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Living an Orthodox Life: Miscellaneous Articles

Article Collections

Orthodox Practice, a collection of articles from the fine periodical Orthodox America. See also these articles on the Spiritual Life.

The Practical Tips Anthology: short helpful teachings on living the Orthodox life, collected from a fine little British publication called The Shepherd.

Fr. Seraphim Rose Speaks: Excerpts from His Writings.

Excerpts from Paternal Counsels, Vol. I and II, by St. Philotheos Zervakos.

Excerpts from Follow Me, by Metropolitan Augustinos of Florina (State Church of Greece).

Various Writings of Archbishop Averky of Blessed Memory. From Stand Fast in Truth, the Works of Archbishop Averky, published by St. John of Kronstadt Press and distributed in part on the Internet by the Brotherhood of St. Niphon, New York.

Small Pearls from The Prologue of Ochrid.

Excerpts from the Evergetinos: Gleanings from the Desert Fathers On Repentance.

Sexual Topics

The Christian Marriage and Family: Four Lectures by Fr. Josiah Trenham.

Menstruation, Emissions, and Holy Communion: an Orthodox Tradition Q&A.

Modesty and Will, by Metropolitan Philaret Voznesensky (+ 1985).

Concerning the Sin of Self-Abuse (Masturbation), by Archbishop Chrysostomos and Dr. Thomas Brecht.

On Same-Sex Unions: Epistle of the ROCOR W. Diocese Clergy (2004).

Problems of Bioethics, i.e., Abortion, Contraceptives, Cloning, Homosexuality, Etc. An official statement of the Russian Orthodox Church.

An Orthodox View of Abortion: The Amicus Curiae Brief submitted to the Supreme Court.

Sexual Relations, by Father Josiah Trenham.

Western Holidays

Dealing with a Secularized Christmas. From The Veil (Nativity Fast, 2005).

What Do You Do About Western Christmas? by Matushka Ann Lardas

American Christmas and Orthodox Nativity, by Archbishop Seraphim of Chicago.

The Joyous Feast of Pumpkin. A pastoral word on Halloween by Bishop Kyrill of Seattle.

Halloween: Orthodoxy and Secular Culture, by Fr. John Moses.

Money

Tithes and Firstfruits, by Fr. Dimitri Cozby.

Wealth & Poverty in the Teachings of the Church Fathers: This is a link to Clement of Alexandria's Who Is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?. It is one of the many passages from the writings of the Holy Fathers that succinctly elucidates an Orthodox perspective on the use of riches and our duty towards the poor. I was made aware of this work and the ones that follow by reading Fr. James Thornton's indispensable book by the same title as the above link. (Order from the CTOS.) See also St. John Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, 5.9; 77.3; Homilies on the Gospel of St. John, 15.3; 65.3; Homilies on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, 10.3; 11.5; 25.3; Homilies on the Epistle to the Ephesians, 21.2; Homilies on the First Epistle to the Timothy, 11.2; 12.3; 12.4.

Wealth & Poverty in the Teachings of the Church Fathers, by Fr. James Thornton (Berkely, CA: St. John Chrysostom Press, 1993).

On Wealth and Poverty, by St. John Chrysostom (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1984). Trans. by Catherine Roth.

The Fathers of the Church: St. John Chrysostom on Repentance and Almsgiving, trans. by Gus George Christo (Washington, DC: Catholic Univ. of America Press, 1998).

Dress and Grooming for Clergy and Laity

Priestly Attire: articles from Orthodox Life and Orthodox Tradition.

A Response to Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas’ “Clerical Attire in America: Suit or Rason?”, by Fr. Michael Monos.

Uncut Hair and Beard of the Clergy: An Orthodox Tradition Q&A.

Concerning Priests and Holy Tradition: Excerpts from Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit.

Christian Dress and Grooming, an Orthodox Tradition Q & A.

Modesty and Will, by Metropolitan Philaret Voznesensky (+ 1985).

On Account of the Angels: Why I Cover My Head. By Elisabet. From the Spring 1997 issue of Conciliar Press.

Ecclesiastical Etiquette

Clergy Etiquette. From Chapter II of A Guide to Orthodox Life.

How to Greet a Monk or Nun, by Father Alexander Lebedeff.

Monastery and Convent Etiquette. From Chapter II of A Guide to Orthodox Life.

Various articles on Liturgy and Etiquette, from St. John Cathedral.

Various Other Passions and Vices

Against Those Who Have Abandoned the Church and Deserted It for Hippodromes and Theatres, by St. John Chrysostom. A Homily of St John Chrysostom.

On Idle Talk and Gossip, Letter 9 from Letters to a Beginner, by Abbess Thaisia.

Resentment and Forgiveness, by Hieromonk Damascene. A talk delivered at the Annual Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, San Diego, California, February 28, 2003.

Reaching out from Within, by Father Martin Swanson. A Talk Given at the 1999 Southern Orthodox Missions Conference, Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

The Shell of Death, by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich. A challenging essay on hypocrisy.

Not Judging is Salvation without Effort, by Archpriest Valery Lukianov.

On Refusal to Judge Our Neighbor, by St. Dorotheos of Gaza.

Who Art Thou That Judgest?: A homily by Fr. James Thornton.

Quit You Like Men: A homily on St. Paul's admonitions "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong", by Fr. James Thornton.

And Believers Were the More Added: A homily on Christ's call to invite others to experience Holy Orthodoxy, by Fr. James Thornton.

Various Virtues

Joy in Christ: The Sure Indicator of Our Spiritual Condition, translated from the Greek periodical Hagios Kyprianos.

Anchor of the Soul: A homily on hope in God's promises, by Fr. James Thornton.

Elder Joseph the Hesychast on Patience and Endurance, excerpts from Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast.

Christian Gratitude: A Fundamental Hallmark of Orthodox Spirituality, by Archimandrite Cyprian.

Homily on Thanksgiving, by St. Basil the Great. Translated for the first time from the Greek original by Hieromonk Patapios.

And Who Is My Neighbor?: Mercy and love transcend race, nationality, and religious affiliation, by Metropolitan Cyprian of Oropos and Fili.

Simplicity: Chapter 87 from Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works, by Hieromonk Damascene.

Miscellaneous Other

The Place of Lives of Saints in the Spiritual Life, by Hieromonk Damascene. One of the most important articles I've ever read!

Living the Traditional Orthodox Life. A speech presented at the Southern Missions Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, on November 8, 2003.

How Each of Us Can and Ought to Serve the Church, by Father Michael Pomazansky. A must-read classic.

How Should We Conduct Ourselves in Relation to Other People?, by Metropolitan Gregory of Saint Petersburg, 1904.

A Letter to a Priest Concerning Epitimias, by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna.

What Has the Feast of Pascha Left in Our Souls?, by St. John of Kronstadt.

What Is the Mark of the True Christian?, by St. Anastasius the Sinaite

Rock Music from a Christian Viewpoint, Bishop Alexander (Mileant)

School Murders, by an Anonymous Traditionalist Orthodox Clergyman

The Parable of the Wedding Feast, A Homily on the Gospel of St. Matthew 22:1-14. By Father James Thornton.

Thou Shalt Catch Men, a Homily on the Gospel of St. Luke, 5:1-11. By Father James Thornton.

The Orthodox Christian in the Information Age, a lecture given by Fr. Gregory Naumenko and published in Orthodox Life.

Ethics and Technology, by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich.

Why Do the Latins Cross Themselves Backwards?, by Fr. Anthony Nelson.

Godparenting 101, from the parish newsletter of St. George Orthodox Church in Eugene, OR.

Concerning relationship due to Holy Baptism, from The Rudder.

Taking An Orthodox Name: a Q&A from Orthodox Tradition, vol. XIV, no. 4.

On Taking a Christian Name at Baptism and the Origin of the Celebration of Name Days, by Archbishop Chrysostomos and Hieromonk Patapios.

Alien Abductions and the Orthodox Christian, by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna. This fascinating article deals with a very important subject of our day: "paranormal phenomena," UFOs, etc. He offers an Orthodox interpretation of these things and guides us in a proper response to them.

An Orthodox View of Heart Transplantations, by Metropolitan Philaret.

On Dispositions of the Heart. An except from Excerpt from Wounded By Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios.

On Illness. An except from Excerpt from Wounded By Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios.

Saint Seraphim of Viritsa's Spiritual Testament: "This Was From Me", by Metropolitan Manuel Lemeshevsky. An edifying message for handling trials and temptations.

The Cup of Christ, by St. Ignaty Brianchaninov.

The Holy Art of Prosphora Baking, a tutorial by Peter Serko.

Living the Monastic Life in the World. From The Veil (Summer, 2005).

I Never Learned that in Catechism! From The Veil (Dormition Fast, 2006).