The Life of my Patron Saint Saint Tryphon, Abbot of Vyatka Commemorated on October 8/21 Saint Tryphon, Archimandrite of Vyatka, came of pious parents, living in the Archangelsk diocese. His parents intended to marry Tryphon off, but from his youth, he desired the monastic life, and he secretly left his
Creating a Christian Environment in the Home Creating a Christian home begins with the icon corner. The bright corner becomes the center for every domestic church, where the family devotions take place. This is also the family’s way of declaring to visitors that this is a Christian home, where Christ
Being Orthodox in a Non-Orthodox World In this pluralistic society there are many Orthodox individuals who’ve found themselves sharing their lives with non-Orthodox family members. Sometimes these families are not even practicing Christians, so the struggle to keep to the traditions and practices of the Orthodox Faith can be difficult.
The Call to Monasticism is all About Relationships The monastic vocation is a special calling from God that is all about relationships. It is a relationship that involves community (the monastic brotherhood), but primarily revolves around the monk’s relationship with God. Monks are not holy men who are living lives
Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery Church How can we possibly love everyone? We are instructed by Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. There are always individuals who come into our lives that we find difficult to like, let alone love. Given this,
Young Adult Retreat at the Monastery The Bible can only be understood through the Church, for the Holy Scriptures came forth from the Church. The reformers dumped the papacy only to replace that institution with themselves as the ultimate authority. Since reason and logic ruled, there was no room for
One Who Hates his Brother is a Murderer The scriptures tell us that one who hates his brother is a murderer. In the Our Father we pray that God will forgive us our trespasses (debts) just as we forgive those who trespass against us. If we do not forgive those
The enemy are not armies, but demons Many people are convinced we are living in the end times. They look to changes in the earth’s climate, ever more disastrous storms and the failing economy, as well as the political upheaval in our land, as signs of the end times. Coupled
With Peace of Heart Disappointments are Meaningless We often find ourselves disappointed in life. The job we really wanted is given to another person. An associate at work doesn’t invite us to the dinner party, yet invited a coworker and his wife. A person we’d love to have as a friend
We must strive for inner peace through meekness, kindness towards others, and gentleness of heart. Inner peace in a world of torment and sadness brings joy to our hearts, and joy to those around us. If we have inner peace, we can change the world. With love in Christ, Abbot