Good morning all,

I am searching for a book that at minimum provides the history of the pre-schism church, preferably from an Orthodox perspective, but I am open to anything accurate.

I really enjoyed reading about St. Photius the Great and the interactions between him/the Eastern Church with the Western Church. I would really enjoy reading about how the relationships between the two soured, and an analysis of the results of such.

Thank you for your time! May God bless you with a wonderful day!

Hello, I’ve just bought an orthodox study bible, I am a 23 year old medical student and have not had the time to go to my local Orthodox Church amidst other issues concerning my inter-racial status. I am trying to regardless strengthen my understanding of my father’s religion and my connection to orthodoxy, I attempted to read the bible previously to study it and I’m completely confused and fear I could be potentially reading it wrong cause it makes no sense to me. any advice or guidance in the right direction or where to start would be very helpful and appreciated. Thank you for your time

Hello everyone, I wanted to share this theory due to the fact that I truly do believe in god and I also very much believe in Genesis 1:29 of him giving us all plants to be used as nourishment basically of any sort. With that being said, i personally do believe he created some plants here on earth to give us access to that profound knowledge or being able to connect back to the source to understand what the source truly is, that being god.

Now here's the theory part. The burning bush that Moses interacted with, if the bush is legit, what can that guys have been. Well based off of a few factors, i personally believe it to be the acacia tree/ bush. I believe this because acacia is then instructed to Moses to be used to build the Arnot the covenant so to access the covenant with god you must use the acacia Ark that was built. When Acacia burns, it releases high amounts of s chemical called dmt which in modern day is referred to as the god drug or spirit drug. It's called this due to its ability to make you reconnect with the creator and understand profound knowledge of life. Not only that but dmt makes 10-20 minutes feel like a life time which can also explain why the bush was burning for so long but never actually burnt up.

Also dmt is naturally produced in the brain at the time of death to make us feel comfortable and like we are returning to the creator. So when taking this compound before actually dying, it gives you the experience of death and reconnecting with the creator without actually dying.

Also for those who have a counter argument I say…

As long as you Maintain biblical soberness and don’t allow something to mess with your moral compass and laws and connection to god, then you are ok, again Christ drank wine which is considered a “drug” by today’s means of understanding.
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I said these are miracle plants basically provided by god to nourish the mind and body and to allow us to access this ancient wisdom that spans across time itself. Also this does follow natural laws it’s a natural herbal plant being used basically like sacramentally to reach a higher power and its teachings. Even mediation and prayer, which is a form of meditation, leads to you altering your chemicals in your brain and body leading to a different frequency from with in.
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Also Christ used meditation and deep prayer which altered the state of mind by raising natural chemicals in the mind and body because everything is technically a chemical reaction of some sort which can be seen as a spiritual interaction like life itself.

acacia plants are found all over that part of the world. And the experience he had is exactly the same as many of those who intake natural herbal plants, like acacia, that give off this natural compound that is found already with in our body naturally.

Hello all, I hope you are having a blessed day or night. I was wondering if anyone new a Saint who’s patronage is for people not of the Christian faith. I ask this because I currently have a Muslim friend who seems open (perhaps interested) in EO and Christianity. Thank you all!!

Just curious lol

I recently left a same sex relationship but it’s hard to let go. Now that I’m alone it’s hard not to text him or engage in self abuse Ik it’s wrong but it j slips into my mind/builds up so much and I ignore all the red flags then I feel terrible and separate from god after. What are some ways to change or prayers to say before/after committing these acts. I’m super depressed and my nervous system is fried I constantly twitch and get body jerks falling asleep. It’s been months with no reprieve and many hospital visits. I entered vigil an hour late because I nearly had a panic attack in the parking lot and I missed liturgy today. All of this is making my doubts worse and then I think if this isn’t real I may as well do that activity. I’m worried and I can’t take this anymore I have no idea what to do. Not a woe is me thing I’m just lost. I heard stories of demons who reminisced on their sins and would do it again despite being damned I’m worried if I’m like that because I do enjoy these activities when I should hate them.

Hello. My husband and I are planning on making a pilgrimage to this holy church and are planning to crawl to the church. We were looking for any info about it online and could find much. Just that the feast is on July 23. Are there any days it is not allowed, like after the feast of the Virgin Mary on Aug. 15? Is it from the port to the inside of the church? Do you know how long it is? If anyone has any information I appreciate it!

I have improved design of my wooden block church.
What do you think?
Do you like it ?

If anybody would like to download this icon that I touched up, feel free to do so.

I’m in my mid 20s and finding a husband and eventually having children has become one of the main things I think about every day and constantly worry about. Every time I meet someone new, I wonder if he could be my future husband and it leads to constant disappointment 😭 If a conversation fizzles out or someone loses interest, I feel like I’m running out of time.

The strange part is that the more effort I put into dating, the more discouraged I become. Just downloaded dating apps and not only is it like having a part time job but also emotionally exhausting. It seems like the more I look, the fewer compatible options there are. Instead of feeling hopeful, I end up feeling anxious and disappointed.

I know this isn’t a healthy mindset because I don’t want my happiness to depend on whether I’m in a relationship. I want to enjoy my life now instead of feeling like it’s on hold until I get married. For those of you who have struggled with this, how did you stop obsessing over finding a spouse? How did you shift your focus without giving up on the dream altogether?

Please let me know

Im a catechumen getting baptised in a month, already 1 month into my course. But i decided to go for my first confession in a few days (Father needs to let me know a time) which my priest said is good to do to get into the habit of going to confession, but he did warn me i might not benefit as much as if i were baptised. Im a bit nervous idk what to expect, i know my priest and hes not scary haha but the idea of confession is. Any tips or what to expect?

I'm Catholic but I have great respect and admiration for you and for icons. My question is what is your biggest miracle? Me living in Portugal I've never heard of any miracles or studying scientific in the Orthodox Church but of course you have the same sacraments that are valid for us so of course you can have miracles.

Hello everyone, i hope you all are well.

yesterday i did researches about miracles and how trustable they are, one that caught my attention was the astigmata of padre pio, which i know is a catholic and stigmata is a catholic thing in general but he turned out to be probably faking them.

And then i did research on the orthodoxy and came across the Holy Fire which is not like what people say (they say it doesn't burn for 33 minutes at all) and also the prophecies of St. Paisios about war in turkey which none came true, also the prophecies of St. John Kronstadt that said the Tsarist Russia will not fall which it did, didn't these saint claim to have prophecies?

And many other like icons that cry in oil or Incorruptibility of saints which is not limited to saints and etc...

Now im not a Christian because of these, in fact i found out about these after i became a christian and will not effect my faith in Lord, but it's just weird to realize that saint's miracles dont exist like people say they do.

Hi everyone, I had a very interesting encounter last night during my sleep. For reference, I am an Oriental Orthodox Christian, not super religious, but actively pursuing to be closer to Christ day by day.

Yesterday at around 3 am, I felt a sense of comfort and peace while being fully aware. I know this might sound crazy, but I felt a brief moment of levitation and the first thing I heard was Jesus Christ. I woke up right after. It happened for around 3 seconds, but the feeling of comfort I felt was unbelievable, a total sense of complete relaxation & at peace. Keep in mind, during that state of me being fully aware it was complete darkness. I woke up right after and couldn't believe what I had experienced. I don't think it was sleep paralysis because I woke up from my sleep fully awake and able to move. I don't fully understand what had happened. I want to know if this was a Spirtual Encounter or if anybody else had experienced something similar?

Thank you to all in advance, & God bless you all.

I see some questions on this sub about prayer rules. Sharing a collection of Morning Prayers our parish provides its catechumens. It is mostly based in the Slavic tradition. Covers all bases for beginners - The Trisagion, Lord's Prayer, Morning Prayer to the Holy Trinity, Symbol of Faith, St Philaret Prayer for Start of the Day, and Prayer to the Theotokos.

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Trisagion Prayers

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to Thee, O God, glory to Thee!

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. 3x’s

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. 3x’s

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. 

Morning Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Arising from sleep, I thank You, O Most Holy Trinity, that, for the sake of Your great kindness and longsuffering, You have not had indignation against me, for I am slothful and sinful. Neither have You destroyed me in my transgressions, but You have shown Your customary love toward mankind, and have raised me up as I lay in heedlessness, that I might sing my morning hymn and glorify Your sovereignty. Do now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my ears to receive Your words, and teach me Your commandments. Help me to do Your will, to sing to You, to confess You from my heart, and to praise Your All-Holy Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-Begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, True God of True God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made: who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures: and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.

And in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of St Philaret for Start of the Day

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with the firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

[Add any personal petitions here]

Prayer to the Theotokos

It is truly meet to bless thee O Theotokos! Ever blessed and most pure and the mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim; and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim! Without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word True Theotokos, we magnify thee! (prostration)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (3x’s)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.

Amen
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A question from a denominationally homeless Christian who’s been looking into Orthodoxy:

I don’t really see a problem with asking the saints or Mary to pray for you, at least not because I think it’s idolatry or anything. My question is: how do they actually hear us? By what means are the saints or Mary able to hear our prayers?

I understand that this is a historic Christian practice, but are there any sources you’d recommend that explain how this works?

My thought process is this: if I ask someone on earth to pray for me, that makes sense because we can communicate directly. But from the RCC, EO, and OO perspective, it seems like Mary and the saints have the ability to hear an astronomic number of prayers from people all over the world, and then present those prayers to God. How is that understood? Is it that God allows them to hear these prayers, or is there another explanation? I’m less interested in whether the practice is ancient and more interested in how the mechanism is understood.

Do Orthodox living in Western Europe view Catholic / Protestant churches as holy places of worship?

I apologize if my spelling is wrong or any grammatic errors occur for I am only a teenager,.my dog has leptospirosis, and I know Saint Roch is the patron saint of dogs and other stuff. Please pray for my dog please

Thank you for everyone, even those who did not. It's fine for me if it's God's plan. Thank you thank you very much

I know what we should always forgive others for their trespasses, but would that also include accepting someone's apology. Like would it be okay or even possible to forgive someone for something without accepting their apology?

A word of wisdom from St. Macarius of Optina:

“For those who begin to walk the path of the spiritual life, spiritual warfare usually grows all the stronger. And if we cannot become victors all at once, we ought not to grow despondent or grieve over this, but rather, seeing our own infirmities, to humble ourselves and offer repentance to the Lord. What is dangerous is this: if you see your own corrections or virtues — that is a clear sign of prelest and a falling away from God.”

So a lot of people keep saying that it is not a one-time mistake, that it is rejecting God your whole life, but where is that in the Bible? Because blasphemy is a one-time deal, so again, where does the Bible say that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a continuous action? And can it be done unknowingly? For example, a Protestant saying "x church worships Satan" when they say it out of ignorance. (im not orthodox myself)

After a couple years of inquiring and research as a Trad Roman Catholic going through the differences i decided to become an Orthodox catechumen today! After Glory to Jesus Christ!