“Virtue (in the Latin virtus) means manliness, strength, and goodness” Fr. Dumitru Staniloae.1 Bogatyr is an interesting word. It has a varied etymology in Russian. Some sources claim that it comes from the Old Turkic word for “hero” - baytur. Other sources doubt the foreign influence and root the origin in two Russian words: “God” …
Category: Modern issues
The Revolution Begins Within: The Burning Bush of the Heart
“Wondrous is the time of tribulation if your heart is burning for the word of Christ,” Elder Arsenie (Papacioc). Ultimate and essential freedom is not primarily an external reality. True freedom is found within the human person. In its fundamental existence it is not a parcel that is measured out by worldly authorities, for its …
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The Burning Bush in a World on Fire
The Twentieth Century was the bloodiest century known to mankind. The Twenty-First Century seems to have learned nothing from the previous, or maybe, rather, it is purposefully applying the instructions of the last century. More Christians were martyred in the Twentieth Century than any previous one. More Christians were martyred during the Twentieth Century than …
The Schism of False Unity
“'Which jurisdiction do you belong to?' I answered to all: 'To Christ's jurisdiction!'” Fr. Gerasim of Spruce Island. We must be digging deep into the Rock of our Salvation, our Lord and God Jesus Christ. The winds are blowing and the storm only seems to be growing. The Lord knows, He will use all things …
We Have no God but Government!
“We have no king but Caesar,” the Pharisees and chief priests. This post is a continuation of the reflection that I embarked upon in my last article, 'We Found Witches, the Inquisition of Control Over Human Freedom.” If you have yet to read it, I'd recommend you read it before reading this post. Here I'm …
We Found Witches! The Inquisition of Control over Human Freedom
“You have to force behaviors,” Larry Fink of BlackRock. The above quote comes from a 2017 interview that has resurfaced on the internet. In it Mr. Fink (sounds like a Dickens character, “Squeeze them Mr. Fink, squeeze them!”) speaks about how behavior must be forced to change and, in basic, certain prominent groups should use …
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Where is the Lord Jesus Christ?
Below the reader will find, in full, chapter 15 from my translation of select works form St. Dimitry of Rostov. The chapter title in the book is “The Search for Christ.” I believe it offers very profound themes of contemplation for us as we prepare to enter the Great Fast. Ultimately, every blessed thing that …
The Disobedient Disciple
Below the reader will find a beautiful account of a disciple who through his seeming lack of strict obedience brought forth great fruit. He rightly coupled discernment with obedience. For without discernment, it is possible for obedience to become abusive. Of course, such discernment was (and must be) exercised with great Christian love and devotion. …
Without Icon, there is no Christianity
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (Jn 8:12), says the Lord Jesus. It is only in the purifying light of God that we see light and become full of light. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore …
TO THE BELLIGERENT RULERS OF THE NATIONS
How prophetic are the words of God's holy ones. Below is a letter from the righteous and holy Elder Philotheos Zervakos, written in 1940. The letter is so pertinent to our times that it could have been written today. In some sense, this is very sad. We moderns have proven that we have learned very …
The Inkless Pen 