The presence of children at church services is vital for their development, for their growth as Christians, and for the entire family to become more observant.
We’ve got to consider what we can give up for God’s sake. We can’t do much but we can bring to the Lord the small donation of the poor widow.
Abstinence means vigilance of one’s mind and heart, and then, of course, abstinence from certain kinds of food. For instance, total abstinence is recommended during the First Week of the Lent.
Everyone is given according to their strength. God does not demand that we starve and be exhausted by fasting. God demands us to limit our consumption.
A believer can make use of the enormous wealth of spiritual living collected by thousands of ascetics spanning dozens of generations. All that immense wealth is accumulated in the Church.
May our fast consist not only of abstaining from meat and dairy but also from sinful feelings, the vanity and negligence, which assail us not only through food but also through what we see and hear.
The dead are calling to a prayer. They are trying to bring us to the church and to repentance. Their souls are probably in anguish and asking us to intercede with our prayer.
The day of Easter is not a 100% guarantee of free entry into Paradise. However, when a believer who goes to church regularly dies on Easter day, it does matter for his soul.
Every person has his own measure because music plays different roles in the lives of various people. As far as church music is concerned, it is even beneficial. Lenten chants are prayerful and lead us to repentance.
The hardest, most painful and responsible phenomenon in our life is death. The world wasn’t created for dying and for people to bury their dead, but for people and other living creatures to live and rejoice.