Orthodox Wisdom

St. Seraphim said, “My joy, I beg you, acquire the spirit of peace.”St. Seraphim of Sarov (+1833) is one of the most beloved Saints on recent times, truly a Saint of God cleansed and illumined, whose life and teachings overflow with divine energy. You may have heard his words: “Acquire the spirit of peace and thousands around you will be saved.” If you are not yet familiar with St. Seraphim please buy the book linked below or find more online. He is a wonderful Saint to learn from, from inquirer to holy elder.This is the second recording for Orthodox Wisdom by our brother Sergius. Please pray for us.Text from The Orthodox Word, Issue #10, 1966; “The Teaching of St. Seraphim of Sarov on: The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit”: https://archive.org/details/100101V17...To read more from St. Seraphim, there is quite possibly no better place to start than “Little Russian Philokalia, Vol. 1” which includes the Life of St. Seraphim, his “Spiritual Instructions to Laymen and Monks,” his soul-saving conversation with Nicholas Motovilov “On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit,” and his prophetic “Great Diveyevo Mystery.” Buy here: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/...This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Aflame with Apostolic zeal, the young Hieromonk Juvenaly brought thousands into the Faith before his martyrdom in 1796 at age 35. He joined St. Herman of Alaska and others on the first official Orthodox mission to the Americas, landing in Kodiak, Alaska in 1794.While there are various stories of the Saint's life and death, I have done my best to draw from multiple resources and give a reliable account. My main source for the account of his death is from Fr. Michael Oleksa who documented the native Yup'ik oral tradition.Sources:1) https://orthodoxhistory.org/2010/05/1...2) https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2016...3) https://www.oca.org/history-archives/...4) https://deathtotheworld.com/articles/...7:45 - Troparion and Kontakion to St. Juvenaly and St. Peter the AleutHoly Protomartyr Juvenaly, pray to God for us!This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Blessed Olga said, "God can create great beauty from complete desolation and nothingness." These words of healing came during an appearance of Mat. Olga to a woman who had suffered sexual abuse, and this account is recorded here. During her life on earth Mat. Olga selflessly cared for her husband, Fr. Nikolai, and their eight children. She helped others as a midwife, knit and made clothes for many people in her town and beyond, and battled two bouts with cancer, the second leading to her blessed repose on November 8, 1979 in Kwethluk, Alaska.As seen in the life and early miracles of Mat. Olga, she is truly a Saint blessed of God and continues to show her love for others, especially women who have suffered trauma. In God's time, the Church may officially recognize her as a Saint of God. Until then, may we follow her steps and ask her for prayers, along with the rest of the Saints of North America. O Blessed Mother Olga, pray to God for us!This is a reading of the following text from OrthoChristian.com : http://orthochristian.com/86554.htmlThis channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Hear over a dozen modern Orthodox Holy Fathers teach about the beginnings of God’s creation and the theory of evolution. This collection of teachings is specifically from Orthodox Holy Fathers of the 19th and 20th centuries. By no means is this meant to deemphasize the earlier Holy Fathers in any way; it is simply meant to highlight Fathers of our times who were familiar with the “enlightenment” of modern man, bound up with atheism and evolutionary theory. While their focus was on a true and authentic understanding of the origins of man and creation, and this apart from and beyond humanist theories like evolution, they nonetheless offered an Orthodox appraisal of evolution and other modern theories in order to guard the Faithful against soul-destroying heresy.I encourage you to read the early Fathers and gain their understanding of Genesis and creation, which stands firmly on its own and which was not ignorant of the truth about creation. Just as Moses was a prophet not only of the future, but of the past, the early Patristic writers were also inspired by the same Spirit to perceive reality as Moses did.Lastly, this recording is not meant to stir up further debates between “creation vs evolution” and “science vs religion.” These binary discussions are often fruitless and miss the point. What this recording aims to show is that not only do Orthodox Saints regard the theory of evolution as false and incompatible with Orthodoxy, as well as notions of theistic evolution (since “by man came death” -1 Cor 15, verse 21), but that their vision of Creation is not a reaction to the theory of evolution, rather it is enlightened by the Holy Spirit and retains fundamental presuppositions that allow for a truly God-inspired understanding.Wrestle with these words. They are spoken by men illumined by God, and can help lead a humble man to the Kingdom of Heaven.00:00 - Introduction00:38 - Fr. Seraphim Rose, Hieromonk of Platina, California (+1982) – Basic presuppositions for knowledge of creation and early man.04:33 - St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, Bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol (+1867) – The state of creation before the Fall of Adam.06:55 - St. Hilarion (Troitsky), Hieromartyr and Archbishop of Verey (+1929) – The Church’s view leads to humility, the secular view leads to pride.10:38 - St. Nikolai (Velimirovic), Bishop of Zica (+1956) – “Death is Unnatural”13:32 - St. Justin (Popovic) of Celije (+1979) – How man and the rest of creation are inseparable. When man fell, all of creation fell.15:22 - St. Ambrose of Optina (+1891) – “Don’t believe at face value all kinds of nonsense…”15:46 - St. John of Kronstadt (+1908) – True knowledge and the over-educated.16:49 - St. Vladimir, Hieromartyr and Metropolitan of Kiev and Gallich (+1918) – Do not listen to teachings of unbelief for they “promise you nothing but despair and an inconsolable life.”18:44 - St. Theophan the Recluse, Bishop of Tambov (+1894) – Evolution is anathema, along with other secular Western philosophies, and only a pure nous can accurately contemplate divine reality.29:19 - St. Barsanuphius of Optina (+1913) – The moral ramifications of evolutionist philosophy.30:05 - St. Nectarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis and Wonderworker of Aegina (+1920) – “Without the acceptance of revealed truth, man will remain an insoluble problem.”31:42 - Fr. Seraphim Rose (+1982) – Knowledge of creation and early man can only be obtained by divine illumination. (Note: This essentially repeats his teaching from the beginning, but it is kept here since it is so key to our understanding.)34:26 - St. Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopol (+1961) – Evolutionary theory is not only contradictory to the Scripture, but to nature itself.35:54 - St. Sophrony (Sakharov) the Athonite (+1993) – The absurdity of evolutionary theory.36:57 - St. Paisios of Mount Athos (+1994) – Monkeys are far from humans; evolutionary theory is blasphemy.41:31 - St. Justin (Popovic) of Celije (+1979) – His letter to a theolog

A short recording meant to emphasize how vital receiving Holy Communion is for Orthodox Christians. St. Nicodemus, the great 18th century ascetic of the Holy Mountain, draws upon Scripture, the Fathers, and the Canons of the Church to persuade us that in order to have life in Christ, true life, we must receive the Eucharist, and often. Otherwise, we give openings to the devil and eventually may fall from the Church. Fr. Michael Pomazansky was a priest in Russia and the United States and professor at Holy Trinity Seminary in New York. In Orthodox Dogmatic Theology, he explains the “The Necessity and Saving Nature of Communion of the Holy Mysteries” by drawing on Christ’s teaching in John 6 and adding emphasis and commentary. This book was used as a textbook at the Seminary and was first translated into English by Fr. Seraphim Rose.“Verily, Verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My Blood, hath eternal life” (John 6:53-54).If you are listening to this and have not recently received the Precious Body and Blood of Christ, make a plan to go to Confession and then receive Holy Communion. This is medicine of immortality. This is our proper worship and saving grace of Christ.On Holy Communion, the Purifying Treasure by St. Nicodemus: http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/commun...To purchase Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/...This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

“From the second chapter of St. Paul's Second Epistle to the Thessalonians it is clear that the teaching about the Antichrist enters into the content of the earliest apostolic evangelization.”“But why is it so important to know this teaching?Because, as the Holy Fathers warn us beforehand, he who ignores this teaching, considering it unimportant and not essential in Christianity, will not recognize the Antichrist and will worship him.But is it really possible not to recognize the Antichrist? Yes, it is possible!”“Remembering Bishop Ignatii's words that "the Antichrist will be logical, just, and the natural result of the general moral and spiritual direction of mankind", we leave it to the reader attentive to surrounding life to draw his own conclusions from what has been said above, while, on our part, we can only repeat: "Let him who is being saved save his soul!"Archbishop Averky was a righteous shepherd of the 20th century who served as Abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery and Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY. He was spiritual son of the great 20th century theologian and holy hierarch, Archbishop Theophan of Poltava, Russia, who himself was a disciple of St. Theophan the Recluse, and therefore is a living link in America to the Faith of Pre-Revolutionary Russia. Archbishop Averky was so esteemed that before his repose, St. John Maximovitch told Fr. Seraphim Rose that if he had any theological questions to ask Archbishop Averky. The honorable Archbishop reposed in 1976 and his relics lie in a small chapel for veneration at Holy Trinity Monastery.Text: http://archbishopaverky.blogspot.com/...This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

“Archbishop Averky was one of the last of the giants of 20th-century Orthodoxy, not merely of the Russian Church Outside of Outside of Russia, or even of Russian Orthodoxy—but of the whole of the 20th-century Orthodox Church.”“The abundance with which his golden lips gushed the sweet honey of the pure teaching of Orthodoxy, especially in his most fruitful last years, has perhaps helped to hide from us the rarity and even uniqueness of his teaching in our evil days. We have grown so used to his flaming and bold words that we have not noticed that he was virtually the only hierarch of any Orthodox church writing in any language with such boldness and uprightness in defense of Orthodoxy.”Speaking of Eugene and Gleb (Fr. Seraphim and Fr. Herman) in the early days of The Orthodox Word, Hieromonk Damascene writes “Although they no longer sought for everything to be inspected prior to publication, they continued to come to Archbishop John [Maximovitch] whenever they had specific questions, and he answered them with love. For answers to theological questions which might arise, he said they should write to Archbishop Averky, with whom he had complete oneness of soul.” (from ‘Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works’)Text is from issue #100-101 of The Orthodox Word: https://archive.org/details/100101V17...A treasure trove of articles from Archbishop Averky can be found here: http://archbishopaverky.blogspot.comThis channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

“We Orthodox live Christ in the Divine Liturgy, or rather Christ lives within us during the duration of the Divine Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy is the work of God. We say: "It is time for the Lord to act."“Christ celebrated the Divine Liturgy once and this passed into eternity. His divinized human nature came to the Divine Liturgy. We know Christ specifically in the Divine Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy we celebrate is the same Divine Liturgy which was done by Christ on Great Thursday in the Mystical Supper.”As the Orthodox Arts Journal puts it: “During the last century, Saint Sophrony the Athonite emerged as a leading ascetic and spiritual father, hesychast, and theologian par excellence of the hypostatic principle and the Uncreated Light.” He is a disciple of St. Silouan the Athonite and one the most beloved Saints of the 20th century. Purchase his books, read his life, and ask his help to be united to Christ as he is. Text: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2015...This channel is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

A reading of the wisdom of St. Paisios of Mount Athos on Work and Spiritual Life. This writing comes from Volume IV of his Spiritual Counsels: Family Life.The great Elder gives guidance on how both employees and employers can glorify God with their work, how to battle despair and boredom at work, how to guide parents and children to a fulfilling life, and much more. His insight is gentle yet powerful, timeless yet new.The text of this recording can be purchased here: https://holycrossbookstore.com/produc...Holy Father Paisios, pray to God for us!This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Listen to the 7th century account of the Life of St. Brigid, Abbess and Wonderworker of Kildare, Ireland, by St. Cogitosus. St. Brigid was born in 451 and reposed in 525. Through her faithful protection and inspiration, she is regarded as one of the three patron Saints of Ireland, alongside St. Patrick and St. Columba. In this reading you will learn of her beginnings, a few of her miracles, her repose, and her aid to her people after she departed to heaven.She is commemorated today, February 1st.Holy Mother Brigid, pray to God for us!This reading is selected excerpts of the original text. The reader has not summarized but merely selected specific sections for this work, leaving more to be discovered by the listener. The complete text of this reading is found here:https://www.obsidianmagazine.com/Daug...“Hymning thy struggles and celebrating thy commemoration with splendor, O Brigid, with all our soul we magnify thee as one who planted the right Faith in the lands of the West.”-From the Service to St. Brigid. Find the text here: http://www.orthodoxengland.org.uk/oe4...This channel is dedicated to sharing the prayers, hymns, teachings, and service texts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!