin’s Dormition, and perhaps the earliest known in Latin. It is dated by most scholars to sometime in the fifth century. The narrative’s location of Mary’s house on the Mount of Olives particularly suggests an early date, since this is […]
Does Death Change the State of the Soul?
August 9, 2017 By
by St. Justin Popovich “The souls of the departed, enter into the life beyond with the entirety of their contents. ‘Their works follow them’ (Apoc. 14:13)*. They enter there with all their thoughts and perceptions; with all their virtues and passions, with all their good qualities and vices, with the whole of their moral universe. Just […]
A Great Lie to Searching Souls
July 20, 2017 By
“It would be a great lie to tell searching souls: ‘Go to church, because there you will find peace.’ The opposite is true. The Church tells those who are at peace and asleep: ‘Go to church, because there you will feel real anguish for your sins, for your perdition, for the world’s sins and perdition. […]
St. Nikolai Velimirovich’s Message to the Orthodox of America
July 5, 2017 By
Lest we forget that the “Serbian Chrysostom” is one of our great American saints. Let us now turn our gaze from the East to the far West, i.e., to America. About 150 years ago Orthodox people of every nationality began to come to this New World, first daring individuals, then small groups, until in our […]
When Abba Pachomios Received the Gift of Tongues
May 15, 2017 By
Yes, the Orthodox Church believes in the gift of tongues. Read about it. By Palladius, Bishop of Helenopolis (Rule of Pachomios, Ch. 15) And it came to pass that, when the blessed Pachomios was visiting the brethren in their cells, and was correcting the thoughts of each of them, he was obliged to visit a […]
What is an Anathema?
March 1, 2017 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse Rarely does the Rite of Orthodoxy, which is now being performed, take place without censures and reproaches on somebody’s part. And no matter how many sermons are given explaining that the Church here acts wisely for the salvation of her children — still the malcontents just keep repeating their line. […]
On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World
February 19, 2017 By
by St. Ephraim the Syrian Dearly beloved brothers, believe the Holy Spirit who speaks in us. We have already told you that the end of the world is near, the consummation remains. Has not faith withered away among mankind? How many foolish things are seen among youths, how many crimes among prelates, how many lies […]
The Force that Welds Society Together
January 27, 2017 By
by St. John Chrysostom The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together. Men will take up arms and even sacrifice their lives for the sake of this love. St. Paul would not speak so earnestly about this subject without serious reason; why else would he say, “Wives, be subject to […]
