Time Travel (Part 1)

Our lay sister Tatiana Zhedik met the relatives of the Hieromartyr Simeon Kaminsky a long ago in 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. This meeting reveals to us the story of the life of a little-known Belarusian saint.

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.

Dormition Fast 2024

The Dormition Fast starts on 14 August and ends two weeks later, on 28 August (for the parishes and communities use the old calendar (Julian)). The dates of the Dormition Fast are not variable, and the year 2024 is not an exception.

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?

Some less-known facts about the Orthodox Creed

Let us take a deeper look at the history and meaning behind one of the most important texts in Orthodox Christianity.

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…

Prayer, our plea for God's mercy for our world

Hannu Pöyhönen professor, doctor of theology and a founding member of the Panagia Monastic Centre in Lammi, Finland, addresses the anxieties, doubts and fears affecting mankind in our troubled times.

Obedience, the crown of all virtue

Obedience is the food of all saints; raised in the spirit of obedience, they rise to perfection through its practice.

Of hope, faith and purity: three stories from Mount Athos

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Here are three stories from Mount Athos that illustrate the truth of this biblical verse.

Can a good atheist inherit the Kingdom of God?

To repent is more than naming one's sins to a priest. It is naïve to think that someone who has sinned all his life and done nothing but evil can always repent at the last moment. One needs to have a change of heart to be forgiven, but examples…

In the Remission of Our Sins – Which Sins?

At Baptism, we are forgiven all our past sins, and in a confession the sins that we confessed. But when we hear the chant "in remission of the sins" at Communion, to which sins does it refer? Archpriest Vladimir Dolgikh explains.

Humility and prayer: what the elders from Mount Athos say

One cannot become pure just by saying Jesus' Prayer. One must exercise humility and appropriate exertion. A prayer without humility or exertion, your prayer is useless.

What is the true meaning of prayer?

With prayer, we enter a conversation with the Creator to partake of His infinite love, eternity and immortality. We do not pray to have our wishes fulfilled, but to become closer to God.

Three examples of steadfast faith in Christ

Examples of how putting all our faith and trust in the Lord liberates us from the fear of suffering, humiliation and even death.

Should Every Christian Aim for Holiness?

Are there any saints among us, and who might we call a saint? Saints live a righteous life; they have the gift of God’s grace and have a connection with Him in prayer. Are these accomplishments within the reach of a rank and file Christian?

Three stories from the life of Archbishop Theophan

Archbishop Theophan (Bystrov) of Poltava and Pereyaslavl was a confessor of the Russian Royal Family, a prominent theologian and insightful missionary. He was also a man of prayer and ascetic life and a direct acquaintance of Saint John of Kronstadt.

Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Last Russian Tsar Venerated in Minsk

The prototype of the Moscow myrrh-streaming icon of the Tsar-Martyr was painted in 1996 in California, by the icon painter Pavel Tikhomirov, commissioned by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.