The wonderworking icon of the Mother of God, “Helper in Childbirth”, has been venerated by women in labor since ancient times. In the nineteenth century many Russian families had this icon at home. While pregnant and when in pain during labor, women often turn with sincere prayers to the Queen of Heaven, hoping that the…
Today we commemorate the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is unmatched in the annals of history. The Lord God Pantocrator, who created both the visible and invisible worlds with a single utterance, humbled Himself to take on human flesh through the Most-blessed Virgin Mary, being…
To the Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, My Beloved Children in the Lord, Christ is born! Glorify Him! Let the celestial flames burn quietly and gaze in awe upon a humble corner of the universe, upon the dark earth, and upon the most treasured portion of that corner—the grotto where…
Akwa, Nigeria – Dr Echezona Obiagbaosogu, a former Catholic priest of 17 years, has announced his decision to leave the priesthood and embrace African traditional religion. Obiagbaosogu, who is a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said his fascination with African spirituality, particularly the art of rainmaking, influenced his…
Cetinje, Montenegro, January 3, 2025 Photo: spc.rs A shooter in Cetinje, Montenegro, took the lives of 12 individuals, including two children, before ending his own life on Wednesday, January 1. The violent spree was triggered by a dispute at a bar, resulting in the deaths of the bar owner, the owner’s children, and several family…
Pau, France, January 3, 2025 Photo: znamhram.ru A new parish community has been established in the southwestern French city of Pau. This parish, part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe, is dedicated to St. John (Maximovitch) of San Francisco, who was previously the local ruling hierarch,…
Svyatogorsk, Donetsk Province, Ukraine, January 3, 2025 Photo: svlavra.church.ua A new shipment of humanitarian assistance has reached the Holy Dormition-Svyatogorsk Lavra in Donetsk Province, which has been sheltering refugees since 2014 and has experienced Bodies of refugees found under rubble at Ukraine’s much-suffering Svyatogorsk Lavra The remains were sent to a nearby city, Kramatorsk, for…
Hidden well away in the Greek of The Mysteries of Christ’s Genealogy All biblical names carry meaning and were predominantly inspired by prophecy. No translation can fully communicate the richness of the biblical names and the images they evoke. The genealogy with which St. Matthew opens his Gospel reveals a significant theological insight, one that…
N. Klimova. St. Anastasia the Deliverer from Bonds In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Every saint has a unique podvig that they have particularly excelled in. Certainly, all those whom we honor as saints endeavored to uphold every commandment of God, which is essential for any…
Photo: monastery.ru In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! As we celebrate the forefeast of the Nativity of Christ today, the holy Church presents us with images of the righteous figures from the Old Testament who spent their lives anticipating the coming of Christ the Savior. They…
