Maria, Kaluga

19 hours ago

Good afternoon. I work as a sales assistant in the Pyaterochka store. Can I work on Good Friday and Good Saturday? After all, a lot of alcohol passes through my cash desk, like any other, these days.

Priest John Kurbatsky

It's your job. What people buy is their choice. After all, the Lord does not deprive each of us of freedom, does not destroy alcohol and its consumers. Secretly observe your fast and do not be tempted to drink, do not judge. After Easter, beware of drunkenness yourself. And pray for people when you see something like this: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Evgenia, Rostov-on-Don

2 days ago

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! At one time, I had to read quite a lot on the topic you raise. As far as I remember, the fathers, who by their lives and deeds proved their Orthodoxy and loyalty to God and the Church, believed that the imposition of the seal of Antichrist by his false prophet would take place in those 3.5 years of the reign of Antichrist, at the same time, the construction of a temple with accession to it is expected Antichrist, the preaching of the prophets Enoch and Elijah, their murder in Jerusalem, the preaching of a false prophet. That is, in the times that will immediately precede the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we assume that the sealing has already begun, then we will have to accept the priestless idea of ​​a "spiritual Antichrist."

I really liked the opinion of Priest Georgy Maksimov about the so-called "electronic concentration camp" (improving the means of tracking a person): " If you want to hide something, you still can't do it. Even if you do not accept the TIN, even if you do not accept SNILS and everything that you come up with new there, you will save paper money, etc. and so on. The Antichrist will still know where you are, what you do, who you are - all your ins and outs. Because the Antichrist will be connected with Satan, he will be served by demons who know everything about you perfectly and who know much more information about you than is available in any state system ... Demons do not need any chips to track you ... Christian. Lead your life in such a way that you can be watched and nothing can be found behind you».

Religious philosopher and controversial protodeacon of the mainstream church Andrei Kuraev points out: “ If the holy fathers were silent on a certain issue, then one must be able to remain faithful to the patristic silence. For example, the holy fathers never discussed the question of what material, what technology will be used to make the seal of the Antichrist. This means that any person who, on behalf of the Church, tries to see in the laser a tool for applying the seal of the Antichrist is engaged in theological hooliganism. They say: ... lasers or the Internet, a computer is all printing, barcodes are a technology for applying the seal of the Antichrist - this is not true».

I came across an interpretation, it seems, from St. Andrew of Caesarea, that the seals on the forehead and hand mean our personal susceptibility to passions, both spiritual and mental, i.e. reflections and sinful dreams, as well as our deeds, which are represented by a mark on the active, right hand.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you all the days to the end of the age. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

If God is with us, then all seals and lasers cannot harm us.

“For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord ". (Rom. 8.38-39).

It is only important that we ourselves do not turn away from the Savior, that we do not betray Him and our part in the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, the acceptance of the seal of the Antichrist is connected with the rejection of Christ, with such a sinful life, which in itself, regardless of the acceptance of the seal of the Antichrist, leads to death. The forcible technical or biomedical imposition of the seal of the Antichrist on a believer in Christ and living according to His commandments, especially if he is not aware of this, cannot separate him from Christ.

Throughout its history, when the Church has lived in various government systems(imperial-pagan, Orthodox specific princely and autocratic, liberal-democratic, totalitarian-communist, occupational), it was subject to civil regulations related to military duty, census and tax collection, even if these institutions were designated by pagan religious symbols and inscriptions.

The martyrs refused to participate in the civil-religious festivities of the Roman Empire when it was connected with their personal direct participation in a religious cult, in sacrifice.

But there is also a sinful opportunity to burn with fear, when people, in the vain hope of being “holier than the Pope,” consider themselves worthy of a “divine revelation” about the future destinies of the world (for example, I came across an “Urgent prophetic warning from God the Father and His Son Yahushua HaMashiach ( Jesus Christ) via Julie Wedby (September 4, 2017)"). Cool!

Christ says: It is not for you to understand the times and seasons which the Father has set in His own power."(Acts 1.7). And further: " Fear not, little flock! for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom"(Luke 12.32).

Therefore, the Church is not silent, but tries to shout out to everyone who considers himself a Christian, rings all the bells: “ Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven!» (Matthew 6.33).

Pray, cleanse your soul with confession, partake, if possible, of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Run away from sin, not forgetting caution in the "signs" of the times. That will save you!

God help!

Valery, Tyumen

4 days ago

I have a large sore mole (wart) on my neck. The chain and cord constantly rub it. I'm afraid that this may cause a complication. Is it possible not to wear a cross around the neck?

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! In my understanding, wearing a pectoral cross only shows, both to ourselves and to those around us, our acceptance of Christ's sacrifice made for us. That He was crucified and resurrected for our salvation. This can be compared with the words of the apostle Paul:

“Always bearing the death of the Lord Jesus in my body, so that the Life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor. 4.10).

The specific place for wearing the “symbol of salvation” is not specified in Scripture, although it is customary to wear it around the neck. I think it's part of the tradition. Its fulfillment in the sense of obligation is probably more correct to coordinate with your spiritual father.

As for health. Now there are medical techniques for removing formations, quite harmlessly and without consequence (according to today's statistics). Maybe it makes sense to turn to the appropriate people in "white coats"?

Eugene, St. Petersburg

a week ago

Hello. I am 55 years old. At 48, I lost my job and no one needed me, despite my education and experience, they refused as soon as they found out about my age, they have an indication - no older than 45. It was difficult to get a job as a watchman at the parking lot - the work of a pensioner, the salary is appropriate, from penny to penny, literally, and not figuratively, a small glitch - and already a pawnshop. In his youth he was engaged in business, you can not believe it, but honest, by virtue of his profession, he did not accumulate treasures on earth, but, apparently, he did not accumulate in Heaven either and met a poor old age. And the years go by, with them strength and hope, I turn ...

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! You puzzle me! In my opinion, we live in a fairly dynamic world. It is possible to feel sorry for yourself for seven and twenty-seven years, remembering the past, while not trying to change the situation from the inside, i.e. in itself.

If you were a businessman in your youth, as I understand it, then you understand that with all the risks there is a chance to change the situation, to find new opportunities, without focusing on narrow professional activities. Unfortunately, Soviet-Union social guarantees ended shortly after the death of the state.

We are almost the same age, I think I can give you examples of how they react to difficulties, including economic, but, most importantly, mental, our peers. Someone sends his professional experience, not being lazy to communicate on the Internet; someone is engaged in needlework, weaving, knitting, sewing (these are such hundred and thirty-kilogram men) and have an additional two hundred or three hundred enemy pieces of paper per month; there are people who have hobbies and have learned how to make money out of them: aircraft and ship modeling, growing flowers, breeding parrots and other exotics. Now, with the availability of networking opportunities, there is a demand for almost everything, except for despondency and laziness. If there is a river nearby, then there is always a demand for live, albeit small, fish (I checked it myself). If you manage not to get hung up on the limitation of working time from 8 to 17 hours or in another interval, then you will be able to find that sphere of application of your strength that will give you not only a worthy reward, but also inner satisfaction with life fulfillment. And if, with all this, gratitude to God abides with you for every hour you live and its fullness of warmth to others, then consider that you have won the jackpot.

I do not know you at all, your preferences and thoughts, in order to give a “non-standard answer”, this requires a real spiritual father. Yes, thoughts. The destruction does not begin outside, but in our heads. And only we determine how our future will be built. The age of 55 is the time when people begin to learn new things, strive to realize themselves in what they are interested in. In the village of Pavlikovo Yaroslavl region aunt Anfia Filippovna, having retired at this age from a leadership position, began to master the charter of worship and hook singing virtually from scratch; now she is close to eighty, she does not rest on the “Hawai”, everything is simpler: she is calm and satisfied with life, thanks to her the service to God is performed in a remote temple.

You can reproach yourself for not becoming a millionaire, a general or an authoritative bandit (everyone has their own guidelines), but the feeling of being needed by the world and the desire to be included in its life is in us.

Wake up, your head and hands will help you get out of despondency, do not limit yourself, fantasize, and you can find your "niche"!

God help! Pray, ask for hints, but it is up to you to work and "spin"!

Maria, St. Petersburg

a week ago

Good afternoon. One question has always interested me. I do not like children and never have, but I am categorically against abortion, not because it is murder, but because it is a vile operation, unworthy real woman, this is cowardice and inability to be responsible for their actions. But what if a woman / girl was raped by some male creature (I'm sorry, but this is the mildest thing I can say about such individuals), after which she became pregnant? It is clear that even in this case, the church will say that abortion is murder. But what about women who have been raped? To have a child they already hate, and to recoup later...

Priest John Kurbatsky

Yes, the Church will say abortion is murder. Science will say so, because life is born from the moment of conception. If this thesis is recognized as the truth, which it actually is, the rest of the question disappears by itself. The child is not to blame.

Why do you think that women will certainly hate the child?

Having an abortion, she will make an irreparable mistake. No, she will not be a thousand times right, although one can somehow understand. You write correctly, you won’t be able to live happily after an abortion. Happiness cannot be built on sin and blood.

Rest assured, God will find a way to bless the mother who refused to have an abortion even in such a situation and still gave birth and raised a child.

Mila, Shatura

a week ago

Hello. Could you tell me what this dream could mean? Thank you in advance. My mom got very sick. She was found to have benign tumors in both breasts. They grew, and the doctor said that they must be removed so that they do not develop into malignant ones. Mom was taken to the hospital, and on the eve of the operation, I had a strange dream. I see a gloomy restaurant, round tables, twilight, almost quiet and deserted. I am sitting at one of the round little tables, I am sitting alone and I clearly understand that he will come now, that I have a meeting with the devil. He came to me in the form of a man, a TV presenter of the Wait for Me program. I understood everything perfectly, who before ...

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! I think that you know the attitude towards dreams in the church community. It is indifferent and cautious. The "brain" processes the amount of information that has fallen into it. Sometimes yesterday's, and sometimes it raises deeper layers, showing us in pictures either cartoons, or football, or the 27th Congress of the CPSU. The attitude should be like this: “look” - woke up, prayed, let go and forgot.

With regard to the sinfulness of decisions made in a dream, I can give an example with men. With prolonged abstinence, and among the monks it is even for life, from time to time there is a “dumping” of the seed. If this happens, then a person should judge about himself, what is the reason for what happened. It happens that it's just physiology, and it's sinless. There are outflows with dreams, i.e. "Such" dreams. And then it’s time to think about whether they appeared by themselves or did the person warm up to himself by seeing him once or being with him earlier? Were there "dreams of fornication" or just cartoons? Was it possible and willing to wake up so as not to fall into sin? Those. "sinlessness" was mixed with an arbitrary passionate subtext. There are other cases, but we will keep quiet about them. But everything is ambiguous and is known in reasoning, with an experienced confessor.

For your occasion. It is clear that most of your daytime thoughts were subordinated to your mother's well-being. Perhaps there was also a willingness to sacrifice “everything” for her health in your thoughts. The question of the “selling of the soul”, “sinfulness or sinlessness” of your dream and the decision made in it, in my opinion, belongs to the confessional. Being at confession, the next time, do not forget to discuss this issue with the confessor.

Lord, grant us and our neighbors spiritual and, if possible, bodily health!

Marina, Reutov

2 weeks ago

Good evening. My dad died. He was unbaptized, because. my grandfather, my father's father, was a military man. Subsequently, the pope was not baptized. Died suddenly and suddenly in 2 minutes - heart. Dad believed in God, went to church with mom for Holy water. Well, when his parents were buried - grandfather and grandmother were baptized - dad believed in God with his soul. Tell me, please, how can we be with mom? How to pray for an unbaptized soul? Can we go to the temple?

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! My condolences! As far as I know, it is customary to pray for the dead outside of Orthodoxy to the martyr Huar (his memory is November 1, according to the new style). According to his life, he has grace from God to pray for the remission of their sins and deliverance from eternal torment.

Try not to leave prayers for the deceased and do works of mercy in memory of him. I hope that your father not only believed in God in his soul, but also tried to live in truth, in conscience. One can hope for the mercy of God, because, as the apostle Paul writes:

When the pagans, who do not have the law, by nature do what is lawful, then, having no law, they are their own law: they show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as evidenced by their conscience and their thoughts, now accusing, now justifying one another ( Romans 2.14-15).

Neglect to receive Holy Baptism is very serious, but at the Judgment everyone will be convicted by their conscience and " for every word that people say, they will answer on the day of judgment"(Mt.12.36).

May the mercy of God cover all our hardships and rest in places of light and peace!

Hello! My husband left me for another girl. After the wedding, we lived only 4 months, cheated with that girl before the wedding. She survived a strong blow, forgave, thought that if she marries, she takes responsibility for the family, for what will be different. Before that, they lived in fornication for 2 years, were “formally believers”, they forgot God. I understand that everything happened for our sins. Left in soul-rending loneliness and despondency. I understand that without this grief I would not have reached the temple. Now I slowly pray, I begin my spiritual life. But it's very hard. We're not divorced yet. He lives with another and he has...

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! I may be wrong, but it seems to me that it is worth separating the rebirth of your spiritual life and a failed marriage. Knowing that the future spouse combines attention to you with the “other girl”, i.e. the fact that the Law of God is not "guiding and guiding" in the life-building of a person, it would be worth stopping and thinking before entering into marriage. Not hoping for a miraculous change in a person who is outside the framework of the Church ...

The fact that you and him lived “next to the Church” for two years, forgetting God, shows that perhaps a miracle is happening precisely with your soul. Take the trouble to learn how to pray, perhaps even start praying the Psalter with prayers of repentance. The Lord, through your prayer, will strengthen your soul and tell you how to build your bright and charitable “tomorrow”.

« Pray for those who offend you"(Matt. 5.44), but at the same time build your future yourself, based on Christ's Commandments, and not just according to carnal desires and movements. Trust God and "He will feed you"! Do not try now to "peep" your future - live day by day, with faith and patience!

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! In my not so distant past, Soviet times, coins from 1 to 5 kopecks were called copper, or coppers, and from 10 to 50 - silver, although I strongly doubt the percentage of these metals in those coins.

The Gospels do not indicate which coins are called pieces of silver. It could be both denarii and drachmas, but usually this name is associated with Tyrian staters or shekels that were in circulation in Jerusalem - they were minted in the city of Tire in the period from 126 BC. and 19 AD. - or with ancient Greek tetradrachms.

Calculations in such a "currency" are mentioned in the book of Prop. Jeremiah, ch.32; prophet Zechariah ch.11; the book of Exodus, ch.21.

Attention to details, especially such detailed ones, of course, is very remarkable, but let's still try to remember the main thing in the Gospels - the Gospel of Christ, so that, digging into the little things, we do not lose the essence, do not notice the forest for the trees.

Priest Nikola Muraviev

Good! The Lord says:

“Let the children go and do not prevent them from coming to Me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 19.14).

He reminded those around him of the words spoken through the prophet Isaiah: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations' and added from Himself: ' And you made it a den of robbers"(Mark 11:17).

Raising children in a Christian way, instilling love for God, prayer, worship is a very difficult process. This task requires great patience and prudence. Children who take a conscious part in the service, singing and reading the Holy Texts, can touch the toughest soul. Outrage, running around, screaming and other fuss, even made by children, can distract even the most pious man of prayer from reverent prayer. On this I completely agree with you.

In the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is a reminder for the priest " About that, a hedgehog does not enter the altar to worldly people, except for the sacristan. Ludin, however, does not enter the holy altar, unless the only Orthodox king, when he brings the gifts of the Lord, according to the 69th rule, hedgehog in Trulla”, because Orthodox tsars have died out in our time, then even for priestly children, free entry to the altar is not right.

It seems to me that we can try to offer the priest A. I. Osipov’s opinion on this issue, which in many speeches concerns the inadmissibility of outrage during worship, including that coming from children (for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkxwVWLVVog). If he does not listen to him, I can offer to turn to your dean; I think that the senior priest will be able to pick up Right words to put things in order in the heads and your temple. The next step is the diocesan administration, but I hope you won't have to go there.

We believe that all the efforts of our shepherds will not be in vain even if at least one of those who asked receives some spiritual benefit!

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Number of entries: 16441

Good afternoon Some time ago, I dreamed of my mother's death several times, after the last such dream, my mother died (a month ago). Now I dream that my husband is dying (I dreamed this already 2 times). I still often dream that my mother seemed to come to life. I don't understand anything. Help me understand what this is all about. What should I do??? I am very worried about my husband.

Maria

Dear Mary, do not be afraid of dreams, but trust all your fears to the Lord God in prayer. Since you have begun to worry about your husband, pray especially for him, it is good to read the holy Gospel. God bless you!

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello, fathers! I want to thank you, and in your person the entire Orthodox priesthood, for your invaluable help and blessed work! Praise the Lord for His care of people with Your hands and words! A question. In my prayer book there is a follow-up to the exodus of the soul from the body, consisting of one canon. It is signed that is read by the laity if there is no priest. It’s just that I can’t quite figure it out, is this a canon about a single deceased or another canon that must be read immediately after a person’s death? I would like to read it for the repose of my father's soul. Is it possible? And further. Is it possible to wipe the face on the icons with a cloth, or do you just need to carefully blow off the dust from it? I was told not to touch the face. This is true? Save me, God!

Tatiana

Hello Tatiana. The canon about one who died and the following after the exodus of the soul are different following. You can read it. You can wipe the icons, do not touch (and do not kiss) the face, so as not to damage it, and not from sacramental motives. God help you!

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello. I am interested in the following question: Is it possible to pray for the health and well-being of unbaptized children and grandchildren? (son-in-law does not give consent to the baptism of the child) And will the Lord hear such prayers?

Natalia

Hello, Natalia. Of course, you can and should pray, both at home and in church. Only in the temple remember them yourself while reading the hours (then a proskomidia is performed before the liturgy), only baptized people can be written in notes. God bless you.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello, fathers, is it possible to listen to the audiobook of Abbot N Sacred Athos, I liked it when I listened to it once, and Abbot N is Abbot Efrem Vinogradov, he also wrote a book why they want to save us. I liked both books. Is it possible to read and listen to these books?

Catherine

Yes, Catherine, you can. Help God.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello! Thank you very much to Priest Sergiy Osipov for answering my question about "... is it possible to change the name given to me at baptism if no one remembers and knows it ...". But the fact is that when my wife goes in church, temple and writes notes with names, then my name is crossed out by the grandmothers who accept these notes, citing the fact that my name is not on the lists of the Orthodox (my name is Edward) and this has already happened in no church and no temple. Believe me, I don’t I complain, I just want to know how to be in such situations? Is it possible to take your answer on the phone and show it in churches and temples if my name is crossed out again? Or change the name of your heavenly patron? Excuse me if I am annoying and illiterate in church affairs. Thank you very much in advance.

Edward

Hello Edward. This question will be solved with the blessing of the priest of that temple where the candle-makers so zealously check notes. The wife can approach him, but it is better, of course, for you to defend your saint yourself :) God bless you.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello. My child is 1.9. Baptized in Love. That was the name of her father's mother. He left me about 5 months ago and I want to change the name and surname of the child. Name for Vitaly. There are no patron saints with that name among the holy women, as I understood from the Internet. What even seems to me significant: let her be love in baptism, I loved her father, even though we lived in fornication, he left the family first and even divorced. If I had called her immediately Vitaly, she would still have been baptized by a different name, I understand correctly, since the saints female with such a name no? I change her first and last name because it is difficult to bear the reminder of the name and memory of this person constantly. I will sin a lot if I make such a change, or do I have the right to slightly alleviate my grief of my loss of support and hope for family happiness with such a step? After all, that's all I can. I’ll say right away that I don’t believe in God’s mercy and I can’t wait for relief by prayers and cultivating faith in myself, it’s too hard to stay alone. I need more effective and real support.

Maria

Mary, the name given in baptism does not change. If you decide to change the "worldly" name of the child, think about whether it will not be difficult for her to live with a somewhat unexpected, unusual name for a girl, Vitaly. God bless you.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Good afternoon Father, I have three godchildren - Alexander (born January 5), Sergius (January 12) and Pavel (July 29). Which saints should be considered their heavenly patrons and when is it right to congratulate Angel Day?

Tatiana

Dear Tatyana, in order not to guess and not make a mistake, it is better to ask your parents which saint is written in the baptismal certificate. By the name of the saint, it will be possible to determine the day of the angel by referring, for example, to the site days.pravoslavie.ru. You can congratulate with any words that will fall on your heart, and on the day of the Angel it’s good to take (if the godchildren are still kids, of course) to the church for communion. God bless you.

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Good afternoon, a question to Sergey Osipov. I have Small child, her father, my cohabitant for two years, left me this summer. The feeling of tenderness and admiration disappeared for the child. I live only with a sense of duty, that I don’t read life and burden her strongly. The father is not against the words to pick her up. I myself feel that in his family where he left me and divorced his daughter will be calmer in every sense. What is more sinful - to give it to him (I myself am ready to go to a monastery, nothing here coma owes me a debt to a child, I’m already 40, we have several monasteries in the city, I already wrote to the abbesses, to seek humility and faith) or keep it on principle with me (principle i.e. what is considered to be better for children with mothers), tormenting her with his inescapable despondency (I can’t fight it, I’m tired). Thanks.

Maria

Dear Mary, don't choose the lesser of two evils. "Inescapable despondency" is called depression. The doctor will help you cure it. Then you won't have to choose from unacceptable options. God help you!

Priest Sergiy Osipov

Hello Father Alexander. If I took Mother Photinia's books to the temple, and then let them do whatever they want with them, did I do the right thing? It happens with us that people bring icons and books to the temple, while others take them.

Catherine

Hello Ekaterina. When something useful, but no longer needed, is brought to the temple so that others who want or need it can use this thing, then this is good. But sectarian literature must be immediately destroyed so that no one catches the infection. Imagine that someone will take the little book you left and will read it with confidence, because he took it in the temple, which means that it is permissible to read. This person, if he turns out to be ignorant of the Orthodox dogma, will be damaged, and the sin will be on you. Correct what you have done, if it is not too late, and be sure to confess.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, fathers! Help me sort out this issue. I believe that God is not subject to change. I also believe that Jesus Christ, our Savior, ascended to heaven together with human nature (because in Jesus Christ both natures were united inseparably and forever), and thus human nature through Jesus Christ became part of the Holy Trinity. It seems to my unenlightened mind that there was a change in God the moment Jesus ascended to heaven. Help me find the error in this reasoning. Save me, God!

Paul

Hello Pavel. The image of the union of natures, Divine and human, in Christ, the Oros of Chalcedon, defines it by four negations (apophatic): unmerged, untransformed, inseparable, inseparable. You paid attention only to the last two, "inseparably and inseparably". Now notice that these are the third and fourth definitions, and the first and second point to the "nonconvergence and immutability" of the natures in Christ. Neither human nature has acquired anything that is unusual for it, nor the Divine nature has undergone changes. Humanity was "enhypostasized" - perceived by the Son as the second Person of the Holy Trinity, and not perceived into the single nature (essence) of the Godhead, the One and indivisible Holy Trinity. Otherwise, both God and man would have changed, but this did not happen. And even in the Hypostasis of the Son, His Personality, there was no transformation into something in between the Divinity and humanity. Oros describes the properties of the compound apophatically, because nothing cataphatic can be said about it without distorting the truth. We do not even see our own created nature, we see only the skin, how can we judge the nature of the Divine? Therefore, the Holy Council simply cuts off everything that distorts the truth, but does not formulate the truth itself, for lack of the possibility of a logical understanding of this issue. The mystery of Godhood cannot be comprehended by the mind, but can be known by experience. As the fathers said, God is known by the power of life. The secret of intradivine existence is known in the Kingdom of God, about which Christ said that it is within us. The entrance to it is narrow, and not many people find it. But those who entered saw the truth there, which cannot be expressed in human language. The experience cannot be put into words. Experience can only be repeated. So that those who seek the knowledge of God in their experience do not get lost, the fathers set guidelines for them. These guidelines are dogmatic definitions and ascetic teachings. They are in our system of coordinates, but using them and forcing ourselves to the appropriate way of thinking, way of life, we can gain experience that corresponds to our arrangement, about God, about Providence, about Love. In the primordial Church, only those who knew God in the cell of their hearts were called theologians, and not those who speak well about God. I think that it is quite within your power and it will be useful for you to read the works of St. Isaac the Syrian: and "Ascetic Words", and "On Divine Mysteries".

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, Father. I recently came across this video evidence (...), and as a believer, an Orthodox person, it shocked me. I know that these testimonies cannot be trusted, but still I wanted to know if this evidence is true? God bless you!

Dmitriy

Hello Dmitry. Most likely, this girl speaks sincerely. But what bothers you? In Catholicism, the delirium of a sick imagination, the charm of demons and direct demonic possession have long been elevated to the rank of revelation. The content of such "revelations" is not a reflection of objective reality, but reflects only what was shown to the unfortunate demons. She tells the truth, what she saw, what she heard, then she says. Just messed up the source. And she has no means to distinguish a demon from an angel. In Orthodoxy, this phenomenon has been known for a long time and has its own name - charm. I advise you, for your personal spiritual safety, never, under any circumstances, to watch, listen to, or discuss anything relating to supernatural phenomena and mystical experiences. After the fall, the Lord gave man leather robes to protect him from the direct influence of demons exiled to earth, to the same space as man. But we are curious.... So we strive to dig a hole in these protective vestments. But the gap is not the knowledge of the truth, but the knowledge of demons. The goal of these subjects is death.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Question to Priest Alexander Beloslyudov. Father! Please tell me. I am married, my husband is not churched. I miss communication. And it has been like this since the very beginning of our relationship. Few common topics for conversation. I have few friends, and I am always very happy when I find like-minded people. I do this with all my friends, regardless of gender. In this regard, the question is: what to do if a congenial person with whom a warm relationship develops is male? Should I stop talking just because he's a man? Or is it still possible to be friends? And if it is possible, then how to understand where the acceptable limits of this friendship are? God save you!

Olga

Hello Olga. It is difficult to draw a clear line in communication. In deeds, yes, you can. While we are drinking tea, this is normal, but when we are already hugging, then this is fornication. But pay attention to yourself, whether voluptuous thoughts creep in even in the conversation itself. It seems to me that we should pay attention to the words that the Apostle Paul addressed to wives who have unbelieving husbands: "How do you know a wife, will you not save your husband?" Probably, one should not run away from her husband in search of communication, but look for common ground from which one can drop by drop lay the prerequisites for spiritual interest. I can't tell you exactly what to do, you have to find it yourself. Millet think in this direction. And friends are a good thing, until you begin to value them more than your husband. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Please resolve my confusion. What is the degree of obedience of a parishioner to a confessor? I asked for a blessing to buy a car 7 years ago, but I never received it. Father said: "You will die." I studied and got my license. But since there is no car, she did not drive like that. Now I understand that a car is necessary for trips to the country, to take, bring building materials, things, harvest, to go to order something, to transport pets. Until now, I traveled by train (carrying 20 kg is really hard) or with my parents by car. But the parents will grow old soon. I'm single. I was afraid to buy a car, but I understand that it is hard to manage a dacha without a car. Sorry for this question.

Evgenia

Hello Evgeniya. The priest has no moral right to order. Obedience in the proper sense is possible only in the relationship between disciple and elder. This is a manifestation of the monastic life. This word also refers to the relationship between a subordinate and a boss. In a broad sense - following Christ, as obedience to God. In the relationship between a layman and a parish priest, such a form is unacceptable in principle. In spiritual matters, the priest, if he has sufficient experience and common sense, can give helpful tips, and you can fulfill them or not, according to your reasoning. If you see that the advice is useful and does not contradict the teachings of the fathers, follow it. If you see that the advice contains passion (authority, vanity, pride), or it contradicts the teachings of the fathers, then you do not need to fulfill it. And everything that concerns private life, relationships with people, work, life, does not concern the priest. If he climbs into these topics, then this is a warning sign. Maybe in everything else the father is wonderful. Then do not tempt him any more, do not ask questions concerning your life. And take the blessing only for the spiritual. For prayer, fasting, any good undertaking. But you make the decision. You, and only you, are responsible to God for your decisions, actions and intentions. If you need a car, take it. Anyone can get killed. Everything is in the hands of God. However, since you do not have practice, be sure to take special courses for safe driving. Get useful skills that are worth the money and time spent. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello Father Alexander. Did the apostle Paul lose his freedom when the Lord appeared to him and asked why he was persecuting Him? And if sometimes I want the Lord to appear to me Himself and show the demons, or put me in hell for at least 5 minutes, in order to know what it is like to be in hell, is it possible to ask Him for this? The Monk Seraphim of Sarov also saw demons.

Catherine

Hello again Catherine. Saul has always been a sincere believer in the One God. He unknowingly persecuted Christians. When on the way the light shone on him, and the Divine voice addressed him, he immediately fell to the ground, bowing before God. Knowing that it was Christ, he immediately cast aside his former conviction and freely surrendered himself to the Lord: what do you command me to do? Remember how the Virgin answered the Angel: Behold the servant of the Lord, be it to me according to your word. As the apostles, having thrown their nets, followed Christ at His call. There is no loss of freedom here, there is a choice. And the choice is obvious. After all, the Jewish leaders also did not doubt the Divinity of Christ after the resurrection of Lazarus, but they did not recognize Him, but became hardened. They made a different choice. And Judas made a different choice. Asking God to show demons and hell is reckless. The Lord has protected us from the perception of spiritual beings for our own safety. If a child asks you to let him run barefoot in the snow or eat an icicle, will you allow it? Isaac the Syrian said that in order to see Heaven and the Lord, one must force oneself to enter one's heart. The kingdom of God is within you. And angels, and demons, and hell in the same place. Be sure to read "The Sermon on the Sensual and Spiritual Vision of Spirits", St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. Get comprehensive and sound information about this issue.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello Father Alexander. In the letters of hegumen Nikon Vorobyov about suicide, it is written that anyone who, even on purpose, in order to scare other people, climbs into a noose, the demons will strangle him against his will. And how can they do this if they are spirits, and without God's permission they cannot do anything with a person? And if I had thoughts that it is better to die than to live with sorrows, is it from demons? Is there an audiobook "Great Russian Elders" by hegumen Aristarkh Lokhanov on the Internet, and is it possible to listen to the soulful teachings of Abba Dorotheus in audio format?

Catherine

The answer to the first question, Catherine, you will find in the same "Word" of St. Ignatius. A suicide commits himself to demons, so they gain power over him. But even in this case, they remain an instrument of God's Providence. The books you are looking for are here: http://predanie.ru/audio/izdanija-predanie-ru/velikie-russkie-starcy/ - these are the "Elders", and this is Abba Dorotheus: http://predanie.ru/audio/jitija_i_tvorenija_svjatih /prepodobnii-avva-dorofei/.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Can a priest serve two liturgies in one astronomical day? One in the morning, as usual, and the second in the evening, after Vespers and Matins, on the next church day?

Elena

Hello, Elena. Days are counted from midnight to midnight. There are indications of this in the "Teacher's Testimony" placed in the Service Book. And every priest uses the Missal. During the day, only one celebration of the liturgy is possible. Once a day on one throne, one priest. Here is an extract from the "Handbook of a Clergyman": "The ancient rule determines the time for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the third hour, according to our calculation, the ninth. It can be performed earlier or later, at the request of circumstances, but not after noon and not earlier than dawn. The exception is only some of the days when the liturgy is celebrated "wounded" or combined with the evening service. These are the day of Holy Pascha, the days of the Holy Fortecost for the liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the days of the eve of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany, as well as the days of Great Saturday and Pentecost. A priest cannot celebrate in one a day of more than one liturgy. The participation of a priest who has already served on the same day in the conciliar celebration of another liturgy is unacceptable. Only one liturgy can be celebrated on one throne in one day, by virtue of the unity of the sacrifice of the cross offered by the Lord Jesus Christ." Although Liturgy is served several times a year in conjunction with Vespers, it is celebrated not at the usual time for Vespers, not in the evening, but in the morning, so that the Liturgy is served during daylight hours. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts does not contain the Eucharist, but is simply Communion, therefore it can also be celebrated in the evening. Let me remind you that in Great Lent the Eucharist (the full Liturgy of Basil the Great and John Chrysostom with the consecration of the Holy Gifts) is performed only on Saturday, Sunday, the Annunciation and Great Thursday.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Father, tell me, how does the church treat circumcision among Orthodox Christians? Medicine speaks of the hygienic benefits of this procedure, but from the point of view of religion, if a person abstains, will this not be a kind of help to him in this? Or is it self harm? Sorry for the pun.

Dmitriy

Hello Dmitry. Circumcision does not affect lust in any way, and therefore abstinence is no help. Hygiene must be maintained with water and soap, both circumcised and uncircumcised alike. So that's not an argument either. The only medical indication for circumcision is the inability to have intercourse due to the anatomy of the penis.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Due to their spiritual weakness and little experience, most of us do not know how to pray, do not know how and for what to praise God, with what words and what one should and can ask Him for; have not yet experienced on their own what it means to “bow the knee of the heart” before the Lord, have not learned to “get rid of the vain world, putting the mind to heaven”, and, in the words of the Apostle Paul, have not yet found and felt God, “although He is not far away from each of us.” We can learn this from those who, through their own sufferings, have acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit, have entered into direct communion with God, and are passing on to us their experience of knowing God.

Priest Georgy Borovikov, rector of the Dmitrievsky parish with. Yablonovo, Korochansky deanery, Belgorod and Stary Oskol Eparchy. In ordination for 4 years, before that, Father George served as a naval military officer and the Lord led him by His mercy to Archimandrite Hippolytus, rector of St. Nicholas Rylsky monastery in 2000. Many people do not just get into the flock. The Holy Fathers teach that it is honorable to aspire to monasticism, but one must enter the priesthood only for obedience. Through this obedience, Fr. George and took the priesthood.

QUESTIONS TO BATYUSHKA GEORGE

What services can be ordered in the temple?

Proskomedia -

The service, which is performed in the altar, is served either with notes, or the list is entered in the memorial book. During the service, a piece is removed from the service prosphora and, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, is lowered into the cup with the blood of Christ our God. Thus, the Lord forgives the sins of those who are remembered;
Mass - here, for each name, a piece of a separate nominal prosphora is taken out and also lowered into the bowl at the end of the liturgy.

Prayers for health -

Committed either before the liturgy or after. We pray to the Lord our God and the Mother of God, the holy saints of God, we ask them to intercede before God for our living loved ones.
Funeral services are performed as proskomedia and masses, but there is also a memorial service and litiya - these are separate services at which we commemorate our dead. They are served at the end of the service or separately. It is advisable for relatives to be present at such a service, because the souls of the dead, who are commemorated, according to the mention of the holy fathers, will be present.

Funeral -

This is the rite of separation of the soul from the body. Angels take the soul and carry it to God. But the funeral itself does not relieve the soul from the burden of sins. Liberation from sins is repentance performed before the Lord through confession to the priest. The Lord gives forgiveness of the mentioned sins after the permissive prayer, which the priest reads over the confessor. Forgotten sins, i.e. those sins that we cannot remember, the Lord forgives after the sacrament of Anointing with Unction or Unction.

The human soul receives the forgiveness of many sins when proskomedia and Mass are performed. Along with this, alms given in remembrance or for health have tremendous power. But almsgiving is not the kind that gave three kopecks at the temple, but real help, things, good deeds, something really needed. At the same time, we ask "remember this servant of God." In response, a person only needs to say “Lord, rest the soul of your deceased servant (name)”. This is already remembrance, the doing of mercy.

How is the soul punished for sins?

When the brethren asked Father Ippolit, rector of the Rylsky Monastery, about the ordeals after death: “What really happens?”, he smiled and said: “Fathers, everyone has their own ordeals.” There are canonical references to the answer of the soul for its sins, for example, Theodora's 20 ordeals, but this does not mean that everyone will have them like that. But what will have to be answered - that's for sure. Without cleansing the soul with repentance before death, without taking communion and having no unction, we carry the entire burden of sins with us to God. And the Lord, as a judge, exacts from us what we have unworthy.

And if death occurred suddenly, a person died in a car accident?

In Orthodoxy, every event is not accidental. The suddenness factor is inherent, there are saints who beg the soul of God for those who died suddenly - the Great Martyr Barbara, Blessed Xenia. We should not turn to God like a stall when something happens. Orthodoxy in itself is a living faith, confirmation that whoever begins to pray to God, God arranges everything for his good, teaches him how to pray and through which saints. How to pray for the living, for the dead. Whom to beg. The results of all spiritual labors are reflected in this way: when piety returns to the house, then the children will be obedient, then God's understanding in the family will be complete, the desire to go to church will come not out of duty, but at the behest of the heart. It will pull to God, everything will be blessed in the family, grace will return. Gaps of theomachism, unbelief, will be erased. Maybe the Lord will call someone from the family to monasticism, you have to bear responsibility for the family in order to save all your loved ones.

It turns out that faith in God rests only on the fear of punishment for sins?

Prayer to God is divided into three steps: the first is the lowest, as the master's slave loves. And the slave loves and pleases so that the master does not punish him.

The second stage is the love of a hired hand - for his work, the hired hand is waiting for rewards from God in the form of gifts, success, prosperity in life and salvation in the life of the next century.

The highest love is the love of a son, when the soul loves God without demanding or expecting anything from him in return, absolutely no favor. It simply yearns for God and unites in God all her life. The saints love our God so much. And the Lord comes to such a soul and transforms all that is good while still alive.

What is the concept of faith? What is the importance of faith in human life?

The very concept of faith, it is life-determining for a person, because if a person lives without faith, he lives at the level of an animal. A reasonable person thinks - “What do I live for? Why do I live? How can I live? Where did it all come from and how does it all end? We are all now, reasonable, educated, not only asking ourselves these questions, but also trying to find answers to them. But without faith there will be no answer, because God is the creator of all things, and he reveals himself to a person exactly as much as a person goes to him. How stronger man He seeks God, the more God will be revealed to him. And when a person feels God in himself, then he will confess God with joy in his life, according to the measure of his cross. He can do good deeds in the name of our God or help in the temple. And maybe in the future he will become an Orthodox associate, a monk, as the Lord will show him how to go in life, what kind of cross he has.

It turns out that we live without knowing our cross?

We are endowed with tremendous freedom and God does not pull a person to himself on a lasso. The fact that we have been honored to become Orthodox Christians is the merit of our ancestors, our fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers. Because they acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit, they begged God for us to be born Orthodox. In most cases, we baptize children in infancy, and often unbelievers have a question: “why? Why shouldn't a child choose a faith for himself when he grows up? The answer here is simple - we are an Orthodox family and live on Orthodox land, which has been Orthodox for 1025 years. That is why God gave us Orthodox children. If the child was destined to be a Jew, then he would be born in Israel, if a Buddhist, then in China. But since the children were born in an Orthodox land, then we baptize them into Orthodoxy. This is determined by God, the chosen people. Previously, the Jewish people were the chosen people, but according to the New Testament, having betrayed Christ the God to be crucified, they turned away from God, having lost their chosenness. Chosenness passed not just to some race, but passed to Orthodox Christians. When God was crucified on the cross, the Jewish people rejoiced. God said that there would never be peace on this earth, this curse is still in effect, they themselves imposed it on themselves. As the Scripture says, “With your eyes you will see and you will not see, with your ears you will hear and you will not hear.” That is, one person can read the Bible and not understand anything in it, while another, by the grace of God, will know everything that exists by the Holy Spirit ... This depends on the grace of the family, inherited from the ancestors, is called piety. And piety gives rise to righteousness or reverence in a person, if a person is in monastic tonsure.

For deeds, for piety, the grace of the spirit is revealed. The Lord gives strength to serve, because if you read the lives of the saints, what sorrows they bore, it seems that a person cannot do it. But this is out of love for the Lord. Such people are special. They carry God within them from birth. This is a great honor for the whole family - in their piety, the family deserves a prayer book, a reverend or a righteous one. The saints beg the family up to 14 tribes back and forth, for their labors, for their holiness.

Previously, crosses were placed in cemeteries, now monuments, how right?

It often happens that secular names differ from Orthodox ones. And secular metrics are written on the monument, and according to the Orthodox arrangement of the cemetery, it is supposed that Orthodox crosses should stand on the graves. On the cross is the name written down by God, and the metrics are written below. This is customary so that the deceased is remembered in an Orthodox way. Funeral treats are not left on the grave for the dead, the soul does not eat anything, so that the poor or the beggar, taking the treat, remember the deceased: "God rest the soul of your servant or servant." If there is no cross on the grave, when commemorated, the soul becomes embarrassed.

Should mirrors be covered when there is a dead person in the house? someone says - prejudice, someone is afraid, but few people know how to do it right

The soul comes into the house when it is commemorated, it does not have its own reflection, and this can lead to confusion. Canonically, this is not spelled out anywhere, but according to old beliefs, people perform this rite. Although absolutely nothing terrible will happen if it is not fulfilled.

How to commemorate relatives if you do not know their names, and whether they were baptized?

Previously, in Rus', marriage for God was considered only crowned, the rest is fornication. Therefore, if you commemorate relatives in an unmarried marriage, then you must separately commemorate the relatives of the husband and wife. And if the family is married, then the whole clan is commemorated. You may not know about your ancestors, but God will open a little, if we pray, ask, then everything will certainly be open. If you yourself do not know, through the righteous it will be revealed, a confessor to whom the Lord gives the grace of the Holy Spirit. Even without knowing whether a relative was baptized or not, one must remember him and pray for him, he is still of our blood, our land is Orthodox.

When a person comes to the temple, he begs for four generations forward and three back, even if we do not know all the names, we order the service “with relatives”. Our dead, we can beg, little by little, step by step. There is such a prayer of the Miracle Monastery to the Archangel Michael, that a person will read this prayer, that day neither the devil will touch him, nor the person is angry, nor his heart will be tempted by flattery. If he ceases from this life, then hell will not accept his soul. It is very important to read this prayer on September 19 on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel and on November 21 - the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other incorporeal Heavenly Forces, also - throughout the Passion Week of Great Lent. According to legend, at this time the Archangel Michael is on the banks of the valley of fire, and lowers his right wing into the hellfire and it goes out. Call the dead by their names on these two days, and Archangel Michael will lead their souls out of hell. This is not canonically spelled out, but our faith is alive. This monastic revelation inspires great hope for the greatest mercy of the Lord our God.

Can you pray in your own words?

You can pray in your own words, but it is better to use written ones first. The prayers were composed by the holy fathers, those who were honored with the grace of God and became saints. And we, having begun to pray, lit the torch of the Holy Spirit in ourselves, we, as Orthodox, have the Holy Spirit in our hearts. God must be prayed not with the soul, but with the Holy Spirit, and for this it must be ignited. You can also learn literacy by looking for letters from newspapers, but all this will take a long time. And if you learn from the primer, it's much faster and easier. In fact, we are all babies in Jesus Christ, and in order for us to understand this spirit of prayer, the foundations of Orthodoxy, we must rely on the holy fathers.

Why do you pray and go to church, but you still get sick?

The Gospel says: "You will save your souls through sorrows and sicknesses." Orthodoxy treats illnesses like this - weakness can save many sins. The Lord gives strength to bear his weakness all his life. It happens that a person does not fully believe in God, but travels to holy places and the Lord gives him a miracle of healing to strengthen his faith. It is impossible not to heal the body - this is a sin. That is, sorrows and illnesses are given not so that we suffer, but so that we come to God. For us to repent. And then we understand what kind of cross we have in life. After all, God will not give the cross that we cannot bear, everything is given to the best of our ability. So amazingly it happens, as the Gospel of "spiritual labors" says. Some for 20, some for 40, some for 100. Only it is necessary not only to carry this measure of spiritual feats, but also to acquire, to exaggerate them twice. Not only to have what is, what is.

“God is fire, inextinguishable” So, if we feel in our hearts the coldness that is from the devil, for the devil is cold, then let us call on the Lord, and He will come and warm our hearts with perfect love not only for Him, but also for our neighbor. Where God is, there is no evil. Everything that comes from God is peaceful and beneficial and leads a person to humility and self-condemnation. God shows us His philanthropy not only when we do good, but also when we offend and anger Him. How long-sufferingly He bears our iniquities! And when he punishes, how compassionately he punishes! The fathers wrote when they were asked: seek the Lord, but do not test where he lives. Instructions of the Monk Seraphim of Sarov. We must live in life in such a way that we first acquire the Kingdom of God. And everything else will follow us. Amen.

Question No. 18314
Father, hello, my name is Tatyana, I am 20 years old (in June - 21). About two years ago I began to think about the monastic life. And every time the thought blindly appeared in the mind. And after reading the book Red Easter, for some reason I began to draw more and more into that monastic atmosphere. Constant stay in prayer, life acquires meaning, constant struggle with passions. And in the world more and more often, no matter what I undertake, I have the idea that all this is perishable, that the Lord does not need it, there is only one vanity and there is no logic in achieving earthly goals. And now this struggle of artificial and real spiritual values ​​constantly abides in me. I really don’t know what to do, maybe I’m wrong, but the further I go, the more I’m drawn to solitude with the Lord and to the fight against passions. (Tatiana (Kharkov), 04/25/2019 02:17)

Question No. 18313
Hello, Father Alexander, Happy Easter to you, explain me at the clock Easter in the first week, what read prayers and when is the refrain and irmos of the 9th song of the Paschal canon read in the morning or in the evening, after Christ is risen from the dead? Thank you (Tatiana (Lugansk), 04/24/2019 19:28)

Question #18310
Father bless. The hours of Holy Easter are read from Monday to Saturday, instead of morning and evening prayers? Or from Easter (Sunday) and the last time on Antipascha? (Vladimir, 24.04.2019 14:24)

Question No. 18302
Hello, father. I have a question about humility. I worry for too long that I have committed some kind of sin (non-mortal), these experiences interfere with me, as they take away energy and lead to paralysis of the will, interfere with prayer. I read from various ascetics (for example, St. Ignatius Bryanchaninov, Theophan the Recluse, the Optina Fathers) that worrying too much about your sins is a sign of pride, that since we are all damaged by sin, you don’t need to be too embarrassed if you fell into sin - you need to reconcile before God, repent and move on. I roughly understand what it means to humble yourself before a person. What is humility before God? How can you teach yourself such humility? (what exactly do I need to do so that grace does the rest). Thank you. (Ksenia (Kyiv), 23.04.2019 19:43)

Hello. I really want to confess, but I don't know where to start. More precisely, I'm afraid. I don't go to church regularly, but quite often. Every time I want to go up to the priest, ask, but fear shackles me. And again I leave it for later. It's hard on the soul. Please advise how to proceed. Sincerely, Elena.

Priest Philip Parfenov answers:

Hello, Elena!

Well, in your situation, you need to somehow overcome this fear, step over it and still start confessing - there is no other way. Walk around different temples, look at the priests, and in your city you will surely find someone before whom your soul will open. Ask through friends, look at different sites of churches in St. Petersburg ... The seeker will always find! God help you!

Father, yesterday at a sermon in our church, the priest said that earlier, for the sin of fornication and witchcraft, they were excommunicated from communion for many years. Does this practice continue today?
Olga

Hello Olga!

Of course, nobody canceled the canons, and, theoretically, they can be applied in church practice. But, as far as I know, priests now prescribe much softer penances than the canons require. This is a forced measure associated with many factors, which are difficult to list. But, nevertheless, the canons give us the opportunity to understand how seriously the Church takes such sins as fornication and witchcraft.

Please tell me how to confess. Is it enough just to name a sin, like cheating loved one. Or is it necessary to tell in more detail what the deception was? Marina.

Priest Dionisy Svechnikov answers:

Hello Marina!

In most cases, simply naming the sin is sufficient. However, cheating is different. So it's better to be a little more specific. If necessary, the priest himself will ask to tell about something in more detail.

Hello, father. Please tell me how to confess to a 7-year-old child? Before, we just went to take communion, but from the age of 7, I heard that you need to go to confession. Thank you! Tatiana.

Hello Tatiana!

Try to explain to the child what sin is, that our sins upset God and therefore we must repent of them - that is, ask for forgiveness. Leave the rest to the priest, who should be warned that the child's first confession. In no case do not prepare a confession for the child, it is very important that he learns to feel sin on his own. But if a child asks you whether this or that act of his is a sin, then, of course, you can answer his question.

Hello! Tell me, please, what should I do if I have already confessed the same sin several times, but there is no relief, and the memory of sin still torments me? Thank you! Larisa.

Hello Larisa!

Consult with the priest at confession about what prayers or other spiritual means can help you. Personally knowing you and your sin, the priest at confession will give accurate and effective advice.

How to confess mental sins, in detail or in general phrases - blasphemous, obscene thoughts, or in detail, what specifically I thought? After all, there are some thoughts that cannot even be voiced.
And if we will answer for every word, and in our whole life so many terrible words have been said, it is impossible to say all the words in confession, then should we speak in confession in general phrases? Tatiana.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Tatiana!

Of course, so many terrible words have been said in a lifetime that it is impossible to say them in confession, and it is not useful either. But even "general" phrases can be more or less detailed. If thoughts constantly overwhelm you, then the best way to heal them is to directly name them in confession. Then the priest will be able to tell you the most effective way to deal with them. The same applies to words - you can repent without remembering every word spoken, but describing the situation quite specifically.

Please tell me, is it possible to address God during confession with "You" or is it necessary to speak about the Lord in the third person when addressing a priest? Save me, God! Anna.

Priest Dionisy Svechnikov answers:

Hello Anna!

We repent before God, and the priest is the mediator between God and man. We confess to God, but we speak with a priest who accepts confession.

There is a lot of controversy about taking communion or not on Easter Day. On Maundy Thursday evening there will be the last confession before Happy Easter. The question is, if you fail to get to confession on Maundy Thursday, will there be another confession at the night service on Holy Saturday? Save me, God! Alexander.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello, Alexander! God bless you!

In each parish, this issue is resolved individually, depending on specific circumstances. But, of course, it is not possible to confess in detail on Easter, so try to confess in advance. In any case, for a final answer, you need to contact the church where you are going to come for Easter.

Are confessions recorded on various media in church practice? Does a confessing person have the right, without notifying the priest, to secretly keep a record of his confession? In general, is it possible to evaluate such actions? Thank you. Marina.

Priest Mikhail Samokhin answers:

Hello Marina!

Confession is a secret, the keeping of which is obligatory not only for the priest, but also for the confessor. A secret recording of a confession can be regarded as human dishonesty. If this is not prompted by some exceptional reasons about which you do not write anything. If you wish to record a confession, the priest must be made aware of this and give his blessing to it.

For more than a year I have been tormented by a mortal sin that I committed against my family. I constantly think that the Lord will not forgive me, or if he does, then I or my children will have to suffer a terrible punishment. I have already confessed it, but still my soul is tormented. What should I do? How to live in peace? I have no strength, I cry all the time. . .
Thanks in advance for your help. Catherine.

Priest Dionisy Svechnikov answers:

Hello Ekaterina!

This happens, people continue to suffer after confession. This usually happens when the confession is not entirely sincere or complete. I think that you should go to the temple and personally talk to the priest, talk about the problem and ask for advice. In absentia, via the Internet, it is very difficult to help you.

You know, my mother makes me go to the Unction, but I don't want to. After all, after that you need to confess. But in order to confess, you need to feel the need of the soul, as I think. And I'm on this moment I don't feel it. And I think that without this confession makes no sense. Can you please tell me what to do? Love, 17 years old.

Priest Anthony Skrynnikov answers:

Hello Love!

Confession, as a rule, takes place before the unction, and not after. Forcing you to go to unction against your will is, of course, wrong. But on the other hand, you must understand that no mother wishes her child anything bad. No first grader wants to go to school. It is much more fun to play with soldiers and cars all day long. When we grow up, we begin to understand what a good deed our parents did in giving us an education.
If you do not feel a spiritual need for repentance, then this is a serious reason to think that something is happening to your soul. If we do not see our sins and the need to get rid of them, then our soul is dead. If we consider our conscience clear, then this is a sign of a short memory.
To awaken your conscience, you need to read the Gospel, spiritual literature, including about confession.

Does everyone need a confessor (or, more correctly, a spiritual father) and why? Olga.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Olga!

A spiritual father is necessary for a Christian. There are many reasons for this. For a beginner who is just beginning to live a spiritual life, a confessor serves as a guide who will not let you get lost, can warn against many dangers and difficulties. The confessor is also a mentor, helping in spiritual growth and development. Also, the confessor is compared with a doctor who heals spiritual ailments. Many holy fathers write about the need to have a confessor.

How often should you go to confession? And if there are some moments of my life I can’t express to Batiushka in any way, but they gnaw at me, how can I overcome myself? Julia.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Julia!

The frequency of confession depends on the intensity of spiritual life; this question is decided individually for each person. As a rule, confession and communion are advised at least once every 3-4 weeks, but this is only the most approximate guideline. How often you should confess, decide in a personal conversation with the priest to whom you confess. It does take some spiritual courage to confess some sins. Pray, ask the Lord for help. Perhaps a written confession will help you - write what you want to confess, and let the priest read the note, this is permissible. There is no "magic" way to overcome yourself - only self-compulsion, prayerful and spiritual effort can help you. May God give you strength!

I was baptized 2 years ago, I was not at confession. Now, I feel that it is simply necessary. Are sins described from the time of baptism? Or for your entire life? Several confessions. Please tell me! Sincerely, Vladimir.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Vladimir!

At Baptism, all sins committed earlier are forgiven, so there is no need to repent of them. It is necessary to confess the sins committed after Baptism, but if your conscience is restless, tell the priest about it.

Hello! Please resolve the issue. Is it possible to confess without preparation (1-3 days of fasting and reading the canons), if you are sure that you will not receive communion after this confession. Or not? Natalia.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello, Natalia!

Yes, you can confess without prior fasting and reading special prayers. Let me remind you, however, that Great Lent is now underway, which must be observed to the best of our ability.

I want to confess for the first time, but I am very worried about the following question: my husband and I are not married. We want to get married this summer. I remember that this is no reason to postpone confession until the summer. How can I be in such a situation? Catherine.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Ekaterina!

Do not be embarrassed, the Church does not consider a registered marriage a sin, even if this marriage is not married. Therefore, there is no reason to postpone confession and communion until the summer. Now Great Lent is approaching - the time of pure repentance. I wish you not to postpone confession, but take advantage of this grace-filled period of the church year.

Hello. IN Lately comes the realization of how much I have sinned in my life, recently I also had an abortion. I can't live like this anymore, I have no excuse. I repent very much of everything, I have a stone in my soul. Please tell me what I need to do, will the Lord forgive me if I repent of everything I have done? I don’t want to go to hell after death, because in fact I am not a bad person. Thank you. Catherine.

Hello Ekaterina!

I am sincerely glad that you have realized the gravity of your sins and repent of them. The Lord forgives us the sins of which we sincerely repent. You need to start with a confession in the temple, listen to the advice of the priest who will receive your confession. If he deems it necessary to give you a penance, make every effort to fulfill it, and henceforth try not to allow serious sins in your life. Remember that the Lord loves every person and desires salvation for all of us. But we are saved not by our “merits”, but by the grace of God. And we are all sinners, but this is not at all the same as “bad”. Every person has the image of God, and we need to understand that all our “good” sides are from God. But we are sinners, we all distort the image of God with our sins, and therefore we must repent of our sins and we all need God's mercy. The word "repentance" in Greek sounds like "metanoia" and means "change of consciousness". It is necessary to repent in such a way as to be able to change, so that even the thought of repeating sin would be unacceptable for us. Pray, repent and do not despair of the Mercy of God! Help you Lord!

How to repent? Do I understand correctly that it is necessary to tell everything that was perfect and now torments? Can any church do this? Ksenia.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello Xenia!

You need to repent of those sins that you have noticed for yourself. This can be done in any church, but it is advisable to eventually find a confessor - a priest to whom you will confess regularly, and who will become your leader in spiritual life.

I can't get my spiritual life right. With home prayer, it somehow began to clear up after 4.5 years of going to church. But the trouble is with regular communion. I think: why should I prepare, try, if, in principle, no one needs me in the church. Everything rests on the indifference of the priests. They only do their work, they are not interested in the spiritual life of the flock, the individual. Confession either early, early in the morning, or during the service. All the actions of the clergy are aimed at raising money. One formalism, nothing alive. I read a lot of articles about confession, communion. There is good advice, but the articles come from the fact that you come to a conscientious and intelligent priest. Most of us in Kazan are hacks. To open the soul before them - the sediment remains, a feeling of annoyance. Such a psychological conflict. What do you recommend besides patience?
Thank you. Tatiana.

Hello Tatiana!

Coming to the Church, we do not come to this or that priest, good or bad, we come to God, to Christ. It is to Him that we turn in prayer, we unite with Him in the Sacrament of Communion, He forgives us of sins, heals our soul, directs our life. And He needs each of us, and is valuable, and dear. Remember that for your sake the Lord came to earth and died on the cross. He loves you and wants you to be saved. Therefore, the first thing I can advise you is not to seek attention from the priest or parishioners in the church, but to meet with the Lord. And a Christian participates in the sacraments not in order to become necessary to someone - you need the sacraments, in them you receive God's grace, support for your spiritual forces, healing of spiritual illnesses.
Further, you write that you go to confession and commune irregularly, but at the same time you want the priest to pay special attention to you. But after all, one cannot lead the spiritual life of a person whom one does not know and sees irregularly. In such cases it is very difficult to give any advice. And sometimes the priest tries to give advice, but the interlocutor is not ready to hear it, and therefore takes offense at the priest. In addition, we must remember that confession is repentance for sins, and, as a rule, there is no need to describe those reasons at confession that, in our eyes, are “extenuating circumstances”. The Lord knows all extenuating circumstances better than we do, but sin remains sin, and we need to repent of it at confession. When you need to clarify something, the priest himself will ask the question. But often in confession one has to hear complaints about the bad temper of relatives and friends, unbearable conditions at work, and the like. And the purpose of confession is not to have a “spiritual” conversation with the priest, but to bring repentance to the Lord for sins and receive forgiveness from Him.
Well, the last thing I would like to tell you. Try not to wait for someone to need you, but to become needed by your neighbors yourself. Offer your strength for some parish events, set aside time to visit the sick, the elderly, orphans, in a word, show yourself attention and mercy to someone. Just do not expect something "in return", but just try to become useful to someone nearby. The feeling of uselessness and abandonment will pass very quickly, I assure you.
If you have any questions that you cannot find an answer to, write to us, I will try to answer your questions.

Hello! For some time now, after confession, I have been tormented by one question. If a woman had an abortion and repents of it (confession and candles for the repose of the soul of an unborn child), then God forgives this sin, but how does this affect a man who also took part in conception (a man does not confess and does not believe)? Thanks in advance for your reply. Natalia.

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello, Natalia!

The repentance of a woman does not affect a man in any way: everyone is responsible before God for their sins. So a man needs to repent, or he will answer for his sin before God.