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The Simple Shepherd Of The Simple Sheep
It is necessary today, living in an age of distraction and materialistic stupor, that we become acquainted with holy persons that struggled against the same onslaughts our modern age brings upon the soul. These persons are a testimony to the living sanctity of Truth–that victorious war can be waged against this world’s poison. One such personality is “Papa” (Father) Nicholas Planas. + LIFE OF ST. NICHOLAS PLANAS (1851-1932) Commemorated March 2nd HIS BIRTH. He was born in Naxos in 1851. His parents, captain John and Augustina, were quite well off but were also good people, with the simple and pure soul which distinguishes island people. They had their own estate,…
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Spoken At the Grave
A homily spoken at the grave of Elder Hilarion of Sarov, 1841. And so, pilgrim on the earth, you have finished your journey; you have crossed the sea of temptations and misfortunes and found repose for yourself! But what kind of choirs surround you? Behold, our father and instructor: Your children have come to you from the wast and the north and the sea and the east not to behold your end, but to hear from your honey-flowing lips the words of eternal life; but you sleep, your eyes and lips are closed. Arise! Arise! Bless! Alas, he is without breath… Father! Where are your promises given constantly to everyone?…
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What Saint John Taught Me…
By an Orthodox Subdeacon From Issue 16 This article was written by a subdeacon who had the blessing of serving with Saint John as a child as well as having the Saint as a family friend and mentor. These are his reflections, looking back at the greatest things Saint John revealed to him about the spiritual life. I look down from my perch in the choir loft, the cathedral is spread before me like a map. From the chandeliers above to the lit candles, everything is a sea of light. People still returning from the Cross Procession, candles in hand, only add to the radiance. With the start of the Orthros Service,…
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St. Xenia: The Homeless Wanderer
We know almost nothing about the early years of Blessed Xenia’s life. She was happily married to a colonel who was a court singer in St. Petersburg, Russia’s capital city at that time, and we can assume that her’ own family was among the well-to-do. She was only 26 years old when her husband suddenly died at a drinking party. Xenia loved her husband very much and his unexpected death came as a great shock, It completely changed her way of looking at life. Knowing that her husband had not prepared himself for death and that he had died without the prayers of the Church, she began to be very…
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The Anti-Humans and the Re-Education Experiment
Originally published in Death to the World Issue 12 The Anti-Humans and the Re-Education Experiment Between 1944-1945, Communism took over the Christian country of Romania. An experiment of terror was performed on the young generation, on students from the age of eighteen to twenty five. Among those students was a man who is alive today after surviving sixteen years in the anti-human communist prison system. His name is Father George Calciu. After His release from prison, he was exiled to America in 1984. Below follows part of an interview by Nun Nina from this year. (1998) Nun Nina: This may be more difficult for you to talk about – I…
