Athonite Elder Tikhon Before giving advice, he prayed, called on the Holy Spirit to come and enlighten him, so that his advice would be useful to the one who asks. He said: “The Lord left us the Holy Spirit so that we could be enlightened. He is our only leader. Therefore, our Church always begins its service with the invocation of the Holy Spirit: “Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth.”
“Praying is a very simple thing, but at the same time very difficult. You know how a child prays to his mother. It does not look for skillful words, but simply speaks and asks for help. This is how you ask God simply, without any art, and the Lord will hear your request. But at the same time be wise to remain focused on prayer.” (Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt)
“Oh, man, learn Christ’s humility, and the Lord will give you to taste the sweetness of prayer...
Pray simply like a child, and the Lord will hear your prayer, for our Lord is such a Merciful Father that we cannot understand or imagine it, and only the Holy Spirit reveals to us His great love.” (Reverend Silouan of Athos)
“Self-justification closes spiritual eyes, and then a person sees something other than what really is.
Your salvation and your destruction are in your neighbor. Your salvation depends on how you treat your neighbor. Do not forget to see the image of God in your neighbor.
Do every task, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, carefully, as if before the face of God. Remember that the Lord sees everything.” (Reverend Nikon of Optina)
“You cannot overcome a single passion or a single sin without grace-filled help; always ask for help from Christ your Savior. This is why He came into the world, this is why He suffered, died and rose again, in order to help us in everything, to save us from sin and from the violence of passions, to cleanse our sins, to give us in the Holy Spirit strength to do good deeds, so that enlighten us, strengthen us, pacify us. You say: how can you be saved when there is sin at every step and you sin at every moment? The answer to this is simple: at every step, at every minute, call on the Savior, remember the Savior and you will be saved, and you will save others.” (Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt)
“Gently and non-violently place yourself in the hands of God, and He will come and bestow grace on your soul.” (Athos Elder Porfiry)
“Do not first begin any work, apparently the smallest and most insignificant, until you call on God to help you put it into action. The Lord said: “Without Me you cannot do anything,” i.e. lower to say, lower to think. In other words: without Me you have no right to do any good deed! And for this reason, one must call on God’s gracious help either in words or mentally: “Lord bless, Lord help!” with the assurance that without God’s help we cannot do anything useful or saving...” (Athos Elder Kirik (Russian Elder))
“...Have moderation and reasoning in everything.” (Athos Elder Joseph the Hesychast)
“Take care of your conscience, it is the voice of God - the voice of the Guardian Angel. Learn how to take care of your conscience from the elder Father Ambrose of Optina. He acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom without grace is madness.
Remember the words of Father Ambrose: “Where it’s simple, there are a hundred angels, but where it’s sophisticated, there’s not a single one.” Achieve the simplicity that only perfect humility gives. Achieve in humility love, simple, perfect, embracing prayer for everyone, everyone...
He is wise who has acquired the holy spirit, trying to fulfill all the commandments of Christ. And if he is wise, then he is humble.” (Elder Zechariah)
“Those who are sick, do not lose heart, for you are saved by illness; you who are poor, do not grumble, for through poverty you gain imperishable wealth; you who mourn, do not despair, for consolation awaits you from the Spirit who Comforts you.
Do not be angry, do not complain at each other, do not be angry, do not scold, do not be angry, but be angry only at sins, at the demon that leads to sin: be angry at heretics, do not make peace with them, but among yourself, faithful in peace, in love , live in harmony. Those who have, help the have-nots; the rich, give more; the poor, be merciful according to your strength...” (Hieromartyr Seraphim (Zvezdinsky))
“Our life is not about playing with cute toys, but about giving as much light and warmth to the people around us. And light and warmth are love for God and neighbors...
From a young age, you need to lead your life correctly, but by old age you can’t get time back. One wise man was asked: “What is most valuable?” - “Time,” answered the sage, “because with time you can buy everything, but you can buy time itself for nothing...
Take care of your precious, golden time, hurry to gain peace of mind.” (Reverend Confessor George, Danilovsky Wonderworker)
advised his spiritual children: “If you need to leave the Liturgy, then leave after the “Our Father... And if you have already left with the Communion of the Body and Blood, then stand with fear and pray in place, because the Lord himself is present here with the Archangels and Angels. And if you can, shed at least a small tear about your unworthiness.”
“Mental life is made up of daily, hourly, every minute thoughts, feelings, desires; all this - like small drops, merging, form a stream, rivers, sea - make up integral lives. And just as a river or lake is light or cloudy because the drops in them are light or cloudy, so life is joyful or sad, clean or dirty because such are the every-minute and daily thoughts and feelings. Such will be the endless future - happy or painful, glorious or shameful - what are our everyday thoughts and feelings that gave this or that appearance, character, property to our soul. It is extremely important to protect yourself every day, every minute from all pollution.” (St. Nicholas of Japan)
“All sciences and knowledge are nothing without the science of salvation... You must know that the path of salvation is the path of the Cross... In the matter of salvation, the most important role is played by the Holy Scripture and the writings of the Holy Fathers - this is the best guide to salvation... After reading the holy books Repentance also plays a significant role in saving the soul. Apart from repentance, there is no other way to salvation. Nowadays people are saved only through sorrow and repentance. Without repentance there is no forgiveness, there is no correction... Repentance is a ladder leading to heaven... The burden of our sins is removed by repentance and confession.
Salvation also lies in the fight against our passions... Those who are busy knowing themselves, their shortcomings, sins, passions, have no time to notice others. Remembering our own sins, we will never think about strangers... The one who judges harms three: himself, the one listening to him and the one he is talking about... Let us better notice virtues in others, and find sins in ourselves...
Knowing yourself is the most difficult and most useful knowledge... Knowing yourself, your sinfulness is the beginning of salvation... In order to accustom ourselves not to condemn anyone, we need to immediately pray for the sinner, so that the Lord will correct him, we need to sigh for our neighbor, in order to breathe for yourself at the same time. Do not judge your neighbor: you know his sin, but his repentance is unknown. In order not to judge, you must run from those who judge and keep your ears open. Let’s take one rule for ourselves: don’t believe those who judge; and another thing: never speak ill of those who are absent. Do not think evil about anyone, otherwise you yourself will become evil, for a good person thinks good, and an evil person thinks evil. Let us remember the old folk sayings: “What you condemn someone for, you yourself will be in”; “Know yourself - and it will be with you.” The short way to salvation is not to judge. This is the way - without fasting, without vigil and labor.
Not every deed is pleasing to God, but only what is done correctly with reasoning... For example, you can fast, but with grumbling about the fast, or about the food, or about the food preparer; You can fast, but condemn those who do not fast, fast and be vain about fasting, run around your neighbor with your tongue. You can endure illness or sorrow, but grumble against God or people, complain about your lot... Such “good deeds” are displeasing to the Lord, since they are done without prudence...” (Reverend Simeon (Zhelnin))
“You live more simply, like a little child. The Lord is so loving that you cannot even imagine. Even though we are sinners, still go to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Just don’t be discouraged - be like a child. Even though he broke the most expensive vessel, he still goes to his father crying, and the father, seeing his child crying, forgets that expensive vessel. He takes this child in his arms, kisses it, presses it to himself and himself persuades his child so that it does not cry. So is the Lord, although it happens that we commit mortal sins, He still waits for us when we come to Him with repentance...
Without God - not to the threshold. If all your affairs are going well, smoothly, it means that the Lord has blessed them, and any planned work is being done, and if there are any obstacles in anything, then it is true that it is against God’s will; It’s better not to spin around - nothing will work out anyway, but submit to the will of God...
Whoever gives you a hat, and you thank him - that’s alms for you...
Live, don’t worry, don’t be afraid of anyone. If someone scolds you, be silent; and if you walk by when someone scolds or condemns someone, don’t listen.” (Archimandrite Afinogen (Agapov))
Schema-abbot Savva (Ostapenko) when resolving “perplexed” questions, he blessed his spiritual children to draw lots. Schema-abbot Savva said: “It is possible and even commendable to use lots in perplexed cases. Before this, you need to bow three times with the Jesus Prayer and read “To the Heavenly King”, three times “Our Father”, three times “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary” and “I Believe”. You just need to have living faith and trust in God.”
Schema-abbot Savva advised believers to read the following prayer daily at home: “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his suffering for the human race, depart, enemy of the human race, from this house for 24 hours. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Reverend Seraphim Vyritsky advised his spiritual children to read the prayer of St. as often as possible. Ephraim the Syrian “Lord and Master of my life...”. He said that this prayer contains the whole essence of Orthodoxy, the whole Gospel: “By reading it, we ask the Lord for help in acquiring the properties of a new person.”
“There are no difficulties that have no solution in Christ. Surrender to Christ and He will find a solution for you.
Don't be afraid of difficulties. Love them, thank God for them. They have some purpose for your soul.
Gently and non-violently place yourself in the hands of God, and He will come and bestow grace on your soul.” (Athos Elder Porfiry)
“In everything, have moderation and reasoning...” (Athos Elder Joseph)
“Don’t seek comfort from people. And when you receive a little consolation from someone, expect double sorrow. Seek consolation and help from God alone.” (Elder Jerome of Aegina)
“A golden mean is needed in everything and moderation. But in relation to serving God and one’s salvation, constancy is needed. It is the main thing, not haste, not excessiveness... If you drive more quietly, you will go further. (Reverend Sebastian of Karaganda)
“To live as a Christian, stick to the Orthodox Church. Live a Christian life. Once a month you need to take communion, drink Epiphany water at home and part of the holy prosphora in the morning.
The Gospel says: “Your faith has saved you,” that is, the first Christians had great faith. The Lord reminded them to have a living faith and high Christian piety. So they tried to live for real. The Lord blessed them for their labors and exploits. They strongly confessed Christ, believed in Him and often gave their lives - like the holy healer Panteleimon, St. George the Victorious (Diocletian's first minister), Great Martyr Barbara, Great Martyr Paraskeva, Great Martyr Catherine and others... These are the lights of the first Christian people! Imitate them, read them, follow them.
May God grant you success in everything, and go from strength to strength, and achieve the highest spiritual perfection.” (Elder Theophilus (Rossokha))
“Never make any promises. As soon as you give it, the enemy will immediately begin to interfere. For example, regarding eating meat. Don’t make a vow, or at least don’t eat for the rest of your life.
Alms can be given not only for peace, but also for health, for this brings great benefit to the soul.” (Reverend Alexy (Soloviev))
Venerable Lavrentiy of Chernigov said: “You need to have peace in your soul. Salvation is difficult, but wise. At this time, you need to be wise, and you will be saved... Happy are those who are written in the “Book of Life”.
In order to be recorded in the “Book of Life”, you need to read the prayer of John Chrysostom “Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings”..., talk with the Lord with your mind. Anyone who has an attraction to the church is written in the “Book of Life.”
“Do nothing of your own free will, feel the presence of God in every place, and therefore do everything as before God, and not before people.” (Glinsky Elder Andronik (Lukash))
“We must do everything within our power. All the energy is spent on the body, but only a few sleepy minutes are left for the soul. Is this possible? We must remember the words of the Savior: Seek first the kingdom of God... and so on. This commandment is like “thou shalt not kill,” “thou shalt not commit fornication,” etc. Violation of this commandment often harms the soul more than an accidental fall. It imperceptibly cools the soul, keeps it insensible, and often leads to spiritual death... We must at least once a day for a few minutes put ourselves on trial before the Lord, as if we had died and on the fortieth day we stand before the Lord and await the saying about us where the Lord will send us. Having presented ourselves mentally before the Lord in anticipation of judgment, we will cry and beg God’s mercy for mercy on us, for the release of our huge unpaid debt. I advise everyone to take this into constant practice until death. It’s better in the evening, or at any time, to concentrate with all your soul and beg the Lord to forgive us and have mercy; even better several times a day. This is the commandment of God and the Holy Fathers, take at least a little care of your soul. Everything passes, death is behind us, and we don’t think at all about what we will appear in court with and what the Righteous Judge, who knows and remembers our every movement - the most subtle - of soul and body from youth to death, will pronounce about us. How will we respond?
That is why the Holy Fathers cried here and begged the Lord for forgiveness, so as not to cry at the Judgment and in eternity. If they needed to cry, then why do we, the damned, consider ourselves good and live so carelessly and think only about everyday things. Forgive me, teaching and doing nothing.
May the Lord grant us patience for our infirmities, and to bear the burdens of those around us not only without grumbling, but also with gratitude to the Lord our Savior, who suffered all sorts of insults and suffering for our sake. May the Lord give you unfeigned, true love for your neighbors and for all people...
To him who loves the Lord, everything will speed to salvation,” and from the Lord a person’s feet are straightened. No one saved himself, but we all have one Savior. A person can only desire salvation, but he cannot save himself. One must desire salvation, recognizing oneself as perishing, unfit for the kingdom of God, and this desire for salvation must be shown to the Lord by prayer to Him and the feasible fulfillment of His will, and constant repentance...” (Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev))
“You should always thank God. What we have, we don’t value, but when we lose it, we cry. Don’t forget to thank the Lord for everything: for waking up, for sending food, for seeing the beauty of the earth, for living through the day, for everything good, for His patience, for sending trials... » (Archbishop Gabriel (Ogorodnikov))
“Each one serve God in the place where you are called. If you are a priest, shepherd the flock diligently, like a good shepherd, laying down your soul for the sheep; if you are a monk - be an example of all moral qualities, an earthly angel - a heavenly person, and if you are a family member... - dear families, you are the basis of life, you are a small church (Archimandrite Tavrion (Batozsky))
“Pray when you have feelings and health, do not put off prayer until the last minute of your life until the last hour. It’s good to pray during the day, but night prayer is incomparable...” (Hieromonk Daniel (Fomin))
“Fight sin - know your business... Humiliation is good... You should always blame yourself... There should be no attachment to anyone or anything, only to God... We must strive for God, seek the Divine , what to become attached to a person.”
“Just as a bee collects honey from flowers, so a person must learn good things from every person... The Lord gave good talents to each person, and from these Lord’s talents you must take as much as you can, as much as circumstances allow. And throw away the bad, both your own and someone else’s: try to eradicate your own evil, and immediately discard someone else’s bad. And you should never gloat. The Lord has hidden many things from us; Much of our own is closed. Many great sinners became great righteous people when they realized their sins and repented. And many former righteous people died because of pride and conceit. Everyone must believe and firmly know that no one with his own strength and reason and good deeds can be saved without God. And we are all saved by a great sacrifice. This sacrifice is the Son of God, who suffered for us and shed His most pure blood for us.” (Elder Theodore (Sokolov))
“The consciousness that you are not moving forward spiritually will serve as self-reproach... Whatever happens to you, never blame anyone but yourself. Thank God for all your troubles and adversities. If you believe in God’s providence and trust Him, you will find great peace.” (Reverend Barnabas (Elder of Radonezh))
“... In everyday life, it is important not to let yourself be oppressed by thoughts about material things, not to tremble over them, but to maintain a certain indifference towards them. Possessing this quality, we will be able not only to be more free spiritually, but also to conduct all our affairs more easily...
The best way to prepare for the future is to live the present as best as possible... We need to live in the present... We should first of all be concerned with what we are in the present, with the state in which we can presently appear before Christ.” (Archimandrite Sergius (Shevich))
“We must cultivate in ourselves the spirit of meekness, humility, kindness, long-suffering and moderation in all actions. And in order to have such a disposition of spirit in oneself, one must remember the general weakness of man, the general tendency to sin, especially one’s great infirmities and sins, as well as the endless mercy of God towards us, which has forgiven and forgives us many and serious sins. our repentance and supplication.
The Lord said: “I want mercy, not sacrifice.” He, the much-merciful One, also wants from us mercy, mercy, kindness and patience towards our neighbors. He is always ready to help us in every good deed. If you have an evil heart, ask in repentance that He soften your heart, make you meek and long-suffering, and it will be so.” (Schiarchimandrite Theophilus (Rossokha))
“We must relieve each other when we see that a person is having a hard time; you need to approach him, take on his burden, lighten him, help in any way you can... By doing this,... living with them, you can completely renounce your self, completely forget about him. When we have this and prayer, then we will not be lost anywhere, no matter where we go and no matter who we meet.”
“We must fight against pride. Pray to God, asking for His help, and God will help you get rid of all passions... Don’t lose heart and don’t be discouraged. Pray to God with faith and complete trust in His mercy. For God, everything is possible, but we, for our part, should not think that we are worthy of special care from God. This is where pride lies. But God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Be attentive to yourself. All the trials that befall us, illnesses and sorrows, are not without a reason. But if you endure everything without complaint, then the Lord will not leave you without rewards. If not here on earth, then in every possible way in heaven.
Let us humble ourselves under the strong hand of God and completely surrender ourselves to the will of God and find peace of mind.” (Elder Stefan (Ignatenko))
“Achieve the simplicity that only perfect humility gives. This cannot be explained in words; it can only be learned through experience. And in God and for God one can live only in humility and simplicity. Achieve in humility love simple, holy, perfect, embracing prayer for everyone. And with mercy towards the weak, the sick, the incomprehensible, the unfortunate, those mired in sins, imitate your heavenly patrons - the saints. Try to acquire heavenly joy so that you can rejoice with the angel at the repentance of every lost person.” (Elder Zechariah)
“Evil does not destroy evil, but if someone does you evil, do good to him, so that with a good deed you can destroy evil.
If you want to receive the Kingdom of Heaven, hate all earthly possessions... Evil lust perverts the heart and changes the mind. Remove it from yourself so that the Holy Spirit does not grieve you.
Do nothing of your own free will, feel the presence of God in every place, and therefore do everything as before God, and not before people.” (Elder of Glinsk Schema-Archimandrite Andronik)
“If you don’t fall, you won’t know repentance. If you are slandered, if good is returned with evil, do not keep evil in your heart. Forgive and rejoice, because thanks to this you have moved several steps closer to God... Whoever prays to himself will rise... Realize your weakness... Conscience is a particle of God in your heart.
Don't worry about the flesh, think about the salvation of the soul. He who has conquered his tongue and belly is already on the right path... Without sorrows you will not be saved... The man who does not see his sins and thinks a lot about himself is daring. All those who are proud and conceited in heart are vile in the sight of the Lord.
Other people's sins are none of your business. You sit and cry about your sins... Breaking a promise is a great sin... You must have one fear - the fear of committing a sin.
Without knowing the spiritual state of your neighbor, do not give advice. Your advice could ruin him." (Archimandrite Gabriel (Urgebadze))
“...Beware of seeking gratitude. Never seek gratitude, but be grateful no matter how much someone receives. If you realize this, then you will have a great blessing from God... Because when God intends to help a person, for example, you, then He will send someone. This someone is random. Those. God sent him on occasion... Who am I, this random... The experience of my life has taught me that no one can help anyone with his problems until God's time comes. Then a solution will be given. Not as we want, but as He wants. This decision often hurts us, but as the years pass we will understand His wisdom.” (Schemonun Gabriel (Gerontissa Gabriel))
“You just have to eat food with the cross. When the time comes, everything will be poisoned. But if you cross with faith, you will live. And another person who drinks or eats the same thing without crossing himself will die.
Shut your mouth better, seven locks, as the holy fathers say, know your business: say the Jesus Prayer, how much good it brings in life. Silence is an angel's prayer. It cannot be compared with our human prayer... If we condemn our neighbor for some sin, it means that he still lives in us... When the soul is pure, it will never condemn. Because “judge not, lest ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1).” (Advice from Schema-nun Antonia)
“Food is a gift of God’s Love, a sacrifice of nature, and everyone should eat it with great reverence and prayer.” (Moscow Elder Olga)
“If you are married, what is the most important thing in marriage? Keep fasts. And if not, then live in purity and no lustful thoughts. Don't judge. Pray a lot. Loving God...Love covers a multitude of sins.”
To the spiritual daughter’s question: “Should I get married or not?” Schema-abbot Jerome answered like this: “Seek salvation. When a ship sinks at sea, sailors think about salvation, not about repairing the cabin. If marriage is salvation for you, then get married and don’t hesitate. And if this is a cabin on a sinking ship, then this is death. Seek salvation, and there the Lord will manage everything.
“Those who get up (to pray) at three o’clock in the morning receive gold, those who get up at five receive silver, and those who rise at six o’clock receive bronze.” (Sche-abbot Jerome (Verendyakin))
Elder Archimandrite Ippolit (Halin) in difficult situations he often advised his spiritual children: “Pray to St. Nicholas, and everything will work out.”
“You always need to blame yourself... There should be no attachment to anyone or anything, only to God... We must strive for God, seek the Divine, and become attached to a person... We must always remember the goal - salvation. This is the work of a lifetime... You have to take small steps, like a blind man. He lost his way - he knocks around with a stick, he can’t find it, suddenly he finds it - and again joyfully moves forward. The stick for us is prayer... Nothing comes quickly. And during life it may, and in the end it will not be given, but after death the virtues will surround you and lift you up.” (Elder of Glinsk Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov))
When to Elder Leonty When people complained about everyday quarrels, he said: “Don’t take everything to heart, look past it.”
“What has been sent down is all from the Lord for healing, for correction. When they tell lies about you, thank them and ask for forgiveness. Only then will there be a reward when you are not to blame, but you are scolded..." (Elder Nicholas from Zalit Island)
Pyukhtitskaya Blessed Elder Catherine She advised me to live simply and not judge others. She said that pride is the absorber of all virtues, and the reason for condemnation is an inattentive spiritual life. The blessed old woman called on everyone to fight pride and humble themselves.
“Fast, pray, this is salvation...” (Blessed Elder Schema-Nun Makaria (Artemyeva))
“You must put your neighbor in the place where you yourself stand, which means you must first leave the place where you stand... Everywhere the self has seized everything for itself, does not want to give up anything to its neighbor, and how can the soul of a neighbor love when it feels that he takes everything away from her, having the same rights to everything as she does... You must take everything away from yourself in order to give everything up to your neighbor, and then, together with your neighbor, the soul will find the Lord... You must bear fruits worthy repentance, you need to work where you sinned, get up where you fell, correct what you ruined, save what you lost through your own negligence, your own passions. Salvation is possible in every place and in every matter... (Abbess Arsenia (Sebryakov))
Mother Arsenia said that, according to the advice of the holy fathers, one should not make any decision during times of mental confusion.
“By the power of the Life-giving Cross, save yourself and protect yourself. The enemy is advancing - we must definitely pray. Sudden death happens without prayer. The enemy is on the left shoulder, and the Angel is on the right. Cross yourself more often: the cross is the same lock as on the door... If old or sick people say something offensive to you, don’t listen to them, but help them...” (Blessed Matrona of Moscow)
“Don’t forget God, and God will not forget you.” (Balabanovsky Elder Ambrose)
“With tears, I ask and pray you, be the suns that warm those around you, if not everyone, then the family in which the Lord made you a member...
Be warmth and light for those around you; first try to warm your family with yourself, work on this, and then these works will attract you so much that for you the family circle will already be narrow, and these warm rays will over time capture more and more new people and the circle illuminated by you will gradually increase and increase; so be careful to keep your lamp burning brightly.” (Holy Righteous Alexy Mechev)
Dear friends!
In this section of our website you will find the opinions of priests on topics that are relevant to each of us: from advice on where to go on vacation to recipes for your favorite dishes. The clergy collaborating with our site will share their opinions on the most pressing issues with you in an accessible and interesting way.
Please note that you can ask questions to clergy ONLY in the section. Questions to priests will NOT be accepted through the comment form on the texts on this page.
Sincerely, editors of the site "God's Law"
Number of entries: 21
About the servants of God
The “Tenderness” icon, whose memory we celebrate on August 10, depicts the Mother of God at the moment of the Annunciation. “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word,” answered the Virgin Mary when the angel told her that the Savior of the world would be born of Her. Not according to the laws of nature, because Mary remained a Virgin even in marriage, but supernaturally born (Lk 1, 35). This is the moment of triumph of humanity. “The joy of all joys,” Father Seraphim called this icon. Generations worked, acquiring righteousness, so that the first promise of the Savior would be fulfilled, who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3, 15); so that to bring to the Lord this beautiful fruit - the Virgin Mary, who through her humility became the Mother of God.
She wanted God’s will to be done so much that she didn’t even doubt it. She didn’t say, “This is impossible,” knowing clearly that everything is possible with God. She didn’t ask: “What about me? My plans? My personal life?” – because God’s works are more important to Her. Anyone who feels this and seeks to build their values accordingly, putting
Priest Sergius Osipov
Supported: 387
Does baptism change fate?
This is the second question that modern people often have in connection with the Sacrament of Baptism - is it possible to change one’s destiny by being baptized?
It must be said that in the very formulation of this question one can see either the roots of Eastern religions (“karma”), or occult and pagan roots.
First of all, we must clearly understand that there is no fate as a “programmed” life path - on the contrary, each person, making every minute his free choice between good and evil, creates his own unique life path. One cannot, of course, disagree with the fact that each of us is given some talents and abilities by God, all people in this regard are gifted differently, and in accordance with their talents, different fruits are expected from each, but to say that everyone already decided and destined, absolutely wrong.
Our actions give rise to inevitable consequences, giving rise to a chain of events determined by cause and effect.
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
Supported: 415
Great Wednesday
"Mary, taking a pound of pure precious ointment of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Then one of His disciples, Judas Simon Iscariot, who wanted to betray Him, said: Why not sell "This ointment is worth three hundred denarii and should not be given to the poor? He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He had a money box with him and carried what was put there" (John 12: 3-6) .
"But Jesus said: ... you always have the poor with you and, whenever you want, you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She did what she could: she first anointed My body for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the Gospel will be preached This will be said in the whole world in memory of her, and about what she did. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the high priests to betray Him to them. When they heard, they rejoiced and promised to give him pieces of silver. And he sought how to betray Him at a convenient time" (Mark 14,
Priest Sergius Osipov
Supported: 167
Maundy Monday
The Holy Pentecost, dedicated to prayerful and penitential work on one’s soul, has passed.
Holy Week has come, and the Church calls us, forgetting about ourselves, to descend to the Lord Christ on His path to Calvary, to suffering and death for man.
“Remember... what happened in the days of the Passion of the Lord: how many people there were, both good and terrible people, who would give a lot to escape from the horror and exhaustion of these days. Those who were close to Christ - how their hearts were torn, how their last strength, physical and mental, was exhausted during these few terrible days... And how hundreds, probably, of people would like to escape from this week, to be free from of what was happening: from anger, from fear, from horror...
And life didn’t let me go anywhere; the Most Pure Virgin Mary could not move away from the passions of the Lord; The disciples of Christ could not hide anywhere from their horror, even in those moments when fear prevailed and they tried to hide from the wrath of the people.
Priest Sergius Osipov
Supported: 135
The sacrament of baptism (continued)
Is it possible to register as a godparent in absentia?
This question can often be heard during the celebration of the Sacrament. The answer to this is unequivocal - no. Why? The whole point is that during the celebration of the Sacrament, the godparents make vows for the baby. The first of them is renunciation of Satan: the godfather and mother, turning their faces to the west, which at the moment symbolizes the kingdom of darkness, three times pronounce the words of renunciation for the godson - “I renounce to you, Satan, your pride and service to you,” after which they turn to east, to the altar, and make a vow of union with Christ.
It is important to understand here that with the utterance of these words, the godparents are entrusted with the responsibility of raising the baby so that his life truly becomes a daily renunciation of serving Satan and a model of fulfilling Christ’s commandments.
There are many similar moments when godparents take an active part in the service - this includes the acceptance of the baby
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
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Two recipes for fish dishes for the festive table for the Annunciation
According to the monastery charter, fish is allowed for two days during Great Lent - on the day of the Annunciation and on Palm Sunday. In no case do I encourage you to strictly adhere to fasting in a monastic manner; it is better to agree on the extent of fasting with your confessor and doctor. But I would like to offer two recipes for delicious holiday dishes.
Mackerel soup with spinach
Ingredients for a 4 liter pan:
1 large mackerel without a head (if with a head, be sure to remove the gills, otherwise the soup will be bitter).
15 medium potatoes.
Half a medium leek (you can also use regular leeks, but leeks go better with fish).
1 carrot.
Half a pack of chopped frozen spinach.
Salt, pepper and spices to taste.
Preparation:
Pour cold water into a saucepan and place the gutted, washed mackerel in it. Cook after boiling for 40 minutes.
At this time we clean
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
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The sacrament of baptism (continued)
Why are babies baptized?
Until now, we have talked about the need to prepare for baptism for adults who have reached the age of majority, however, in the Orthodox Church there is a custom to baptize infants, who, due to their age, not only do not yet understand the dogmas of the faith, but, as Scripture says, “do not discern where is right, where is left.” What is the basis for this practice?
For those who doubt the correctness of infant baptism, we should recall several passages from Holy Scripture, where it is said that the Apostles baptized entire families, in which, along with adults, there were also children, for example, the family of Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) , the family of the jailer (Acts 16:34-37), Crispus (Acts 18:8) and the “house of Stephen” (1 Cor. 1:16). Already in the first centuries of Christianity, the possibility of baptism in infancy was enshrined in the decrees of several Councils of the Church: 124 rule of the Council of Carthage (5th century AD) and 84 rule of the VI Ecumenical Council (7th century
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
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Sacrament of Baptism
Today we will talk about the Sacrament, which is the most initial for a Christian, since it introduces him into the bosom of the Church - this is the Sacrament of holy baptism. What is baptism? How should you prepare for it? Why do we baptize not only adults, but also infants? Who are godparents and what is their role? These are just some of the questions we will cover. And finally, let’s leave the most important and provocative of them: can a baptized person consider himself a Christian?
What is the meaning of baptism?
So, the Sacrament of Baptism is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church. It was established by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (see Matthew 28:19-20 and John 3:5-7) and, as the Orthodox catechism teaches, thanks to him “a believer, when his body is immersed three times in water, calling on God the Father, and The Son and the Holy Spirit dies to a sinful life, and is reborn by the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, holy life. Since Baptism is a spiritual birth, and a person is born once, then
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
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New book by Father Elijah Kokin "The Life and Teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ"
Recently I came across the textbook by Deacon Elijah Kokin, “The Life and Teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.” For a long time, not a single Orthodox book, much less a textbook, impressed me so much. This book is pleasant to hold in your hands: smooth paper and beautiful design. But the main value of this book is hidden in the content. It is written in such simple and understandable language that you immediately want to start reading it to children. The accessibility of the presentation and the lack of floridness in the explanations makes it attractive for adults who have just begun to comprehend the full depth and beauty of Orthodoxy.
The illustrations in the textbook are simply wonderful. The child who
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
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Humility
The good mood of the soul, opposite to pride, is called humility. True humility is not insinuating and unctuous, not deliberately emphasizing one’s own insignificance. Even if you learn to act like this well (including in front of yourself), this lie will sharpen and sharpen from the inside. Pride will whisper about how such behavior pleases God, and conscience will be hurt by the imposed, incorrect image of the “humble.”
Pride makes you constantly compare yourself with others. He who has learned humility does not waste his mental strength on it, because he does not think about himself. And peace and tranquility reigns in his soul. He accepted himself as he was, with the characteristics and talents that God had endowed him with. He is not looking to do a “five” if he can only do a “four”. He doesn't even think about the assessment, but simply does what he has to do at the moment.
Humility cuts the rug out from under pride.
Pride makes you look exclusively at yourself, forgetting about God and your neighbor. And having accepted yourself
Priest Sergius Osipov
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Laryngeal madness
Let me today express my point of view on one question that, as far as I know, is of interest to many - what is “throat rage”? This word is often incomprehensible to modern people, this sin, the name of which seems so ancient, but, unfortunately, it is still very, very alive in people and haunts them today.
Laryngeal madness is a passionate enjoyment of food, gourmetism. In general, it is not a sin to enjoy food: food should be pleasant to the taste, it was given to us by God as such, however, people tend to cross the line of the norm in natural things. Laryngeal madness is such a pleasure in food that causes harm to a person, both physically and, naturally, spiritually. The easiest way to understand this is with an example.
Let's imagine that someone likes very spicy food. The spiciness of food has become a passion for a person: he feels pleasure from such a taste, and without spiciness he does not want to eat anything. But at the same time, it is known that spicy food is harmful to health, is poorly digestible, and may even cause problems.
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
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Pride
The word "pride" has two meanings. One is “admiration from the bottom of my heart,” for example, for a country or a school; the second is pride, a state of mind in which nothing can satisfy unless it is in greater quantity or better than others. When a person begins to compare himself with others, he falls into a trap. It becomes necessary for him to have more money, success, popularity, power than the one next to him.
Pride in the first sense is not bad. By admiring something or someone outside ourselves, we are open to other people.
Pride is the most terrible sin, because it makes you admire only yourself and turn away from your neighbor. After all, the one who questions the primacy of a proud person becomes his worst enemy.
But pride also closes us from God. How can a proud man stand before the One who is immeasurably superior to him in everything? Thus, the first perfect angel fell from God, and is now called the devil - “the adversary.”
Let's think about this today.
Priest Sergius Osipov
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My American impressions
My trip to the States took place back in 1997. And then it was a different country, at least in the eyes of a visitor from Russia, devastated by Yeltsin’s rule. My wife and I were invited to the USA (and everything was paid for) by my college friend, who immigrated there and came close to the bar called the “American Dream”. When he left our country, he asked to be baptized in my church. And now, in 1997, he had a desire to show me the country and at the same time talk about church topics, since America no longer seemed like a promised land to him. Earlier in his letters, he referred to it as “a very Christian country.”
We immediately celebrated our arrival in the USA with a trip to the “black quarter” of Baltimore. I don’t remember why my wife and I wanted extreme sports, but crossing the border between “black” and “white” turned out to be like diving into the underwater world of hungry sharks in a submersible. We, white aliens, were saved from Negro spitting and dirty curses by tight closed
Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy
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Lenten recipes
Fasting time. Abstinence in food must have its limits. If the ancient hermits, during Lenten abstinence, sometimes completely refused food, now even in monasteries there is a certain variety in the Lenten menu. In the world, not everyone can eat sauerkraut and pickled cucumbers throughout Lent - however, this is not healthy. Without indulging in excess, the table can be diversified during Lent. For example, prepare this soup - moderately nourishing and very tasty:
Based on a 4.5 liter pan:
1 can of green peas
1 can of beans (in tomato sauce or in their own juice)
1 can lentils
½ can of corn
tomato paste (to taste)
potatoes, onions, carrots - “by eye” (it’s better to take more onions and carrots),
Garlic (to taste)
Grate the carrots on a fine grater, finely chop the onion. Pour water into the pan until it is about half full, and cook the peeled potatoes until tender. IN
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
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How to properly tune in to fasting
What is the main mistake we make at the beginning of fasting? There is only one mistake - bodily fasting, but it has two diametrically opposed forms. Those who are just learning to fast often attach the main importance to food. Yes, undoubtedly, it is easier to decide on the severity of abstinence in food, in accordance with age, health and lifestyle, and take care of this first of all. We carefully study the composition of products, refuse vegetable oil, get used to eating only once a day - so we fast. In fact, abstaining from food is nothing more than helping with the most important things. And the important thing is to learn to live according to God’s commandments. It is important to learn prayer, love for one’s neighbor, chastity (meaning integrity of mentality aimed at pleasing God). Restriction in food in this case disciplines and does not overload the stomach, which is capable of distracting from the spiritual, being satiated.
Years pass and the Christian understands that bodily fasting, being an end in itself, does not benefit the soul. And some
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Forgiveness Sunday
On Forgiveness Sunday, we ask forgiveness for all offenses from the parishioners of our church. But how many have we offended in the temple? Yes, it happens that even in church we can say a rude word, or by some action cause temptation among people. But the main thing for which we need to ask for forgiveness is not at all in the temple space.
They quarreled with a neighbor and a colleague, were rude to their family, caused injury to their parents with disrespect, and showed little attention to their children. These are the real sins against your neighbors for which you should ask for forgiveness. We rarely see these people in the temple. If they visit a temple, it is rarely the one we go to. Usually these are parishioners of other churches, especially in the capital and large cities. But it is they who must ask for forgiveness on this day.
What if we can’t meet these people on Sunday? We can ask someone for forgiveness over the phone, or write a repentant SMS or email to someone. And colleagues have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness in advance - in
Archpriest Andrey Efanov
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Athos. Hilandar
Have you ever been to Mount Athos? I want to tell you today about one amazing Athonite monastery - St. Hilandar. Even if you have been to Mount Athos, you could not forget your first meeting with this Serbian monastery!
The pier of Hilandara - Jovanica is the first stop of the ferry "St. Panteleimon", battered by the winds and waves, which runs along the coast of Athos, probably the only ship in the world that only men can board. Those who have already been to those parts will understand me - remember that nagging feeling that you experience while waiting to see the Holy Mountain? The ferry departs from the pier of Ouranoupolis, sails along the entire noisy and colorful city embankment, slowly goes around a large cliff plunging into the sea, and behind it, before your eyes, in the distance and fog, Athos opens - a long mountainous ridge, going into some almost mystical haze with its two-kilometer peak. The delight of meeting the Holy Mountain soon gives way to peace, the bustle of the world remains somewhere behind, the silence of thoughts and the languid feeling of a soul thirsting for grace imperceptibly sets in.
Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)
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Vegetarianism. Diet. Fast.
You know, it’s good that you are interested in such topics! How vegetarianism and diets differ from fasting are subtle questions that are only interesting to thinking people.
What is the difference? In goals, motives, at the very core.
What are the motives, for example, for vegetarianism? This phenomenon, which first took shape in England not without the influence of Buddhism, states the following: people should not cause suffering to animals, plant foods are more natural for humans and reduce the risk of serious diseases, in addition, they are cheaper and help save money. Some vegetarians express the belief that raising large numbers of livestock has a negative impact on the environment; in addition, a large number of vegetarians are motivated by religious beliefs - Buddhism, Hinduism, Adventism, etc.
Lectures by Professor Osipov
The lectures of Professor Alexey Ilyich Osipov are wonderful because you can start listening to them in any order. They are designed for a person who knows almost nothing about faith, or knows little and fragmentarily. Before I start reading any book, I always leaf through it - look at the end, in the middle, and read a few pages at random. If the reading interests me, then I dive in from the very beginning, sometimes rereading it. I can’t say that my method is ideal or correct. But this is my way. Find for yourself the most interesting, the most important to you personally - and then, as they say, “you won’t be pulled away by the ears” from his lectures. Go for it! Scroll, run to the end, to the middle!. For my part, for starters, I can recommend a simple and interesting lecture “Afterlife.” You can find it here: http://predanie.ru/audio/audioknigi/professor-a-i-osipov/.
Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy
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Currently, a large number of people who have understood in their minds or felt in their hearts that God exists, who are aware, albeit unclearly, of their belonging to the Orthodox Church and who want to join Her, are faced with the problem churching, that is, entering the Church as a full and full member.
This problem is very serious for many, since upon entering the temple, an unprepared person is faced with a completely new, incomprehensible and even somewhat frightening world.
Priests' robes, icons, lamps, chants and prayers in an obscure language - all this creates in the newcomer a feeling of alienation in the temple, leading to thoughts about whether all this is necessary for communication with God?
Many people say: “The main thing is that God is in the soul, but going to church is not necessary.”
This is fundamentally wrong. Popular wisdom says: “To whom the Church is not a Mother, God is not a Father.” But in order to understand how true this saying is, it is necessary to find out what the Church is? What is the meaning of Her existence? Why is Her mediation necessary in human communication with God?
The rhythm of Christian life
PriestDaniel Sysoev
Let's start with the simplest. Each type of life has its own characteristics, its own rhythm, its own order. So a newly baptized Christian should have his own rhythm and type of life. Firstly, the daily routine changes. Waking up in the morning, a Christian stands in front of the icons (they are usually placed on the eastern wall of the room), lights a candle and a lamp and reads morning prayers from the prayer book.
How to pray according to the text correctly? The Apostle Paul writes that it is better to say five words with your mind than a thousandtongue (1 Cor. 14:19). Therefore, the person praying must understand every word of the prayer. St. Feofan advises starting by analyzing part of the rule, praying with these words, and gradually adding new prayers until a person begins to understand the entire rule. During prayer, you should never imagine saints or Christ. This way you can go crazy and become spiritually damaged. We must carefully follow the words of the prayer with our minds, forcing our hearts to remember that God is everywhere and sees everything. Therefore, it is more convenient to keep your hands pressed to your chest during prayer, as the liturgical Rules say. We must not forget to protect ourselves with the sign of the cross and bow down. They are very good for the soul.
After morning prayers, they eat prosphora and drink holy water. And they go about their business. Before sitting down to eat, a Christian reads the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in Heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
And then he makes the sign of the cross over the food with the words: "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." After the meal, we do not forget to thank the Lord:
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast filled us with Thy earthly blessings; Do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom, but as You came among Your disciples, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.
It is worthy to eat as you truly bless Thee, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and the Mother of our God. We magnify You, the most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption. (Bow.)
During the day, Christians try to keep God in mind all the time. And that's why we often repeat the words: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” When it’s hard for us, during temptations, we turn to the Mother of God with the words:
Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.
Before every good deed, we ask God for help. And if it’s a big deal, then you can go and order a prayer service at the church. In general, our whole life is dedicated to the Creator. We consecrate houses and apartments, cars, offices, seeds, fishing nets, boats and much more in order to receive grace through this. If you like, we create an atmosphere of holiness around ourselves. The main thing is that the same atmosphere is in our hearts. We try to be at peace with everyone and remember that any task (whether work, family, cleaning the apartment) can serve both for salvation and for destruction.
In the evening, before going to bed, we read prayers for the coming sleep, asking God to keep us through the night. Every day we read the Holy Scriptures. Usually a chapter of the Gospel, two chapters of the Epistles of the Apostles, one kathisma of the Psalms (but the amount of reading is still determined individually).
Every week we fast on Wednesday (remembering the betrayal of Judas) and Friday (remembering the Calvary torment of Christ) and observe major fasts (Great, Petrovsky, Assumption and Nativity). On Saturday evening and Sunday morning we are always in church. And we try to take communion at least once a month (and the more often, the better). Before Communion, we usually fast for three days (so, if we take communion once a month or less, and if more often, then we determine the measure of fasting together with our confessor), we read the rule from the prayer book (three canons: penitential, the Mother of God and the Guardian Angel, as well as the Consequence to Holy Communion). We make sure to come to the evening service, confess our sins, and come to Liturgy in the morning on an empty stomach.
It is very useful to find a confessor for yourself - a priest who helps us go to Christ (but in no case to ourselves - beware of false spirituality!). There is no need to rush to the first priest you meet. Confess to different people, pray, and if you have a heartfelt understanding with someone, then he, gradually, he can become your spiritual father. Just find out first whether his life is pious, whether he follows the Fathers of the Church, whether he is obedient to the bishop or not. It is also advised to look at how he performs worship. Reverence before the face of God will tell you whether he can help you come to Christ. Ask your confessor for an explanation based on Scripture and the works of the Holy Fathers, and then follow their advice. This should be done not because you don’t trust him, but because you need training, which is impossible with blind obedience.
From the book of Priest Daniil Sysoev “Why haven’t you been baptized yet?”
MY FIRST PRAYERS
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of truth, Who is everywhere and fulfills everything, Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our souls.
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name's sake.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Symbol of faith
I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, born, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to Whom all things were. For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human. She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And again the coming one will be judged with glory by the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Amen.
Virgin Mary
Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.
Worthy to eat
It is worthy to eat as you truly bless Thee, the Mother of God, the Ever-Blessed and Most Immaculate and the Mother of our God. The most honorable Cherub and the most glorious without comparison Seraphim, who gave birth to God the Word without corruption, we magnify Thee as the real Mother of God.
CHURCH ETIQUETTE
Before entering the Temple, you should make the sign of the cross and bow three times.
To do this, in order to correctly make the sign of the cross, the thumb, index and middle fingers of the right hand are connected in such a way that their ends are folded evenly, the other two fingers - the ring and little fingers - are bent to the palm. With three joined fingers we touch the forehead, stomach, right shoulder, then the left, depicting a cross on ourselves, and lowering our hand, we bow.
You should come to the service in advance in order to calmly, without fuss, enter the Temple and be a participant in the service from the beginning to the kissing of the Cross. First you need to approach the festive icon lying on a lectern in the middle of the church: cross yourself twice, bow and venerate, that is, kiss the Holy Icon and cross yourself and bow again.
You must enter the Temple quietlyand reverently, as into the house of God. Noise, talking, walking, and even more so laughter offend the holiness of the Temple of God. In the temple, men of any age remove their hats and must stand on the right, while women pray with their heads covered with a scarf, being on the left side of the Temple. When entering and leaving the Temple, you must cross yourself three times and bow at the waist towards the altar. We bow with prayers: “God be merciful to me, a sinner,” “God, cleanse me, a sinner, and have mercy on me,” and “He who created me, Lord, forgive me.”
In health or death notes, only names and only baptized people are written. The Church does not pray for the unbaptized. Names neededwrite in full, in the genitive case.
In the Temple we can pray for ourselves, for our family and friends, for their health or repose. To do this, you need to approach the desired icon. When placing a candle in front of the icon of this or that saint, you need to be able to turn to him with prayer, request, and gratitude. Approaching the icon, cross yourself, gather yourself mentally and say to yourself: "Holy Father ( saint's name), pray to God for us." Then light a candle, venerate the icon with the same words and, standing in front of the icon with a lit candle, say your prayer. Who knows, maybe read the troparion. When lighting a candle for yourself or someone else, you can pray like this: "Holy servant of Christ and father ( saint's name), help me, a sinner, in my life, beg the Lord to grant me health and salvation and forgiveness of my sins, help my children. .." etc. When placing candles in front of different icons, especially during services, try not to walk throughout the Temple, as this distracts the worshipers.
The Church has rules of conduct during congregational prayer. When the priest overshadows those praying with the Cross or the Gospel, an image or with the Holy Gifts, everyone crosses themselves, bowing their heads. When he overshadows with candles, blesses with his hand or censes, you should not be baptized, you just need to bow your head.
Before communion, everyone bows to the ground and stands up, saying to themselves: “Behold, I come to the Immortal King and our God.” In front of the Holy Chalice, the hands are folded crosswise on the chest, with the right hand on top of the left. This replaces the sign of the cross, since you cannot cross yourself in front of the Chalice before and after communion, so as not to accidentally touch it and spill the Holy Gifts. When approaching the priest, they say their name. Having received communion, everyone kisses the edge of the Chalice. After this, a little warmth is received: diluted wine and a piece of prosphora, which are on a separate table. After communion that day, people no longer kneel.During the liturgy, one usually kneels three times: when the consecration of the Gifts occurs (from the exclamation "We thank the Lord" until the end of singing “I’ll sing for you” ), when the Holy Chalice is brought out for communion and when the priest overshadows the people with the Holy Chalice with the words: “Always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.” When the priest censes in our direction, reads the Gospel, pronounces the words "Peace to all" , it is customary to bow your head. At the end of the liturgy, believers go to venerate the Cross, which the priest holds in his hand, and kiss it. TO repose without bowing:
- In the middle of the six psalms on “Alleluia” - three times.
- In the beginning "I believe"
- On vacation "Christ our true God"
- At the beginning of the reading of Holy Scripture: the Gospel, the Apostle and proverbs.They cross themselves with a bow from the waist:
- When entering and leaving the temple - three times.
- With each petition, litanies.
- With the exclamation of the clergyman giving glory to the Holy Trinity
- With the exclamations of “Take, eat”, “Drink from it all” and “Yours from yours”, “Holy to saints”
- With the words: “The most honest”
- With every word: “Let us bow down,” “Worship,” “let us fall down”
- During the words: “Alleluia”, “Holy God” and “Come, let us worship”,
- at the cry of “Glory to you, Christ God,”
- before leaving - three times
- On the canon on the 1st - 9th song at the first invocation to the Lord, the Mother of God or the Saints
- At the litia, after each of the first three petitions of the litany, there are three bows, after the other two, one bow.Cross themselves with a bow to the ground
- During fasting, when entering and leaving the temple - three times
- During Lent, after each chorus to the song of the Mother of God “We magnify you”
- At the beginning of the chant: “Worthy and Righteous”
- After “We’ll sing for you”
- After “It is worthy to eat” or Zadostoynik
- At the cry: “And grant us, Master”
- When carrying out the Holy Gifts, with the words: “With the fear of God” and a second time - with the words: “Always, now and ever”
- In Great Lent, at Great Compline, while singing “Holy Lady,” at every verse; when reading “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice” and so on. at the Lenten Supper - three bows
- During fasting with the prayer “Lord and Master of my life”
- During the fast, during the final singing: “Remember me, Lord, when you come in Your Kingdom.” Just three prostrationsHalf bow without the sign of the cross: With the words:
- "Peace to all"
- "The blessing of the Lord is upon you"
- "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ"
- "And may the mercy of the Great God be"
- At the words of the deacon: “And forever and ever” (after “For art thou light, our God”) It is not necessary to be baptized:
- While reading the psalms
- In general, while singingYou need to cross yourself and bow down at the end of the singing, and not at the last words. Prostrations to the ground are not allowed:
- On Sundays,
- in the days from Christmas to Epiphany,
- from Easter to Pentecost,
- on the days of the Transfiguration and Exaltation (on this day there are three prostrations to the Cross). Bowing stops from the evening entrance until “Grant, O Lord,” at Vespers on the very day of the holiday.
SACRAMENTS
- Baptism. A symbol of a person’s entry into the Church. It is performed according to the faith of the person being baptized (adult) or according to the faith of the baby’s parents. This is the only sacrament that can be performed not only by a priest, but (if necessary) by any layman. Baptism is performed with water (a symbol of the washing of the spirit), but if absolutely necessary, snow or sand can be taken.
- Confirmation. The mystery of the descent of the Spirit of God on a newly baptized member of the Church. Usually performed immediately after baptism.
- Repentance. The sacrament of reconciliation of a sinner with God through confession and permission given by the priest
- Eucharist, or communion. Participation in the eternally occurring Last Supper of Christ. The Eucharist is the incarnation of Christ under the guise of bread and wine, the reception of which means participation in the redemptive mystery.
- Blessing of oil, or unction. A sacrament performed on the sick for their healing
- Marriage. The sacrament of the sanctification of married life...
- Priesthood, or ordination. The sacrament of the transfer of apostolic grace from bishop to bishop and the right to perform sacred functions from bishop to priest. There are three degrees of priesthood: bishop, priest, deacon. The first performs all seven sacraments, the second - everything except ordination. The deacon only assists in the performance of the sacraments. Patriarch, metropolitan, archbishop are not a rank, but only different forms of episcopal service.
CHURCH CALENDAR
HOLIDAYS
Twelfth Moving Holidays
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem- Sunday;
Easter- Sunday;
Ascension of the Lord- Thursday;
Day of the Holy Trinity(Pentecost) - Sunday.
Twelfth Immovable Holidays
Epiphany- January 6/19;
Presentation of the Lord- February 2/15;
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary- March 25/April 7;
Transfiguration- August 6/19;
Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary- August 15/28;
Exaltation of the Holy Cross- September 14/27;
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple- November 21/December 4;
Nativity- December 25/January 7.
Great Holidays
Circumcision of the Lord- January 1/14;
Nativity of John the Baptist- June 24/July 7;
Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul- June 29/July 12;
Beheading of John the Baptist- August 29/September 11;
Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary- October 1/14.
Church reckoning is carried out according to the old style. The second date indicates the new style.
POSTS
There are four long fasts a year. In addition, the Church established fast days - Wednesday and Friday - throughout the year. One-day fasts have also been established to commemorate some events.
Multi-day posts
Lent- pre-Easter, lasts a total of seven weeks. Fast strict. Very strict weeks- first, fourth (Worship of the Cross) and seventh (Passion). During Holy Week, fasting ends after the liturgy on Holy Saturday. According to custom, they break their fast only after Easter Matins, i.e. on the night of Holy Resurrection.
Great Lent is associated with a rotating circle of holidays and therefore falls on different dates in different years, depending on the day of Easter celebration.
Petrov post- before the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Starts on All Saints' Day (Sunday after Trinity) and continues until July 12 in the new style. This fast changes its duration in different years, because it depends on the day of Easter celebration. This post is the least strict, ordinary.
Dormition post- before the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. It always falls on the same dates: August 14-28 new style. This - strict fast.
Christmas (Filippov) post- begins the day after the celebration of the Apostle Philip, always falls on the same days: November 28 - January 7 new style.
One-day posts
Wednesday and Friday- throughout the year, except for continuous weeks (weeks) and Christmastide. Fast ordinary.
Epiphany Christmas Eve- January 5/18. Fast very strict(there is a folk custom on this day not to eat until the star).
Beheading of John the Baptist- August 25/September 11. Fast strict.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross- September 14/27. Fast strict.
Very strict post- dry eating. They eat only raw plant foods without oil.
Strict fasting- eat any boiled vegetable food with vegetable oil.
Regular post- in addition to what they eat during strict fasting, they also eat fish.
Weakened post(for the weak, on the road and eating in canteens) - they eat everything except meat.
HOW TO CORRECTLY REMEMBER THE DECEASED.
The custom of remembering the dead is already found in the Old Testament Church. The Apostolic Constitutions mention the commemoration of the dead with particular clarity. In them we find both prayers for the departed during the celebration of the Eucharist, and an indication of the days on which it is especially necessary to remember the departed: third, ninth, fortieth, annual Thus, the remembrance of the departed is an apostolic institution, it is observed throughout the Church, and the liturgy for the departed, the offering of the Bloodless Sacrifice for their salvation, is the most powerful and effective means of asking the departed for the mercy of God.
Church commemoration is performed only for those who were baptized in the Orthodox faith.
Immediately after death, it is customary to order a magpie from the Church. This is a daily intensified commemoration of the newly deceased during the first forty days - until the private trial, which determines the fate of the soul beyond the grave. After forty days, it is good to order an annual commemoration and then renew it every year. You can also order longer-term commemorations in monasteries. There is a pious custom - to order commemoration in several monasteries and churches (their number does not matter). The more prayer books there are for the deceased, the better.
Days of remembrance should be spent modestly, calmly, in prayer, doing good to the poor and loved ones, and thinking about our death and future life.
The rules for submitting notes “On repose” are the same as for notes “On health”
Memorial services are served before the eve. Kanun (or eve) is a special square or rectangular table on which there is a Cross with a Crucifix and holes for candles. Here you can put candles and put food for remembrance of the dead. Believers bring various foods to the temple so that the ministers of the Church will remember the deceased at a meal. These offerings serve as donations, alms for those who have passed away. In former times, in the courtyard of the house where the deceased was, on the most significant days for the soul (3rd, 9th, 40th) funeral tables were set, at which the poor, homeless, and orphans were fed, so that there would be many people praying for the deceased. For prayer and, especially for alms, many sins are forgiven, and the afterlife is made easier. Then these memorial tables began to be placed in churches on the days of the universal remembrance of all Christians who have died since the ages for the same purpose - to remember the departed. The products can be anything. It is prohibited to bring meat food into the temple.
Memorial services for suicides, as well as for those not baptized in the Orthodox faith, are not performed.
But in addition to all of the above, the Holy Church at certain times creates a special commemoration of all fathers and brothers in faith who have passed away from time to time, who have been worthy of Christian death, as well as those who, having been caught by sudden death, were not guided into the afterlife by the prayers of the Church. The memorial services performed at this time are called ecumenical.
On Meat Saturday, before Cheese Week, On the eve of the remembrance of the Last Judgment, we pray to the Lord that He will show His mercy to all the departed on the day when the Last Judgment comes. On this Saturday, the Orthodox Church prays for all those who have died in the Orthodox faith, whenever and wherever they lived on earth, whoever they were in terms of their social origin and position in earthly life.
Prayers are offered for people “from Adam to this day who have fallen asleep in piety and right faith.”
Three Saturdays of Great Lent - Saturdays of the second, third, fourth weeks of Great Lent— were established because during the presanctified liturgy there is no such commemoration as occurs at any other time of the year. In order not to deprive the dead of the saving intercession of the Church, these parental Saturdays were established. During Great Lent, the Church intercedes for the departed, so that the Lord forgives their sins and resurrects them into eternal life.
On Radonitsa - Tuesday of the second week of Easter— with the departed they share the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord, in the hope of the resurrection of our departed. The Savior Himself descended into hell to preach victory over death and brought from there the souls of the Old Testament righteous. Because of this great spiritual joy, the day of this commemoration is called “Rainbow”, or “Radonitsa”.
Trinity Parents' Saturday- on this day the Holy Church calls us to commemorate the departed, so that the saving grace of the Holy Spirit may cleanse the sins of the souls of all our forefathers, fathers and brothers who have departed from time immemorial and, interceding for the gathering of all into the Kingdom of Christ, praying for the redemption of the living, for the return of the captivity of their souls , asks “to rest the souls of those who have departed first in a place of refreshment, for it is not in the dead that they will praise Thee, Lord, those who exist below in hell dare to bring confessions to Thee: but we, the living, bless Thee and pray, and we offer purifying prayers and sacrifices to Thee for our souls.”
Dimitrievskaya Parents' Saturday- on this day, commemoration is made of all Orthodox slain soldiers. It was established by the holy noble prince Demetrius Donskoy at the inspiration and blessing of St. Sergius of Radonezh in 1380, when he won a glorious, famous victory over the Tatars on the Kulikovo Field. The commemoration takes place on the Saturday before Demetrius Day (October 26, old style). Subsequently, on this Saturday, Orthodox Christians began to commemorate not only the soldiers who laid down their lives on the battlefield for their faith and fatherland, but along with them, for all Orthodox Christians
It is imperative to remember the deceased on the day of his death, birth and name day.
“He who has conquered his tongue and belly is already on the right path... You cannot be saved without sorrows... The man who does not see his sins and thinks a lot about himself is daring. All who are proud and conceited in heart are vile in the sight of the Lord.”
Archimandrite Gabriel (Urgebadze)
“In everyday life, it is important not to let yourself be oppressed by thoughts about material things, not to tremble over them, but to maintain a certain indifference towards them. Possessing this quality, we will be able not only to be more free spiritually, but also to conduct all our affairs more easily..."
Archimandrite Sergius (Shevich)
Athonite Elder Tikhon, before giving advice, he prayed, called on the Holy Spirit to come and enlighten him, so that his advice would be useful to the one who asks. He said: “The Lord left us the Holy Spirit so that we could be enlightened. He is our only leader. Therefore, our Church always begins its service with the invocation of the Holy Spirit: “Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth.”
Venerable Silouan of Athos:“Oh, man, learn Christ’s humility, and the Lord will give you to taste the sweetness of prayer...
Pray simply like a child, and the Lord will hear your prayer, for our Lord is such a Merciful Father that we cannot understand or imagine it, and only the Holy Spirit reveals to us His great love.”
Athonite Elder Porfiry:“There are no difficulties that have no solution in Christ. Surrender to Christ and He will find a solution for you.
Don't be afraid of difficulties. Love them, thank God for them. They have some purpose for your soul.
Gently and non-violently place yourself in the hands of God, and He will come and bestow grace on your soul.”
Athonite Elder Kirik:“Do not first begin any work, apparently the smallest and most insignificant, until you call on God to help you put it into action. The Lord said: “Without Me you cannot do anything,” i.e. lower to say, lower to think. In other words: without Me you have no right to do any good deed! And for this reason, one must call on God’s gracious help either in words or mentally: “Lord bless, Lord help!” with the assurance that without God’s help we cannot do anything useful or saving..."
Athonite Elder Joseph the Hesychast:“...Have moderation and reasoning in everything.”
Elder Jerome of Aegina:“Don’t seek comfort from people. And when you receive a little consolation from someone, expect double sorrow. Seek consolation and help from God alone.”
Saint Nicholas of Japan:“Mental life is made up of daily, hourly, every minute thoughts, feelings, desires; all this - like small drops, merging, form a stream, rivers, sea - make up integral lives. And just as a river or lake is light or cloudy because the drops in them are light or cloudy, so life is joyful or sad, clean or dirty because such are the every-minute and daily thoughts and feelings. Such will be the endless future - happy or painful, glorious or shameful - what are our everyday thoughts and feelings that gave this or that appearance, character, property to our soul. It is extremely important to protect yourself every day, every minute from all pollution.”
Hieromartyr Seraphim (Zvezdinsky):“Those who are sick, do not lose heart, for you are saved by illness; you who are poor, do not grumble, for through poverty you gain imperishable wealth; you who mourn, do not despair, for consolation awaits you from the Spirit who Comforts you.
Do not be angry, do not complain at each other, do not be angry, do not scold, do not be angry, but be angry only at sins, at the demon that leads to sin: be angry at heretics, do not make peace with them, but among yourself, faithful in peace, in love , live in harmony. Those who have, help the have-nots, the rich, give more, the poor, be merciful according to your strength...”
Reverend Confessor George, Danilovsky Wonderworker:“Our life is not about playing with cute toys, but about giving as much light and warmth to the people around us. And light and warmth are love for God and neighbors...
From a young age you need to lead your life correctly, but by old age you can’t turn back time. One wise man was asked: “What is most valuable?” “Time,” answered the sage, “because with time you can buy everything, but you can buy time itself for nothing...
Take care of your precious, golden time, hurry to gain peace of mind.”
Venerable Lavrentiy of Chernigov:“You need to have peace in your soul. Salvation is difficult, but wise. At this time, you need to be wise, and you will be saved... Happy are those who are written in the “Book of Life”.
In order to be recorded in the “Book of Life”, you need to read the prayer of John Chrysostom “Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings”..., talk with the Lord with your mind. Anyone who has an attraction to the church is written in the “Book of Life.”
If you need to leave the Liturgy, then leave after the “Our Father... And if you have already left with the Communion of the Body and Blood, then stand with fear and pray in place, because the Lord himself is present here with the Archangels and Angels. And if you can, shed at least a small tear about your unworthiness.”
Elder Zechariah:“Take care of your conscience, it is the voice of God - the voice of the Guardian Angel. Learn how to take care of your conscience from the elder Father Ambrose of Optina. He acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom without grace is madness.
Remember the words of Father Ambrose: “Where it’s simple, there are a hundred angels, but where it’s sophisticated, there’s not a single one.” Achieve the simplicity that only perfect humility gives. Achieve in humility love simple, perfect, embracing prayer for everyone, everyone...
He is wise who has acquired the Holy Spirit, trying to fulfill all the commandments of Christ. And if he is wise, then he is humble.
Achieve the simplicity that only perfect humility gives. This cannot be explained in words; it can only be learned through experience. And in God and for God one can live only in humility and simplicity. Achieve in humility love simple, holy, perfect, embracing prayer for everyone. And with mercy towards the weak, the sick, the incomprehensible, the unfortunate, those mired in sins, imitate your heavenly patrons - the saints. Try to acquire heavenly joy so that you can rejoice with the angel at the repentance of every lost person.”
Venerable Simeon (Zhelnin):“All sciences and knowledge are nothing without the science of salvation... You must know that the path of salvation is the path of the Cross... In the matter of salvation, the most important role is played by the Holy Scripture and the writings of the Holy Fathers - this is the best guide to salvation... After reading the holy books, a significant role is also played for the salvation of the soul repentance plays. Apart from repentance, there is no other way to salvation. Nowadays people are saved only through sorrow and repentance. Without repentance there is no forgiveness, there is no correction... Repentance is a ladder leading to heaven... The burden of our sins is removed by repentance and confession.
Salvation also lies in the fight against our passions... Those who are busy knowing themselves, their shortcomings, sins, passions, have no time to notice others. Remembering our own sins, we will never think about strangers... The one who judges harms three: himself, the one listening to him and the one he is talking about... Let us better notice virtues in others, and find sins in ourselves...
Getting to know yourself is the most difficult and most useful knowledge... Knowing yourself, your sinfulness is the beginning of salvation... In order to accustom ourselves not to condemn anyone, we need to immediately pray for the sinner, so that the Lord will correct him, we need to sigh for our neighbor, so that at the same time breathe about yourself. Do not judge your neighbor: you know his sin, but his repentance is unknown. In order not to judge, you must run from those who judge and keep your ears open. Let’s take one rule for ourselves: don’t believe those who judge; and another thing: never speak ill of those who are absent. Do not think evil about anyone, otherwise you yourself will become evil, for a good person thinks good, and an evil person thinks evil. Let us remember the old folk sayings: “What you condemn someone for, you yourself will be guilty of”; “Know yourself - and it will be with you.” The short way to salvation is not to judge. This is the way - without fasting, without vigil and labor.
Not every deed is pleasing to God, but only what is done correctly with reasoning... For example, you can fast, but with grumbling about the fast, or about the food, or about the food preparer; You can fast, but condemn those who do not fast, fast and be vain about fasting, run around your neighbor with your tongue. You can endure illness or sorrow, but grumble against God or people, complain about your lot... Such “good deeds” are displeasing to the Lord, since they are done without prudence...”
Archimandrite Afinogen (Agapov):“You live more simply, like a little child. The Lord is so loving that you cannot even imagine. Even though we are sinners, still go to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Just don’t be discouraged - be like a child. Even though he broke the most expensive vessel, he still goes to his father crying, and the father, seeing his child crying, forgets that expensive vessel. He takes this child in his arms, kisses it, presses it to himself and himself persuades his child so that it does not cry. So is the Lord, although it happens that we commit mortal sins, He still waits for us when we come to Him with repentance...
Without God - not to the threshold. If all your affairs are going well, smoothly, it means that the Lord has blessed them, and any planned work is being done, and if there are any obstacles in anything, then it is true that it is against God’s will; It’s better not to mess around - nothing will work out anyway, but submit to the will of God...
Whoever gives you a hat, and you thank him - that’s alms for you...
Live, don’t worry, don’t be afraid of anyone. If someone scolds you, be silent; and if you walk by when someone scolds or condemns someone, don’t listen.”
Venerable Sebastian of Karaganda:“A golden mean is needed in everything and moderation. But in relation to serving God and one’s salvation, constancy is needed. It’s the main thing, not haste, not excessiveness... If you drive more quietly, you’ll get further.”
Schema-abbot Savva (Ostapenko): “It is possible and even commendable to use lots in perplexed cases. Before this, you need to bow three times with the Jesus Prayer and read “To the Heavenly King”, three times “Our Father”, three times “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary” and “I Believe”. You just need to have living faith and trust in God.”
Schema-abbot Savva advised believers to read the following prayer daily at home: “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and His suffering for the human race, depart, enemy of the human race, from this house for 24 hours. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Elder Schema-Archimandrite Theophilus (Rossokha):“To live as a Christian, stick to the Orthodox Church. Live a Christian life. Once a month you need to take communion, drink Epiphany water at home and part of the holy prosphora in the morning.
The Gospel says: “Your faith has saved you,” that is, the first Christians had great faith. The Lord reminded them to have a living faith and high Christian piety. So they tried to live for real. The Lord blessed them for their labors and exploits. They strongly confessed Christ, believed in Him and often gave their lives - like the holy healer Panteleimon, St. George the Victorious (Diocletian's first minister), the Great Martyr Barbara, the Great Martyr Paraskeva, the Great Martyr Catherine and others... These are the lights of the first Christian people! Imitate them, read them, follow them.
We must cultivate in ourselves the spirit of meekness, humility, kindness, long-suffering and moderation in all our actions. And in order to have such a disposition of spirit, we must remember the general weakness of man, the general tendency to sin, especially our great weaknesses and sins, as well as the endless mercy of God towards us, which has forgiven and forgives us many and serious sins. our repentance and supplication.
The Lord said: “I want mercy, not sacrifice.” He, the much-merciful One, also wants from us mercy, mercy, kindness and patience towards our neighbors. He is always ready to help us in every good deed. If you have an evil heart, ask in repentance that He soften your heart, make you meek and long-suffering, and it will be so.”
Rev. Alexy (Soloviev):“Never make any promises. As soon as you give it, the enemy will immediately begin to interfere. For example, regarding eating meat. Don’t make a vow, or else don’t eat for the rest of your life.
Alms can be given not only for peace, but also for health, for this brings great benefit to the soul.”
Glinsky Elder Schema-Archimandrite Andronik (Lukash):“Do nothing of your own free will, feel the presence of God in every place, and therefore do everything as before God, and not before people.
Malice does not destroy evil, but if someone does evil to you, do good to him, so that with a good deed you can destroy evil.
If you want to receive the Kingdom of Heaven, hate all earthly possessions... Evil lust perverts the heart and changes the mind. Keep him away from you, so that the Holy Spirit does not grieve you.”
Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev): “We must do everything within our power. All the energy is spent on the body, but only a few sleepy minutes are left for the soul. Is this possible? We must remember the words of the Savior: Seek first the kingdom of God... and so on. This commandment is like “thou shalt not kill,” “thou shalt not commit fornication,” etc. Violation of this commandment often harms the soul more than an accidental fall. It imperceptibly cools the soul, keeps it insensible, and often leads to spiritual death... We must at least once a day for a few minutes put ourselves on trial before the Lord, as if we had died and on the fortieth day we stand before the Lord and wait for the saying about us, where the Lord will send us. Having presented ourselves mentally before the Lord in anticipation of judgment, we will cry and beg God’s mercy for mercy on us, for the release of our huge unpaid debt. I advise everyone to take this into constant practice until death. It’s better in the evening, or at any time, to concentrate with all your soul and beg the Lord to forgive us and have mercy; even better several times a day. This is the commandment of God and the Holy Fathers, take at least a little care of your soul. Everything passes, death is behind us, and we don’t think at all about what we will appear in court with and what the Righteous Judge, who knows and remembers our every movement - the most subtle - of soul and body from youth to death, will pronounce about us. How will we respond?
That is why the Holy Fathers cried here and begged the Lord for forgiveness, so as not to cry at the Judgment and in eternity. If they needed to cry, then why do we, the damned, consider ourselves good and live so carelessly and think only about everyday things. Forgive me, teaching and doing nothing...
“To him who loves the Lord, all things hasten to salvation,” and from the Lord man’s feet are straightened. No one saved himself, but we all have one Savior. A person can only desire salvation, but he cannot save himself. One must desire salvation, having recognized oneself as perishing, unfit for the kingdom of God, and this desire for salvation must be shown to the Lord by prayer to Him and the feasible fulfillment of His will, and constant repentance...”
Archbishop Gabriel (Ogorodnikov): “You should always thank God. What we have, we don’t value, but when we lose it, we cry. Don’t forget to thank the Lord for everything: for waking up, for sending food, for seeing the beauty of the earth, for living through the day, for everything good, for His patience, for sending trials...”
Archimandrite Tavrion (Batozsky):“Each one serve God in the place where you are called. If you are a priest, shepherd the flock diligently, like a good shepherd, laying down your soul for the sheep; if you are a monk - be an example of all moral qualities, an earthly angel - a heavenly person, and if you are a family member... - dear families, you are the basis of life, you are a small church.”
Hieromonk Daniel (Fomin):“Pray when you have feelings and health, do not put off prayer until the last minute of your life until the last hour. It’s good to pray during the day, but night prayer is incomparable..."
Glinsky Elder Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov):“Fight sin - know your business... Humiliation is good...
You always need to blame yourself... There should be no attachment to anyone or anything, only to God... We must strive for God, seek the Divine, and become attached to a person... We must always remember the goal - salvation. This is the work of a lifetime... You have to take small steps, like a blind man. He lost his way - he knocks around with a stick, he can’t find it, suddenly he finds it - and again joyfully moves forward. The stick for us is prayer... Nothing comes quickly. And during life it may, and in the end it will not be given, but after death the virtues will surround you and lift you up.”
Elder Theodore (Sokolov):“Just as a bee collects honey from flowers, so a person must learn good things from every person... The Lord gave good talents to each person, and from these Lord’s talents you must take as much as you can, as much as circumstances allow. And throw away the bad, both your own and someone else’s: try to eradicate your own evil, and immediately discard someone else’s bad. And you should never gloat. The Lord has hidden many things from us; Much of our own is closed. Many great sinners became great righteous people when they realized their sins and repented. And many former righteous people died because of pride and conceit. Everyone must believe and firmly know that no one with his own strength and reason and good deeds can be saved without God. And we are all saved by a great sacrifice. This sacrifice is the Son of God, who suffered for us and shed His most pure blood for us.”
Venerable Barnabas (Elder of Radonezh):“The consciousness that you are not moving forward spiritually will serve as self-reproach... Whatever happens to you, never blame anyone but yourself. Thank God for all your troubles and adversities. If you believe in God’s providence and trust Him, you will find great peace.”
Archimandrite Sergius (Shevich): “...In everyday life, it is important not to let yourself be oppressed by thoughts about material things, not to tremble over them, but to maintain a certain indifference towards them. Possessing this quality, we will be able not only to be more free spiritually, but also to conduct all our affairs more easily...
The best way to prepare the future is to live the present as best as possible... We need to live in the present... We should first of all be concerned with what we are in the present, with the state in which we can presently appear before Christ.”
Elder Nikolai (Guryanov):“What has been sent down is all from the Lord for healing, for correction. When they tell lies about you, thank them and ask for forgiveness. Only then will there be a reward when you are not to blame, but you are scolded..."
Elder Stefan (Ignatenko):“We must fight against pride. Pray to God, asking for His help, and God will help you get rid of all passions... Don’t lose heart and don’t be discouraged. Pray to God with faith and complete trust in His mercy. For God, everything is possible, but we, for our part, should not think that we are worthy of special care from God. This is where pride lies. But God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Be attentive to yourself. All the trials that befall us, illnesses and sorrows, are not without a reason. But if you endure everything without complaint, then the Lord will not leave you without rewards. If not here on earth, then in every possible way in heaven.
Let us humble ourselves under the strong hand of God and completely surrender ourselves to the will of God and find peace of mind.”
Archimandrite Gabriel (Urgebadze):“If you don’t fall, you won’t know repentance. If you are slandered, if good is returned with evil, do not keep evil in your heart. Forgive and rejoice, because thanks to this you have moved several steps closer to God... He who humbles himself will rise... Realize your weakness... Conscience is a particle of God in your heart.
Don't worry about the flesh, think about the salvation of the soul. He who has conquered his tongue and belly is already on the right path... Without sorrows you will not be saved... The man who does not see his sins and thinks a lot about himself is daring. All those who are proud and conceited in heart are vile in the sight of the Lord.
Other people's sins are none of your business. You sit and cry about your sins... Breaking a promise is a great sin... You must have one fear - the fear of committing a sin.
Without knowing the spiritual state of your neighbor, do not give advice. Your advice could ruin him."
Schema-abbot Jerome (Verendyakin):“Those who get up (to pray) at three o’clock in the morning receive gold, those who get up at five receive silver, and those who rise at six o’clock receive bronze.
If you are married, what is the most important thing in marriage? Keep fasts. And if not, then live in purity and no lustful thoughts. Don't judge. Pray a lot. Loving God...Love covers a multitude of sins.”
To the spiritual daughter’s question: “Should I get married or not?” Schema-abbot Jerome answered like this: “Seek salvation. When a ship sinks at sea, sailors think about salvation, not about repairing the cabin. If marriage is salvation for you, then get married and don’t hesitate. And if this is a cabin on a sinking ship, then this is death. Seek salvation, and there the Lord will manage everything.”
Elder Archimandrite Hippolytus (Khalin), in difficult situations, often advised his spiritual children: “Pray to St. Nicholas, and everything will work out.”
When people turned to Elder Leonty with complaints about everyday quarrels, he said: “Don’t take everything to heart, look past it.”
Balabanovsky Elder Ambrose:“Don’t forget God, and God will not forget you.”
Abbess Arsenia (Sebryakova):“You must put your neighbor in the place where you yourself stand, which means you must first leave the place where you stand... Everywhere the self has seized everything for itself, does not want to give up anything to its neighbor, and how can the soul love a neighbor when it feels that it has him takes everything away, having the same rights to everything as she does... You must take everything away from yourself in order to give everything up to your neighbor, and then, together with your neighbor, the soul will find the Lord...
You need to bear fruits worthy of repentance, you need to work where you sinned, get up where you fell, correct what you have ruined, save what you have lost through your own negligence, your own passions. Salvation is possible in every place and in every matter..."
Mother Arsenia said that, according to the advice of the holy fathers, one should not make any decision during times of mental confusion.
Blessed Matrona of Moscow:“By the power of the Life-giving Cross, save yourself and protect yourself. The enemy is advancing - we must definitely pray. Sudden death happens without prayer. The enemy is on the left shoulder, and the Angel is on the right. Cross yourself more often: the cross is the same lock as on the door... If the old, the sick say something offensive to you, do not listen to them, but help them...”
Schema-nun Gabriel: “...Beware of seeking gratitude. Never seek gratitude, but be grateful no matter how much someone receives. If you realize this, then you will have a great blessing from God... Because when God intends to help a person, for example, you, then He will send someone. This someone is random. Those. God sent him on occasion... Who am I, this random... The experience of my life has taught me that no one can help anyone with his problems until God's time comes. Then a solution will be given. Not as we want, but as He wants. This decision often hurts us, but as the years pass we will understand His wisdom.”
Schema-nun Antonia:“You just have to eat food with the cross. When the time comes, everything will be poisoned. But if you cross with faith, you will live. And another person drinks or eats the same thing without crossing himself and will die.
Shut your mouth better, seven locks, as the holy fathers say, know your business: say the Jesus Prayer, how much good it brings in life. Silence is an angel's prayer. It cannot be compared with our human prayer... If we condemn our neighbor for some sin, it means that he still lives in us... When the soul is pure, it will never condemn. Because “judge not, lest ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1).”
Moscow Elder Olga:“Food is a gift of God’s Love, a sacrifice of nature, and everyone should eat it with great reverence and prayer.”
Blessed Elder Catherine of Pukhtitsa She advised me to live simply and not judge others. She said that pride is the absorber of all virtues, and the reason for condemnation is an inattentive spiritual life. The blessed old woman called on everyone to fight pride and humble themselves.
Blessed Elder Schema-Nun Makaria (Artemyeva):“Fast, pray, this is salvation...”
Based on materials: pravoslavie.by/page_book/sovety-starcev
15 unpleasant facts about religion, Orthodoxy and Christianity in general
1. 99% of Orthodox Christians do not even suspect that Christians, Jews and Muslims believe in the same God. His name is Elohim (Allah).
Although this god has a name, he does not have a proper name. That is, the word Elohim (Allah) simply means “god”.
2. Some Orthodox Christians do not even realize that Christians include all people who believe that Jesus existed. And Catholics, and Protestants, and Orthodox.
But today there is not a single reliable confirmation of the existence of Jesus, but Mohammed was a historical figure.
3. The mythical Jesus was a Jew by faith and a Jew by nationality. Smart Jews, who were haunted by the fact that the Jewish flock was ruled only by the clans of Kohans and Levites, decided to split off and create their own office, which was later called “Christianity.”
4. Any religion has only two things as the purpose of its existence. They should be remembered, no matter who tells you any lies.
The first is enrichment.
The second is routine
The clergy of one or another cult are enriched. People are becoming ordinary. Any state supports the main religion because the church helps turn people into a herd.
In Christianity they say so - the flock, that is, the flock. A flock tended by a shepherd or shepherd. The shepherd shears the lamb's wool and exhorts him before making it into kebab.
5. As soon as a person is driven into the herd with the help of religion, he develops herd feelings and herd thoughts. He stops thinking logically and stops using his senses. Everything he sees, hears and says is a set of stamps used in the herd.
6. In 1054, the Christian Church was divided into the Roman Catholic Church in the West, centered in Rome, and the Orthodox Church in the East, centered in Constantinople.
All the theories and justifications for why this happened are not worth a damn (we will return to this later), the main problem was primacy. Who should rule - the Pope or the Patriarch.
As a result, everyone began to consider themselves in charge.
The guys reasoned like this: friendship is friendship, but tobacco is apart. They love money.
7. In 988, the Kiev prince Vladimir decides to be baptized by the Church of Constantinople. For many centuries, the church has been burning out dissent and polytheism in Rus' with fire and sword.
All documents dating back to the pre-Christian period were almost completely destroyed.
An entire class of people, called sorcerers, sorcerers, witches, and sorcerers in Rus', was almost completely destroyed.
That is, a layer of ancient knowledge and skills, the primordial language in which people communicated with nature and the gods, all the experience that people had accumulated over the centuries, was erased from human memory.
8. It is believed that the witches (from the Sanskrit word “to know”, “to know”) were a kind of conscience of the tribe, its moral and spiritual guide: “co-” + “-news”, i.e. "shared message", "shared knowledge". Conscience is a person’s way of communicating with God by comparing his moral standards with the standards of the people around him and with the experience of his ancestors.
A people with a conscience did not need such instruments as the state, religion, propaganda, or the death penalty.
There is an opinion that, due to the vast territory of the Eurasian continent, the remnants of conscience have been preserved somewhere in the outback of Russia.
Therefore, the genetic memory of Russians sacredly preserves the belief in the existence of justice (the root of the Vedas, by the way), conscience and truth.
For their evil disposition, greed and black robes, the priesthood in Rus' was nicknamed “the crow.”
9. The destruction of “conscience” by Christianity in the West occurred much later, it was more total and technological.
Death camps began precisely with the European Inquisition, when sorcerers and witches throughout Europe were identified, recorded, sentenced and burned. Everything, without a trace.
Truth and conscience in the West have been replaced by “law.” Western man does not believe in any hypothetical justice, but he believes in the laws, and even adheres to them.
10. The first crusade began in 1096, and the last one ended in 1444. For 350 years, peaceful Christianity, in the name of Jesus, destroyed countries, cities and entire nations. And this, as you probably understand, was not only done by Catholicism or some Teutonic order. Dozens of tribes that existed on the territory of Muscovy were also forcibly converted to Orthodoxy or wiped off the face of the earth.
11.In foreign sources, the “Orthodox” church is written as “orthodox”. We are orthodox, guys.
12. In the 1650s - 1660s, the so-called “schism” took place in Muscovy. Let's not go into too much detail, let's just say that the reason for the church reforms carried out by Patriarch Nikon was only two things - a sharp difference in church orders in Muscovy and in the Greek church.
In essence, the Moscow church turned into an arbitrary religious organization that amazed visiting Greek priests with its savagery. This became especially clear due to the annexation of Little Russia. Little Russia separated from Poland, recognized Alexei Mikhailovich as its tsar and became part of the Moscow state as its indivisible part, but the church and ritual practice of the South Russians converged with that of the time in Greece and differed from that of Moscow.
There was an urgent need to unify all this.
And second. The main political aspect of the reform was the “Byzantine charm,” that is, the conquest of Constantinople and the revival of the Byzantine Empire with the help and expense of Russia. In this regard, Tsar Alexei wanted to eventually inherit the throne of the Byzantine emperors, and Patriarch Nikon wanted to become the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Like this. Thirst for power. Thirst for championship.
Thanks to this, the Orthodox flock (remember what flock means?) led by pastors for another three hundred years hunted schismatics who did not want to rebuild.
So, perestroika is not only the subversive activities of Herr Peter and Mikhail Gorbachev.
13. If anyone doesn’t know, I’ll tell you. The only thing that distinguishes the Catholic Church from the Orthodox Church is called the “filioque” (Latin filioque - “and the Son”), an addition to the Latin translation of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, adopted by the Western (Roman) Church in the 11th century in the dogma of the Trinity: the procession The Holy Spirit is not only from God the Father, but “from the Father and the Son.”
That is, the Jewish Elohim in Orthodoxy is the only source of the holy spirit. But Catholics believe that the holy spirit also comes from the Jew Jesus of Nazareth.
These are, of course, formalities; everything always comes down to money and power.
14. But here's the problem.
In 1438–1445, the XVII Ecumenical Council, called the Ferrara-Florentine Council, took place. Such councils are called ecumenical because representatives of all Christian churches are present at them.
The decisions of the ecumenical councils are binding on everyone (like the decisions of the Hague Court), both Catholics and Orthodox.
At this council, differences between the Western and Eastern churches were discussed for a long time, and in the end a decision was made to unify. The council ended with the signing of the union.
Guess who, a few years later, disowned the council’s decision?
That's right, Muscovy.
15. What's the point of giving away the championship? So we tend our own flock, we are our own bosses, and here the Pope will rule.
Total.
To the two main goals of any religion - the enrichment of the clergy, the trivialization (duping) of the masses, we add a third, empirically identified - the thirst for power.
In Christianity, the most important of the deadly sins is “pride.”
The thirst for power is pride.
