Fort Ross

"Our homeland represents the embodiment of the Gospel in the national character and national existence, as well as embodiment of the Heavenly Kingdom; our Russia is not only a legal entity or a state, no – it is a universal, all-encompassing idea." – so said the great hierarch of the Russian land, the most blessed Metropolitan Anthony on 5 October, 1904, on the day of the four saints of Moscow, warning Russia about the coming hardships. ...more

How Will the Upcoming Russian Church Unity Affect the Youth of Our Diocese?

It is hard to think of a more momentous occasion than the reunification of the Russian Church. Yet it is very likely that ordinary parish life and the life of the youth in particular will remain largely unaffected, at least on the surface. ...more

On the Psychology of Schism

Behold how good it is for brothers to dwell as one.(Ps. 133:1) Unity and one mindedness (edinamisli) are important aspect of the Christian life. ...more

The Labors of Bishop Nektary (Kontzevich) of Seattle in the Field of Spiritual Nurturing of Children and Youth

February 6, 2008, was the 25th anniversary of the blessed repose of the vicar bishop of the Western American Diocese, Bishop Nektary (Kontzevitch) of Seattle. The life path of Vladyka Nektary deserves a separate study; this article is dedicated merely to one of the aspects of his service to the Church – his labors with children and youth. ...more

Sermon on the Feast of the New Martyrs of Russia (2008)

In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Dear in Christ Fathers, brothers, sisters, and children,

Today we celebrate the memory of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, the heavenly intercessors for our parish. Their memory is precious to us for many reasons—some personal, some that relate to the entire Russian Church.

...more

The Golden Compass: “Not all is gold that glitters”

We have come to that time of the year when Hollywood presents its annual “Christmas” offerings, in the form of various films that open in December ...more

The Most Just Scales

“Come, God-lovers all, behold the honorable Cross”

In the artistically figurative language of our marvelous Orthodox divine service, the Cross of the Lord is compared with "just scales." In the Church Slavonic language, this is expressed by the words "merilo pravednoe" ("just balance").

"In the midst of two thieves, Thy Cross was found to be a just balance."

Here before our spiritual gaze is Golgotha on the day of our redemption from sin, the curse and death. ...more

The Orthodox World-View

A talk delivered by Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose) at the St. Herman Pilgrimage, August 1982, St. Herman of Alaska Monastery, Platina, California.

Before beginning my talk, a word or two on why it is important to have an Orthodox world-view, and why it is more difficult to build one today than in past centuries. ...more

In Memoriam: Protopresbyter Elias Wen

Protopresbyter Elias Wen was born in Peking, China, in 1896. At the age of seven he, on his own volition and with his parents’ permission, was baptized into the Holy Orthodox Church. From 1905 to 1914, he studied at the Mission school, and from 1915 to 1918, at the Peking Theological Seminary. In 1931, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Simon and assigned to the Annunciation Church in Shanghai. After completion of the new Shanghai cathedral in honor of the Mother of God "Surety of Sinners", Fr. Elias was assigned Dean there. In 1946, by Decree of Archbishop John (Maximovitch), he was made Rector of the cathedral. ...more

"The faith of a Christian is with love; faith without love is that of the devil"

We can define Orthodoxy in no better way than in the words of the great 18th-century Russian Father, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk — a Saint whose fervent spirit is needed very much today by Orthodox Christians. We should read him more and practice what he teaches. St. Tikhon calls Orthodoxy "the true Christianity," and he wrote a whole book under this title. But "true Christianity" does not mean just having the right opinions about Christianity — this is not enough to save one's soul. ...more