RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF ST.JOHN THE BAPTIST

Miscellaneous Thoughts

The Meeting of the Lord (1991)

As with all of the sacred events celebrated by the twelve great feasts, the Meeting of the Lord also is so rich in content that it is difficult immediately to grasp it. Let us dwell in thought...
The Meeting of the Lord

On the fortieth day following the Nativity, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, as was customary according to the Law of Moses, brought the Infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, and Simeon and...
THE BEGINNING OF SALVATION

The mystery that transpired upon this day awes not only the human mind; it likewise astonishes all angelic, exalted minds.
Third Sunday of the Great Lent. Adoration of the Holy Cross.

O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians, over their adversaries. And by virtue of Your Cross preserve Your habitation!
The Transfiguration of the Lord

In Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know thee (Psalm 35:1011).

The Lord led up on Mount Tabor the closest of His disciples those who were able to...
The Holy Transfiguration of the Lord by V. Potapov

On August 6/19, the Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Although all believers in Jesus Christ undoubtedly celebrated this Feast in the early Church, today Western Christians...
LORD, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE

“Lord, it is good for us to be here” - these words were uttered by Apostle Peter, when he, having been brought by Christ, along with his brethren, Apostles James and John, up on Mount Tabor, saw...
THE EARTHLY LIFE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Once, while the Mother of God was praying, the Archangel Gabriel appeared before her and brought her the joyous news of her imminent repose, which he said would occur in three days.
The Holy Fathers regarding the Mother of God

From His Most-incorrupt Mother, the Lord borrowed most-pure flesh, and to her, he granted Divinity in place of the flesh which she had given Him. Lord, such a most marvelous and most miraculous...
Thoughts of Venerable Isaac the Syrian

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....
Teachings of the Elders of the Glinsk Hermitage

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...
"At the Walls of the Church". S.I.Fudel

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...
Councels of the Holy Elders of Optina

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...
From the teachings of Elder Barsanuphius

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...
Thoughts of the ever-memorable hieromonk Seraphim Rose

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...
From the sayings of Gerontissa Gabrielia

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...
"It came from Me" -- spiritual testament of St. Seraphim of Vyritsa

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,...
Letters from Bishop Nikolai (Velimirovic) of Okhrid and Bitol

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...
On worldly spirit. Thoughts of Elder Paisios

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...
On raising children. Elder Paisios.

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...