April 17, 2019 The Role Monasticism Play in the Life of the Church You are not alone in asking that question. In a world where everything that is done has to have a “purpose” monasticism seems, on…
April 10, 2019 Rassophore Monk and Stavrophore Monk: What is the Difference? According to one tradition (e.g., the one observed in Kiev Caves Lavra), there are several degrees of monasticism. First, a novice becomes a Rassophore…
April 4, 2019 “It’s Never Too Late”: a Nun’s Story about How our Parents Come to God Sometimes This story happened to my father, Eugene Ivanovich, in July 2014. My dad is 82. He grew up in a village and he is…
March 20, 2019 Human Fates in St. Elisabeth Convent: Nun Vera (Gordienko), Part II Another Planet “It was extremely difficult for me to adapt to life in the Convent in all its aspects at first,” Nun Vera continues….
March 19, 2019 Human Fates in St. Elisabeth Convent: Nun Vera (Gordienko), Part I Vera (Faith). This nun got the name Vera during her tonsure for a reason. Before her coming to faith, this woman was addicted to…
March 4, 2019 Against Those Who Deny Demons’ Snares The Spiritual Meadow on the Devil’s War Against Monks People of our times often deny the existence of temptations sent by the devil. They…
February 4, 2019 Choosing between Asceticism and Pleasure If I was to ask any Christian what is more detrimental to your spiritual life, asceticism or pleasure, I think the answer would be…
January 31, 2019 What Are the Special Vows of Great Schema? When the priest asks him why he has come, the postulant answers that he desires the life of asceticism. So this is something that distinguishes…
December 7, 2018 Becoming a Monk: a Closer Look at Monastic Tonsuring in Orthodoxy I imagine that very few Orthodox have ever observed the rite for the tonsuring of a monastic. The first time I observed the rite…
September 25, 2018 A Word of Spiritual Advice from Mount Athos Labour as Prayer Your Convent helps many people. We pray that the Lord empowers you to keep up your good work because it is…
