"Do not stop reading the morning and evening prayers from the prayer book, comprehending the meaning of every word and reflecting on it.
Every day, read one chapter from the Gospel, epistles and acts of the Apostles, for a close conversation with God, read a Kathisma, an Akathist to our Lord Jesus Christ, or the Holy Theotokos."
Saint Anatoly of Optina

There are different situations and circumstances in our homes. I often get questioned what to do if one’s home is crowded and there is no special place or time to pray.
The Saint advises:
"If you have difficulty with your prayers and readings because you are not alone in your room, do not seek to keep the ritualistic order by standing before the icons and candles; pray and read as you walk or sit quietly in a corner."
Saint Anatoly of Optina

Today I read Saint Anatoly of Optina spitual teachings and feel like to share some with you, as they are truly wise , but simple and practical.

"Live simply, by your conscience, and always remember that the Lord sees—and don’t pay attention to all the rest!"
Saint Anatoly of Optina

☦️🌟 From the Martyrdom of Vera (Hope), along with her sisters and mother 🌟☦️
... When the second sister Hope also refused to worship the false gods, she was thrown into a fire, but she too remained unharmed and glorified the true God. The torturer was furious that he could not hurt her and ordered her to be thrown into the boiling cauldron, but it at once melted like wax, and the tar and oil poured out and burnt the bystanders. Ashamed that he was unable to shake the faith of such a young girl, the torturer ordered Hope to be beheaded. Knowing that the same cruel torture awaited her younger sister, Hope encouraged her and said, "Do not be left here, sister. Let us stand together be- fore the Holy Trinity." Then she bent her head and was beheaded with a sword...
St. Vera, pray for us!

☦️🌟 Construction started in 1801. The cathedral was completed in 1811 by Tsar Alexander I.
One of the best known missionaries in America, Archpriest John Kochurov, was honored with memorial services at the Kazan Cathedral after his martyrdom.

☦️🌟 Orthodoxy is focused on grace, acquisition of the Holy Spirit, it's not even remotely about the highest level of legitimacy of the rite, "primacy", juridic aspects and scholastic topics, contrasting with human denominations in that aspect.

🌟☦️ The brazen serpent, made by great Moses, was a symbol of Christ. "If a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived" (Num 21:9), and now when we are bit by sin, we turn to our Savior in repentance, and escape eternal death.

There was a question about holiness of marriage. Well, marriage is a blessed union, spouses should treat it with care, this is a path to the Heavenly Kingdom you take together.

"Keeping the peace in our families is our Lord’s Holy Command. As Apostle Paul wrote, a husband must love his wife as himself. He also likened the wife to the Church. Appreciate the meaning and value of marriage!"
Saint Anatoly of Optina

Metropolitan Theodosius publicly called out Bartholomew for his hypocrisy and the heresy of neopapism. Will try to translate from his 15min appeal in the near future.

☦️🕯️How great is the power of the Cross! How great is the change made by it in the human race! How from the deep darkness it has led us to the boundless light, from death it has restored us to eternal life, from corruption it has transferred us to incorruption. What good is not accomplished for us by means of the Cross?🕯️☦️

♰ Saint John Chrysostom ♰

☦️🕯️You call yourself a Christian, you sign yourself with the cross, you go to church, worship and pray to God, sing Alleluia, and what is most important of all, you approach the altar and commune the life-giving Mysteries of Christ, listen to the Word of God, and so on. All these, indeed, are signs of Christianity. But if you do not cease offending your neighbor and sinning, take care lest you become an enemy of Christ rather than a Christian. Examine yourself and think about how you treat your neighbor, and repent, and correct yourself, while there is time for repentance.🕯️☦️

♰ A Gathering of Spiritual Riches by Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk ♰

☦️🕯️ABOUT THE DIVINE LITURGY IN EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH 🕯️☦️

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Divine Liturgy is the central worship service, the Eucharist. There are a few main forms (all very similar in structure, but with different prayers and emphases):
1. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

The most commonly celebrated liturgy throughout the year.

Known for its beautiful, concise prayers.

Celebrated almost every Sunday and weekday when the Eucharist is served.

2. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

Much older, with longer and more theologically rich prayers.

Used about 10 times a year, especially during Great Lent, Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and the feast of St. Basil (Jan. 1).

3. The Divine Liturgy of St. James (the Brother of the Lord)

The most ancient form still preserved.

Rarely used, but celebrated on October 23 (St. James’ feast day) and sometimes in Jerusalem.

4. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (attributed to St. Gregory the Great, the Dialogist)

Used only during Great Lent on weekdays (since the full Divine Liturgy is not celebrated on fasting days).

It is not a full consecration, but a communion service with Gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday.

Photo : number 4

The Apostle Paul says that we are truly children and heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him…(Romans 8,17). What does it mean? What sufferings do we share in Christ? The Saints explain.
“This is what it is to be of Christ: to feel yourself perpetually crucified to the world, persecuted by it, violated and spat-upon. The world will not tolerate Christ-bearing men just as it would not tolerate Christ.” - St. Justin (Popovich) of Chelije
“How can a man be crucified to the world? When, after being freed from external things he begins to combat against pleasure itself, against the desire of having things, against his own will, and he puts to death his evil passions.” – St. Dorotheus of Gaza
“Freedom from the passions is brought about by the crucifying of both the intellect and the flesh. This makes a man capable of contemplating God. The intellect is crucified when unclean thoughts are driven out of it, and the body when the passions are uprooted.” - St. Isaac the Syrian

🌟☦️ In the Catacombs of Rome you feel spirit of the Early Church and realize that it was Orthodox.

Trust in God is a fundamental thing of faith. As one cloud is enough to eclipse the sun, so even small doubt may blur our spiritual vision and lead us away from God, preventing us from seeing the truth.
“...we always secretly count on Him. He will not abandon us. He will protect us. He will preserve us.
...everything that happens is in some way connected to the unfathomable Providence and will of the Lord.”
Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) , from Everyday Saints and Other Stories