St. Seraphim of Vyritsa

"This was from me" is a famous letter written by saint Seraphim of Vyritsa that he sent to his spiritual child, a bishop who was in a Soviet prison at that time; this homily "This was from me" is written as a consolation and counsel to the bishop to let him know that God the Creator addresses to the soul of man. Text of the letter Have you ever thought that everything that concerns you, concerns Me, also? You are precious in my eyes and I love you; for this reason, it is a special joy for Me to train you. When temptations and the opponent [the Evil One] come upon you like a river, I want you to know that This was from Me.I want you to know that your weakness has need of My strength, and your safety lies in allowing Me to protect you. I want you to know that when you are in difficult conditions, among people who do not understand you, and cast you away, This was from Me.I am your God, the circumstances of your life are in My hands; you did not end up in your position by chance; this is precisely the position I have appointed for you. Weren't you asking Me to teach you humility? And there - I placed you precisely in the "school" where they teach this lesson. Your environment, and those who are around you, are performing My will. Do you have financial difficulties and can just barely survive? Know that This was from Me.I want you to know that I dispose of your money, so take refuge in Me and depend upon Me. I want you to know that My storehouses are inexhaustible, and I am faithful in My promises. Let it never happen that they tell you in your need, "Do not believe in your Lord and God." Have you ever spent the night in suffering? Are you separated from your relatives, from those you love? I allowed this that you would turn to Me, and in Me find consolation and comfort. Did your friend or someone to whom you opened your heart, deceive you? This was from Me.I allowed this frustration to touch you so that you would learn that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and tell Me everything. Did someone slander you? Leave it to Me; be attached to Me so that you can hide from the "contradiction of the nations." I will make your righteousness shine like light and your life like midday noon. Your plans were destroyed? Your soul yielded and you are exhausted? This was from Me.You made plans and have your own goals; you brought them to Me to bless them. But I want you to leave it all to Me, to direct and guide the circumstances of your life by My hand, because you are the orphan, not the protagonist. Unexpected failures found you and despair overcame your heart, but know That this was from Me.With tiredness and anxiety I am testing how strong your faith is in My promises and your boldness in prayer for your relatives. Why is it not you who entrusted their cares to My providential love? You must leave them to the protection of My All Pure Mother. Serious illness found you, which may be healed or may be incurable, and has nailed you to your bed. This was from Me.Because I want you to know Me more deeply, through physical ailment, do not murmur against this trial I have sent you. And do not try to understand My plans for the salvation of people's souls, but unmurmuringly and humbly bow your head before My goodness. You were dreaming about doing something special for Me and, instead of doing it, you fell into a bed of pain. This was from Me.Because then you were sunk in your own works and plans and I wouldn't have been able to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the most deep thoughts and My lessons, so that you may serve Me. I want to teach "This was from me" is a famous letter written by saint Seraphim of Vyritsa that he sent to his spiritual child, a bishop who was in a Soviet prison at that time; this homily "This was from me" is written as a consolation and counsel to the bishop to let him know that God the Creator addresses to the soul of man. Text of the letter Have you ever thought that everything that concerns you, concerns Me, also? You are precious in my eyes and I love you; for this reason, it is a special joy for Me to train you. When temptations and the opponent [the Evil One] come upon you like a river, I want you to know that This was from Me.I want you to know that your weakness has need of My strength, and your safety lies in allowing Me to protect you. I want you to know that when you are in difficult conditions, among people who do not understand you, and cast you away, This was from Me.I am your God, the circumstances of your life are in My hands; you did not end up in your position by chance; this is precisely the position I have appointed for you. Weren't you asking Me to teach you humility? And there - I placed you precisely in the "school" where they teach this lesson. Your environment, and those who are around you, are performing My will. Do you have financial difficulties and can just barely survive? Know that This was from Me.I want you to know that I dispose of your money, so take refuge in Me and depend upon Me. I want you to know that My storehouses are inexhaustible, and I am faithful in My promises. Let it never happen that they tell you in your need, "Do not believe in your Lord and God." Have you ever spent the night in suffering? Are you separated from your relatives, from those you love? I allowed this that you would turn to Me, and in Me find consolation and comfort. Did your friend or someone to whom you opened your heart, deceive you? This was from Me.I allowed this frustration to touch you so that you would learn that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and tell Me everything. Did someone slander you? Leave it to Me; be attached to Me so that you can hide from the "contradiction of the nations." I will make your righteousness shine like light and your life like midday noon. Your plans were destroyed? Your soul yielded and you are exhausted? This was from Me.You made plans and have your own goals; you brought them to Me to bless them. But I want you to leave it all to Me, to direct and guide the circumstances of your life by My hand, because you are the orphan, not the protagonist. Unexpected failures found you and despair overcame your heart, but know That this was from Me.With tiredness and anxiety I am testing how strong your faith is in My promises and your boldness in prayer for your relatives. Why is it not you who entrusted their cares to My providential love? You must leave them to the protection of My All Pure Mother. Serious illness found you, which may be healed or may be incurable, and has nailed you to your bed. This was from Me.Because I want you to know Me more deeply, through physical ailment, do not murmur against this trial I have sent you. And do not try to understand My plans for the salvation of people's souls, but unmurmuringly and humbly bow your head before My goodness. You were dreaming about doing something special for Me and, instead of doing it, you fell into a bed of pain. This was from Me.Because then you were sunk in your own works and plans and I wouldn't have been able to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the most deep thoughts and My lessons, so that you may serve Me. I want to teach you that you are nothing without Me. Some of my best children are those who, cut off from an active life, learn to use the weapon of ceaseless prayer. You were called unexpectedly to undertake a difficult and responsible position, supported by Me. I have given you these difficulties and as the Lord God I will bless all your works, in all your paths. In everything I, your Lord, will be your guide and teacher. Remember always that every difficulty you come across, every offensive word, every slander and criticism, every obstacle to your works, which could cause frustration and disappointment, This is from Me.Know and remember always, no matter where you are, That whatsoever hurts will be dulled as soon as you learn In all things, to look at Me. Everything has been sent to you by Me, for the perfection of your soul. All these things were from Me.

The Holy Synod renders decision concerning Bishop Irineu (Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America) oca.org

The Holy Synod renders decision concerning Bishop Irineu (Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America) SYOSSET, NY [OCA] During their annual retreat held in Michigan on June 19-23, 2017, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held a special session convening the Synodal Court which canonically deposed the Bishop Irineu [Duvlea], Auxiliary Bishop of the ROEA, from the status and all sacred functions of the episcopacy, removed him from the ranks of the clergy, and returned him to the status of a lay monk. The letter of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon to the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America reads as follows. ARCHPASTORAL LETTER TO THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX EPISCOPATE OF AMERICA June 27, 2017 06/017 To the Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Romanian Episcopate, May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has concluded its retreat, held during the past week at Holy Dormition Monastery, Rives Junction, Michigan. One of the most difficult tasks of that meeting was the convening of the Synodal Court at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church in Jackson, Michigan, to hear certain charges relating to canonical infractions brought against the Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, His Grace, Bishop Irineu. After much prayerful and intense deliberation, the Synodal Court determined that Bishop Irineu be deposed from the episcopacy, removed from the ranks of the clergy and returned to the status of a simple monk. (His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, was excused from participating in the decision of the Synodal Court due to illness and did not vote in the deliberations, placing his trust that the Holy Spirit would guide his fellow bishops. He was notified of the Synodal decision after it was rendered.) The details of matters which led to the convening of the Synodal Court are confidential and will not be released publicly. The Holy Synod made this decision with much sorrow, but with the conviction that it was a necessary action both for the salvation of the now Monk Irineu and for the preservation of the good order and stability of the flock of Christ. At the same time, we offer our prayers for the faithful, especially the members of the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America. The bishops have a God-given responsibility to address the good order of the Church and the continuing leadership and oversight by brother bishops. We are bound to this primarily by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by the canonical tradition of the Church. Therefore, we must always take matters concerning bishops seriously and respond in the proper pastoral way for all concerned. We offer our love and concern for the faithful of the Romanian Episcopate. We exhort you to pray, so as to not be overcome by divisive emotions, but rather seek to attain the peace of Christ. May our merciful and loving God strengthen all of us to do His will in all things and preserve in our hearts the grace of the Holy Spirit, who is everywhere present and fills all things. Sincerely yours in Christ, + Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Theophan the Recluse conference Tambov

e scientific conference "The Life and Works of St. Theophan the Recluse in History and Modernity" will be held in Moscow and Tambov Научная конференция «Жизнь и труды святителя Феофана Затворника в истории и современности» пройдет в Москве и Тамбове print version June 13, 2017 18:17 June 16, 2017 in the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow will host the plenary meeting of the scientific conference "Life and Works of St. Theophan the Recluse in the history and the present." June 22 will be held in Tambov plenary and thematic sections. Co-organizers of the forum are the Publishing Council and the Tambov archdiocese . The main theme of the conference this year is the administrative and pastoral activity of St. Theophanes at Tambov and Vladimir Chairs. The Tambov Department became the first, where St. Theophanes performed bishop's service. Here his talent blossomed outstanding preacher Archbishop, have developed his basic theological ideas, here he began a correspondence with some of his correspondents here have been committed in his soul the final turn to the reclusive life. Archpastoral ministry at the Vladimir Department became a continuation of his formation as a preacher, theologian and spiritual mentor. The contribution made by the saint into the spiritual and administrative organization of the departments he occupies is invaluable. The main goals and objectives of the conference are to show and analyze the significance of the spiritual achievement and the theological heritage of St. Theophanes for the Russian Church, as well as for the Russian science and culture in the past and present, while paying special attention to the importance of his works at the Tambov and Vladimir Chairs. It is planned to demonstrate the results of the research achieved within the framework of the preparation of the "Complete collection of the works of St. Theophan the Recluse", "Chronicles of the life and creations of St. Theophanes" and other publications dedicated to St. Theophanes, to identify new directions of research work in the framework of Feofan themes, to discuss various aspects of interaction Church and secular scientists in terms of implementing these tasks. The conference will be attended by the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, members of the Scientific and Editorial Board for the preparation of the Complete Collection of St. Theophan the Recluse and other representatives of the church and secular academic science: theologians, patrologists, historians, philologists, textologists, archivists - professors, researchers from the Moscow Theological Academy , metropolia Tambov, Tambov and Ryazan Theological seminary, Moscow state pedagogical University, Petrozavodsk st udarstvennogo University Ryazan State University named after S. A. Esenina. The opening of the conference will be held in the Great Assembly Hall of the Publishing Council. The beginning of the plenary session at 10.00. The work of the conference will be covered in general church and diocesan, as well as in special and regional mass media. The press release and the program of the scientific conference "The Life and Works of St. Theophan the Recluse - in History and Modernity", the preparatory materials and information on its work, as well as the reports made during it, will be available on the websites of the Publishing Council ( izdatsovet.ru ) And the Complete Collection of the creations of St. Theophanes, the Recluse of Vyshensky ( theophanica.ru ).

A Delegation of the Russian Church Abroad Meets with President Putin moscow patriarchate

A Delegation of the Russian Church Abroad Meets with President Putin On May 25, 2017, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia performed the rite of the great consecration of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Sretensky Stavropighial Monastery in Moscow, and officiated at the celebration of Divine Liturgy that followed. Attending the services was Russian President Vladimir Putin. After Liturgy, His Holiness met with bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York. ddressing Metropolitan Hilarion and the delegation of the Russian Church Abroad, President Putin said: I wish to express my heartfelt greetings to you and my great gratitude for what you are doing for the Russian people living abroad. But more than that: for your efforts, too, towards the full-fledged reestablishment of unity within the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. This is extraordinarily important for our people, for our nation, and for those countries where you live and work. This is because living spiritual bonds are very important, especially in today’s complicated world, which is filled with contradictions. Today I spoke of the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church; we can also talk about unity in a broader sense, in a humanitarian sense. Especially since all the world’s religions are based on so-called traditional values which you specifically defend. I wish to tell you that you are always welcome guests, not even guests, you are hosts here. We are always happy to see you in Russia. Many thanks to you! In response, Metropolitan Hilarion thanked the President of Russia for his service to the benefit of the Russian people, and gave him a gift of a painted icon of St Jonah of Hankow, telling him about the holy man’s life.

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem condemns actions aimed against canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church pravmir

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem condemns actions aimed against canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church Source: DECR admin | 08 June 2017 Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem condemns actions aimed against canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church Photo: http://www.pravoslavie.ru/ Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia hopes anti-Church bills will be withdrawn from Supreme Rada agenda Priests, flock of Ukrainian Orthodox Church rally in front of Ukrainian parliament against bill on ‘special status’ of their church ‘The unity of the Church is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to cherish and strengthen it. Any violation of this unity is a grave crime. Using this opportunity, we resolutely condemn those who are engaged in actions aimed against the parishes of the canonical Ukrainian Church in Ukraine’, His Beatitude Theophilos III of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine state. Addressing those present at the grand reception held in the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission on June 5, 2017, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem stressed, ‘It is not for nothing that holy fathers remind us that any disruption of the unity of the Church, any schism is the gravest sin… May the Holy Spirit Who descended on this day on the disciples of Christ enlighten our minds and hearts and give us strength to preserve the precious gift of the unity of the Church entrusted to us by divine providence’. As was reported earlier, the Ukrainian Supreme Rada was to consider Bills No. 4128 and No. 4511. Bill No. 4128 “On making amendments to the Ukrainian Law ‘On the Freedom of Conscience and on Religious Organizations’” (concerning a change in the subordination of religious organizations) proposes to introduce in the religious legislation a vague notion of ‘a person’s belonging to a religious community’ on the basis of some ‘self-identification’. Those who ‘belong to a religious community, whoever may claim this title, are to be granted a right to change the statute of the community by simple majority vote. Actually, the bill proposes to legalize the practice of fictitious ‘referendums’ with the participation of all the residents of a settlement (and, possibly, also newcomers) who claim to belong to this religious community. Bill No. 4511 ‘On the special status of religious organizations the governing centers of which are located in the state recognized by the Supreme Rada as aggressor state’ proposes to impose on all the communities whose canonical centers are located in Russia (that is, primarily the communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church) some ‘special status’ that involves a considerable deprivation of human rights. In addition to the compulsory re-registration of all the communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – which will inevitably provoke new captures of churches and clashes between the faithful of different confessions – the bill will give the governmental bodies of a secular state the broadest possible powers to control the internal life of religious communities, namely, to confirm the appointment of community leaders, to permit or forbid visits of religious leaders from other countries and to forcibly liquidate religious communities on a wide range of grounds. The bills have provoked a sharp reaction in society and have received negative evaluation by Ukrainian religious leaders, secular experts and human rights advocates. Hundreds of thousands of signatures against these legislative initiatives were collected within only a few days. In connection with this situation, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has sent letters to the heads of the Normandy Four states, primates of Local Orthodox Churches, Pope Francis of Rome, UN secretary general and the secretary general of the World Council of Churches. Stating his evaluation of the proposed bills, the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria stressed in his response their anti-church nature. His Beatitude John, Patriarch of Antioch, on his part, has condemned the attempts to adopt in the Ukrainian Supreme Rada these bills aimed against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His Holiness Irenaeus, Patriarch of Serbia, described the proposed amendments to the Ukrainian legislation as discriminatory towards the faithful of the canonical Church. The Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia has called to withdraw Bills No. 4128 and No. 4511 from consideration. In connection with the attempts to adopt anti-church laws in Ukraine, solidarity with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been expressed by the Holy See. Profound concern has also been expressed by the World Council of Churches. On May 18, 2017, when it was planned to put these bills to the vote, thousands-strong vigil took place at the Supreme Rada’s walls. It was led by His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. On that day, the consideration of the amendments to the Ukrainian legislation did not take place.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill headed a solemn meeting on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill headed a solemn meeting on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society Святейший Патриарх Кирилл возглавил торжественное заседание по случаю 135-летия Императорского православного палестинского общества print version June 2, 2017 19:06 June 2, 2017 in the Hall of Church Councils of Christ the Savior in Moscow held IV report-back election conference of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society and the solemn meeting in honor of the 135th anniversary of the oldest international non-governmental organization. The solemn meeting was attended by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who heads the Committee of Honorary Members of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society. In the presidium of the meeting also attended: Patriarchal governor of the Moscow diocese Metropolitan Krutitsky and Kolomna Yuvenaly ; Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation The Medina; Chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society S.V. Stepashin; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IOPS, Chairman and President of PJSC "Transneft" NP Tokarev. S.V. Stepashin welcomed the audience and read out the greetings of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin and the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev . The word to the participants of the meeting addressed the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. The gift of the Imperial Palestinian society His Holiness gave a copy of the picture GI Semiradsky's "Christ at Martha and Mary." S.V. Stepashin thanked His Holiness the Patriarch for his participation in the ceremony and presented His Holiness with the painting "The Church of the Holy Sepulcher", created by Anastasia Artemieva, a student of the Moscow Academic Art Institute. IN AND. Surikov. At the solemn meeting devoted to the 135th anniversary of the IOPS, were: Minister of Culture of Russia V.R. The Medina; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation M.L. Bogdanov, who read out the text of the greeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia SV Lavrov ; Minister of Tourism and Historic Monuments of the State of Palestine Rula Maaya, who read out the greeting of the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas; The head of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, who read the greetings of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II ; representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East at the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia , Metropolitan Filippopolskiy Nifon ; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IOPS N.P. Tokarev; Deputy Head of the Department of National Policy and Interregional Relations of Moscow, K.L. Blessed are they who read the greeting from the mayor of Moscow SS Sobyanin ; Chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the IOPS, General Director of the State Hermitage Mikhail Piotrovsky; Hero of Russia cosmonaut S.A. Volkov. A video greeting was also shown to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, S.V. Lavrov. Deputy Chairman of the IOPS, IOPS representative in the Holy Land, I.R. Ashurbeyli donated a part of the relics of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Helena to the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society. The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Financial and Economic Department, Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky , Chairman of the Synodal Committee for Interaction with the Cossacks, Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssky , Metropolitan of Tver , Bishop of Taurus of Barnaul and Altai , head of the Moscow Patriarchate by foreign institutions Bishop Bogorodsky NTON , deputy chairman of the DECR MP Archpriest Nikolai Balashov , the hierarchs and clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church. The meeting was also attended by state and public figures, friends and partners IOPS, delegates and guests from more than 40 Russian and foreign representative offices IOPS. At the end of the official part of the event, a concert and reception took place. The Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society was established on June 3, 1882 by decree of Emperor Alexander III on the public initiative of state and church figures and representatives of the Romanov House. The first chairman of the Society was the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, and after his death the Society was headed by his wife Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. Throughout its history, the Palestinian society has been carrying out humanitarian, educational, peacekeeping and scientific missions aimed at preserving Russia's spiritual ties with the Holy Land, the heritage of Russian Palestine, strengthening Russian Orthodox presence in the biblical region, and developing friendly relations with countries and peoples inhabiting such Important for the destinies of the world region. Historical traditions are preserved and multiplied in modern conditions, IOPS action program is being successfully implemented in the Middle East. The Society carries out humanitarian and educational projects, returns the once-lost Russian property, defends the rights of Christians, renders humanitarian assistance to the suffering population of Syria, is engaged in pilgrimage, scientific and publishing activities.