St. Elisabeth Convent

Can Work Ruin a Feast Day? Insights from Elder Paisios 💼 In today’s fast-paced world, people are increasingly burdened by the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities. Amid the rush to accomplish everything on our to-do lists and more, the profound experience of church holidays often eludes us. At times, it seems we’ve forgotten one of God’s core commandments delivered through Moses: to labor for six days and dedicate the seventh to the Lord. Conversely, some recognize Sunday as a day of rest, yet spend it in excessive idleness or indulge in sinful pleasures. 🕊 In his enlightening collection of epistles, Saint Paisios offers invaluable insights, undoubtedly inspired by the Holy Spirit and validated through his own experiences. Through vivid examples, the venerable elder instructs us on how to honor Sundays and church festivals in ways that truly please God. While much of his advice is directed towards monastics, laypeople are equally encouraged to aspire towards these ideals for a life enriched with Christ. Continue reading: https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2024/05/can-work-ruin-a-feast-day-insights-from-elder-paisios

A CRIMINAL AUTHORITY WHO BECAME A MONK. A NEW FILM "FATHER HERMAN" with English subtitles 🔥 Fr. Herman: "Honestly, I didn't want to be in this movie. I took part at the request of the fathers. They asked me many times to share my life story. I refused once or twice, but then Father said that the third time would be considered pride. I bowed and said, "Well, as you bless, fathers." "Just pray for me so that I don't harm anyone." I didn't want to participate. But it happened. So, if it benefits these individuals, I will be very glad." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90RQDnJpNac&t=0s

HERMIT NIKITA OF NOVGOROD, THE SAINT WHO FELL AND STARTED OVER Saint Nikita of Novgorod's life exemplifies a major lesson from the ladder of spiritual ascent: our progress to perfection in Christ is rarely smooth and consistent; we will suffer setbacks and falls along the way. But, with humility, a sense of purpose, and strong faith, we may begin anew. On Saint Nikita of Novgorod's feast day, we honour him for the great humility and obedience with which he conquered the enemy's temptations and disrupted his plans. 💬 Read full

Our life is blessed… A God’s gift… We have a treasure in us – our souls. If we preserve it in this temporary world, where we came as pilgrims, we will inherit eternal life with Christ. Joy, unspeakable joy… Angels and saints, God the Father and the Queen of Heaven await us… How happy we are to be Orthodox, right and glorious. Elder Nikolai Guryanov

Elder of the Last Times: Nikolai Guryanov 🌿There lives on the island a man of great spiritual strength, and he is particularly dear to the Lord, because he is one from the last times. In him all of you can see the precious manifestations of our faith and the highest love of Christ, which is so rare and uncommon. The Elder Nikolai loves Christ and his neighbor so excessively that nothing could distract him from the love of God. That place on the island is to be sacred, a Temple of the Throne of God will be erected there. Ordinary people shouldn’t work at that place; there should be monks with pure hearts and righteous thoughts. By God’s Will, the departure time of Father Nikolai to the Abode of God is approaching. There is no person on this sinful earth who doesn’t need his holy blessing. Continue reading: https://catalog.obitel-minsk.com/blog/2017/03/the-life-of-elder-nikolai-guryanov

THE SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC: A CALL TO CHANGE FROM WITHIN Deep joy and heartfelt jubilation fill us as we read about Christ's miracles in the Gospel. These readings convey His infinite power, providential care, and ultimate love for all men. But they also teach us important life lessons. So let us take a closer look today at the narration about the paralytic. 💬 Read full

"BEHEADED FOR CHRIST ON HIS 19th BIRTHDAY: REMEMBERING WARRIOR YEVGENY RODIONOV (1996)" Dear Friends, Today, May 23, marks both the birth and the untimely death of Yevgeny Rodionov. His name, derived from the Greek "noble," aptly describes his character — marked by gentleness, nobility of soul, and true courage. Yevgeny Rodionov, a young Russian soldier during the First Chechen War (1994-1996), endured extended captivity and brutal torture. His steadfast faith was tested when he refused to remove his baptismal cross in exchange for freedom, a decision that led to his martyrdom. Interestingly, Yevgeny never actively fought in Chechnya; he served only a month on guard duty at the Chechen-Ingush border. On his 19th birthday, the day the Orthodox Church celebrated the Ascension of the Lord, he was tragically killed by captors who boasted of their righteousness. 👉 Read more

Two Parables and One Short Story about the Intricacies of Family Life Archpriest Oleg Stenyaev An old woman came to a priest and asked him, “What should I do with my old man who has become totally unbearable? He keeps arguing, never admits his wrongs and swears all the time! Things have clearly gotten completely out of hand.” The priest gave her a bottle of water and said, “This is holy water. As soon as your husband comes home after work, or the minute he raises his voice, immediately take it into your mouth and hold it as long as you can. The longer you hold it, the more it will help! When you run out of holy water, come back for more. A week later, the old woman came for more water, “Thank you, father! The holy water worked! My old man is now meek and calm. All our neighbours envy the life we have now — peace and harmony! Pour me some more of that holy water!” 🌼 A fifty-year-old man wanted to divorce his wife. Once he came to see an ascetic. The elder asked the man why he was doing that. The man answered, “I want to leave my wife because I cannot stand her.” The elder asked, “How do you address her?” “By name,” the man replied. “Wrong,” said the elder, “you should call her beloved or my dear.” The man replied that after 50 years he had forgotten what love was. The elder said, “Do as I say and see what happens.” The man did as he had been told. When he came to see the elder after two months, he fell at his feet and said that the elder saved him and his family. “My wife has changed! She has become a better person.” The elder replied, “It is not your wife, it is you who have changed.” 🌼 A few days ago, I was consecrating an apartment. I noticed that the owners were well prepared: they had icons, stickers with crosses, candles, incense and oil… ‘Wait, what is that red sediment in the oil bottle?’ At first, I even thought that it was oil from the Holy Unction. I asked the house owners what it was about. They explained to me that in due order they had added Tabasco sauce there. I was shocked. “Well,” they said, “we did everything as you instructed Peter and Svetlana”. Peter and Svetlana are our mutual friends, whose house I had also consecrated about six months ago. ‘Now that explains it,’ I thought. Six months ago, Svetlana and Peter asked me to come and consecrate their house, because “things have gotten out of hand; we keep fighting, and it looks like a divorce is near at hand”. I came to them, asked them all sorts of questions and listened to them complaining about each other like little children. “Okay,” I said, “now let’s pray, and then we’ll talk” We prayed, consecrated the house and sprinkled it with holy water. “What should we do with the oil that is left?” they asked me. I jokingly answered, “You need to take some Tabasco sauce (you can also use Chili, but it is more customary for the Orthodox people to adhere to Tabasco), add it to the oil and smear your tongues with it as soon as you begin fighting” (It should be noted here that both of them had ready tongues.) As it turned out, Peter and Svetlana did just as I said! “Well, how did it work out for them?” I asked. “Oh, it was like they were having a honeymoon again! They walk hand in hand everywhere and they even became interested in religion. Besides, she seems to be pregnant. I am shy to ask, but it looks that way.” Of course, Peter and Sveta knew exactly how to prepare for the consecration of the apartment.

KIEV-BRATSK ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD The rich history of the wonderworking Kiev-Bratsk (i.e. "Brotherhood") Icon of the Mother of God revealed in 1654 tells us about the arduous spiritual life of Christians of that time, filled with asceticism and prayerful devotion. The icon was originally kept in the church of Saints Boris and Gleb in the city of Vyshgorod (Kiev). 💬 Read full

Patience begins with love. For you to tolerate a person, you must feel pain for him. Saint Paisios of the Holy Mountain