May 31, 2022 Why Do the Orthodox Clergy Wear Black? Browse our online store and find the items that inspire you >> The custom of wearing black among the clergy and monastics formed over…
May 30, 2022 Orthodoxy vs. Catholicism – How Are They Similar and Different? Differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches Sadly, divisions within churches have occurred throughout history. However, one schism – called the Great Schism –…
May 27, 2022 Come with Me to Mount Athos. Part 56 Part 55 Back to Russia The ferry came, and the once deserted Dafni pier became lively again. Outside the local customs office, a small…
May 26, 2022 Blessed Natalya of Vyritsa and Her Extraordinary Animals “One day, Mother Natalia will come to Vyritsa. People will be asking for her help and prayer, as they have been coming to me.”…
May 25, 2022 Christian Insights on Life in Times of War It is not in our power to stop a war. Yet we do have the power to remain human, and most importantly, Christians –…
May 22, 2022 Monastic Clothing in Orthodoxy Browse our online store and find the items that inspire you Orthodox monks are required to wear distinctive vestments designed to remind them of…
May 18, 2022 Come with Me to Mount Athos. Part 55 Part 54 Shopping for souvenirs The bus departed, and the Daphne pier was empty again. Silouan, an elderly monk, returned with his face glowing….
May 18, 2022 Married or Celibate? The Evolution of the Views on the Celibacy Rule for Orthodox Bishops In the Russian Church tradition, bishops have historically been drawn from monastics, and rarely from the Ryasophore monks*. Conversely, in the Greek tradition, Ryasophore…
May 14, 2022 7 Liturgical Colors and Their Meanings Church Statutes have no rules about the colours of the liturgical vestments. In practice, however, it is customary for the clergy to wear certain…
May 13, 2022 Why Would an Archbishop ever Ride a Donkey? In the past, newly ordained Orthodox bishops used to ride into town on a donkey. This ritual evoked the Entry of the Lord into…
May 13, 2022 What Is a Tabernacle, and What Purpose Does It Serve? A tabernacle is a sacred vessel for keeping the Holy Gifts — the Body and Blood of Christ. The Holy Gifts are prepared on…
May 12, 2022 Can a Monastic Person Turn Down His Obedience? The word “obedience” has a number of meanings. One of them refers to a way of living in ancient monasteries, where novices voluntarily renounced…
