Convent of Saint Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Gethsemane

The spiritual centre of the Convent is certainly the church of Mary Magdalene. Pilgrims that come to the Holy Land always visit this church, which is located in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the very foot of the Mount of Olives.

Chronicle of the Convent: Rare Shots, Interesting Facts and New Videos

On August 22, we will celebrate the birthday of our Convent. Twenty three years ago on this day, Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, tonsured three of our sisters to Rassophore and blessed seven…

Popular Orthodox Churches in America

Today, the Orthodox Church boasts over two million faithful, with some of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in America. Approximately two-thirds of these adherents are part of the OCA, Greek, and Antiochian jurisdictions.

The Apostles Fast 2025 in the Orthodox Church

Many non-Orthodox Christians often wonder what is the Apostles Fast in the Orthodox Church. Each year the Fast starts and ends on different dates and even in different months.

Famous Orthodox Convents

From the apostolic times monastic women have played an important role in the spread of Christian faith. Today, despite being the smallest known social group, they continue their mission.

The Season of Paschaltide in the Orthodox Church

The joyous Easter season or Paschaltide is finally here! In the Orthodox Church, this season starts on Easter Sunday (April 20th) and continues for forty days until the eve of the feast of Ascension, which falls on May 29th this year.

Commemorating Christ’s Crucifixion, Celebrating Life

On Great and Holy Friday, we commemorate the end of this mission on earth and its highest point: His death on the Cross. He surrendered His soul to the Lord with the words, "It is finished".

The Great and Holy Thursday: Choosing Love or Our Deadly Passion?

Thousands of years after Judas’ betrayal, we are still confronted by the same choice: are we going to direct our love to God, and restore our community with Him, or betray him, to live for the world and ourselves?

Great and Holy Wednesday: Christ’s Passion Drawing Near

His disciples were unnerved: “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matthew 26: 8—9).

Great and Holy Tuesday: Cast Aside Slothfulness and Meet Christ

Christ cautions us not to liken ourselves to the five unwise virgins whose lamps faded when the Bridegroom Christ came: "keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matthew 25: 13).

Great and Holy Monday: a Call to Vigilance and Repentance

As we make our way through the Great and Holy Week, and relive the betrayal of Christ and His death on the Cross, we are called to do everything in our power to live our lives in the spirit and bear fruit.

What did the Virgin Mary look like?

Mary of Nazareth was born around the year 14 BC in present-day Israel. From her womb would come the incarnate Logos, who would change the course of human history forever. For this, she is glorified among all women. 

The Church Calendar, Our Roadmap to the Kingdom of the Lord

The calendar of the Church humbles our proud minds. It returns us to the truth of God the Creator of all things, including time, and thus its rightful master.

God Cares about His Children's Earthly Needs

Here are five narratives from the lives of God's saints and His children that show how God provides for our spiritual and earthly needs in the fulness of His love for us.

Upholding Faith Amid the Tragedy of the Balkans

In our reports from the Balkans column, we talk about the monasteries, churches, and Orthodoxy in that region through personal stories of monks, priests, abbots and famous Orthodox Christians of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and…

St. Tikhon of Moscow, American Period of His Ministry

On the 18th of November, we commemorate the restoration of patriarchy in the Russian Orthodox Church, a significant moment during the tumultuous days of 1917. At the helm of this crucial time stood St. Tikhon (Bellavin).

The Beauty of the Vladimir Icon of Theotokos

On September 8th, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This wonderworking icon is one of the most venerated in Russia and, according to tradition, dates from the dawn of Christianity.

How the Most Holy Theotokos intercedes for us:stories from Mount Athos

On 28 August the Church commemorates the Dormition of the Theotokos. The Holy Mountain, the realm of the Mother of God, celebrates this feast with special joy. Here are five examples of the Holy Virgin's intercession for different people.

Athonite prayer practices around the world

An Athonite ascetic said, "Lord, I pray twenty-four hours a day, and I cannot pray enough!" You have to experience the sweetness of God to say these words.

The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit: Gospel reflections

When you trust, you only ask a question once. The Lord asked Peter three times if he loved him, each time in a different way. Why?