Pussy Riot Women Vow No More Scandalous Performances After their release in March 2014, the two jailed members of Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot will no longer do performances such as the February 2012 show at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior that earned them their two-year sentences, one
According to reports on theAgionOros.ru (“Holy Mountain“) website with reference to the authoritative Greek portalHellas-Orthodoxy, the Elder Paisios the Athonite and other elders from Holy Mount Athos will be canonized within the next few days. The services of Canonization (Glorification) for the Elder Amphilochios (Makris) of Patmos, Elder Sophrony (Sakharov) of
Putting the Blame in the Right Place “A humble and spiritually active man, when he reads the Holy Scriptures, will refer everything to himself and not to another.” Saint Mark the Ascetic We all have a natural tendency to lay blame on others, when in truth we must blame only
Ask for Repentance in Your Prayers Our spiritual struggle must have as its central theme, repentance. Only in repentance will we find the true meaning of life, for only in repentance can we enter into communion with God. This life has been given to us for one purpose, that we
Novice Nicholas and Monk Moses awaiting Communion Asking for Miracles in our Smugness and Pride Asking for miracles in order to believe betrays a sort of smugness on our part, sort of like asking for an expensive gift from a perspective friend, before considering their overture for friendship. It could
The Gifts of the Lord Abound If we are attentive to all the Lord does for us, we will endure those times when our prayers seem to go unanswered. That God is not always giving us just what we think we need, in no way means he does not hear
Animals as Gifts from God Our beloved Norwegian Forest Cat, Hammi, is most happy when the entire monastic brotherhood is gathered together with him in our library and community room. We all consider him an important member of our community, and Hammi is the only cat I know who has
What we put into our minds does make a difference We have become a nation obsessed with violence, and our entertainment proves it. Movies portraying extremes in violence make huge sums of money for producers, studios and actors, while polluting the minds of millions of people with sick images of
Divided Loyalties “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). One should always be mindful of where we place our priorities.
Godly Friends and Spiritual Progress It is easy to feel trapped by our bad habits. We don’t like certain behavioral patterns that have become habitual, and we feel helpless in our attempt to change. Growing as Christians is often fraught with failure, and we find ourselves stuck. Our spiritual progress