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.

The Most Pure and Immaculate One
https://orthochristian.com/172700.html

Sermon on the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos
Hieromonk Zosima (Melnik)

The Nativity of the Mother of God is the beginning of the mystery of God’s Incarnation and our salvation, which is unfathomable to the human mind.

All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed
https://orthochristian.com/172749.html

Homily for the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos
St. Philaret of Chernigov

After her translation from earth to Heaven, the prophetic word of Mary was naturally fulfilled in all its fullness: From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. How can we not bless her now when, abiding in the glory of her Son, she intercedes for us as the Mother of all who believe in her Son?

Saskatoon church celebrates 50th anniversary (+VIDEO)
https://orthochristian.com/172757.html

Fr. Matthew Francis of Holy Apostles Mission in Chilliwack, BC, described the weekend celebration as a “prairie Pascha,” referring to the unity and joy reminiscent of Orthodox Pascha celebrations.

Slovakia: 5th annual mountaintop procession draws record number of pilgrims
https://orthochristian.com/172755.html

Faithful from various parts of the diocese participated in the event. Each pilgrim carried a cross during the journey, which they offered to the Lord in prayer.

St. John of Shanghai, the Moscow Patriarchate, and Other Local Orthodox Churches
https://orthochristian.com/172701.html

Archpriest John Whiteford

St. John was a monarchist, he was very conservative, and was a staunch defender of the Faith and Traditions of the Church, but unlike the extremists, he was not a sectarian or schismatic.

Ukrainian Security Service targets journalists reporting on Orthodox Church persecution
https://orthochristian.com/172693.html

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has sent to court an indictment against four employees of media outlets affiliated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, accusing them of treason.

Greek Metropolitans condemn persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Church as silence divides hierarchy
https://orthochristian.com/172760.html

Hundreds of protest messages have flooded the Greek Orthodox publication Vima Orthodoxias following its report on violent seizures of monasteries and churches in Ukraine by forces supporting the Zelensky government and the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”

Serbian Church marks 800th anniversary of Mesić Monastery
https://orthochristian.com/172756.html

The monastery was founded around 1225 when, according to tradition, a monk named Arsenije Bogdanović came from Hilandar Monastery on Mt. Athos and established Mesić Monastery with the blessing of St. Sava, the first Archbishop of Serbia.