The Church is Our Homeland, and Our Allegiance Must be Grounded in the Church I am an American convert to Orthodoxy, and the abbot of a monastery within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. I am typical of the American Orthodox scene in that we are people of many
Salvation from sin, death, and the devil is not fire insurance, or a technicality. It’s not “once saved, always saved.” Salvation is more simple than you might imagine. #love #simplicity #God
Tending the Garden of the Heart Both my grandfathers, and my mother, were avid gardeners, so I grew up surrounded by the beauty of plants and flowers. The cottage garden is a distinct style of garden that is certainly my favorite. The use of traditional materials, in an informal design,
How do we approach the perfect Creator and King of everything? #God #angels #love
Wasting Time in Mindless Pursuits According to Saint Gregory Palamas, God has given us lordship over all the earth because of our capacity for sovereignty. With this sovereignty comes the responsibility to be good stewards of that which God has given us. “There is within our soul’s nature a governing
The Comforter will help us to love everyone, even when our enemy seeks to divide us. #pentecost #peace #politics
The Saints are Alive in Christ Jesus Vigil lights are placed before the icons of the saints, according to Saint Symeon the New Theologian, as a way of showing that without the Light, Who is Christ, the saints are nothing. It is only as the light of Christ shines on
Compassion is suffering together. Bring it to the one Who can bear it! #pain #prayer #jesuschrist
Don’t React, Be At Peace Each day brings on new challenges regarding the health of your soul. Those moments when a family member or coworker makes a remark that are meant to anger you, are those times you need to guard your heart. When those around you are gossiping about
All relationships have dry spells. #payer #jesuschrist #orthodoxy