“Open War is Upon You”
https://orthochristian.com/172645.html

Fr. Lawrence Farley

We should do what we can to turn the cultural tide back to sanity and morality but at the end of the day Christians will remember that the Kingdom is not of this world and will not confuse political and cultural victory with the Kingdom of God.

Divorce as a Catastrophe in the Spiritual Life and a Grave Sin
https://orthochristian.com/172633.html

Priest Georgy Firsov

Just fifty years ago, these things weren’t even said out loud—it was simply understood by all that you do not abandon your wife and children. Yes, there were divorces, but not in these numbers. It used to be shameful to divorce. But today? There’s no shame—on the contrary, it’s often celebrated.

Mt. Athos: Archimandrite Vasileios, former abbot of Iveron, reposes in the Lord
https://orthochristian.com/172659.html

The renowned Athonite Elder Archimandrite Vasileios (Gontikakis), former abbot of Stavronikita and Iveron Monasteries on Mt. Athos, reposed in the Lord early yesterday morning after a prolonged hospitalization following an accident last month.

New book: Rivers of Living Water: On the Holy Elders of Kolitsou, Mount Athos
https://orthochristian.com/172632.html

This is a book for pilgrims, for seekers, and for all who desire to taste the freshness of the Gospel flowing through the monastic heart of Mount Athos.

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN Commission concludes
https://orthochristian.com/172661.html

The commission concluded that Israel has committed four of the five “genocidal acts” defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Local proclamation of St. Sofian of Antim’s canonization (+VIDEO)
https://orthochristian.com/172630.html

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message on the occasion, saying: “In the 20th century, God gave the Romanians great spiritual luminaries who strengthened the people in faith through their prayers, deeds and teachings. Among these great ascetics is also the Venerable Confessor Sofian of Antim, who shone in Romania’s capital through his love and gentleness.”

Fr. Josiah Trenham discusses “America After Charlie Kirk” with Tucker Carlson (+VIDEO)
https://orthochristian.com/172664.html

Fr. Josiah Trenham, rector of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside, California, appeared on the latest episode of Tucker Carlson Live titled “America After Charlie Kirk,” delivering a message about mourning, violence, and America’s spiritual crisis.

Newly acquired church blessed and opened as Romanian Orthodox cathedral in Dublin
https://orthochristian.com/172662.html

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland celebrated the formal blessing and opening of its new cathedral in Dublin over the weekend.

Chudov Monastery in Moscow
https://orthochristian.com/172665.html

Elena Lebedeva

The only monastery in Moscow dedicated to the Feast of the Miracle of St. Michael the Archangel at Chonae, and one of the most famous ecclesiastical monuments destroyed by the Bolsheviks, was located before the Revolution in the Kremlin, on Ivanovskaya Square. In earlier times, this grand Moscow monastery was even known as the “Great Lavra.”

New Orthodox Christians for Life chapters launching at several parishes
https://orthochristian.com/172695.html

Orthodox Christians for Life, which operates remotely, aims to equip the Orthodox community to strengthen its commitment to the sanctity of human life from conception to death. The organization’s vision is for every Orthodox Christian to learn and embrace an Orthodox pro-life ethic.

Kenya: 40 baptized in Nairobi, 300 catechumens preparing in Baringo County
https://orthochristian.com/172692.html

Baringo County, home to the Pokot people, is a remote and arid region where families live in poverty and often walk 15-30 miles to attend services. Orthodox Christianity was introduced there only recently by missionaries of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Raleigh Orthodox church welcomes 50 new catechumens, bringing total to 164 (+VIDEO)
https://orthochristian.com/172694.html

The growth at All Saints reflects a broader trend of increasing interest in Orthodox Christianity across America and the Western world, with thousands joining Orthodox churches in recent years.

Estonian Parliament passes anti-Orthodox Law for third time despite presidential objections
https://orthochristian.com/172698.html

Since the Riigikogu has now passed the law unchanged for the third time, President Karis must either promulgate it or petition the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional.

St. Macarius of Optina. Virginity
https://orthochristian.com/172699.html

St. Macarius of Optina

God never abandons those who have the good will to preserve themselves in purity and virginity to fall in this struggle; moreover for their struggle He crowns them with heavenly laurels.

A Humble, Angelic Servant of Christ
https://orthochristian.com/172646.html

On Fr. Valentin Amfiteatrov
Alexandra Kalinovskaya

The last decades of the nineteenth century in the Russian lands were accompanied by spiritual decline, which eventually led to the Red Terror. Fr. Valentin was a “burning lamp” for the faithful of Moscow, refusing to allow faith in Christ to completely cool off in the souls of men.