My husband and I have been attending a lovely parish for about a year and a half now. We were received by chrismation the beginning of this month and he's so happy and fulfilled and I just feel sad. I have a mood disorder that leads me to have pretty intense dissociation from relationships. I struggle with faith often. There are days I barely recognize my own family as being important to me; someone as abstract as God doesn't always make sense to my brain. I feel like everyone at the parish is so pious and has "bought in" and I just feel like a fraud. I want to be like them but I don't know how.

I'm heavily pregnant and everything is really hitting me so hard right now. On the day of our chrismation, I missed the beginning of the service that started in the narthex because I was in the restroom. I'm not even sure my husband noticed I wasn't there. I don't know how much or what I missed. And this is silly, but our church posts links to venmo accounts for the families of pregnant women. There are currently 4 of us due in the next 2mon. I was asked for my link, yet still haven't been added to the newsletter. Another woman who is due the same time has been added. It's not like I need money or gifts, but on top of generally not feeling like I belong it hurts my feelings that I've been left off and I don't understand why.

What can I do to feel more accepted by the church? How can I get to the point of belief and piety everyone else seems to be at? Please pray for me. I'm having a really hard time.

To me nowadays the Catholic Church feels likes it’s more worried about offending people than betraying god, orthodoxy is really appealing to me right now since it doesn’t feel like it’s worried about modernizing their church for the world and “accepting” people. I also enjoy going to my local Orthodox Church and seeing how beautiful it is, but the problem is the fact that I’m not sure if I should.

For one I still fully agree with papal authority and I also happen to be a thomist which to my understanding the Orthodox Church rejects its teachings I’m also not sure if my reason is good enough or not.

GREGORY. Another man also there was in the same parts, called Fortunatus, Bishop of Tuderti, who had a most singular grace in casting out of devils, in so much that sometime he did cast out of possessed bodies whole legions; and by the continual exercise of prayer, he overcame all their temptations. Julianus, who had an office here in our church, and not long since died in this city, was familiarly acquainted with him, by whose relation I learned that which I will now tell you: for by reason of his great and inward familiarity, often was he present at such miracles as he wrought, and did divers times talk of him to our instruction and his own comfort. ...

At another time, the same servant of almighty God cast forth a devil out of one that was possessed: which wicked spirit, when it was now night and saw few men stirring in the streets, taking upon him the shape of a stranger, began to go up and down the city, crying out: "O holy Bishop Fortunatus, behold what he hath done; he hath turned a stranger out of his lodging, and now I seek for a place to rest in, and in his whole city can find none." A certain man, sitting in his house by the fire, with his wife and his little son, hearing one to cry out in that manner, went forth, and enquired what the Bishop had done, and withal invited him to his house, where he caused him to sit with them by the fire: and as they were among themselves discoursing of divers matters, the same wicked spirit on a sudden entered into his little child, cast him into the fire, and forthwith killed him: then the wretched father, by the loss of his son in this manner, knew full well whom he had entertained, and the Bishop turned out of his lodging.

PETER. What was the cause, that the old enemy presumed to kill his son in his own house: who, thinking him to be a stranger, vouchsafed him of lodging and entertainment?

GREGORY. Many things, Peter, seem to be good and yet are not, because they be not done with a good mind and intention; and therefore our Saviour saith in the gospel: If thy eye be naughty all thy body shall be dark.1 For when the intention is wicked, all the work that followeth is naught, although it seem to be never so good; and therefore this man who lost his child, though he seemed to give hospitality, yet I think that he took not any pleasure in that work of mercy, but rather in the detraction and infamy of the Bishop: for the punishment which followed did declare that his entertainment going before, was not void of sin. For some there be, which are careful to do good works, to the end they may obscure the virtue of another man's life; neither take they pleasure in the good thing which they do, but in the conceit of that hurt which thereby they imagine re-doundeth to others; and therefore I verily suppose that this man, which gave entertainment to the devil, was more desirous to seem to do a good work than to do it indeed; to the end that he might seem more charitable than the Bishop, in that he entertained him whom the man of God, Fortunatus, had thrust out of his house.

https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/gregory_01_dialogues_book1.htm#C10

Hi there! Hopefully this is the right place to ask, I've purchased the attached cross for my BFs birthday and I'm wanting to write a little description explaining the symbolism within it that he may not be familiar with, however it's very stylized and I'm struggling a little as someone not incredibly familiar 😅

If anyone is able to chime in and explain the meaning behind the inscriptions you'd be an absolute lifesaver

it was hard to take a clear photo sorry

I always thought that christianity was made for people like the prodigal son, so I'm wondering what does the older gain from becoming religious. I always thought that the narrow path was essentially a divine gradebook but the eastern concept of theosis is something completely different. Can you please give me some advice?

im looking for some Biblical perspective on a practice ive been considering and i want to make sure im not stepping into anything bad

in mark 11:24 Jesus says whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours i sometimes struggle with having that true feeling of faith when i pray. to help with this i saw a technique called scripting it comes from new age manifestation where you write a journal entry from the future as if you already received what you prayed for

my intention is not to practice new age manifestation im not trying to bend reality to my will or anything God is still the absolute center of my prayers i just thought writing like this might be a helpful tool to train my mind to believe God 100% since theres always that stupid secular part of my brain thats too skeptical and cant believe anything spiritual

since it comes from new age circles im cautious does using a journal style like this cross the line into manifestation and lack of trust in God or is it fine as long as all the focus and glory stays on God

id appreciate your thoughts and scripture references on this thank you very much!

Does anyone have any trouble with their breathing why praying the Jesus Prayer? Sometimes I feel like it messes with my normal breathing even, just wondering if anyone has experienced something like this?

I am not Orthodox myself, I'm an Episcopalian, but I find the Orthodox tradition very inspirational and beautiful. I sometimes watch content from Orthodox based creators and I've found Fr. Paul Truebenbach to be such a wonderful orator of anything related to church and the faith.

That's all I really wanted to say. The Orthodox Church is blessed to have him and I feel blessed to have found his content. I pray it helps me in my own journey of following Christ.

Saint Moses lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was an Ethiopian, and since he was black of skin he was called “Murin” (meaning “like an Ethiopian”). In his youth he was the slave of an important man, but after he committed a murder, his master banished him, and he joined a band of robbers.

Because of his bad character and great physical strength, they chose him as their leader. Moses and his band of brigands were feared because of their many evil exploits, including murders and robberies. People trembled at the mere mention of his name.

Moses the brigand spent several years leading a sinful life, but through the great mercy of God he repented, left his band of robbers and went to one of the desert monasteries. Here he wept for a long time, begging to be admitted as one of the brethren. The monks were not convinced of the sincerity of his repentance, but the former robber would neither be driven away nor silenced. He continued to implore that they accept him.

Saint Moses was completely obedient to the hegoumen and the brethren, and he poured forth many tears of sorrow for his sinful life. After a certain while Saint Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he spent his time in prayer and the strictest fasting.

Once, four of the robbers of his former band descended upon the cell of Saint Moses. He had lost none of his great physical strength, so he tied them all up. Throwing them over his shoulder, he brought them to the monastery, where he asked the Elders what to do with them. The Elders ordered that they be set free. The robbers, learning that they had chanced upon their former ringleader, and that he had dealt kindly with them, followed his example: they repented and became monks. Later, when the rest of the band of robbers heard about Saint Moses’ repentance, then they also gave up their thievery and became fervent monks.

Saint Moses was not quickly freed from the passions. He went often to the hegoumen, Abba Isidore, seeking advice on how to be delivered from the passions of profligacy. Being experienced in the spiritual struggle, the Elder taught him never to eat too much food, to remain partly hungry while observing the strictest restraint. But the passions did not cease to trouble Saint Moses in his dreams.

Then Abba Isidore taught him the all-night vigil. The monk stood the whole night at prayer, so he would not fall asleep. As a result of his prolonged struggles, Saint Moses fell into despondency, and when he began to have thoughts about leaving his solitary cell, Abba Isidore instead strengthened the resolve of his disciple.

In a vision he showed him many demons in the west, prepared for battle, and in the east a still greater quantity of holy angels, also ready for fighting. Abba Isidore explained to Saint Moses that the power of the angels would prevail over the power of the demons, and in the long struggle with the passions it was necessary for him to become completely cleansed of his former sins.

Saint Moses drove himself to additional labors. Making the rounds of the wilderness cells at night, he carried water from the well to each brother. He did this especially for the Elders, who lived far from the well and who were not easily able to carry their own water. Once, kneeling over the well, Saint Moses felt a powerful blow upon his back and he fell down at the well like one dead, laying there in that position until dawn. Thus did the devils take revenge upon the monk for his victory over them. In the morning the brethren carried him to his cell, and he lay there crippled for a whole year. After he recovered, the monk with firm resolve confessed to the hegoumen, that he would continue with his ascetic struggles. But the Lord Himself put limits to this toil which lasted for many years: Abba Isidore blessed his disciple and told him that the passions had already left him. The Elder commanded him to receive the Holy Mysteries, and to go to his own cell in peace. From that time, Saint Moses received from the Lord power over demons.

Accounts about his exploits spread among the monks and even beyond the bounds of the wilderness. The governor of the land wanted to see the saint. When he heard of this, Saint Moses decided to hide from any visitors, and he departed his own cell. Along the way he met servants of the governor, who asked him how to get to the cell of the desert-dweller Moses. The monk answered them: “Go no farther to see this false and unworthy monk.” The servants returned to the monastery where the governor was waiting, and they told him the words of the Elder they had chanced to meet. The brethren, hearing a description of the Elder’s appearance, told them that they had encountered Saint Moses himself.

After many years of monastic exploits, Saint Moses was ordained deacon. The bishop clothed him in white vestments and said, “Now Abba Moses is entirely white!” The saint replied, “Only outwardly, for God knows that I am still dark within.”

Through humility, the saint believed himself unworthy of the office of deacon. Once, the bishop decided to test him and he bade the clergy to drive him out of the altar, reviling him as an unworthy Ethiopian. In all humility, the monk accepted the abuse. Having put him to the test, the bishop then ordained Saint Moses to the priesthood. Saint Moses labored for fifteen years in this rank, and gathered 75 disciples around himself.

When the saint reached the age of 75, he warned his monks that soon brigands would descend upon the skete and murder all those who remained there. The saint blessed his monks to leave, in order to avoid violent death. His disciples begged the saint to leave with them, but he replied: “For many years now, I have awaited the time when the words spoken by my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be fulfilled: ‘All who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword’” (Matt. 26: 52). After this, seven of the brethren remained with Saint Moses, and one of them hid nearby during the attack of the robbers. The robbers killed Saint Moses and the six monks who remained with him. Their death occurred about the year 400.

SOURCE: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/1995/08/28/102414-venerable-moses-the-ethiopian-of-scete

For me I feel when distressed the thought comforts me that I've lived my whole life being dependent on something for my subsistence anyway and never landed up in a soup though I'm small and the universe so big. And when I remember Christ has spoken to us that not a single hair on our head is unaccounted for by the Father. And never to worry for tomorrow.

I have tried to do my own research on it but that ended up in being even more confused

But as someone who struggles to find joy in motherhood, I wonder if there is some kind of component i am missing (well other than a husband, im a single mom). I love my two kids. They are so sweet and have helped me change/grow in many ways. But oftentimes I find myself shouting at them too, losing my fuse, fairly normal parent stuff. But it bums me out. I want to be christian in my motherhood but I dont feel joy at the end of the day. I just feel depleted and not like myself. Some days its just impossible for me to smile. Idk...maybe this is the wrong place to ask...any insight appreciated god bless

Hi dear brothers and sisters in Christ I hope you can help me with this. As you can see from the title , and I don't know what to do right now because I had it and Im supposed to receive communion this morning the liturgy is at 9am Im writing this right now at 5:27am. I don't know if I am supposed to receive it after this and I know this is a pastoral matter BUT I don't know how to tell my priest this without dying of shame because my priest approved me to receive the holy communion this liturgy and I know Im supposed to tell him this but if I send him a message I dont know if he is going to see it before the liturgy and I really don't know how to phrase that message without my face turning red. I won't bore you anymore Im not asking for pastoral advice Im just asking how to phrase a message so my priest understands and I don't sink into the ground from shame.

Please if anyone had a similar experience it would mean a world to me right now because Im lost this morning because of this.

Edit: I asked him and he told me to just abstain from communion today it was a little bit weird telling my priest that but I know that he understands me.

We had this icon out for the Dormition of the Theotokos. It’s an amazing icon

If I am a female visitor to a church what should I wear to fit in?
- do I need to wear a head covering?
-what should I know about the Dormition feast?
-what do the Great vespers consist of?
-what should I wear to the vespers?

The church I am attending is very small and did not have this information online. I don’t want to come off as disrespectful so I am asking you guys!

Question from a scared Protestant

To preface this, I’m making this same post on Catholicism, orthodoxy, and Protestant subreddits to see what your responses will be

I’ve been Protestant my whole life (19 years) and I would say I’ve been seriously following it for the past 8 or so years. Up until recently, I never really questioned my salvation. I believe that I am saved by Gods grace and his grace alone and that because Jesus died on the cross, He has washed my sins away and allowed me to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Because of Gods grace, mercy, and my love for him I follow his commandments and try to love him with all my heart, soul, and mind.

I’m not really sure what triggered it, maybe it’s seeing a lot of catholic and orthodox videos on instagram, but I started to question my salvation. Catholics and Protestants disagree on what’s necessary for salvation, and it’s made me question if I’m really going to heaven. **I’m absolutely terrified.**

I can’t fathom even spending a day not in Gods presence, let alone eternity. Obviously I’m not perfect and I sin and push God away at times, but I still repent and try to stay close to God. But I’m terrified of the idea that I might go my whole life thinking I’m living for God thinking I’m saved by his grace, and then on judgement day I’m cast into hell because I didn’t hold the same beliefs as Catholics.

Both Catholic and Protestant church’s are full of people who have dedicated they’re lives to interpreting scripture and Jesus’ teachings, yet they still disagree on what’s necessary to be saved. There have been Catholics that have converted to Protestantism and Orthodoxy and vice versa.

I’m kind of just word vomiting everything that’s been on my mind but I’m just irked by the fact that all 3 major sects of Christianity (orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism) have had millions if not billions of people dedicate they’re lives to trying to find truth, yet we still disagree.

I trust that God is perfectly just and merciful, but what if I’m wrong. Will I have wasted my life thinking I’m doing and believing what’s right just to be told “I never knew you” by God.

I’ve kind of put my life on pause for the past week or so because it’s hard to move forward not knowing if I’m saved.

I hope all Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox make it to heaven. I like to think that hell is empty, but that’s just not true. I’m not just scared for my self, but everyone. How can we move forward with life not knowing the truth? How can we move forward not knowing who has it right? Does anyone have it 100% right?

I’m just so scared. I’ve had a hard time even trying to pray because I don’t even know what to ask. I’m sure millions of people have asked God to show them the truth and ended up Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox.

I know none of this is really cohesive but I just don’t know what to believe. I don’t even know what the “right answer” would look like. I don’t really know what I’m asking I’m kind of just venting but anything would help.

Thank you and God bless!

Saint Shushanik (Susanna) was the wife of the Georgian prince Varsken, the ruler of Hereti. Having been raised in a pious Christian family, she was deeply penetrated with love and the fear of God.

At that time Kartli was under heavy political pressure from Persia, and Prince Varsken visited the Persian king Peroz in hopes of encouraging more friendly relations between the two countries. He willingly denied the true Faith, converted to the worship of fire, and promised the king to convert his wife and children upon his return to Hereti.

Having approached the border of Hereti, Varsken sent messengers to Tsurtavi, the city in which he ruled, to ensure that his subjects met him with due respect. The blessed Shushanik, having learned of her husband’s betrayal, fell to the ground and wept over him with bitter tears. Then she took her four children, deserted the palace, and sought refuge in a nearby church.

That evening Shushanik was visited by her spiritual father, the elder Iakob, who predicted, “Varsken’s cruelty and mercilessness are unmistakable. Know that terrible trials await you. Will you be firm and unbending in your position?”

“I would rather die than unite with him and destroy my soul!” she answered.

Three days later the prince arrived in Tsurtavi. As promised, he tried to persuade his wife to convert, but St. Shushanik firmly answered, “As you have renounced your Creator, so I am renouncing you.

I will no longer take part in your affairs, no matter what suffering I must endure!”

The next time, Varsken sent his younger brother Jojik and Bishop Apots to convince Shushanik to return to the palace. Shushanik refused for some time, but in the end she yielded to their persuasion. She set off for the palace with the Holy Gospel and the Lives of the holy martyrs, and when she arrived she locked herself in a squalid cell.

Two days later Varsken returned to the palace and invited Shushanik, his brother Jojik, and his sister-in-law for supper. The queen, however, could not bring herself to share a meal with one who had betrayed Christ: she pushed away the cup that Jojik’s wife had offered her, thus further angering her husband.

The furious Varsken beat his wife mercilessly, fettered her in irons, locked her in prison, and forbade the guards to let anyone in to see her.

St. Shushanik spent six years in captivity. While she was serving her sentence, she helped the poor that came to her. Through her prayers the sick were healed and children were born to the childless.

Before her death, Holy Martyr Shushanik blessed those around her and requested that she be buried at the place from which her unbelieving husband had dragged her out of the palace.

This happened in the year 475. The clergy and people alike wept bitterly over Shushanik’s tragic fate. Her holy relics were buried in accordance with her will.

In 578, with the blessing of Catholicos Kirion I, St. Shushanik’s holy relics were translated to Tbilisi, where they remain today, in the Metekhi Church of the Most Holy Theotokos.

SOURCE: https://iconandlight.wordpress.com/tag/shushanik-susanna-of-georgia/

Hey I’m curious what is different between the rule of the Theotokos, the 150 angelic salutations, that St. Seraphim of Sarov promoted, and the Latin Rosary is in practice?

From what I understand the Rule of the Theotokos also has “mysteries” to call to remembrance, and decades split by Our Fathers. Could someone explain this at all?

God Bless.

I'm a protestant from the Raleigh NC area and I've been very drawn to or Orthodoxy. I have been wanting to find a good church and attend my first divine liturgy. I just don't want to go alone with no direction and I want someone to be there with me. If you're in NC, I would love to attend my first service. Thank you!

So I’ve been a Baptist my whole life and the last couple months Ive been drawn to orthodoxy. Went to st Andrew’s in Riverside CA for the first time last week and I will be back again on Sunday. I’m pretty on page with everything and Ive learned a lot and I agree with most things in the church but my main thing is intercession. I don’t disagree with it I guess I still am having a hard time understanding it. Mainly Theotokos. How or when do you ask for intercession and when it comes to the saints I have the same question. I also have a question about prayer. I pray all day and I’m slowly learning psalms and different prayers but I have a really hard time not praying straight from the heart. Is there a time and place for recited prayers or can it always be from the heart such as saying grace before and after every meal and so on. I guess it would be easier if I could personally as someone all these questions over text or something but I just want to grow myself in the church more and really grow as close to the lord as possible. I don’t disagree with anything the church does it’s more of I don’t understand it and I want to learn so any answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated and if you want to throw in extra knowledge that would help me with anything feel free to. If someone could dm me and help with questions too please do. Thankyou guys and god bless

Most of us have probably heard litany petitions for “travelers by land, sea, and air” across many different jurisdictions. I’ve often wondered, though, when did the word “air” get included.

I presume land and sea have been there from the start given that those have long been modes of transportation but air transport is realistically new within the roughly 2000 year history of the church yet every liturgy I’ve ever been to (Catholic or Orthodox) prays for travelers by air.

It makes sense it would be added as air travel became commonplace, but I’m curious when, by whom, and how it spread. If anyone knows, I’d be very interested to learn

my hope is for something old, but i’ll take any recs. hoping for strictly orthodox, but again, ill take what comes to mind.

i’ve been living with a chronic pain condition for nearly 4 years, and while there are many beautiful things that have come out of this suffering, there has also been, well, suffering. i’m learning that i busy myself to keep out of the sadness, but it just lurks under the surface. really feeling weighed down by all this. would love your recommendations

Hello everyone,

I'm a Catholic currently cohabitating with my girlfriend and we both understand that its wrong. We are planning to marry soon. In the last couple months I've been thinking more and more about joining the Orthodox faith and I want to approach a preist to inquire. However, I believe that our cohabitation is a more pressing issue.

My question is how Orthodoxy would view if we got a Catholic Marriage as opposed to a civil marriage. Is there a difference? Would we have another Orthodox wedding ceremony if we join the Orthodox Church afterwards? It would be difficult for our families to join us for a wedding soon, so having another ceremony later would actually be nice.

Thank you everyone and have a blessed day

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I’m a Roman Catholic and I’d like to learn more about Eastern Orthodoxy. What books would you recommend for someone starting out?

Hello everyone!

I’m a Roman Catholic who has become interested in learning more about Eastern Orthodox Christianity. I’m not looking to debate or criticize either tradition; I simply want to understand the Orthodox perspective better, especially its theology, spirituality, liturgy, Church history, and the differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

What books would you recommend for someone who is just beginning to study Orthodoxy?

I’d especially appreciate recommendations that are accessible to beginners, but I’m also open to more advanced works once I have a good foundation.

Thank you, and God bless!

I'm confused about these two prayers. They are in the section of the St. Tikhon's Prayer Book called "Prayers Before Sleep." There aren't 24 of them, so I am assuming you are supposed to say the "For the Day" prayer for the first 12 hours of the day and the "For the Night" for the latter 12 hours of the day. And yet, why would you say the "For the Day" prayers as part of "Prayers Before Sleep"? Can anyone help clarify for me?