“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” …
Tag: Faith
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 …
Earth, Death, and Life
“For all things there is a time … a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted” (Eccl. 3:1-2). Certain things must be done in their proper season. I guess that's one of the reasons there is the saying, “strike while the metal is hot.” Certain times in life seem to …
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 Time of Testing has Come
Below the reader will find a very spiritually edifying letter from St. Nikon of Optina. St. Nikon was one of the last Elders of the Monastery of Optina. He served in Optina until it was totally shut down by the Soviets in the early 1920s. St Nikon, like hundreds of thousands of other Orthodox Christians, …
Courage in the Face of Deceitful Compromise
“Be of good courage and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God; for the Lord will do what is good in His sight” (2 Kingdom/Samuel 10:12). The Lord calls His people to be strong and courageous in Him. St. Paul commands, “Keep on watching, standing fast in the …
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Fear Not
Below the reader will find my translation of a sermon given by Met. Longin of Bukovina (Ukraine). He is well known for his extensive work with orphans. The sermon was delivered on the 28th of November, 2021. It was given in, I believe Romanian. The area of Bukovina in Ukraine has many people of Romanian …
Without Suffering there is no Faith
The only way to life is by holding fast to our Lord Jesus Christ, to Truth. I offer below words from St. John of Kronstadt on the vital topic of holding fast the faith. It is imperative that we as Orthodox Christians are striving to uphold the clear standard of faith as revealed and guarded …
The Inkless Pen 