March 19, 2019 299 1 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 111 0 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 108 0 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 4689 0 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 687 0 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 87 0 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…
June 27, 2018 654 0 The Letters of St. Ambrose of Optina on Monasticism and Life in the World January 3, 1879 … In our last letter of December 14, you wrote that you cannot find any books applicable to your situation….
May 17, 2018 171 1 Is it Possible to Live a Monastic Life in the World? Question: I want to give my life completely to Christ, but do not want to go to a monastery. Is it really necessary to…
May 11, 2018 614 2 Choosing between Monasticism and Marriage Most young people don’t know how to discover their calling in the life. Whether to dedicate themselves to monasticism or select the marriage path….
February 14, 2018 1943 0 A Look at Monastic Ranks in the Orthodox Church Although the Orthodox Church does not have religious orders as the Latin (Roman Catholic) church does, there are different styles of monastic life in…