“A crisis, being a terrible thing to waste” Paul Romer. Our English word crisis comes from the Greek krisis. Etymologically it means a “turning point in a disease, that change which indicates recovery or death.” It is further derived from krinein, “to separate, judge, decide.” In the Christian understanding a crisis is a judgment. It …
Tag: Orthodox Faith
A Courageous Example in Troubled Times
In this post I am sharing with you, the reader, two important examples from the life of the New Hiero-martyr Vladimir of Kiev. The accounts are take from his recorded life in “Holy New-Martyrs of Southern Russian” by Vladimir Moss. The first is an account of how the Saint conducted himself during the time of …
A Hideous Conspiracy
“But it is the main question of the moment: which side one's on - obscurantism or Order. It does really look as if we now had the power to dig ourselves in as a species for a pretty staggering period, to take control of our own destiny. If Science is really given a free hand …
The Democracy of Hell
“Hell is a democracy but Heaven is a Kingdom” St. John of Kronstadt. There is no area of human life which is outside of the governing principles of Truth revealed by God. Humanity may reject Truth but this does not nullify its potency. Truth remains, believed in or not. When men attempt to construct a …
A Place Not of This World
“O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth” (Ps. 25/26:8). Deep reverence and concern for the beauty of the Lord's house is characteristic of the servants of God. The Psalmist loves the House of the Lord because it is the place where the Glory of the …
The Thorns of Apostasy
“And that which fell into the thorns, these are the ones who heard, and while they are going on their way, they being choked by the cares and wealth and pleasures of life, and do not bring forth fruit to perfection” (Lk. 8:14). In another place our Lord says a similar thing, “Where your treasure …
Beauty Worth Dying For
Somewhere decades ago a true story was told. It's interesting how somethings stay with you throughout life. I must have been around nine or ten years of age. My parents took me to yet another Protestant gathering. Another adult speaking as I fidgeted in my chair. A missionary, I think, I mean my mind was …
Frozen Martyrs of the North, an Account from the Life of Elder Nikolai Guryanov
In this post I'm blessed to share with you, the reader, a brief account from the life of Elder Nikolai Guryanov, of blessed memory, which I translated from Russian. If you are unfamiliar with the life of this God-bearing elder, you may do further reading here and here. I believe the following story sheds more …
Continue reading Frozen Martyrs of the North, an Account from the Life of Elder Nikolai Guryanov
The Inverted Commandments
“Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40). The …
Remember Your Death
I'm pleased to share some more of my translation from Russian into English of St. Dimitry of Rostov's works. The following is his teaching on the remembrance of death and the fleeting nature of this earthly existence. Well worth remembering in current situations. Begin translation - Always remember your death, O man, and the ephemeral …
The Inkless Pen 