Culture

“Whether in Africa Or Russia, Orthodox Parish Life Is Basically the Same”

A talk with the rector of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg (South Africa), Archpriest Daniel Lugovoy

The parish in honor of St. Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and Wonderworker of All Russia, was founded in the city of Johannesburg in the Republic of South Africa by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on December 29, 1998.

Review of Following the Holy Fathers by Fr. Theodore Zisis

Following the Holy Fathers: Essays on the Timeless Guides of Authentic Christianity is a collection of essays written by Greek Patrologist Theodoros Zisis (translated by Rev Dr John Palmer), published by Newrome Press.

Brief description: This book represents a collection of valuable scholarship covering both a broad range of Patristic figures dating from apostolic times to the present day, as well as a wide variety of themes. Moreover, it paints a roughly representative picture of one of Greece’s most important modern Patristic scholars and effectively introduces him to the English-speaking world. Most importantly, though, this volume offers to show readers how an authentic Orthodox Patrologist relates to the lives, text, and teachings of the Holy Fathers.

Banja of St. Nicholas

Banja Monastery in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the oldest holy shrines of the Serbian land, stands close to the town of Priboj in the very heart of Serbia. The monastery dates back to the time preceding the Nemanjic Dynasty and the establishment of the independent Archbishopric of Serbia by St. Sava, the enlightener of this land. Today it belongs to the Diocese of Mileseva and is the home of a community of nuns. Its main church is dedicated to St. Nicholas (“Sveti Nikola”), and the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God is attached to its south wall. The foundations of the earliest original St. Nicholas Church survive on the territory of the monastery as well. It is a monument of cultural and historic significance and is under state protection.

“This Is a Story of Resurrection:” an American Monk on the Spiritual Life in Kosovo

Monk Sophronios (Copan) is an American monk living out his monastic calling in a small monastery in Eastern Kosovo, dedicated to the Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael. Orthochristian.com recently had the opportunity to interview him about his experiences as an American and a monastic in Kosovo while he was in America giving talks about his monastery and the contemporary situation of Orthodox Christians in Muslim-majority Kosovo.

The Newly-glorified Holy Monk-martyr Grigorije of Peć

In May 2018, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church canonized three monastic-martyrs of Christ who suffered under the Turkish Yoke: Monk Grigorije of Peć, Monk Vasilije the baker of Peć, and the virgin Bosiljka from Pasjana. The solemn glorification of the new saints was held in the Church of St. Sava on May 10, 2018, during the Divine Liturgy on the day of the burning of the relics of St. Sava.

Apostle Andronicus of the Seventy

Saint Andronicus Apostle of the Seventy and Saint Junia were relatives of the holy Apostle Paul. They labored much, preaching the Gospel to pagans. Saint Paul mentions them in his Epistle to the Romans: “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ, before me” (Romans 16:7).

Saint Andronicus was made Bishop of Pannonia, but his preaching also took him and Saint Junia to other lands, far from the boundaries of his diocese. Through the efforts of Saints Andronicus and Junia the Church of Christ was strengthened, pagans were converted to the knowledge of God, many pagan temples closed, and in their place Christian churches were built. The service in honor of these saints states that they suffered martyrdom for Christ.