Clothed in Christ: The Theology of Orthodox Vestments In the Russian Orthodox Church, vestments are far more than ceremonial garments. They are visible signs of the grace of Holy Orders and the sacred ministry entrusted to those who serve in the Church. Every vestment has a practical purpose, a theological meaning, and a prayer that accompanies its being put on. These prayers remind the clergy and servers that they are not acting in their own strength but are clothed in Christ Himself. The vesting prayers draw heavily from the Psalms, Isaiah, and other biblical texts, emphasizing purity, righteousness, salvation, and joyful service before God. This article follows the traditional order of … [Read more...]

It is now official. Fr. Seraphim Rose, author of such books as Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, will be glorified as a saint in the Orthodox Church. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia made the news official this morning. In the Epistle of the Council of Bishops, it was stated: "Recognizing such faith and sanctity is an ever-ongoing process in the life of the Church. Responding to the numerous appeals of the faithful, the Council of Bishops, having recognized the righteous course of life of the ever-memorable Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose), has blessed the process of preparing his ecclesiastical glorification among the ranks of our venerable fathers." See … [Read more...]

by Archpriest Pavel Velikanov If death has been defeated, why do people still die? Christ did not simply raise the dead—this had happened before, through the prophets and even during His earthly ministry. But those who were raised returned to this life only to die again. What took place in Christ is altogether different. After His Resurrection, He does not die. His human nature passes into a new mode of being in which death no longer has any place. Saint Basil the Great offers an image that helps us understand why we still pass through death. Imagine a potter who lovingly fashions a beautiful vessel. An enemy, out of malice, pours molten lead into it. The vessel can no longer be used, and … [Read more...]

Each Sunday in the Paschal Season is devoted to a particular theme. The Paschal Season is 40 days of Sundays! The broad theme of the Paschal season is WATER. Following the waters of baptism! On Bright Monday, for example, it is traditional for Orthodox women to ‘sprinkle’ the men (especially the priest) with holy water. On Bright Tuesday, the men sprinkle the women. 2nd Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers This Sunday commemorates the Myrrhbearing woman and Nicodemus and the noble Joseph of Arimathea, and how their tears of sorrow were transformed into tears of joy. There are eight women who are generally identified as the myrrh-bearers. They are Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Theotokos, Joanna, … [Read more...]