Scripture can seem familiar while remaining unread in its true depth. Many Christians know beloved verses, memorable stories, and moral lessons from the Bible, yet still struggle to see how the Law, the Prophets, the Gospels, and the Apostolic writings belong to one revelation. Bible survey lessons Orthodox Christians need address that problem directly. They teach us to receive the Bible as the Church’s book: a unified witness to Jesus Christ, read in worship and interpreted within Holy Tradition. For an inquirer, this is often a turning point. The Orthodox Church does not place Scripture on one side and Tradition on the other, as if a Christian must choose between them. The same Holy … [Read more...]
Glorious Liberty
Hello my dear Campers. Today we celebrate freedom. Liberty! And it is not the absence of boundaries, but the capability to do what we should do, to do as we ought to do. Let us start with God. Christianity teaches that apart from Christ, human beings are naturally in a state of bondage—often physical, often psychological, but always spiritual. Through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ our God, believers are liberated from several tyrannies. Bondage of Sin: Freedom from the ultimate power, grip, and control that destructive, sinful desires have over human behavior. The Penalty of the Law: Believers are freed from the spiritual condemnation and eternal punishment of God's … [Read more...]
Russian Orthodox Vestments: Their Meaning, Symbolism, and Prayers
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...]
Hieromonk Seraphim Rose to be Glorified as a Saint
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...]
If Christ is risen, why do we still die?
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...]
Mystagogy Class Begins at ASONA
A new class is being offered, the first of its kind anywhere, at All Saints of North America. Following a record number of baptisms this past Lazarus Saturday, rather than let the learning die when the chrism dries, we will be offering a Mystagogy Class, picking up where the ASONA Catechism process left off. The live class is already overflowing, and starts this Saturday, May 2, 2026. It is a common problem that, after baptism, there is no process to guide newly illumined Orthodox Christians in establishing a routine of liturgical participation, study, and rigorous interior life with the tools and techniques to make it successful. This class will introduce the process that will alleviate … [Read more...]
The Days Before Us: Pascha
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...]
A Glorious Day – Baptisms at ASONA
On Lazarus Saturday, April 4, 2026, 23 catechumens were baptized into the Orthodox faith at All Saints of North America Orthodox Church. This was the largest catechumen class baptized at one time at ASONA (so far!). There are, as of this writing, still 27 catechumens preparing for entrance into the Church for the future! Another catechumen was made on Palm Sunday! God is building the 'new crew' of the Church, the Church of Tomorrow is being built today. Glory to Jesus Christ for all things! Here is a gallery of photos of this event. If you are interested in joining, see Subdeacon Michael Cassell, our membership coordinator right away! … [Read more...]
The Days Before Us: Holy Week
Each Day in Holy Week is devoted to a particular theme. Review these each day with members of your family, especially your children, during the coming week. The Beginning of the Cross Lazarus Saturday "Having fulfilled Forty Days... we ask to see the Holy Week of Thy Passion." With these words sung at Vespers, Lent comes to its end and we enter into the annual commemoration of Christ's suffering, death and Resurrection. It begins on Lazarus Saturday. The double feast of Lazarus' resurrection and the Entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is described in liturgical texts as the "beginning of the Cross" and is to be understood therefore, within the context of the Holy Week. … [Read more...]
“Everything you ever wanted to know about a Panikhida, but were afraid to ask”
The celebration and participation at these memorial services is very much a part of the Orthodox spiritual tradition, and very valuable for spiritual formation. Praying for the departed is an important work of mercy in our spiritual tradition, and should not be forgotten, taken lightly, or ignored! What is a Panikhida? The Panikhida is a solemn memorial prayer service in the Orthodox Church for the repose of the souls of the departed. During the service, the faithful pray for God to forgive the sins of the deceased and grant them eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom. The word 'panikhida' is from Slavonic: панихида, panikhída, from Greek παννυχίς, pannychis, "vigil" (etymologically meaning … [Read more...]
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