Disease and Death

  • We believe that the souls of men who have fallen into mortal sins and at death have not despaired, but have still repented before parting with the present life, who only have not managed to offer any...
  • Having eagerly and with great patience suffered, they are now magnified unto ages of ages. For we all must laud with songs of praise the struggles of the saints, because with a courageous spirit...

Christian Virtues

  • People are ordinarily called wise based on an incorrect application of the term. It is not those who have studied the sayings and writings of ancient wise men that are wise, but rather, those who...
  • He meek man, on accepting blows at himself, remains firm; during quarrels, he is calm; in subordination, he is content; he is not wounded by pride; he rejoices in abasements; he is not exalted by his...
  • In your patience possess ye your souls. (Luke 21: 19)
  • Immoral habits are like shackles: They deprive man of his moral freedom, and forcibly keep him in the stinking swamp of the passions. St. Ignaty Brianchaninov. He who is conquers himself in the...
  • Faith consists not only of being baptized in Christ, but also in fulfilling His commandments. Holy Baptism is perfect and gives us perfection, but does not make perfect those who do not follow the...
  • St. Theophan recommends using this means (i.e. spirituality) as early as possible, while the children are still in the cradle. It was his deep conviction that the parents' piety and religiosity were...
  • A very rich man who lived in Alexandria prayed to God every day that the lives of the indigent be made easier. On hearing about this, Abba Makarios sent him a message: «I would like to own all your...

Miscellaneous Thoughts

  • Do not expect that a man attached to carnal things will draw nigh to freedom of speech in prayer before God. A greedy soul is deprived of wisdom; but a compassionate soul is made wise by the Spirit....
  • The Glinsk Hermitage came into being in the 16th century in Kursk Province (a territory which now is part of the Sumsk Region), on the site of the appearance of the iraculous Icon of the Nativity of...
  • I read some of the truest words about the monastery in the writings of Gregory Skovoroda, a little-known 18th Century Russian philosopher. In one of his letters, he said: “A monk is Christ’s...
  • Strive to pay more attention to yourself and not analyze the affairs, actions and appeals made to you by others. If you find no love in them, it is because you yourself have no love within you. Where...
  • It is possible to be saved anywhere; just don’t abandon the Savior. Latch onto Christ’s garment, and Christ will not abandon you. A sure sign of the deadening of the soul is avoidance of Church...
  • O Righteous God, what is happening to people! How easily do people leave the service of the Lord because of all manner of rows, vainglorious squabbles, and vengeful intrigues! The Orthodox are...
  • Not knowledge that you learn, but knowledge that you suffer: that is Orthodox spirituality. One thing is education: that we learn how to love God. We become a replication of heaven with “Thy will be...
  • Hiero-schemamonk Seraphim (Muraviev) was born in 1865 in Yaroslavl Province. He reposed in 1949 in the village of Vyritsa, Leningrad District. One could say that he was one of our contemporaries,...

  • In January 1932, a little magazine entitled A Missionary's Letters and comprising but a few pages, began publication in the Okhrid Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The magazine appeared...
  • The Elder said: "The greatest disease of our times is the laity's vain disquieting notions. This disease can be cured only by Christ, with the help of spiritual calm. However, [for it to be cured] it...
  • Many parents bring their children spiritual harm by demonstrating their love for them in an inappropriate manner. For example, out of an excessive human love for her child, a mother may hug and kiss...

Pages

Address of our Cathedral

  • 4001 17th St. N.W.,
  • Washington, D.C., 20011

Phone  (202) 726-3000

Email        webmaster@stjohndc.org

 

Donate

Go to top