William J. Tighe on the Story Behind December 25 In this, one of my favorite articles, William Tighe explodes the notion we were all taught in public school about the ‘Christianization’ of a pagan festival for the date of Christmas. He uses historical fact to prove his point, and has thereby offered all Christians that […]
In Church Is The One Thing Needful
By St. John of Kronstadt Here in church is the one thing needful; here is a refuge from vanity and the storms of life; here is the calm harbor for souls seeking salvation; here is incorrupt food and drink for souls; here is the light, which enlightens every man who comes into the world; here […]
What Is Glory?
by Fr. John A. Peck If I have any part of this story wrong, I defer to Fr. Michael Oleksa to set the record right. This is it as well as I can remember it, with apologies to him. This really happened. As a student at St. Herman Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska, I had the […]
On The Nativity Fast: Preparation For The Soul
from Monachos.Net ‘Make ready, O Bethlehem: let the manger be prepared, let the cave show its welcome. The truth has come, the shadow has passed away…’ The herald of the pending miracle begins. It is the Eve of the Nativity as these words are sung. The transformation of the world, the birth of God, is […]
Life Skill: How to Open a Can Without a Tool
From Crazy Russian Hacker I thought this was so simple and so important that I’m reposting it here. Simple, effective – easy even! It could save your life… and the life of a cat.
Vanity
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. – Proverbs 31:30
None Dare Call It Fascism
by John C. Goodman Here is something that is odd. For the past six years President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have waged a relentless attack on the health insurance industry. In the most recent iteration, the president assures us he is not responsible for the wave of health insurance policy cancellations. The insurance […]
On Fasting
Let prayer accompany fasting and bring the refreshing benefit of God’s grace to a thirsty, weary soul! by St. Nikolai Velimirovich With fasting I gladden my hope in You, my Lord, Who are to come again. Fasting hastens my preparations for Your coming, the sole expectation of my days and nights. Fasting makes my body […]
The War Over Christian Beards
You’re more likely to see a beard in the pulpit today than at any time since the 1800s. But beards—especially among clergy—were once serious, symbolic matters. They separated East from West during the Great Schism, priests from laity during the Middle Ages, and Protestants from Catholics during the Reformation. Some church leaders required them; others […]
Can Fasting Prevent Dementia?
Warning: This Article contains material that may be shocking… to non-Orthodox Christians. Could fasting for two days a week prevent age-related brain shrinkage, heart disease, diabetes, and possibly even cancer? New research suggests that fasting triggers a variety of health-promoting hormonal and metabolic changes. Fasting – quantified as consuming somewhere between 500 and 800 calories […]