Orthodox Wisdom

Prayer for all of America, for peace, justice, and unity, with one end in mind: the salvation of our souls and eternal joy in the Holy Trinity. #Orthodox  This prayer can be used for any nation, not just the United States, just substitute the name of the country. Come Lord Jesus!   I encourage you all to join your prayer with action, whatever God directs you to do to help others who are suffering in one way or another. Ask your priest, your mentor, your friend for help and mutual support.  You can find this prayer in the new St. Tikhon's prayer book "Orthodox Christian Prayer": https://www.stspress.com/shop/books/p...  Photo is of Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York.   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

It is fitting not only to read about God's saints but also to sing to them and lift our hearts to God. This beautiful akathist hymn to St. Cuthbert is chanted with this is mind. Let us seek to emulate God's chosen saints in chanting to Him and His holy ones.   For the Akathist text: http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/oe4...  To listen to the Audiobook of the life of St. Cuthbert: https://youtu.be/Ct_d7PTABJY  To read his Life and download the Audiobook: www.orthodox-wisdom.blogspot.com   Icon of St. Cuthbert: www.leeharveyicons.com   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The fourth of twenty-two sermons specifically on the subject of the Divine Liturgy, preached by New Martyr St. Seraphim (Zvezdinski). Learn more about yet another inspiring martyr under the Soviet antichrists here: https://orthochristian.com/7426.html  “At this time in Antioch, it happened that persecutors seized the priest Lucian together with his flock. He was condemned (and while in prison) his flock said with sorrow to St. Lucian, “Our dear Father, how will we partake of the Holy Mysteries?” Lucian lay motionless on a hard board, his legs were shackled so that he could not stand up. “Do you have bread and wine?” He asked. “Yes, some kind people have brought some,” they answered. “Only, how will you serve the Liturgy, for we have no altar?” “Bring here the bread and wine and place them on my chest, let it be a living altar for the Most-Pure Mysteries of the Lord,” proclaimed the imprisoned priest. And so they brought the bread and wine and St. Lucian served the Divine Liturgy on his own chest. He together with all the assembled Christians partook of the Holy Mysteries.”   “The Liturgy is the diamond, that priceless gift from Christ. The Liturgy is the river, strengthening and refreshing, flowing from the side of Christ. The Liturgy is the golden bridge on which only it is possible to come to eternal life.”   This was recently translated into English by Fr. Zechariah Lynch, rector of Archangel Michael Orthodox Church (OCA) in Pueblo, CO. If you have not already done so, follow Fr. Zechariah’s excellent blog at https://inklesspen.blog  Text: https://inklesspen.blog/2021/09/19/th...  Orthodox Wisdom is now on your favorite podcast platform! Go to the “About” tab at the top of the this channel to find links to:  -Apple Podcasts  -Spotify  -Stitcher  -and more…   This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The account of St. Cuthbert's life by his contemporary, the Venerable Bede, translated in the 19th century by J. A. Giles, and adapted in 2019 by Timothy Honeycutt. St. Cuthbert is a man of universal importance and the most venerated saint of Lindisfarne and Northern England. Through his many miracles and faithful witness, he has inspired, and continues to inspire, countless people to live for Christ. Pilgrims can still venerate his relics, travel to his islands, and find consolation by his prayers. Go to orthodox-wisdom.blogspot.com to DOWNLOAD: -Adapted Text of The Life of St. Cuthbert (PDF) -Audiobook of The Life of St. Cuthbert (mp3) This is the audiobook of the adapted text by Timothy Honeycutt. The intended goal of this adaptation is to maintain the integrity of the original text, both in substance and in style, while adding clarity in two different ways: first, by substituting select antiquated words with more modern, yet reverent, language; secondly, with a desire to help Eastern Christians learn more about this blessed saint of the West, since during St. Cuthbert’s time the Faith in the East and in the West was one and the same, certain religious terminology more common in the East has been used. Both the text and the audiobook are in the public domain. Commercial profit is forbidden. Icon of St. Cuthbert by Lee Harvey: www.leeharveyicons.com “Northumbria is exceeding glad, cherishing the sacred relics of the holy Cuthbert in its bosom; and England exulteth in his intercessions; but all the Orthodox throughout the world trust in his heavenly mediation.”  –From the Service to St. Cuthbert This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The account of St. Cuthbert's life by his contemporary, the Venerable Bede, translated in the 19th century by J. A. Giles, and adapted in 2019 by Timothy Honeycutt.   St. Cuthbert is a man of universal importance and the most venerated saint of Lindisfarne and Northern England. Through his many miracles and faithful witness, he has inspired, and continues to inspire, countless people to live for Christ. Pilgrims can still venerate his relics, travel to his islands, and find consolation by his prayers.   Go to orthodox-wisdom.blogspot.com to DOWNLOAD:   -Adapted Text of The Life of St. Cuthbert (PDF)  -Audiobook of The Life of St. Cuthbert (mp3)    This is the audiobook of the adapted text by Timothy Honeycutt. The intended goal of this adaptation is to maintain the integrity of the original text, both in substance and in style, while adding clarity in two different ways: first, by substituting select antiquated words with more modern, yet reverent, language; secondly, with a desire to help Eastern Christians learn more about this blessed saint of the West, since during St. Cuthbert’s time the Faith in the East and in the West was one and the same, certain religious terminology more common in the East has been used.   Both the text and the audiobook are in the public domain. Commercial profit is forbidden.   Icon of St. Cuthbert by Lee Harvey: www.leeharveyicons.com    “Northumbria is exceeding glad, cherishing the sacred relics of the holy Cuthbert in its bosom; and England exulteth in his intercessions; but all the Orthodox throughout the world trust in his heavenly mediation.”  –From the Service to St. Cuthbert   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The account of St. Cuthbert's life by his contemporary, the Venerable Bede, translated in the 19th century by J. A. Giles, and adapted in 2019 by Timothy Honeycutt.   St. Cuthbert is a man of universal importance and the most venerated saint of Lindisfarne and Northern England. Through his many miracles and faithful witness, he has inspired, and continues to inspire, countless people to live for Christ. Pilgrims can still venerate his relics, travel to his islands, and find consolation by his prayers.   Go to orthodox-wisdom.blogspot.com to DOWNLOAD:   -Adapted Text of The Life of St. Cuthbert (PDF)  -Audiobook of The Life of St. Cuthbert (mp3)    This is the audiobook of the adapted text by Timothy Honeycutt. The intended goal of this adaptation is to maintain the integrity of the original text, both in substance and in style, while adding clarity in two different ways: first, by substituting select antiquated words with more modern, yet reverent, language; secondly, with a desire to help Eastern Christians learn more about this blessed saint of the West, since during St. Cuthbert’s time the Faith in the East and in the West was one and the same, certain religious terminology more common in the East has been used.   Both the text and the audiobook are in the public domain. Commercial profit is forbidden.   Icon of St. Cuthbert by Lee Harvey: www.leeharveyicons.com    “Northumbria is exceeding glad, cherishing the sacred relics of the holy Cuthbert in its bosom; and England exulteth in his intercessions; but all the Orthodox throughout the world trust in his heavenly mediation.”  –From the Service to St. Cuthbert   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The account of St. Cuthbert's life by his contemporary, the Venerable Bede, translated in the 19th century by J. A. Giles, and adapted in 2019 by Timothy Honeycutt.   St. Cuthbert is a man of universal importance and the most venerated saint of Lindisfarne and Northern England. Through his many miracles and faithful witness, he has inspired, and continues to inspire, countless people to live for Christ. Pilgrims can still venerate his relics, travel to his islands, and find consolation by his prayers.   Go to orthodox-wisdom.blogspot.com to DOWNLOAD:  -Adapted Text of The Life of St. Cuthbert (PDF)  -Audiobook of The Life of St. Cuthbert (mp3)    This is the audiobook of the adapted text by Timothy Honeycutt. The intended goal of this adaptation is to maintain the integrity of the original text, both in substance and in style, while adding clarity in two different ways: first, by substituting select antiquated words with more modern, yet reverent, language; secondly, with a desire to help Eastern Christians learn more about this blessed saint of the West, since during St. Cuthbert’s time the Faith in the East and in the West was one and the same, certain religious terminology more common in the East has been used.   Both the text and the audiobook are in the public domain. Commercial profit is forbidden.   Icon of St. Cuthbert by Lee Harvey: www.leeharveyicons.com    “Northumbria is exceedingly glad, cherishing the sacred relics of the holy Cuthbert in its bosom; and England exulteth in his intercessions; but all the Orthodox throughout the world trust in his heavenly mediation.”   –From the Service to St. Cuthbert   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

A collection of some of the most clear and direct teachings of the Holy Fathers on Heaven, Hell, and Universalism: the belief that in the end all will be saved, even those in hell. Sometimes simply referred to "Apokotastisis," which in Greek means "restoration," is often referred to as the restoration of all things in Christ, in this world and in all of creation. Origen and his modern companions distort the patristic teaching and posit that ultimately everyone will use their free will to choose to love God, even after death. Let the listener hear what the Church has said, what the consensus of the Fathers is, and may we all follow the wisdom of St. Isaac the Syrian: "This life has been given to you for repentance. Do no waste it in vain pursuits." We all must be sober, not triumphalistic nor arrogant, but must labor diligently that we may enter through the narrow gate that leads to life! This is not a complete treatment of this most important issue. But this collection of teachings should stand as a signpost of the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. A fuller treatment is scheduled to be finished by Orthodox Wisdom later in 2022. INTRODUCTION: 00:00  Holy Scripture (KJV): 00:56  St. Ignatius of Antioch: 04:29  St. Justin Martyr: 05:01  St. Theophilus of Antioch: 05:14  St. Irenaeus of Lyons: 05:38  St. Hippolytus of Rome: 06:08  St. Cyprian of Carthage: 06:26  St. Cyril of Jerusalem: 06:43  St. Basil the Great: 07:25  St. Epiphanius of Cyprus: 08:20  St. John Chysostom: 08:50  Blessed Jerome of Stridonium: 09:43  Blessed Augustine: 10:10  St. Theodore the Studite: 12:43  St. Symeon the New Theologian: 13:08  St. Nicetas Stethatos: 13:48  Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria: 14:14  St. Symeon of Thessalonica: 14:56  St. Elias Miniatis: 15:46  St. Ignatius Brianchaninov: 16:44  St. Theophan the Recluse: 18:00  St. Cyriacus the Solitary: 20:53  Blessed John Moschus: 21:50  Evening Prayers by St. John Chrysostom and St. John Damascene: 23:08  St. John Chrysostom: 23:30  St. Amphilochius of Iconium: 24:52  St. Ephraim the Syrian: 25:08  Synodical Letter of St. Sophronius of Jerusalem read and accepted by the Sixth Ecumenical Council: 26:15  Concerning the views of St. Isaac the Syrian: 29:44  Concerning the views of St. Gregory of Nyssa: 31:51  CONCLUSION:  St. Paisios the Athonite: 34:47  Prayer to the Mother of God during Compline of Great Lent: 35:15  Evening Prayer from St. John Chrysostom: 36:14 "Here it is possible to go unto the king, and entreat, and free the condemned person: but there, no longer; for He permits it not, but they continue in the scorching torment, and in so great anguish, as it is not possible for words to tell. For if, when any are in flames here, no speech can describe their sharp pangs, much less theirs, who suffer it in that place: since here indeed all is over in a brief point of time, but in that place there is buming indeed, but what is burnt is not consumed." -St. John Chrysostom (Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, NPNF 1.10, Homily 43, p. 269.) "We must not be going, together with the demons, to where the fire is unquenchable ... and not for a certain time, or for a year, or for a hundred or a thousand years: for the torment will not have an end, as Origen thought, but will be forever and for eternity, as the Lord said." -St. Theodore the Studite, Catechetical Instructions and Testaments (Moscow. 1908) p. 75 [in Russian]. Quoted in The Orthodox Word, “Will the Torments of Hades Have an End?”, Vol. 56, Nos. 1-2 (330-331), p.4

The joyful service of Bright Week done solo in singing and chant for the Paschal joy and salvation of us all. There are many wonderful recordings of choirs singing this service, but I wanted to offer a simpler version of this service. Blessed Pascha to all! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Христосъ воскресе!  Воистину воскресе! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!  Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!   Apart from the Paschal Troparion, the translation is from Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Boston, MA.   This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  Glory to Jesus Christ!

Many today say that universalism (i.e. that all souls will be saved and enjoy heavenly bliss) has never been condemned by a Council, that some Saints taught this doctrine, and that therefore it is an acceptable view for Orthodox Christians to hold, even if it is a minority view. While some Saints appear to have held this view in some way, the vast majority of Saints rejected such ideas, and some even specifically distinguished their sanctity from their error on this matter. St. Photios the Great said, “What St. Gregory, the bishop of Nyssa, said about the apocatastasis, the Church does not accept.” Both the 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils explicitly reject any notion that all unrepentant souls, both men and demons, will ultimately be redeemed and will enjoy the love and truth of Christ. St. Sophronius of Jerusalem (+638) wrote this letter upon becoming Patriarch of Jerusalem in 634 while the monothelite heresy (i.e. that Christ has one will, not two) was raging. His Synodical Letter was read and accepted at the 6th Ecumeincal Council that condemned monothelitism, as well as the teachings of Origen and those of like mind. In it we find a clear condemnation of universalism as well as a condemnation of principles essential to the theory of evolution. May we pray genuinely and simply those prayers of the evening prayer rule: "O Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments" (prayer of St. John Chrysostom), and "O Lord, I fear Thy Judgment and the endless torments" (prayer of St. John Damascene). +Universalism, eternal hell+ “[Origen and other heretics] want an end to punishment” “alleging the restoration of all rational creatures, angels, human beings, demons” “we both speak of the consummation of the present world and believe that that life which is to come after the present life will last forever, and we hold to unending punishment” +Adam, Eve, Paradise, Creation, Evolution+ “They throw out the planting of paradise, they do not want Adam fashioned in the flesh, they object to the moulding of Eve from him, they reject the utterance of the snake” “But it is not only on this point that the deranged err and go astray from the straight road (such impiety would be tolerable in comparison with [their other] evils), but they also make myriads of other statements contrary to the tradition of the apostles and our Fathers. They throw out the planting of paradise, they do not want Adam fashioned in the flesh, they object to the moulding of Eve from him, they reject the utterance of the snake, they forbid the ranks of heavenly armies as they were created to be in the beginning by God, imagining that they resulted from a primordial condemnation and deviation. They dream up, both godlessly and mythically, that all rational things were produced in a henad of minds, and they abuse the creation of the waters above heaven, and want an end to punishment, and they introduce besides total corruptibility of all perceptible things, while alleging the restoration of all rational creatures, angels, human beings, demons, and again confounding their differences into one mythical unity, when Christ will be different from us in no respect, whom they preach in a foolish manner, not the one whom we proclaim in pious belief in glory or honour or kingship or lordship. They seethe like demons and bring forth myriads of things from the diabolical and impious store of their heart…” Sophronius of Jerusalem and Seventh-Century Heresy from Oxford Univeristy Press. See pgs 119-125: https://www.scribd.com/document/20535... Orthodox Wisdom is now on your favorite podcast platform! Go to the “About” tab at the top of the this channel to find links to: -Apple Podcasts -Spotify -Stitcher -and more… This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!