Holy Hieromartyr Hilarion Solemnly Celebrated in Sretensky Monastery

On December 28, 2010, in the Moscow Sretensky Monastery was celebrated the feast day of its heavenly patron, Holy Hieromartyr Hilarion (Troitsky). With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Divine Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Theognost of Sergiev Posad, Father Superior of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra. Archimandrite Tikhon and members of the Monastery clergy concelebrated, along with graduates of the Sretensky Theological Seminary, and other guests of the Monastery. After the Liturgy, Archbishop Theognost lead the prayer to Holy Hieromartyr Hilarion.

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The Ancestors of Jesus Christ Our Savior

Fr. Thaddaeus Hardenbrook

Last Sunday, the second Sunday before Nativity, we celebrated all the forefathers of Christ—that is, everyone who worked to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. We praised the men who shone forth before and during the Old Covenant Law. We honored Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Samson, Barak, Jephthah, Nathan, Eleazar, Josiah, Job, Samuel, David, Solomon, Elijah, and all the prophets, especially Daniel and the three holy youths. We sang to the holy women made ”strong in the days of old by the might of Your Strength, O Lord: Hannah, Judith, Deborah, Huldah, Jael, Esther, Sarah, Miriam, Rachel, Rebecca, and Ruth.” We sang of all the righteous of the Old Covenant times, men and women, Hebrews and non-Hebrews, who found life in God and ”will appear with Him in glory” when ”Christ who is our life appears” (Col. 3:4).

Canon to St. Herman of Alaska

Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska

From the Service to our Holy and God-Bearing Father, Saint Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska.

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St. Joasaph of Belgorod, in Verse and Song

L. N. Pogozheva

The Queen of Heaven is particularly close to children who call upon her. She loves and helps them. Once the father of the holy Russian hierarch Joasaph of Belgorod was sitting on his porch at sunset pondering on what awaited his son when he grew up and finished his studies. Suddenly he saw the Mother of God in the air and his son on his knees, praying at Her feet. Then he heard her say to Joasaph, "Your prayer is enough for me," and from the heights an angel flew down and cloaked the youth in a bishop's mantle.

Rating: 9,8|Votes: 5

The Conception of the Holy Virgin Theotokos by Saint Anna

Commemorated December 9/22

Sergei Bulgakov

Struck by the speech of the High Priest, as though by the awesome verdict of the judgment of God Himself, the righteous man had no time even to withdraw from the altar, as a new heavier insult struck his hearing. One of the Israelites bringing his gifts, pushed him away, said, “Depart from here, did you not hear that you are unworthy to bring gifts to God together with us, because you have not left offspring for Israel?” With deep humility Joachim accepted this accusation as if it were from the mouth of the very God, and with deep sadness left the temple.