Saturday, June 18, 2016
Pentecost
Monday, June 13, 2016
Ascension of the Lord
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Metropolitan Agafangel: Paschal Epistle
Paschal epistle
His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad
We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hades, the beginning of another life eternal
(from the Paschal canon)
The entire universe, from the beginning of its creation until its end on the Day of Judgement, is encompassed in Our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Incarnation and Resurrection, the world which had been polluted by the fall of angels and humans was transformed. A new stage of history commenced, in which the principles of life and death were changed.
Ever since the fall, life and death have been inseparable, so that one could not exist without the other. Death, the consequence of sin, is the absence of life. The Lord said of Himself: “I am (…) life” (John 14:6). Now death was swallowed up by life and abolished in Christ. The Resurrection of Christ trampled upon the very nature of death, canceled it and transformed into eternal life. That is a true miracle! The main mystery of death is now that there is no death. The transformation of death is the Pascha of Christ, eternal life.
For (…) this mortal must put on immortality…then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
(1 Corinthians 15:53-54).
Each of us is called to follow Christ, going through our own death into eternal life. This is the only miracle that is important for us in eternity. Christ performed this miracle, and we are able to repeat it by following Him.
Christ overcame death, destroying it, He rose from the dead, trampling down the personal death of each one of us, bringing people the gift of eternal life!
Truly Christ is risen!
Odessa, Pascha 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Holy Week Service Recordings in English
For those without access to services in church during Holy Week, the Annunciation Hermitage offers recordings of select services in English.
(scroll down for the latest recording)
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(this post will be updated regularly)
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Children’s camp at St Sava Free Serbian Orthodox Monastery
The annual St Sava children’s camp completed its sessions on Friday 9/22.1.2016. More than 30 children participated. Archimandrite Christophor, Abbott John (ROCA) and Hieromonk Simeon, along with others, gave lessons and participated in activities over five days. The great blessing of water: Getting newly blessed Holy Water: Raising the flags and singing national anthems: Diving into the pond after Archimandrite Christophor threw the Holy Cross into the water: Vespers for St John the Baptist Services in the Church: Group photo: Activities: Performing
Friday, January 22, 2016
Old Russian Proverbs
Fear life, not death!
The Devil is always dressed in the latest fashion.
What is well done is slowly done.
The truth has seven sides.
The Devil’s work is quick, it is bright and flashy.
God works slowly - look at nature.The stranger’s soul is murky.
To know a man you have to eat sixteen pounds of salt with him.
The past is not a bad witness.
If you don’t oil the wheels, you won’t get there.
From honest toil you don’t build mansions
