3rd year of study: Autumn 2015
1) I've always wanted to visit THE CEREMONY OF THE HOLY FIRE, but there has been no such opportunity for me yet.
2) When I started to sing in the church choir it was difficult for me to sing THE CHERUBIC HYMN.
3) It is quite easy to sing TROPARIA AND KONTAKIA because of their simple melodies.
4) My godfather is the ABBOT of the HOLY HOUSE in Chewashia.
5) I think it is very important to accept THE PRECIOUS GIFTS with MEEKNESS and HUMILITY.
6) I think that only IGNORANT people don't know about the reasons of the GREAT SCHISM which are the filioque and the PAPAL CLAIMS TO UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION.
7) It is very important to lead THE SACRAMENTAL LIFE despite all the temptations of our age.
8) It is hard for me to stay DISPASSIONATE when someone REVILES my faith.
9) I've been invited to take part in a MISSIONARY JOURNEY to the MOUNT THABOR.
10) There are some differences in reaction of CLERGY AND LAITY to the latest refoms in the church.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15.)
Every person during his life faces a lot of different choices which he has to make whether he wants it or not. And this is one of them. It deals with our approach to fighting against sins. One may say to himself: “I’m not worthy enough, I should do more to improve myself, I should make myself better to reach God’s Kingdom”. And if he says so, it becomes easier for him to accept his own and his neighbours’ mistakes. Such position gives him a way to correct these mistakes and to improve the situation. And it leads to the humility and helps him in his spiritual life. But if one says: “I can do everything. I’m good enough and even the best one. There is nothing for me to improve, I’m brilliant already”. And this approach leads to the despondency, because he continues making mistakes but can’t understand its reason and the way to fix it. We can see such situation in everyday life. For example, a person knows English very well and is the best student in his class. And he starts thinking that he knows everything and has no need to learn anything else. And after some time he notices that he started to get worse marks than anyone of his classmates. He starts thinking why it is so, and makes a conclusion that teachers don’t love him. He can’t understand that the reason for this is his laziness because he can’t stop thinking that he is the best. And he becomes depressed because he doesn’t know how to fix it.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15.)
I agree with this quote. In our life we get and loose things really often. But some of them we possess not because we made some effort to get them, but because our parents or anyone else provided us with them. And we start thinking that they would always be with us and we don’t have to take care of them. But if these things were given to us for our hard work, we would feel grateful for them and would watch them carefully in order not to lose. There are a lot of such things in our life. The most obvious example is money. When a person is provided with money by his parents he spends it and wastes it and never cares how hard it was for his parents to earn it. But then this person starts working and finds out that it is a real toil to get just a small sum of money and he starts to save it and to spend it carefully. Another example is the talent. It was given to us by God and we don’t care to develop it and lose it in the end. But even if we don’t have it but work hard to learn how to do this or that, finally, God will give it to us for our effort.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 07.10.15.)
This quote deals with a very widespread problem. We all have passions and many of us understand that we should fight against them and do our best to destroy them. The question is “How?”. And the answer is given here. It is a very good start to say to yourself: “I’ve done a very bad thing, I repent and I’ll try not to do it again”. But it is just a start. If you would do nothing to improve the situation, you would continue doing this thing as a habit. To weaken the passion you ought to do actions which are completely opposite to your usual ones. Even if it seems hard for you, it is the only way to get rid of your passions. This logic fits not only spiritual but everyday life. So, for example, if you always forget about washing your dishes you should start washing them after yourself every time without letting yourself to forget about it. And after some time you will discover that it is not hard for you anymore.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к к 11.11.15.)
I completely agree with this quote. I understand its meaning in the following way: people should do good deeds, because it’s God’s will. We must follow it in order to be saved. But the point is that we should not think that we can become worthy to enter His Kingdom through our own effort. People are weak and can’t be saved without God’s help. We must not rely on ourselves, especially when it deals with our soul and our salvation. There is no place for trade relationships between us and God, we should not expect anything good for us because of being good to others. We should just follow the God’s will without questioning and rely upon His kindness and wisdom. Only in this case our good deeds will make sense.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 09.12.15.)
This quote teaches us to see in our illness not only pain and suffering but to see some profit for our soul which God gives to us through maladies. It is quite usual for us to blame God for our disasters and misfortunes. But we forget that God is kind and wise and He would never let us suffer unless it helps us in our spiritual and bodily life. Some illnesses are sent to us to give us more time for prayer. Some of them are to remind us about death and about our sins. And some can even prevent us from committing a sin or from danger for us. I was not once in my life that I stayed at home because of feeling ill and these very days there were some accidents in places where I would be if I hadn’t stayed home. So, the understanding of the illness as a gift is a very important point in our salvation.
М.С. [47]
к 23.03.15
1. After watching the film about the CHRISTIAN POLICY of BYZANTIUM, I learned all about ECCLESIASTICAL MATTERS, and I was very impressed.
2. First, the Bishop or other presiders might CENSE THE ALTAR, handing the thurible off to a deacon or to the thurifer.
к 30.03.15.
1. In reply the pope prepared A BULL OF EXCOMMUNICATION against those who should infringe the prerogatives of the Holy See in this matter.
2. THE RISE OF ISLAM is a book written by a scholar and historiographer of early Islam Patricia Crone.
к 27.04.15
1. The LITURGY is the central revelation of the CHRISTIAN MYSTERY, and in it the whole of Orthodoxy is somehow contained.
2. WE discussed for about an hour the question: "Does THE CATHOLIC CHURCH contain THE FULLNESS of Truth?" with our teacher.
к 04.05.15
1. The phrase “first among equals” signifies the typical Orthodox view of the Pope as having A PRIMACY OF HONOR but not of jurisdiction.
2. Biblical INFALLIBILITY is the belief that what the Bible says regarding matters of faith and Christian practice is wholly useful and true.
к 11.05.15
1. The MORAL effects of FRATRICIDE can be devastating to fighting troops.
2. In every age in which the Church begins to diminish in dignity and respect, simultaneously along with it we find that PRIESTLY CELIBACY is undermined.
к 18.05.15
1. Before the Pope proclaimed him TO BE DEPOSED FROM ALL PRIESTLY DIGNITY, he sent the LEGATES to him, who were treated with great DEFERENCE.
к 02.02.15
1. In ASIA MINOR IDOLATRY was widespread, and the ICONOCLASTS fought against the holy icons.
к 09.02.15
2. I want to read a book «Bishop Caldwell on the Instruction of Non-Christians in THE MYSTERIES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION» by Louis George Mylne.
к 23.02.15
1. The CLERGY often said that a great DISGRACE for the FAITHFUL people is a violation of the commandments of God, such people will not see the CELESTIAL GLORY.
2. I like an article "A Handful of Beauty: Music as a VEHICLE OF SPIRIT" by J. T. Coker.
к 09.03.15
1. When we pray, we often protect ourselves WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, INVOKE THE Holy TRINITY and pray to God to BESTOW UPON US salvation of soul and body.
2. Doing CHARITABLE WORK people should not be INTEMPERATE and ACRIMONIOUS.
к 16.03.15
1. Recently I was advised to read a book which tells about MONASTICISM, ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY and the people who LEAD a SOLITARY LIFE, moreover, I learned that there are RELIGIOUS HOUSES where the monks live UNDER the GUIDANCE of the ELDER.
2. The great centers of THE SEMI-EREMITIC life in Egypt were Nitria and Scetis.
1. The priests who go on a MISSIONARY JOURNEY often take SERVICE BOOKS with them and know all about the LITURGICAL LANGUAGE.
2. The priests come to the ALTAR every time when they HOLD THE SERVICE.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 25.11.15)
I want to agree with this quote. Indeed, our life on earth is only a preparation for another life, eternal life. Every time when you think of a physical death you should do it with all your whole soul aspire to a life of godliness. If we lived forever here on earth, we would not have the fear of God and we would die spiritually. We must remember our sins always. On earth the Lord gave us the right of choice and only we decide how to live. And when we always think of death we should always think about piety and the state of our souls.
1. The attempt TO FOUND A SLAVONIC NATIONAL CHURCH in Moravia came to nothing.
2. Many of the elders have VISIONS, I knew an ARCHBISHOP who told me about this miracle.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.12.15)
If we want to be free, we must cut off our desires! It's like the Lord said "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We are the slaves of our desires, and if it were not so, we would not depend on them - and then we would be free.
Ю.К. [65]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 25.11.15)
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov says that we should always remember about death and I partly agree with him. Being Orthodox Christians we are supposed to reflect on death, on the eternal life, being ready and prepared to leave this earthly world at any moment. When we remember about death we want to save our souls and to find ourselves in the Paradise after the death; we know that to obtain this we should go to the services, pray constantly, follow the Commandments, lead a sacramental life. Exactly these actions do not let us to die a spiritual death, which is a course of the forgetfulness of physical death, according to St. Ignatius Brianchaninov.
But I, personally, can't think about death at my nineteen. I don't know why, but I always believe that all these awful things which happen in the world and snuff out the lives of hundreds and thousands of people, will not happen to me (at least now or in the nearest future) and I will live happily to the extreme old age. But at the same time, nevertheless, I care about my spiritual condition.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 09.12.15)
I think that St. John of Kronstadt is absolutely right, having said that "not a single malady remains without some profit to our soul". God gives us painful and unpleasant maladies on the assumption of our sins and transgressions. But He does it not in order to punish us somehow or to reproach us with our fallen and sinful nature, but to help us on our difficult path to redemption and deification, because nobody can obtain the Kingdom of God without God's assistance, which He renders often through illnesses and diseases. When we are seriously ill, we pray to God and ask Him for healing, we suffer from our maladies, we become like martyrs and for all this God bestows salvation to our souls.
А.Я. [59]
The Quote of the week (11.11.15)
I fully agree with this statement. I think that putting a hope in our good deeds means that we are searching for some kind of reward, which ruins the whole purpose of a good deed. This quote does not express anything new to me, but it’s good to have a reminder of it from time to time. We have to remember that doing something nice to others isn’t about ourselves. The only thing that we should rely upon is God’s mercy and His forgiveness.
The Quote of the week (02.12.15)
I agree with this statement, I think that our freedom fully depends on our desires. Our own whims and wishes turn us into slaves. We are so blinded by them that sometimes it’s almost too late to return to the right path. Only absence of desires can make us free. This quote always helps me to go through a day.
The Quote of the week (30.09.15)
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I think that it is harder to cope with a loss of something that you had worked really hard to receive than when you get it for free. For example, when you buy something for yourself you cherish and treasure it, but when it’s a present you can neglect it in some way. This also can be applied to our spiritual life. To strengthen our faith we need to keep working on ourselves. It can be reached only through repentance, the discipline of fasting, prayers, partaking of the sacraments, continuous struggle with our sins and pernicious habits.
The Quote of the week (07.10.15)
I, once again, completely agree with this statement. It is a well known fact that frequent repetition of one action can form a habit. Fighting against your own habits is the hardest thing to do. On the Internet we all can find articles about easy ways to free yourself from any habit, but the sad truth is that there is no easy way to cope with them. It is a hard work but the final result is totally worth it. The only way to win this battle is to fight it not only in our minds, but also by our repetitive actions to make them a routine, which would enable us to acquire a new, really good habit.
The Quote of the week (23.09.15)
I agree with Elder Michael. I think that every single person can decide his own destiny and the path he is going to choose. The destiny is in our hands and it’s our top priority to choose the right way. I believe that the path of self-justification and despondency is leading to nowhere, and only humility and self-reproach can help to obtain spiritual balance. Even though it seems like it is a well known fact, it is still hard to follow. Sometimes it’s hard to keep making the right decisions, but we need to keep in our minds that the final purpose is worth all the struggle.
1. Orthodox people can get THE REMISSION OF SINS only through repentance.
2. To GIVE ALMS to homeless people is a good thing to do (a good deed).
3. I believe that the path of SELF-JUSTIFICATION and DESPONDENCY is leading to nowhere, and only HUMILITY and SELF-REPROACH can help to obtain spiritual balance.
4. SAINT MAXIMUS THE CONFESSOR wrote commentaries on the Dionysian writings and THOMAS AQUINAS quoted him 1.760 times in the SUMMA.
5. The GREAT GULF OF SEPARATION between Christian east and Christian west was caused by the fourth CRUSADE.
6. The DISPOSSESSED Emperor of Byzantium persuaded the CRUSADERS to go to Constantinople.
7. Orthodox people believe in the UNORIGINATE FATHER, the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON who was INCARNATE and in the LIFE-CREATING SPIRIT.
8. TRISAGION prayer reads: «Holy God, Holy MIGHTY, Holy IMMORTAL, have mercy on us».
9. When I was a child my grandma used to tell me that I should not be tempted by the ADVERSARY’S words of a FOUL demon.
10. Every sin can turn out to be LIFE-DESTROYING to us, so we need not to PROCRASTINATE the repentance.
The Quote of the week (28.10.15)
I think that it is difficult to interpret this quote in just one way. As for me, I think that people are slowly detaching themselves from religion and God Himself. We are so used to our daily sins that sometimes we don't even realize that we are sinning. We keep making promises that are destined to be broken so often that it has brought us to the point where we are no longer aware of sinning. On the other hand it has something to do with our desire to judge others, completely forgetting about the fact that only God can judge or forgive us all. We are so used to seeing only bad things in people and their sins that we forget that it’s not our place to judge. We also don’t know anything about their regrets or their repentance. This quote speaks to me on a different level, I completely agree with St. John Climacus.
1. If something wrong is happening in my life and I can’t find a right way to deal with my problems I always go to Church to listen to the GOSPEL and the EPISTLES.
2. Every Christian knows that human’s soul is IMMORTAL.
3. The BEATITUDES say that only the BLESSED - the MEEK, the PEACEMAKERS and the RIGHTEOUS can OBTAIN the Kingdom of God.
4. The dispute between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople involved THE PAPAL CLAIMS.
5. Photius SUMMONED A COUNCIL in which they DECLARED Pope Nicholas EXCOMMUNICATE.
6. «WISDOM, UPRIGHT!» those are the words the deacon says before reading the Gospel.
J.K. [44]
1) St.Andrew of Crete was CONSECRATED AS ARCHBISHOP.
2) The Lord came to save people and to BLESS His INHERITANCE.
3) The religion of Grand PRINCIPALITY of Moscow was Orthodoxy.
4) I have a clear VISION that the period when the Slavs were CHRISTIANIZED was very BENEFICIAL.
The Quote of the week
I completely agree with this quote. Every time when I was sick, I started to think at first - why do I have to bear this pain? How will it help me to be better, if I only complain about this sickness and repine? But then I perceived that I have done something wrong and sometimes have almost forgotten about The Lord and the Church. So for me this sickness was the only way to feel regrets and to look back.
Now I realize that everything God does is really providential.
The Quote of the week
I agree with the quote. Our desires and passions pull us down. The ability not to succumb to these desires uprears our willpower and it really gives us freedom. For example, take the passion of gluttony. People who get accustomed to different kinds of regales depend on them and cannot be satisfied with simple food. And the person who smokes can't be fully free, for he depends on the passion of smoking etc.
Also I know the example of curtailing desires from the literature. In his autobiography Benjamin Franklin writes how he tried to cut off his desires to achieve the freedom: he kept a diary, journalized and every week struggled with his passions.
Also I think that this struggle leads us to a higher purpose. To abandon short minutes of pleasure for a higher purpose. So, trying to follow the commandments of God, we Christians hope for the salvation of our souls and we also hope to inherit the Kingdom of God.
1) In church priests say the PRAYER BEFORE THE AMBO.
2) THANKSGIVING for everything, MEDITATIONS about our sins and FORSAKING them leads us to the EVERLASTING life.
3) Nowadays the Church Slavonic is the LITURGICAL LANGUAGE.
4) Some priests undertake MISSIONARY JOURNEYS.
The Quote of the week
I clearly see the point of this quote and I agree with it. Because it's similar to the phrase "to see the snag in your brother's eye, but do not notice the wooden beam in your own eye." How often we notice the sins of our brothers, but we shouldn't judge them because we are not in their places, we don't know what led them to such a situation, what furthered them. I think we should firstly think about our actions and look back to our sins, but not judge other people.
1) The SCRIPTURE reads that God is CONSUBSTANTIAL with the Father and He came down from Heaven for our salvation and was INCARNATE of the Holy Spirit.
2) It's common knowledge that MAN WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
The Quote of the week
I agree with this statement. We have a choice: to be humble, to admit that we are sinful and to try again and again to be better, to repent. And we also can justify ourselves and our sins, saying that somebody else is guilty. For example somebody does something wrong and we judge him for his actions, thinking that he is culpable and this leads us to the sin of censure. Or we repine at our life thinking that if it had been easier from time to time we would have been more thankful. But the point is that this path leads to the spiritual death. So to my mind it's better not to despond (because we are all sinful), but to stand up every time we fall, to humble ourselves, to repent and to believe that we have a chance to save our souls.
The Quote of the week
I agree with this quote. For example parents often say that children are not able to understand the worth of money until they start to earn it themselves. And sometimes we really need to loose something to understand how valuable and important it is.
But I think that we can transfer this statement on our Christian life. To inherit the Kingdom of God we should struggle with our passions and sins, to love God and to lead a good life here on Earth. So to appreciate such an opportunity we should firstly work hard.
П.П. [34]
1. SERVICE BOOKS are written in THE LITURGICAL LANGUAGE.
2. The SACRAMENTAL LIFE can give one SPIRITUAL FRAGRANCE.
3. Orthodox Christians do not believe in PURGATORY.
4. COMPASSION means one does not treat the problems of others DISPASSIONATELY.
А.К. [68,85]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 09.12.15)
The point of this quote is that people rarely can understand why the bad thing which has happened to them is good or at least not as bad as they feel about it. I believe that it is very useful to make a rule of finding good points in unpleasant experiences. Personally, I call this “Pollyanna’s game”. There is a children book called “Pollyanna” by Eleanor H. Porter in which its main character Pollyanna was always optimistic no matter what happened to her, because she could see good sides of it. I believe that such way of viewing life makes it a lot easier and lets us escape numerous struggles.
1) You can ask a priest TO bless your home.
2) Some sins can be committed due to one's IGNORANCE.
3) HOLY CHALICE is one of SACRED VESSELS.
А.К. [51,25]
1) When we begin to SCORN such INDISPENSABLE occupation as UNCEASING PRAYER, considering it to be too TEDIOUS, and begin to OVERRIDE the COMMANDMENTS of God, REPUDIATING it, we start committing VILEST sins, which can result in our APOSTASY. We should STRIVE against temptations and PERSEVERE with prayer, BESEECHING God for REMISSION OF OUR SINS AND OFFENCES, and glorify the MOST-HONORABLE and MAJESTIC name of the Father, of the CONSUBSTANTIAL Son, and of the Holy Spirit, asking God to CONFER upon us His grace and BOUNTIFUL MERCIES. And we should also magnify Theotokos, the EVER-BLESSED and MOST IMMACULATE Mother of God, more honorable than the CHERUBIM and truly more glorious than the SERAFIM, who without DEFILEMENT gave birth to God.
2) On the COMMEMORATION of the faithful DEPARTED we pray for those who have departed this life in BLESSED MEMORY and IMPLORE God to establish their souls in a PLACE OF LIGHT, a PLACE OF GREEN PASTURE, a PLACE OF REST.
3) Some people show total IGNORANCE of God’s commandments when they do not PARTAKE of Communion, however we shall not treat them with CONDEMNATION, but rather explain to them its meaning and what the HOLY CHALICE is, so as they could join the Church and ask God for CLEANSING and HALLOWING of their souls and bodies, and ask for ABSOLVING their TRANSGRESSIONS with hope of ACQUISITION of the life and kingdom to come.
4) There is the APOPHATIC THEOLOGY – the way of NEGATION, which means stating what God is not, for OMNIPOTENT and OMNISCIENT God cannot be properly apprehended by man’s mind. So we can say that God is UNORIGINATE, UNAPPROACHABLE, UNKNOWABLE, INVISIBLE and INCOMPREHENSIBLE.
Ю.Г. [119,1]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 25.11.15)
The fear of death is what stops the faithful from sinning. If we keep in mind that we would be judged for our deeds after death, we try to avoid sinful deeds and try to lead a noble life. So, the reminder of our mortality is very useful and beneficial. Sometimes we are too feeble to resist temptations and we just succumb to them, but if we remember that these sins can destroy us and lead to hell, we become afraid of vile deeds and start watching ourselves carefully.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.12.15)
We are enslaved by our desires, so we cannot be free for as long as we serve them. Perfect freedom can be obtained only if we get rid of this bondage, because only absence of passions makes us independent. And being independent we get closer to God, serving Him, rather than our own desires. So it’s important to learn to cut off desires, which is not easy, as we got used to cherishing our wishes, devoting them too much attention and time. Often when I took part in some competition, my main purpose was to outdo other competitors, and if I failed, I got bitterly disappointed, so now it is clear for me that the desire to be the best made me hugely dependent and I couldn’t freely enjoy my activity.
Ю.Г. [74]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
The point of this quote is that one shouldn’t think that if he does good things he will be saved. People need to be attentive to their spiritual life and shouldn’t be proud of themselves, thinking that they are righteous.
I agree with this idea. I believe that doing good deeds is our duty and it is not something extraordinary. Likewise, it is more important what thoughts our soul is filled with. We can do good things with some kind of narcissism or because we want to get something from God, while we are to help other people sincerely.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 25.11.15)
I absolutely agree with this quote and it is true to my life.
The point of this quote is that we put the vanity above our spiritual life. I am sure that this is the most common and the most dangerous mistake that people can make nowadays. What can be above God? Nothing. When the enemy of mankind tries to disorient our attention, we forget about death and then we forget about God. But who are we without Him? We are like blind kittens, floundering in our every day problems, and we have no chance to escape from them.
St. Ignatius draws our attention to the importance of praying. The mother of my roommate once said: “Without praying we are like naked in the freezing cold”.
When we don’t pray, we lose the ability to distinguish between good and bad things, we don’t notice our sins. It sounds horrible because if we don’t know our sins we can’t confess them, and if we can’t confess, small things turn to great passions, but we still don’t notice these processes.
We should remember that we are not immortal, and have sobriety to keep eyes on our sins.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.12.15)
The point of this quote is that we are slaves of our desires, and we have to cut them off to achieve a perfect freedom. The Lord says: “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”. The quote has the same idea.
I agree with this quote. Few days ago I was dreaming about one fashionable coat. It was my great desire, I thought that if I had it, I would become more self-reliant and everything in my life would be well. When I came to the shop, I asked the shop assistant about my dream, and she said that the last one had been sold a few minutes before. I was on the verge of tears. My reaction was surprising for me, I didn’t know that I was so dependant on this coat. My desire enslaved me and I become unfree.
Е.З. [51,78]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.12.15)
I agree with the quote of Dorotheos of Gaza, that desiring to be set free we should cut off our desires, because our freedom is restricted by our passions. To feel free we must not have any strong longing because in this case we turn out to be slaves of our desires, we are taken hostage by them, trying to fulfill our wishes with all our might as if we carry out a command, our own one, but still a command. So, speaking about the freedom, it is out of question. Consequently, only being free from our passions, our desires, we find the veritable freedom.
А.Я. [51,8]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.09.15)
The point of this quote is that there cannot be worthless details of our lives. Big things that happen to us consist of smaller deeds and thoughts. That is, we cannot consider that small mistakes do not matter. Sin is always a sin, and what matters is not how big or serious it is, but how fervent was one to repent. I fully agree with this quote. One cannot reach the top of the stairs without stepping on each of the steps, and the stair would not exist without all of them, too.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 09.09.15)
The point of this quote is that one cannot be saved by only following a scheme. More important is what you are thinking while you are following it. I agree with this quote, and also it reminds me of The Parable of Prodigal Son. It is very hard to admit one’s sins, and it is even harder to repent. Therefore it means great love and faith.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 16.09.15)
The point of this quote is that cold calculus how to reach salvation or how to be a right Christian is of no use. I agree with this quote as there is no place for lies in love. And true love is not about taking something from the loved one, but about giving him or her everything you have without asking it back. So, there is no reason why one should love Christ in some different mystical way.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.12.15)
The point of this quote is that our freedom is limited by our desires. That is, in order to be free we should accept our captivity. I fully agree with this quote as there is no freedom in mind obsessed with longings. And desire to be free will keep one from being free forever as he will always assume his desire was not fulfilled.
А.К. [45,75]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 25.11.15)
This week we are reading a long message by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov on remembrance of physical death. The length of the message proves that the Saint cared a great deal to have us understand the importance of it. It is remarkable that he makes a connection between remembrance of mortality and spiritual death. We are reminded that, as apostle Paul said, a constant inner prayer is crucial for our salvation, yet Vladyka Ignatius remarks on the fact that most of us do not even say morning and evening prayers. His point is clear: if people remembered about death, they would have fear of God and, if not constantly prayed, but at least turned to God every morning and evening. As for me, I tend to abandon my prayer book, and now I think I understand what causes it. I should follow the advice of Vladyka Ignatius and think of my mortal life and what I am going to get at the end of it.
Д.К. [37,16]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
Here before us are the soul-winning words of a great elder of Optina - Macarius. Every Christian seeking salvation should take them into consideration. Do we hope to be saved by the fear of fiery Hell or the fear of God? Is there love for God in our souls? Do we love our neighbour as much as we love ourselves? When we do good, realising that it's our contribution to our salvation, we risk overestimating our spiritual life, feel "safe", or even become proud.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, self-reliance is reliance on one's own powers and resources rather than those of others. What is self-reliance to a Christian person, concerning virtuous actions? One must remember that one is too weak to perform anything without the help of Almighty God.
Hence even our kindness is the fruit of God's good will, it's not something to be proud of, but rather to thank the Lord for.
Д.К. [30,41]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
I completely agree with this quote because we, people, internally feeble creatures, should not think all our good deeds are the result of our work and completely ours. God gives us power and health and will to do such things. Moreover, any our good deed cannot be totally perfect because we are not perfect ourselves at all. And the best thing, to my mind, is to do good things instinctively and intuitively not thinking much about the situation.
Н.Т. [32,73]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
I completely agree with this quote.
First of all, each human being is sinful because of our sinful nature. And everybody can see clearly or partly the faults of other people but nobody can see how a human being suffers from his own faults and what consequences may follow them. That is why, I suppose, we should not fall into a sin of censure despite temptations.
Н.Т. [23,23]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
The point of this quote is that doing something in order to feel yourself good and confident and not for the sake of your neighbour in the first place removes ‘good’ part from your deeds. I fully agree with this. Nowadays it is often taken for granted that first people should care about themselves and only second about other people's feelings and needs. Which is certainly an unorthodox idea. Jesus Christ told us to love our neighbour as yourself, and while doing something for others we should not think about ourselves.
1) SENSIBLE Orthodox Christians do not believe in the existence of the PURGATORY.
2) Lighting candles in church is a form of OBLATION.
3) One should STRIVE to the saintly life.
4) One can not receive the PRECIOUS GIFTS without REMISSION OF OUR SINS AND OFFENCES.
5) After receiving Baptism everyone has a GUARDIAN Angel.
6) Our parish doesn't have a BENEFACTOR anymore.
А.К. [28,75]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
We should perform good deeds with humility and do not base hope of our salvation in them. If we place hope in our deeds, it means we are vainglorious and we search for some reward believing that we deserved it by our deeds. While God says: «But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you» (Matthew 6:3-4). So, we should not behave like those Pharisees who relied upon their deeds which they considered to be righteous deeds, for it was hypocrisy. We should rely only upon God’s mercy and ask Him for salvation.
Ю.Г. [64,25]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 02.09.15)
I would like to agree with this quote. In fact, very often through small victories we get to the big conquests. Sometimes everything is perceived as small, and it seems to me that when a person slowly, in small steps is going to the right direction, the Lord sees this, and eventually helps him to reach the goal. I would also like to add that in each case we must be humble and then the Lord will always help us.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 09.09.15)
Since childhood, I went to the temple, in the Orthodox school, and everywhere I was taught that the most important thing is repentance, from a pure heart and with all your soul. Always when you feel bad, bad thoughts begins to appear in the head; you need to go to the temple for repentance. On my own example I can say that it becomes much easier. The Lord sees our souls and forgives us our sins if our repentance is truly from the heart.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 16.09.15)
"God is love". When I see in the Church small children, their pure and blessed faces, my heart becomes warm. In fact, all children, unlike some adults, really love God, with their sincere and tender love. The life of grace is life in God. You need to be humble, kind and unselfish, with repentance from the heart come to the temple and ask the Lord to forgive us our sins. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and with all your mind."
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15)
I actually agree that there are two ways. Most often I meet people who go along the second path. We always justify ourselves, in very different situations. Even the most classic: to give place to a grandma or a pregnant woman in public transport. We excuse ourselves by thinking that we are too tired, or we're in pain and the man opposite could also give them a place in the bus, for example. In this case you just need to overcome yourself. This is a basic example of justification. We justify ourselves in everything. As for the despair, it stays with us almost always in any difficult moment. Although in such situations you should not despair, you need to pray and ask God for help. The first way is closer to people who are closer to God, to a deeply religious people.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15)
There are many examples in confirmation of this quote. If an appliance breaks down, we buy a new one, rather than wait a week for repairs. We throw ourselves into the latest fad diet promising fast weight loss, only to see the weight come back after we are tired of the menu. We don’t apprentice for a career but walk out of a university with the expectation our career will begin on day one. Many of our children are allowed to dress in adult pop fashion, resulting in the loss of innocence, and the precious sweetness of childhood is transformed into a sort of miniature adult.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 07.10.15)
People in our world are subject to passions, they live their passions. Every believer is struggling with them. But when this passion become a habit, you are not thinking of it as about something bad. If you actually begin to deal with passions, then it must be done, drastically changing your life. Passion is gradually entering our lives. You have to fight against it, the passions destroy people.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
In our time people often condemn. We often condemn others for their sins. But the problem is that we do not see how a person repents of his sins. The Lord forgives all who pray for forgiveness of their sins, so before you judge someone by their actions, think that this person perhaps repents in tears. We have to watch our actions and repent of them. This is very important.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 11.11.15)
Sometimes, doing good deeds, we think about ourselves. We are very good, we have helped a grandmother to cross the road, we have given alms. But the most important thing you need to understand is that it is the Lord Who is doing good deeds, helping other people through us. You need to be humble and always ask God for forgiveness of our sins. To help others to the Glory of God and then the Lord will help us.
Ю.К. [37,5]
1. On the first Sunday of Great Lent the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate decided to DEPOSE Bishop Diomid of Anadyr and Chukotka from the PRIESTLY DIGNITY, and that was the same day when we celebrate an icon celebrating the veneration of ICONS, THE TRIUMPH OF ORTHODOXY is the festal icon for the first Sunday of Great Lent.
(02.09.15)
1. UNLEAVENED BREAD is bread made without leavening agents and in some countries there are some USAGES connected with that bread.
2. Just the other day, I was reading a music catechism from 1936 that came close to ANATHEMATIZING the payment to musicians in parishes, since their reward will be in heaven, and there was nothing about RECONCILIATION with musicians in parishes.
(09.09.15)
1. SOLOMON's PORCH - a colonnade on the east of THE TEMPLE, so called from a tradition that it was a relic of Solomon's temple left standing after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
2. Recently I met an old friend, who, as it turns out, is fond of CRUSADES, ancient TEMPLES, and wants to attend THE CEREMONY OF THE HOLY FIRE.
(16.09.15)
1. In times of RELIGIOUS REVIVAL there was a kind of PATRISTIC ATMOSPHERE, which could affect the CLERGY AND LAITY and their relationship to faith and the Church.
2. APOTHATIC THEOLOGY found its most influential expression in works such as those of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and Maximus the Confessor; in his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas quotes Pseudo-Dionysius 1,760 times.
(23.09.15)
1. Reading the memoirs of different literary critics we see the INTERNAL EXPERIENCE of those UNAPPROACHABLE people.
2. The TRANSCENDENCE OF GOD is closely related to his sovereignty. It means that God is above, other than, and distinct from all he has made – He TRANSCENDS it all.
(30.09.15)
1. The BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF MAN says that MAN was CREATED IN the IMAGE of GOD.
2. IMMANENCE is the quality of any action which begins and ends within the agent.
(28.10.15)
1. One LAY THEOLOGIAN in his books DISPASSIONATELY writes about the righteous and ECCLESIAL life in the world.
2. Throughout Islamic history, the MOSQUE was the center of the community and towns formed around this pivotal building.
(11.11.15)
Ю.К. [12,5]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
I think that this quote by St. John Climacus has double meaning. On the one hand, it is about our arrogance and egoism, that we sin and do not feel necessity to repent. On the other hand, this quote is about such feature of human being as noticing only bad things, bad deeds of the others. People judge each other not being aware of those problems or reasons which could prompt a person to do such things or to behave in such a way. In addition to it, people will never see the person repenting, not only because it is a sacred and invisible action, but because of the fact that it is just not in people's nature.
А.Я. [29,41]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
This quote is familiar to me and I agree with it fully.
All of us like to rebuke other people. I believe that this sin is the most difficult to get rid of, and the quote reminds us that we can’t see people’s souls and, more than that, judge them.
Some great sinners sometimes grow to the great righteousness. Mary of Egypt is one of the best examples of such a change. It is possible that some people who had known her before her turning of the tide recalled her as an abandoned woman all their life, but she became a saint already.
Е.З. [27,18]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15)
This quote is about two ways of treating oneself during one's mortal life. One can either treat oneself in a strict way, thinking about all mistakes and sins etc, or choose to pity oneself, which will eventually lead to despondency.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15)
This quote is about how people tend to take carelessly everything they haven't put effort to obtain, but that earned with hard work is valued highly. And loosing it is always a tragedy. Also, some things are not easy to get, but sometimes it is worth working.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
This quote tells that people notice bad things about each other more easily. It reminds us that it is important to overthink your judgement as often people are a lot more than we think about them. And it is impossible to know everything about our neighbour.
1) An ABBOT is the head of a monastery.
2) Our bodies will age but our souls are IMMORTAL.
3) ATHEISTS tend to be very nervous in terms of religion, and they can even debate THE CEREMONY OF THE HOLY FIRE.
4) One's soul SUFFERS ILL, if one neglect THE HOLY COMMUNION for too long.
5) Russia is in the process of the RELIGIOUS REVIVAL now.
6) Christians believe that we are created IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
7) GOD'S TRANSCENDENCE means that God is INFINITE and INCOMPREHENSIBLE, and He cannot be KNOWABLE, He is UNAPPROACHABLE for our minds.
А.К. [22,75]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
We often notice only the bad in people, we pay attention to their sins, but we do not know what regret about their sinful deeds and what repentance they can have. We denounce people seeing outside of them, but not knowing inside of them. People can repent and God will forgive them. Who are we to condemn those people whom God Himself can forgive? There is a quote in the Epistle of James: «There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?». Condemnation is a sin, so when judging others' sins we commit a sin ourselves. There is also a quote concerning this theme in the Holy Gospel according to Luke: «Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven».
Ю.Г. [60,75]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 28.10.15)
The words of St. John Climacus can be understood in two ways. The first is: our world is hardened in sin, we are so vicious, that we do not repent. The second understanding, a deeper one, is that, unfortunately, people tend to play God and judge their neighbour. But they forget that God is mighty and omniscient. We are subjective and egocentric when it comes to affairs and problems of other people, whereas only God is objective. The well-known saying witnesses to our disability to even see the other side of the coin, which has only two sides. As for the human being, the crown of creation, we are far more complicated. So it is better not to forget that Gog is the only impartial Judge. Having said that, I'd like to elaborate on St. John's words. Repentance is hard to notice, we more willingly see failures and the negative sides of things. Most of the time repentance is an inner action, known to God only. Sometimes people perform deeds of repentance, but then they try to conceal them from others. Therefore we should mind our own thoughts and deeds, seeking salvation. Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew, 7:1)
Д.К. [25,41]
1) They DENOUNCED him as a USURPER and DEPOSED him from ALL PRIESTLY DIGNITY. Then he was CHARGED WITH HERESY and DECLARED EXCOMMUNICATE, and EXILED afterwards.
2) Every man has his own will to go by path of SELF-REPROACH and humility or by path of SELF-JUSTIFICATION and DESPONDENCY.
3) Even when our sins HINDER our Christianity, God does not abandon us and does not REBUKE us, but DEIGNS to EXHORT us to repentance, and grants us REMISSION OF SINS, if we repent.
4) If a Christian is just a HIRELING searching for profit, who pretend to lead a NOBLE LIFE but in reality is a WICKED man who serves to CARNAL and SHAMEFUL DEEDS, his life is TANTAMOUNT to the life of an ATHEIST.
5) During this period of GRAVE INSTABILITY and CONFUSION, they made a CONCILIATORY attempt to REVIVE Greek USAGE and RECONCILE their relations.
6)The Fourth CRUSADE definitively brought the great GULF OF SEPARATION between Christian east and Christian west, because the CRUSADERS, persuaded by the DISPOSSESSED Emperor of Byzantium to go to Constantinople, have GRIEVOUSLY IMPOVERISHED and MASSACRED the POPULACE, commited PILLAGES and WANTON SACRILEGE.
7) There is a SALVIFIC teaching that when a FOUL demon speaks to us in a sober and COMPOSED manner, we should not be tempted by ADVERSARY’s words and SUBMIT to him, but should CURB him and ask God to CAST him OUT.
8)There is an idea of classification of sins as MORTAL and VENIAL, which seems to be quite INCONSIDERATE and FUTILE, because almost any sin can become LIFE-DESTROYING and lead to death if we PROCRASTINATE to repent.
9) Humility is the basis of salvation, for BLESSED are THE POOR IN SPIRIT; those who MOURN; THE MEEK; those who hunger and thirst after RIGHTEOUSNESS; those who are PERSECUTED for righteousness’ sake and those who endure men who REVILE them falsely for God’s sake.
10) We believe in the UNORIGINATE Father, the ONLY-BEGOTTEN Son, who was INCARNATE and the LIFE-CREATING Spirit, and we use TRISAGION prayer: «Holy God, Holy MIGHTY, Holy IMMORTAL, have mercy on us».
Ю.Г. [56,75]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15)
I think, that the main idea of this quote is that people should be repentant and confess their sins; this path will make them humble. But if a person self-justifies himself, it will lead to the despondency.
I partly agree with this point of view, because self-justification is a thing, that can turn us away from God, and every person who is far from God feels despondency in his soul.
However, in my opinion self-reproach also can cause despondency. If a person is faint-hearted, self-reproach can lead to hopelessness.
To sum up, I want to say that this quote’s omission is that there is nothing in it about praying, hoping and loving God. Only He gives virtues, we cannot acquire them just by self-reproaching.
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15)
The point of this quote is that people don’t feel the value of things that are given for them for free.
I agree with this quote fully, because there are some examples of such feature of people. It is known how cockered rich children waste money and break some valuables. And it is obvious how a child can appreciate his new shoes, if he had been putting his money aside for them.
How important it is to walk soft in your wishes!
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 07.10.15)
This quote reminds me of «the seven virtues» which are made in opposition to «the seven deadly sins». Each virtue contrasts each sin. It would seem: what could be more easier? Just do good things and do not go wrong. But what should I do, if I really want to be far from sins, but I continue living with my bad sides, and can’t escape from them? This quote doesn’t answer.
I agree with it partly, but this idea is not perfect. The main thing that people have to do to destroy the power of their passions is praying God for help.
Е.З. [23,68]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 07.10.15)
Every sinful thought should be banished as soon as it appears in our mind. If we let such thought occupy our mind, it enters deeply into our heart and dwells there. Then it starts to direct our actions and we become passionate and unable to resist our passion. Once we become captive of our sins, we turn into weak-willed and feeble sinners. To get free from this demonic power which enslaved us, and to destroy it, we should not only repent, but also struggle against it by self-reproach, humility and meekness.
Ю.Г. [12]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15)
It requires much time and patience to reach something that is supposed to be everlasting. For only through constant efforts and struggle we can succeed in our deeds. Nothing truly worthwhile can be obtained easily, as everyone should deserve any achievement. If a person gets what he or she wants without any difficulty, and is not even concerned how to keep what he or she has, they can easily lose it one day, since our lives are unstable and changeable. We have to work hard and be careful if we want to make progress.
Ю.Г. [9,25]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 30.09.15)
I agree with the quote by St. Isaac the Syrian. To my mind, it happens in such a way because of the value of our own labour. If we make enormous effort to get something that we really need or want, to achieve our aims, we will not allow it (the effort) to be in vain, we will undertake everything in order not to let our toil be useless.
And on the contrary, if we get something without doing anything we will not attach great importance and pay much attention to it, consequently, we can easily loose it.
А.Я. [25,41]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15)
To my mind the quote of Elder Michael touches upon the problem of choice. I agree with it because I believe the way an Orthodox should behave lies in humility. Partly that thought relates to the Words of Christ: "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:39). I think we should hope for the help of God and try to live submissively when the case concerns ourselves. But when our neighbour is hurt, we should immediately try to prevent the consequences and always help them.
I do like the Words of the Gospel: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).
Н.Т. [20,23]
1)TO GIVE ALMS to beggars is good because God says: "Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow" (Matthew 5:42).
2)THE REMISSION OF SINS is the "forgiveness" of sins.
Н.Т. [4]
"Orthodox Quote of the Week"
(к 23.09.15)
Every person has his free will to go by the path to salvation or by the path to perdition. The Lord says: «Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them». We see that humility is the basis of salvation. Through meekness and obedience a person can reach righteousness. While a life devoted to satisfaction of carnal moods goes hand in hand with self-justification and despondency, and cannot lead to salvation, because there is no place for repentance.
Ю.Г. [5]
1) After the words "WISDOM! UPRIGHT!" we should stand still and without distracting our attention from the Word of God, reverently listen to it.
2) "COME LET US WORSHIP AND FALL DOWN BEFORE CHRIST" is a prayer, through which all the Christians are invited to worship our Lord and Christ.
3) "THE PROKEIMENON" is a verse of a Psalm, which a chanter or a deacon says THRICE and THE CHOIR revoices before reading the Holy Scripture.
4)"Let us attend" are words of a deacon or a priest, which invite Christians to listen the reading of the Holy Scripture.
Н.Т. [3]
Being true Christians we should COMMIT OURSELVES onto Christ and are supposed to believe in the UNORIGINATE FATHER, the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON and the LIFE-CREATING SPIRIT.
The BLESSED - the MEEK, the PEACEMAKERS and some others who are named in the BEATITUDES - and the RIGHTEOUS can OBTAIN the Kingdom of God.
А.Я. [3]
1) THE BEATITUDES were taught by Christ during the Sermon on the Mount.
2) At rough time one should pray and COMMIT one's fate to God.
А.К. [10,25]
1. At the divine Liturgy the deacon says: WISDOM! UPRIGHT! before the Gospel is read.
2. According to the Orthodox teaching, human's soul is IMMORTAL.
3. You can find the TRISAGION and PROKEIMENON that you need in this prayer book.
4. The Liturgy is a great time to listen to some GOSPELS and EPISTLES readings.
Д.К. [3,5]
1) Bishop Diomedes preached down Moscow Patriarchate and Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus’, that’s why he was DEPOSED FROM ALL PRIESTLY DIGNITY.
2) To elect a patriarch one needs to SUMMON A COUNCIL.
А.К. [1]
П.П. [5,91]
М.С. [17]
J.K. [1,83]
Ю.К. [0]
Group 253: Spring 2015
1) For the commemoration of the deceased we can perform DEEDS OF MERCY in their name.
2) God who is GRACIOUS and PLENTIOUS IN MERCY sees one's soul, therefore the last can become the first.
3) If you are WRONGED, you should ENDURE this with humility, because that is what was preached by the apostles.
А.К. [45,25]
1) He was glad to get acquainted with such an ALMSGIVER in our UNTHEOLOGICAL AGE, the man of great AUSTERITY and SPIRITUALITY, who fulfilled CHARITABLE WORK.
2) THE RULE OF PRAYER and GOOD WORKS are necessary for the SPIRITUAL COMBAT to prevail in the UNSEEN WARFARE.
3) When it CAME TO PASS that her mother died, she MOURNED and LAMENTED for months, and consoled just by SPIRITUAL FARE.
4) “HAIL!” — we heard his SALUTATION, while entering the house where he GRACIOUSLY directed us, and we were extremely GRATEFUL to God for such meeting.
5) They considered OLD RITUALISTS to be really IDIOSYNCRATIC people whose FIDELITY to the ritual led to the INEVITABLE SCHISM.
6) The monks from the HOLY HOUSE COMMITTED themselves to prayer and prayed for the SICK, the SUFFERING, the CAPTIVE, about those who were in TRIBULATION or in WRATH, and praised GLORY, HONOUR, WORSHIP and GRACE of God.
7) The disciples were CASTING THEIR NETS when they saw Christ, and they FORSAKE their deeds affairs and followed Him.
8) The Christian west is seen to the Orthodox as being guilty of the MORAL FRATRICIDE due to THEOLOGICALLY UNTRUE filioque which conflicts with the TRINITARIAN THEOLOGY of the universal Church.
9) There are the certain peculiar rules of CHURCH WORSHIP and DISCIPLINE in the Christian west, which include PRIESTLY CELIBACY, rules of fasting and the use of UNLEAVENED BREAD.
10) God REDEEMS men’s sins by His COMPASSION and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and delivers them from INIQUITY and INFIRMITIES.
11) Many of LATTER-DAY CHRISTIANS do not manage to LEAD LIVES OF CONTEMPLATION and surrender to our FALLEN NATURE.
12) If a man does not APPREHEND THE LOFTY height of SPIRITUAL FARE, then his faith may be UNLOOSED and ESTRANGEMENT from the Church may come to pass.
13) The VICEGERENT was appointed to SUMMON A COUNCIL concerning the MATTERS OF DOCTRINE.
14) His MEEKNESS and CLEANLINESS were the WITNESS of his GUILTLESSNESS.
15) There is the historical PRIMACY of PAPACY, but we can’t admit his SUPREMACY and INFALLIBILITY.
16) If you are ASSAILED by temptations, do not become DESPONDENT, but ENDURE then and EMBOLDEN yourself by the thought that you can VANQUISH them.
17) The Orthodox Church constantly prays for CIVIL AUTHORITIES and ARMED FORCES, for all the people living either in the HOMELAND or in the DIASPORA.
18) It is the BITTER TORMENT to live with a confirmed ATHEIST and never find the ONENESS OF MIND with him.
Ю.Г. [97,25]
1) Pilgrims who have visited Athos say you can feel special GRACE there.
2) During days of TRIBULATION one should try to live after God's commands and COMMIT oneself to the God's will.
3) WRATH was thrown upon the builders of the tower of Babel, people couldn't understand each other anymore and everything fell to DESOLATION.
4) Increase of people's sins leads to the GREAT TRIBULATION.
А.К. [43,75]
1) THE DIVINE LITURGY OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS JOHN CHRYSOSTOM is created by JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, archbishop of Constantinople.
2) The CHANTERS of our parish sing "LORD, HAVE MERCY" during GREAT LITANY.
3) DEIFICATION is one of the aim of every Christian.
4) When I say the prayer "Our Father" I ask the Lord to DELIVER me from the devil.
Н.Т. [44,75]
1) The most simple and short prayer is "LORD, HAVE MERCY".
2) After the October Revolution DIACONATE and THE HONORABLE PRIESTHOOD suffered BITTER TORMENT OF THE ATHEIST RULE.
4) My sister's friend really looks up to our CHANTERS.
5) For every person it is very important to maintain their PIETY.
А.К. [41,25]
1) Nowadays my dream is to become A CHANTER.
2) It is difficult to be concentrated on the prayer "LORD, HAVE MERCY".
3) THE HONOURABLE PRIESTHOOD and DIACONATE pray for THE GOOD ESTATE of the holy churches at every Liturgy, and they ask God to confirm in all Orthodox ONENESS OF MIND, BROTHERLY LOVE and PIETY.
4) When Russian people were in DIASPORA they prayed for THE SUFFERING RUSSIAN LAND and asked God to DELIVER it from THE BITTER TORMENT OF THE ATHEIST RULE.
Е.З. [31,25]
1.Every ORTHODOX is aware of the tradition of FEASTING and FASTING. We, ORTHODOX, FAST to CELEBRATE the major FEASTS, particularly EASTER, firstly we try to reach a SPIRITUAL JOY and then it spills over into a BODILY FEAST. One of the main things that an ORTHODOX learns is that FEASTING and FASTING go together. FASTING is a biblical way to truly HUMBLE yourself in the sight of God. So, that is why during fasts, in my family we follow a VEGAN DIET and avoid drinking alcohol.
2.ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS believe that death is birth into a new life, we believe that constant prayers may help the DEPARTED to enter into a place where ‘there is no SIGHING, SORROW nor pain, but life EVERLASTING’. In Orthodox Churches there is a MEMORIAL TABLE, where everyone can lit candles in memory of the DECEASED. Usually after the memorial service those who present share in a MIXTURE of BOILED WHEAT, CURRANTS and honey to express their COMMUNION with the DEAD.
J.K. [35,1]
1) GOD is an EVER PRESENT help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
2) Venerable and GOD-BEARING Father Anthony the Great was born in Egypt in the village of Coma, near the desert of the Thebaid, in the year 251.
3) Saint Anthony the Great is known as the Father of MONASTICISM, and the long ASCETICAL sermon in The Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius, could be called the first MONASTIC RULE.
Н.Т. [43,25]
1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR consists of THE CYCLE of FASTING and FEASTING, which is subdivided into TWELVE GREATS FEASTS, MINOR FEASTS and SAINTS' DAYS.
2. THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST was PREDICTED to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel, this event became one of the Twelve Great feasts, which is called THE ANNUNCIATION.
3. The Sunday before EASTER is THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. On this day Jesus Christ performed the SOLEMN entry into the city and was greeted by people holding palm branches in their hands. That's why this day is also called the PALM SUNDAY.
4. One of the VEHICLES OF our SALVATION can be doing GOOD WORKS and fighting internal "SPIRITUAL COMBAT" between the EVIL and the VIRTUE in favour of the latter, trying not to allow our FALLEN NATURE to prevail, despite the fact that we ARE often BESET by the DEVIL.
А.Я. [51]
1) We know that in every Christian soul a SPIRITUAL COMBAT takes place.
2) Every person ASPIRES towards God, but as being an OLD MAN is a real challenge not all of them succed.
3) I believe that before saying your RULE OF PRAYER it is importatnt to prepare yourself.
4) I think that if you want to ATTAIN the REST for your soul, UNCEASING saying of the JESUS PRAYER can really help, ALAS, not all people remember about it.
5) There are three kinds of MONASTICISM -- WITHDRAWAL FROM SOCIETY into SOLITUDE, SEMI-EREMETIC LIFE, and RELIGIOUS HOUSES.
6) Holy Mount ATHOS have been a place for male PILIGRIMAGES for about 1000 years.
7) If you don't RECEIVE COMMUNION you are not a part of the church.
8) Our priest PREACHES SERMONS after The Holy Scriptures are read.
9) I believe going into THE PRIESTHOOD is a heroic deed.
10) When a priest CENSES THE ALTAR, people must make a BOW.
А.К. [37,75]
On PALM SUNDAY Orthodox FAITHFUL go to the Church service with PUSSY WILLOWS and the priest or the bishop SPRINKLES them with holy water.
I stood in front of the ICON CORNER, where there were icons in a SHRINE, praying with the words «O Lord, DEPRIVE me not of Thy heavenly blessings», when he suddenly came in and said: «PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE», and then made a PROSTRATION.
God opens His BOUNTIFUL HAND and pours His LOVINGKINDNESS upon every person, REDEEMING their sins to see His CELESTIAL PERFECTION.
Before going to communion, he read the CANON TO JESUS, the SUPPLICATORY CANON TO THE MOTHER OF GOD, the CANON TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL and lastly PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION.
During our PILGRIMAGE, we started our every trip with a COMMON RULE, INVOKING THE TRINITY.
The ELDER was a HERMIT who led the SOLITARY and EREMITIC life in a hut; he had a SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT and wisdom, and had many SUCCESSORS afterwards.
А Рrayer is a VEHICLE OF SALVATION for our FALLEN NATURE, so we should always remember the RULE OF PRAYER which is the PRECIOUS HERITAGE from GOD-BEARING FATHERS, and join UNCEASING DOXOLOGIES OF God's HEAVENLY COURT.
MONASTICISM has different forms: there are monks living alone, there are monks leading the COMMUNITY LIFE under a COMMON RULE and there are also monks leading the SEMI-EREMITIC life UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF AN ELDER.
Ю.Г. [63,25]
In ORTHODOXY there's a widespread tradition of FEASTING AND FASTING which may be difficult for a NON-ORTHODOX to comprehend. As for me, I've tried to explain to such a person that we FAST in order to celebrate THE MAJOR FEASTS (particularly EASTER), we try to fill ourselves with SPIRITUAL JOY first and after that we allow it to spill over into a BODILY FEAST. Preparing for His MINISTRY, Jesus HIMSELF fasted, and we COMMEMORATE the 40 days of His fasting. This is the key for understanding the significance of THE LENT, which is also called THE GREAT FAST. To demonstrate our HUMILITY we PROSTRATE OURSELVES at Church and during private PRAYERS. To my mind, people should have humility penetrate their lives outside the church too. Hopefully, by the RESURRECTION one is humbled enough to do virtues even when standing is the appropriate POSTURE. You can say that feasts and fasts circulate throughout the LITURGICAL YEAR. THE CHURCH YEAR begins in September and moves through TWELVE GREAT FEASTS, including other MINOR FEASTS and SAINTS' DAYS. First comes NATIVITY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, then EXALTATION OF THE CROSS, ENTRY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD INTO THE TEMPLE. THE ENTRY means when Mary was DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD she, who was to become THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD, by this prefigured THE INCARNATION. THE ADVENT is the first important fast of the year, in preparation for CHRISTMAS. The feast ends with THEOPHANY which celebrates Christ's BAPTISM by JOHN THE FORERUNNER. The voice of THE FATHER was heard and THE SPIRIT descended in the form of a dove. It was from this time that Christ's MINISTRY of HEALING and PREACHING began in earnest. In February comes THE MEETING OF THE LORD which is also called THE PRESENTATION OF GOD which means that little Christ was received by Simeon and PROPHETESS Anna. Some of the words which Simeon spoke that day are used in the SERVICE of VESPERS, recognising Jesus as THE SAVIOUR. In March we joyously celebrate THE ANNUNCIATION. Mary's willing acceptance is considered as the climax of the preparation of the Jewish people for the coming of THE MESSIAH. After that we fast and prepare for my personal favourite feast - PASCHA (THE CHRISTIAN PASSOVER). I adore the tradition according to which dyed and decorated eggs are distributed AT THE EASTER MIDNIGHT LITURGY. Easter is the centre of the CHURCH CALENDAR. Throughout the season between Easter and PENTECOST people greet each other saying 'CHRIST IS RISEN' and answering 'HE IS RISEN INDEED'. THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM is a very solemn feast. It is also called PALM SUNDAY. It was soon after this that Jesus was CRUCIFIED. Forty days after Easter comes THE ASCENSION (having called THE APOSTLES together, Christ ascended into HEAVEN, taking HUMAN NATURE into PARADISE. Pentecost is my second favourite feast which celebrates THE REVELATION of the TRINITARIAN GOD. After that THE DISCIPLES began actively spread THE GOSPEL. I find that THE TRADITION of CELEBRATING Pentecost in Russia is the finest, neatest and most beautiful, especially due to the birch trees decorating the church. As for THE TRANSFIGURATION, it took place on MOUNT TABOR. THE LORD appeared in FULL GLORY. MOSES and ELIJAH were seen talking to Him and the apostles were overcome with AWE. The final feast is THE DORMITION. I used to find the feast scary until I understood that THE THEOTOKOS didn't die but was taken to heaven by Christ.
Д.К. [50,5]
1. Unfourtunately, I have no time for saying MORNING PRAYERS, but I try to say EVENING PRAYERS every day.
2. The THIRD HOUR and THE SIXTH HOUR are read during the Proskomidia.
3. THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM is the most common and the shortest Liturgy.
4. THE CANON TO JESUS, THE AKATHIST CANON TO THE MOTHER OF GOD and THE CANON TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL should be read together before the Communion, but not all the believers follow this rule.
5. In my opinion, we should pray not only for ourselves but for our friends and for our departed also, so we should use THE CANON FOR THE DEPARTED and THE CANON FOR THE SICK.
6. To be honest, I am not sure in what cases I should ASK FOR A PRIEST'S BLESSING.
7. I am waiting for the Palm Sunday so much! On this day believers bring to the church PUSSY WILLOWS, which are ACKNOWLEDGED AS A GIFT FROM GOD, and the priest SPRINKLES it. Also, this day is the beginning of the Holy Week and it means that I will be with my parents in my hometown.
Е.З. [28,5]
1) I try to say MORNING and EVENING PRAYERS every day.
2) Every Orthodox should say PRAYERS DURING THE DAY.
3) THE FIRST HOUR, THE THIRD HOUR, THE SIXTH HOUR, THE NINTH HOUR are contained in the Horologion.
4) The DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM consists of three parts: PROSKOMEDIA, THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS, THE LITURGY OF THE FAITHFUL.
5)THE CANON TO JESUS, THE SUPPLICATORY CANON TO THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE CANON TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL,THE CANON FOR THE SICK, THE CANON FOR THE DEPARTED, THE CANON FOR HOLY PASCHA are contained in Canonic.
Н.Т. [11]
1) It is hard to make PROSTRATIONS when there are a lot of people at the church.
2) Little children sometimes do not know how to make THE SIGN OF THE CROSS right.
3) No one from my group knew what LESTOVKA was.
4) It is nice to know that there is THE RUSSIAN CHURCH ABROAD.
5) It is important to go to the VESPERS, if you are going to the DIVINE liturgy next morning.
6) The concept of the OLD RITE being included into the Russian Orthodox Church is complicated.
А.К. [7]
1) There are four fasts in Orthodoxy, which precede FEASTING: after the ADVENT follows Christmas; after the GREAT LENT follows CHRISTIAN PASSOVER; after the fast of St. Peter and St. Paul follows Peter and Paul's day (who were the DISCIPLES of Christ); and after the DORMITION fast follows Dormition of the Mother of God. Throughout the FASTING period the Orthodox Church appeals to people to REPENT and instructs to OVERCOME SINS by restrictions in food, entertainments and mainly by prayer.
2) One week before Easter the Orthodox Church celebrates the PALM SUNDAY, the ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM; forty days after Easter comes the ASCENSION; and fifty days after Easter the Church celebrates PENTECOST, which proclaims the TRINITARIAN God.
3) ANATHEMA may be pronounced to those people who REPUDIATE the Orthodox Church and DEVIATE from the Orthodox faith.
4) The ICONOCLASTS who argued against paying OBEISANCE to the holy icons, considering it to be LATENT IDOLATRY, asserted that God is INCORPOREAL and UNCIRCUMSCRIBED, so He shouldn't be DEPICTED anywhere.
Ю.Г. [22,6]
During the year we go through the CYCLE OF FEASTS AND FASTS, which always give us a SPIRITUAL JOY.
After the ADVENT usually goes one of the TWELVE GREAT FEASTS: THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST. There are also other eleven feasts: EXALTATION OF THE CROSS, ENRTY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD INTO THE TEMPLE, NATIVITY OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, THEOPHANY, MEETING OF THE LORD and others.
П.П. [45,35]
1) SPIRITUALLY-MINDED people usually have a severe HEARTACHE caused by their TRANSGRESSIONS.
2) Unfortunately during a typical day I OBSCURE the DIVINE participation in my life and because of that I am ROBBED OF the realization of the significance of my actions.
3) When I was 3, I was at the FUNERAL SURVICE. My mother told me to CROSS MYSELF, to BOW DOWN and to kiss an icon in the COFFIN. I made everything very fast because I was a bit scared. But my mother was doing this slowly and she also BLESSED the DECEASED WITH the SIGN OF THE CROSS and kissed her in her forehead.
М.С. [28]
1. It's always very difficult to put up with somebody's death, especially if the DECEASED was closely akin to you; in memory of the dead I usually put some candles on the MEMORIAL TABLE.
2. Once I was at the FUNERAL, when I was 5; I didn't understand anything there, I remembered only the COFFIN with the DEPARTED and a lot of crying people. All these things impressed me a lot.
П.П. [2]
А.Я. [12]
Ю.К. [14,55]
Е.З. [5,1]
Н.Т. [2,6]
А.К. [2]
Д.К. [1,5]
J.K. [23,35]
Group 253: Fall 2014
3. I’m glad that in my University we have classes in Religious vocabulary so now I know how to pronounce: EPISTLE OF JAMES, JUDE, JOHN, REVELATION, TO THE HEBREWS, PENTATEUCH, DEUTEROCANONICAL, ABRAHAM, THE VULGATE.
4. Yesterday I was been able to see CHRISMATION, it was such an unbelievable experience, I was intrigued by a small box. It’s called ‘THE BAPTISMAL BOX’ and it contains of: a BRUSH, OIL, CHRISM, a SPONGE and SCISSORS.
5. Not many people realize that the HOLY TABLE and the TABLE OF OBLATION are not the same thing, on the holy table are kept THE GOSPEL BOOK, THE CROSS, a LAMP-STAND or a SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, THE TABERNACLE, THE ANTIMINS; and on the table of oblation there are the CHALICE, theDISKOS, FIVE ALTAR LOAVES, THE STAR, THE SPEAR, THE SPOON, two small VEILS, the AЁR, an OIL LAMP and, of course, COMMEMORATION BOOKS.
6. When my friend decided to BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH I supported her, when finally the day of CHRISMATION came we went to the Church. When we stood by the BAPTISMAL TABLE I’ve noticed that it had THE GOSPEL, the BAPTISMAL BOX, PRIEST’S HAND CROSS, the CROSS OF THE NEWLY BAPTISED and the BAPTISMAL ROBE upon it.
7. Recently I’ve learnt that there are four ancient PATRIARCHATES such as CONSTANTINOPLE, ALEXANDRIA, ANTIOCH and JERUSALEM.
8. In our exam tasks we need to know how to read THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE BOOKS CALLED APOCRYPHA, BIBLICAL TERMS and PROPER NAMES, THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. for example Here are two examples from each: GENESIS, JUDGES, 1 EDRAS, 2 EDRAS, PENTATEUCH, THE SEPTUAGINT, MATTHEW, MARK.
9. The other week I was surfing the net and I stumbled across a video in which some people were telling about the VESTMENTS OF A BISHOP such as a SAKKOS, an OMOPHORION, a PALITSA, a MITRE , a STAFF and a PANAGIA.
10. When my grandmother got sick we called for the ELDERS OF THE CHURCH and asked them to PRAY OVER her and to ANOINT her WITH OIL in the name of the Lord.
11. Last summer I attended my brother's ENGAGEMENT at the Church. It was such a beautiful moment when they were placing on the RING FINGER of the right hand their RINGS and then when the Priest put MARRIAGE CROWNS on their heads and when they shared a COMMON CUP OF WINE.
12. I remember my first CONFESSION all too well, I was frighten to death I didn’t know what to do, but that’s not what made me remember it, it was the feeling which I’ve received after that, I also remember the moment when the EPITRACHILION was placed on my head, I remember the ADVICE from the priest.
J.K. [56,25]
1. When I was a child I didn't understand why deacons and priests CENSED the church and my Mom explained to me why and also told me about the INCENSE that was burnt in a CENSER.
2. Once my sister asked me why it's forbidden for women to go into the SANCTUARY and I was happy to explain to her.
3. In every Orthodox Church the ALTAR is separated from the NAVE by the ICON SCREEN (ICONOSTASIS).
5. Last year I had an exam and I answered the questions about the seven SACRAMENTS of the church: BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, COMMUNION, CONFESSION, ANOINTING WITH OIL, MARRIAGE and ORDINATION.
6. I've never seen anybody's Baptism, but I had a chance to help with sewing BAPTISMAL ROBES.
7. I think every Orthodox Christian knows this feeling when you stand under the EPITRACHILION and the priest read the PRAYER OF ABSOLUTION, after which you can ask him for BLESSING.
8. I was only 5 but I remember properly the marriage of my uncle and aunt: the beautiful MARRIAGE CROWNS on their heads, the wonderful WEDDING CANDLES and the incomprehensible process (for a little girl) - the BETROTHAL.
9. A priest's VESTMENTS are an ALB, a CHASUBLE, a GIRDLE, an EPIGONATION, a STOLE and cuffs.
10. A bishop's vestments are a SAKKOS, an OMOPHORION, a PALITSA, a MITRE and a PANAGIA.
11. We have learnt about different HERESIES: MONOPHYSITISM, ARIANISM.
12. All monks lead an AUSTERE life.
П.П. [60,1]
1. When I was five I saw THE DOME setting up on the Church, where my father works as a SERVER.
2. Before I turned 12 I had spent VESPERS in the NARTHEX, playing with other children, because I was getting bored with listening to the prayers.
3. My father always wanted me to stay with THE CHOIR, but I was constantly running away to THE CANDLE-DESK, because there were kind cute babushkas.
4. When my nephew was four, he used to pretend to be a deacon, he made A CENSER and CENSED for many days long.
5. THE NON-ORTHODOX can't PARTAKE IN THE MYSTERIES.
6. As I remember, the most difficult prayer for me in my childhood was THE CHERUBIC HYMN, because it lasted for hours and I was not allowed to sit.
7. Despite the hardship of being at the service, after the partaking of the THE PRECIOUS BODY AND THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE CHRIST, I felt the change of everything around me: even the trees were more lovely and the sun was shining in unusual way.
8. I am a GODMOTHER to my cousin's son. During THE BAPTISM I was to put THE BAPTISMAL ROBE on his little child, but it was screaming and beating me. The hole prossesion was waiting for me and I was in panic.
9. Before the admission to university I had been dreaming about the real CONGREGATION, where THE PARISHIONERS could communicate, because I felt really alone and needed Orthodox friends.
10. Maybe it doesn't sound very clever, but I dream that my Wedding will consist of THE BETROTHAL, THE ENGAGEMENT and THE MARRIAGE separately, because I have created more than one wedding dress, and want to have a reason to wear them all.
11. I have noticed that only babushkas visit A MEMORIAL SERVICES and only they put something at a MEMORIAL TABLE . It's sad.
12. When I was six my father took me to the place where VESTMENTS are sewed. There were many types of BROCADE, but I wasn't allowed to touch it. My father ordered A STICHARION there, and it is used by him up to now.
Е.З. [54,5]
1) To start making an icon, for example a TRYPTICH ICON, AN ICONOGRAPHER ought TO ASK THE PRIEST FOR A BLESING and say his FERVENT prayer. He must be very careful and REVERENT while doing his job.
2) I really like the part of the VEPERS when the DEACON puts the INCENSE into the CENSER and starts to CENSE. The whole church, from the NAVE to the DOME, is filled with a wonderful FRAGRANCE and you can feel that all RANKS OF ANGELS are in the church praying with you but they are in the INVISIBLE DIMENSION.
3) My parish is very poor, so the CHOIR consists of PARISHIONERS and women of our parish embroidered SMALL VEILS and THE LARGE VEIL themselves. We even have A COMMEMORATION BOOK handwritten by one of our SERVERS.
4) Every Orthodox ought to PARTAKE IN THE MYSTERIES. He ought to be BAPTISED and CHRISMATED (just once in his life), to CONFESS and to SHARE IN COMMUNION at least four times every year. During the LENT he should partake in the ANOINTING WITH OIL. Every husband and wife should be MARRIED and the FUNERAL SERVICE should be held on after an Orthodox HAS DECEASED.
5) The OLD TESTAMENT consists of such books as GENESIS, EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY (all together they are called the PENTATEUH), JOSHUA, RUTH and so on, but the most poetic and sublime is the book of PSALMS.
М.С. [55,15]
1. I will never forget my first time being in Church, the first thing which I’ve noticed was the PRIEST’S VESTMENTS such as : the ALB, the STOLE, the CHASUBLE, the GIRDLE and the EPIGONATION.
2. Also, when I was a little girl I’ve never understood why BISHOP was carring with him the STAFF and the MITRE together.
J.K. [20,25]
THE EPISTLE OF JAMES was written to JEWISH CHRISTIANS of GENTILE communities outside Palestine. James is thought to have been written in 49 A.D. prior to the Jerusalem COUNCIL held in 50 A.D. To my mind, one of the primary themes is living faith as James wants BELIEVERS not only to hear the truth, but also to act upon it. I also want to mention TRIALS - In the Christian life there are trials and TEMPTATIONS. It is said that God will supply all that you will need to face PERSECUTION or ADVERSITY. The next major theme is wise speech. Our words should convey true HUMILITY and lead to peace.
Д.К. [104,4]
1. I like the AROMATIC smell of INCENSE in the church, when the priest and deacon CENSES THE CHURCH.
2. When I was a little girl, I didn't know that A GUM PERFUMED WITH THE FRAGRANCE of trees or plants MAKE A SWEET SMELLING SMOKE.
3. Many people, especially those who do not go to Church, think that the SOLEA and the AMBO are one and the same thing.
4. THE SANCTUARY REPRESENTS THE KINGDOM, where the THRONE OF GOD IS, and there we can see THE HOLY TABLE, THE TABLE OF OBLATION, the ICON AND THE THRONE, THE SOLEA AND THE AMBO.
5. PARTICULAR ITEMS which we can see on THE HOLY TABLE are THE ANTIMINS, THE TABERNACLE, THE CROSS AND THE GOSPEL BOOK.
6. THE TABLE OF OBLATION is another main table in the SANCTUARY, here there are things for COMMUNION: CHALICE, DISKOS, THE SPOON and THE LARGE VEIL.
7. When I was a child of an Orthodox school, there I was told about THE SACRAMENTS such as BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, COMMUNION, CONFESSION, ANNOINTING WITH OIL, MARRIAGE AND ORDINATION TO THE VARIOUS DEGREES OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
8. When my grandmother was ill, she WAS GIVEN ANNOINTING more than once.
9. Every Orthodox person knows that COMMUNION IS THE HEART OF THE CHURCH and it usually takes place during THE LITURGY.
10. You should LINE UP FOR A COMMUNION with your arms CROSSED OVER your chests, then the priest will give you COMMUNION WITH A SPOON, after that your mouth will be WIPED WITH A CLOTH and do not forget to kiss THE CHALICE.
11. My mother always goes to the church and she knows THE SHAPE OF THE LITURGY exactly.
12. I sing in the choir at Church so I know all parts of THE LITURGY and the meanings of them: THE LITTLE ENTRANCE, THE EPISTLE AND GOSPEL, THE GREAT ENTRANCE, COMMUNION and THANKSGIVING.
13. TO BECOME A MEMBER OF A CHURCH you should be BAPTIZED and after it you will have a GODMOTHER AND A GODFATHER.
14. My little sister did not know it, but there is A BAPTISM TABLE, where THE GOSPEL, BAPTISMAL BOX, PRIEST`S HAND CROSS, CROSS OF THE NEWLY BAPTISED, BAPTISMAL ROBE are placed.
15. CONFESSION IS A SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE: you should prepare for it with all your heart TO CONFESS YOUR SINS.
16. When I usually confess, I KNEEL as A PENITENT, KISS THE GOSPEL and THE CROSS, AND ASK THE PRIEST FOR A BLESSING.
17. As a baptism table, there is a MARRIAGE TABLE, where we can see THE GOSPEL, PRIEST`S HAND CROSS, RINGS, MARRIAGE CROWNS, COMMON CUP OF WINE AND WEDDING CANDLES.
18. In order to have a strong and Orthodox family, you should BEGIN WITH THE BETROTHAL and then have a marriage, and the husband and wife will «BECOME ONE FLESH».
Ю.К. [39]
1) FIRST THESSALONIANS, SECOND THESSALONIANS, FIRST TIMOTHY, SECOND TIMOTHY, TITUS, PHILEMON, TO THE HEBREWS are the books of the New Testament.
2) THE GOSPEL, PRIEST'S HAND CROSS, RINGS, MARRIAGE CROWNS, COMMON CUP OF WINE, WEDDING CANDLE are lying on THE MARRIAGE TABLE at the beginning of THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.
1) GODPARENTS, GODMOTHER and GODFATHER, are participants of CHRISMATION and Baptism.
2) During Baptism godparents promise on behalf of the infant to RENOUNCE EVIL and TURN TO CHRIST.
3) The baptized is IMMERSED THREE TIMES in the FONT.
4) BAPTISMAL ROBE is a part and symbol of the new life of THE NEWLY BAPTISED.
5) Every person can EMBRACE the CHRISTIAN FAITH.
6) PRAYERS OF NAME-GIVING are not spread widely in our practice.
1) If you hesitate to do something you really wish you can ASK FOR THE PRIEST'S BLESSING.
2) EPITRACHILION is used by the priest to cover the head of the PENITENT at the end of CONFESSION.
3) PRAYERS OF ABSOLUTION are an essential part of Confession.
4) Each PARISHIONER needs a soul HEALING.
5) The Christmas service is SPLENDID BEYOND DESCRIPTION.
6) A penitent is RELEASED FROM HIS SINS after Confession.
Н.Т. [77,9]
1) Only through REPENTANCE a man can prove his DEDICATION TO GOD and get ABSOLUTION.
2) Every man should struggle with the BONDAGE OF SIN and stand on the way of DEIFICATION for the SALVATION of the soul.
Ю.Г. [72,75]
1) When I was a child I didn't know PROSKOMIDIA took place in the beginning of the SERVICE within the SANCTUARY.
2) It is amusing how differently THE CHERUBIC HYMN may be sung in different churches.
3) I believe it is very important to say PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING.
4) The PATRIARCH said the greatest memory from his childhood was how united all people in church were while singing THE CREED.
5) Unfortunately, in our church ANTIDORON is never given to anyone.
6) I've been to BAPTISM and CHRISMATION quite a number of times as I have a lot of little sisters and cousins and children of my mother's friends, and I also have seen how my grandmother was BAPTISED.
7) It is very sad that my BAPTISMAL CROSS is broken, so I have to wear another one.
8) BABY'S BAPTISMAL ROBES somehow remind me of wedding dresses.
9) It is amazing how fast and easy some GENTILES were turned to God, while some CHRISTIANS can go to church every Sunday and still have doubts.
А.К. [51,6]
1. There are four GOSPELS among the books of THE NEW TESTAMENT, according to SAINT MATTHEW, St MARK, St. LUKE and St. JOHN.
2. The BAPTISMAL TABLE contains the Gospel, PRIEST's HAND CROSS, CROSS of the NEWLY BAPTISED, BAPTISMAL ROBE and BAPTISMAL BOX, which contains the BRUSH, OIL, the SPONGE to wipe off the CHRISM, scissors for TONSURING hair and chrism which is prepared by the heads of the AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCHES and used for ANOINTING of the newly baptized.
А.Я. [112,75]
1) THE CHERUBIC HYMN is not a prayer, but there is a call of believers to the likening of angels' lives.
2) THE GREAT ENTRANCE and THE LITTLE ENTRANCE take place during the Divine Liturgy.
3) THE CREED consists of 12 parts(sentences).
4) ELIJAH was a formidable witness against idolatry and wickedness in the kingdom of Israel.
5) Both brothers CAIN and ABEL were the descendants of the same father Adam.
6) ISAAC was a son of Abraham and Sarah and was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 years old.
7) JACOB received Isaac's blessing by fraud, as intended for the firstborn.
8) The prophet ELISHA was famous in his life especially by numerous miracles.
Н.Т. [55,65]
1. ABEL, CAIN, ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB, ELIJAH, ELISHA, JUDAS ISCARIOT are proper names in the BIBLE, which we talked about at our theological lectures last year.
2. The LITURGY has it's own particular structure: it begins with a LITANY and the SINGING OF PSALMS, this is followed by the LITTLE ENTERANCE, which is a PROCESSION with THE GOSPEL BOOK, after it the PRIEST or the DEACON reads the EPISTLE or the GOSPEL, then the GREAT ENTERANCE takes place, which begins with the CHERUBIC HYMN and contains the STATEMENT of ORTHODOXY - the CREED and such PRAYER as "OUR FATHER" (these two PRAYERS all members of the CHURCH sing together), next and the main part is COMMUNION (or the EUCHARIST), to RECEIVE COMMUNION people keep FAST and PRAY; usually after this part there is a SERMON and the end of the SERVICE is THANKSGIVING, during which people LINE UP to KISS the CROSS.
А.Я. [83,4]
1. The LITTLE ENTRANCE, reading the GOSPEL, the GREAT ENTRANCE, COMMUNION, THANKSGIVING - that's THE SHAPE OF THE LITURGY.
2. I was wondering, when I read, that when people LINE UP TO KISS THE CROSS, it's not usual to kiss the priest's hand if you have received communion.
3. In the church I usually go to there is always a long interesting SERMON, preached by the priest.
П.П. [41,6]
1) I have received two Mysteries: BAPTISM and CHRISMATION. I regullary receive COMMUNION, CONFESSION and ANOINTING WITH OIL. Perhaps, in the future I will receive MARRIAGE, but the seventh Mystery - ORDINATION - is forbidden to me.
2) Through the receiving Communion MEMBERS OF the CONGREGATION acquire the SENSE OF UNITY WITH CHRIST and with other people.
3) I know from my course in Liturgics that THE LITTLE ENTRANCE symbolizes the Christ's going to the preaching.
Е.З. [31,65]
1. THE SEPTUAGINT is a translation of THE HEBREW BIBLE into the Greek language. By the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C., most people in Israel spoke Greek as their primary language. That is why the effort was made to translate the Hebrew Bible into Greek - so that those who didn't understand Hebrew could have THE SCRIPTURES in a language they could understand.
2. THE ORTHODOX, as well as ROMAN CATHOLIC BIBLES have several more books in THE OLD TESTAMENT than PROTESTANT BIBLES. These books are referred to as THE APOCRYPHA or DEUTEROCANONICAL books. The word APOCRYPHA means "hidden", while the word DEUTEROCANONICAL means "second CANON". The books are titled: 1 ESDRAS, 2 ESDRAS, TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, ECCLESIASTICUS, BARUCH, THE EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH, 1 MACCABEES, 2 MACCABEES. The Orthodox include those in THE CANON.
Д.К. [82,25]
1) The SANCTUARY is a part of the temple.
2) The Holy Spirit ABIDES in the temple throughout each service.
3) A CHRISTIAN WORSHIP was FORBIDDEN and PERSECUTED in pagan times.
4) BARUCH, EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH, 1 MACCABEES, 2 MACCABEES are the books called Apocrypha.
Н.Т. [50,65]
1. The books of the BIBLE called APOCRYPHA are made up of 1 ESDRAS, 2 ESDRAS, TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, ECCLESIASTICUS, BARUCH, EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH, 1 MACCABEES and 2 MACCABEES. ROMAN CATHOLICS believe that the books were not GOD-INSPIRED but THE ORTHODOX include them in the CANON.
2. I've got a friend from Canada who's Orthodox and who visited me last year to CELEBRATE THE EASTER SERVICE together. Despite the fact that the service was conducted in Church Slavonic, she could perfectly understand everything that was going on because of two reasons: firstly, THE ORTHODOX WORSHIP is alike everywhere, secondly her father is A DEACON and her uncle A BISHOP. Sometimes during the LITURGY she prayed in CHURCH SLAVONIC, she knew by heart such PRAYERS as "OUR FATHER" and THE LORD'S PRAYER, but when THE CONGREGATION were singing THE CREED she opened a PRAYER BOOK in English and joined us praying but in her own language. Emily taught me to say "CHRIST IS RISEN" - "INDEED HE IS RISEN" and told me many interesting things about her CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY and how they CELEBRATED THE SERVICE which was of high interest to me. I've never heard her saying THE ALTAR LOAVES but PROSPHORAS nor THE EASTER CAKE but KULICH and when she spoke about CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST - the medicine of IMMORTALITY she also used Russian terminology. As for me, I would love to attend an Orthodox service abroad as she did and I do hope next Easter will be as memorable for me.
Д.К. [59,5]
1. Like all ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS I regularly RECEIVE COMMUNION - the central MYSTERY of the CHURCH, which takes place at the LITURGY - to be united with CHRIST through partaking of His most precious BODY and His most precious BLOOD under the guise of bread and wine.
2. BARUCH, EPISTLE OF JEREMIAH, 1 MACCABEES and 2 MACCABEES conclude the list of books called APOCRYPHA which are not included in the biblical canon by western churches.
А.Я. [69,4]
1) The Lord's supper in the UPPER ROOM is the last meal of Christ with His DISCIPLES before His CRUCIFIXION.
2) During this meal THE EUCHARIST was established that is one of the SACRAMENTAL mysteries and is the center of CHRISTIAN WORSHIP.
Ю.Г. [54,4]
1) When I was a little child it was hard for me to stand still during THE GOSPEL READING.
2) My parents have a lot of friends among our local MEMBERS OF CONGREGATION.
3) My little sisters like that part of COMMUNION when they are given PROSPHORAS after the LITURGY.
4) I find it fascinating that there are a lot of CRISTIAN COMMUNITIES all over the world.
А.К. [34,6]
During the Orthodox service there are the following items on the HOLY TABLE: THE CROSS, THE TABERNACLE, A SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK or LAMP-STAND, THE ANTIMINS, THE GOSPEL BOOK.
THE SERVICE OF PREPARATION is called PROSKOMIDIA.
CHALICE, DISKOS, FIVE ALTAR LOAVES, THE STAR, THE SPEAR, THE SPOON, TWO SMALL VEILS, THE LARGE VEIL, AN OIL LAMP and COMMEMORATION BOOKS are used for preparation of the Liturgy.
THE TABLE OF OBLATION is a necessary part of THE ALTAR.
THE RELICS OF SAINTS are honored the popularly by the Orthodox.
These books are at the end of the book list called THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: MICAH,
NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI.
There are seven SACRAMENTS in Orthodoxy: BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, COMMUNION, CONFESSION, ANOINTING WITH OIL, MARRIAGE and ORDINATION.
Every Orthodox should PARTAKE IN THE MYSTERIES.
We COMMEMORATE THE DEPARTED on soul SATURDAY.
Upon arrival at church we write notes FOR THE LIVING and IN MEMORY OF THE DEPARTED.
There are VARIOUS DEGREES OF THE PRIESTHOOD in Orthodoxy.
ANOINTING WITH OIL, THE SACRAMENT OF HEALING, is received by Orthodox during Lent.
Some BOOKS CALLED APOCRYPHA are 1 EZDRAS, 2 EZDRAS, TOBIT, JUDITH, WISDOM, ECCLESIASTICUS.
Н.Т. [47,65]
1) Such SACRED ACT as baptism can be performed not only by the PRIESTHOOD but even by women if there is no ordained priest to do it.
2) SHARING IN the sacraments of the Church is necessary for the Orthodox, but members of other Churhes can't PARTAKE in mysteries, and Orthodox can just pray that one day there will be a full RECONCILLIATION between all the Christians.
Ю.Г. [40,9]
1. BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, COMMUNION, CONFESSION, and ANOINTING WITH OIL are an obligatory for everyone who claims to be an ORTHODOX.
2. If someone is seriously ill, he can receive COMMUNION without keeping a fast.
А.К. [28,1]
1)The commemoration at the SERVICE OF PREPARATION with the withdrawal of the particles FOR the commemorated is the most important and useful for the souls of the commemorated.
2)HOLY RELICS are usually moved into the new ANTIMINS from the old one.
Н.Т. [12,9]
1) There is a CHAPEL in our village where people can light candles on the CANDLESTICK and pray in front of the icons.
2) It often happens that the local bishop comes here on feasts after CELEBRATING THE LITURGY and gives sermon or talks about matters of DOCTRINE.
Ю.Г. [28,4]
1) Once in my chidhood I looked into the SANCTUARY through the open door of the ICONSCREEN standing on THE SOLEA.
2) I have memorized it for ever that LITURGY consists of three parts: PROSKOMIDIA, the Liturgy of the Catechumens, and the Liturgy of the Faithful.
3) In my native city there are two RELICS OF SAINTS: of Joasaph of Belgorod and of Nicodemus of Belgorod.
4) In the previous year in my university I learned that PROSKOMIDIA is served on THE TABLE OF OBLATION.
5) When I was on my obedience in the church I was cleaning OIL LAMPS.
Е.З. [26,65]
1. For me it was very difficult to remember how the CHALICE, the DISKOS, THE STAR, THE SPEAR, THE SPOON and THE LARGE VEIL and FIVE ALTAR LOAVES are used in THE SERVICE before the exam, but now I enjoy the possession of such a knowledge.
2. I believe it is important to know the history, because THE HUMAN FAILINGS and THE ACCIDENTS OF HISTORY can be very useful and help to prevent us from making mistakes in the future.
А.К. [21,1]
I wish I could tell stories about my ancestors ATTENDING CAMOUFLAGED CHAPELS or OBTAINING SPECIAL PASSES to THE EASTER SERVICE IN A STATE INSTITUTION but they predominantly were ATHEISTS and the only exception was my grand-grandma who was AN OLD RITUALIST.
I've seen such items as A SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, THE TABERNACLE AND THE ANTIMINS that are kept ON THE HOLY TABLE only in pictures, same refers to the DISKOS, THE STAR and THE SPEAR which are on THE TABLE OF OBLATION because I have no right to enter THE SANCTUARY, but I often see THE CHALICE, THE GOSPEL BOOK and THE CROSS during the LITURGY.
Д.К. [42,5]
1. Having studied at the University for a year, I learned that such things as CHALICE, DISKOS, ALTAR LOAVES, the STAR, the SPEAR, OIL LAMP and COMMEMORATION BOOKS are kept on the TABLE OF OBLATION.
2. Last year we had not enouhg time to interpret abstruse pages of such OLD TESTAMENT books as NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH and MALACHI.
3. Originally the "HOLY OF HOLIES" consisted of the HOLY TABLE, wich was placed in the centre of the SANCTUARY, sedilia and BISHOP'S THRONE; the TABLE of OBLATION and sacristy were in separate rooms on the right and left of the sanctuary.
4. AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCH in ORTHODOXY is a LOCAL CHURCH, completely independent of the other Orthodox Churches, which emerged in the process of separation of the PATRIARCHATES and METROPOLIAS in the provinces of the BYZANTINE EMPIRE.
А.Я. [54,4]
1) My mother owns a little CENSER at home, which she burns every day while reading her prayers, and she has quite a number of different GUMS.
2) A lot of my friends, who don't go to church frequently, have told me that THE AROMATIC SMELL of INCENSE in church made them sick, and this is strange, because the FRAGRANCE of incense is nice for me.
А.К. [13,6]
1) SAINT CYRIL AND SAINT METHODIUS are well-known APOSTLES who created the Old SLAVONIC alphabet and they RANK IN HONOR both in the EAST and in the WEST.
2) INCENSE is burnt at every VESPERS and before the LITURGY to release the perfumed smoke into the air as a symbol of PRAYERS RISING UP TO GOD.
Ю.Г. [22]
1. PSALMS, PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, SONG OF SOLOMON, ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS, EZEKIEL are some of the books which are included in the OLD TESTAMENT.
2. HIS HOLINESS THE POPE is not only the head of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, but also he is BISHOP of ROME, SUPREME PONTIFF of the UNIVERSAL CHURCH and PATRIARCH OF THE WEST.
А.Я. [29,75]
1) Once upon a time in my chilhood I CONFESSED my sins to a HIEROMONK in the church built IN THE SHAPE OF a CROSS.
2) I know one young boy who is going to be a PRIEST, and he doesn't follow THE RULES OF COMING TO THE CHURCH.
3) I have never seen HIS HOLINESS ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPOLE THE NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH, because I have never been interested in any ARCHBISHOPS except HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA.
4) In my room in the dormitory I have ICON CORNER with THE LAMP and with ICON of SAINT Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia.
5) When I was in the Holy Land in the first week after the EASTER I met many HIEROMONKS of the CHURCH OF GREECE.
6) When we partake of the Holy Communion our THOUGHTS AND DEEDS ARE BLESSED by the POWER OF GOD and we UNITE ALL OUR STRENGTH WITH THE LIFE OF CHRIST.
Е.З. [14,5]
1. I remember that when I was a child, my Mom taught me TO MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS and she also explained to me that three fingers symbolize the THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY - FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT; two fingers symbolize TWO NATURES OF CHRIST - human and divine, and as for the small cross around my neck, she said, all ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS should wear it.
2. Nowadays even among ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS there are so many cold-hearted people who are indifferent to your problems that sometimes your appeals for help can be just like VOICES CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS.
П.П. [22]
Christ has TWO NATURES - DIVINE AND HUMAN.
Н.Т. [7]
1) When my father studied at the THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE, preparing to UNDERTAKE MISSIONARY WORK, he learnt some prayers from PSALMS.
2) MONOPHYSITE dogma states that there is just one, divine ENTITY in Christ.
Ю.Г. [12,5]
1. Studying the BIBLE we dwelt on such names as ADAM, ABRAHAM, ISAAC and such texsts as Pentateuch, EZRA, NEHEMIAH, ESTHER, JOB, the epistle of the HOLY APOSTLE PAUL to the CORINTHIANS, to the ROMANS, but we didn't pay too much attention to such books as 1 CHRONICLES and 2 CHRONICLES.
2. According to ORTHODOX TRADITION, I, like all ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS, wear a CROSS around my neck, wich shows the death of JESUS CHRIST: He is cruсified and there is a SCULL at the foot of the CROSS and inscribtion INRI (JESUS of NAZARETH, King of Glory) on the top of the CROSS.
А.Я. [18]
1. I have a friend from SERBIA, who told me a lot of interesting facts about HIS HOLINESS ARCHBISHOP OF PEC, METROPOLITAN OF BELGRADE AND CARLOVCI, PATRIARCH OF SERBIA Paul, who reposed in 2009.
2. Being a little girl, I used to get petrified by observing adults who occasionally VENERATED not only THE THREE-BAR CROSS by KISSING it, but also ADAM'S SKULL for I didn't know it's SYMBOLISM and was but afraid of it.
Д.К. [17,5]
1. I have almost never taken off my baptismal CROSS as it is a SYMBOL OF LIFE and I can't feel safe without it, though it is not THE BYZANTINE THREE-BAR CROSS, but a simplified version of it.
2. There was a cross in the church which I used to attend as a child which was INSCRIBED WITH letters INRI and had a SKULL placed at THE FOOT OF THE CROSS, and it was famous for being myrrh-streaming.
А.К. [9]
1)When I come to visit some people whom I know not so closely, I pay attention to the ICON CORNER and then I try to realise how often they go to the church and receive COMMUNION.
2) From my childhood I always go to the CHURCH to CONFESS MY SINS and to COMMUNION, and once it was a miricle when I saw HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA.
3) I think that MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS is the most important and significiant way of praying, you should do it with all your HEART and faith.
4) In my opinion, CHURCH OF ALEXANDRIA is the most admirable and splendid ORTHODOX CHURCH in the world, and I have a dream to to receive the blessing from HIS BEATITUDE POPE AND PATRIARCH OF ALEXANDRIA AND ALL AFRICA.
Ю.К. [11,85]
1) Before taking a brush, the ICONOGRAPHER asks God to guide the process.
2) St. Athanasius the Great, Ecumenical teachers St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian became prominent THEOLOGIANS of the 4th century.
Н.Т. [3,5]
1)When I am in the church in my native town and PRAYING in front of the ICON of St. Panteleimon, I feel with all my heart that I'm looking into A WINDOW ONTO ETERNITY.
2) My aunt who belongs to the CHURCH OF GEORGIA is an ICONOGRAPHER and her ICON CORNER is full of unusual LAMPS, CANDLES and icons which show different SAINTS, HOLY PEOPLE and EVENTS FROM THE GOSPEL.
М.С. [29,65]
1. It's a nice idea to have a DECORATIVE TOWEL put on large-sized ICONS because it looks exquisite and shows the REVERENCE with which they are VENERATED.
2. We should PRAY FERVENTLY as SAINTS did.
Д.К. [10,5]
1. At home my family has an ICON CORNER in every room with lit LAMPS in front of the ICONS.
2. It is hard to live in homes without icons, because I’m not used to offering PRAYERS when there is no visible connection with ETERNITY.
А.К. [5,5]
1) There is the TRYPTICH icon in my ICON CORNER, where Mother of God, Christ and St. Nicolas are DEPICTED, and it is surrounded by the DECORATIVE TOWEL.
2) In the course of THEOLOGY I've learnt about the RELIGIOUS DISPUTES that led to the division of Christianity into the GREEK EAST and the LATIN WEST branches in 1054.
Ю.Г. [10]
1) HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA is the title of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.
2) HOLY DOORS are double doors located opposite the HOLY TABLE (at the ALTAR), the main doors of the ICON SCREEN in the Orthodox Church.
Н.Т. [2,5]
1) My elder brother had to go to CONFESSION and receive COMMUNION for the first time, when he decided to have the BETROTHAL and to get MARRIED.
2) When I was 5, our PARISH was meeting HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA, but I mixed up everything and instead of calling him "YOUR HOLINESS", I called him just "REVEREND FATHER".
М.С. [4]
1. Being a school girl, I learnt that from among the CLERGYMEN DEACONS cannot administer THE SACRAMENTS, which are COMMUNION, CONFESSION, CHRISMATION, BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANNOINTING WITH OIL and ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD.
2. I clearly remember what GENESIS and EXODUS are about, but I'm not entirely sure if I've read LEVITICUS, NUMBERS and DEUTERONOMY.
Д.К. [7,5]
1. In the first year students were not told much about such ORTHODOX SERVICE BOOKS as THE FESTAL MENAION and THE LENTEN TRIODION.
2. If a person considers himself to be an ORTHODOX Christian he must take part in THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH, and receive COMMUNION regularly.
А.К. [3]
1) In the course of Liturgical tradition I studied the SACRAMENTS of the Church (which are BAPTISM, CHRISMATION, COMMUNION, CONFESSION, ORDINATION, MARRIAGE and ANOINTING WITH OIL), orders of prayers, motets and the books of the OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT.
2) I know that on the Seventh Council of the first seven ECUMENICAL councils there was established the dogma stating that we don’t idolize icons, but VENERATE them.
Ю.Г. [6]
1. Personally I don't like the fact that nowadays many DEACONS, PRIESTS, ARCHBISHOPS of the ORTHODOX CHURCH read THE HOLY BIBLE or some PRAYERS using their mobile phones instead of using the real books during the SERVICE; because the Orthodox Church is a HOUSE OF GOD and it's terrible that somebody just destroys the sacramental atmosphere there.
2. This summer I was lucky to attend a lecture given by Panteleimon, BISHOP of Orekhovo-Zuevo, auxilary to HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA and he told us that we should never give up, we should be strong and ask God about everything.
П.П. [5]
1. To partake of the HOLY COMMUNION you should keep the FAST at least for 3 days, go to the CHURCH - GOD'S HOUSE - for the evening SERVICE, go to CONFESSION to the PRIEST and ask for his BLESSING, then next morning go to the LITURGY, in which you'll receive COMMUNION.
2. Last year we learned at the lectures that there are seven SACRAMENTS of the Russion ORTHODOX CHURCH: COMMUNION, CONFESSION, BAPTISM, CHRISTMATION, ANOINTING WITH OIL, MARRIAGE and ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD, and also the mention of them in THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE.
А.Я. [9]
Ю.К. [8,5]
J.K. [2]
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