Schemanun Theodosia, a New Intersessor

  Matushka Theodosia's counsel to her visitors still resounds in the hearts of those who knew her and life and you have come to know her in the time since her repose: "Never be despondent. The Lord Will arrange everything. Everything will be good for you if you will Believe in Him, hoping Him, and …

Part 2 of Homily 52 by St. Issac the Syrian, the degrees of knowledge

          No matter how many times I read Homily 52, especially concerning the degrees of knowledge, I am reminded how captured I am by what I know and how challenging, yet fulfilling and inspiring staying connected to one's faith is by comparison. What I know is so ingrained in my being! …

Whatever prompted two people with fibromyalgia to move to a wilderness mountain top?

This is one the exquisite mountains we gaze upon from our mountain home overlooking the "Valley of the Dancing Angels (My husband gave this valley that name. When it is a cloudy day wisps of clouds float and dance in the valley resembling dancing angels.) We moved here in May to retire and deepen our …

Everyday Saints and Other Stories, book review by Veronica Hughes

Everyday Saints and Other Stories is one of the best books I have ever read. It has sold over a million copies in Russia. The author is a hieromonk, (priest/monk) in the Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia. His book is a collection of stories about the remarkable people/everyday saints he has had the opportunity to …

Miracles thanks to St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, a passage from Veronica’s book

From The Pearl of Great Price, Part II, Chapter 1, Greg's Epiphany (Greg is Veronica's husband.) In the fall of 1994, Greg attended a conference at St. Paisius Monastery (then in Forestsville, CA) where clergy and lay people from the brotherhood gathered from all over the United States to study and pray together. Someone asked …

Review of Inner River, the latest book by Kyriacos C. Markides

I have read several of the books written by Kyriacos Markides. What I love the most about his books are his conversations with Fr. Maximos, an Athonite monk, now a bishop. Fr. Maximos is able to summarize matters of faith with the wisdom of an Athonite elder in a manner modern seekers can hear. He …

Elder Paisius of Greece has a new disciple! Recommended reading, The Gurus, the Young Man and Elder Paisius

Our little dog, Bubba, loves to sit on the stairs in our cabin in process in Platina, CA, right above the icon of Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos. If you would like to read a remarkable book related to Orthodoxy and Eastern Religions and Gurus - in addition to my book - look no further! …

Three Holy Elders from Greece

My husband and I have spent the last few months reading about the lives and spiritual teachings of these three Holy Elders from Greece, Fr. Iakovos of Evia, Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos, and Elder Prophyrios. In particular, "Wounded by Love". The Life and the Wisdom of Elder Prophyrios is so touching. He talks about …

Some of my favorite Orthodox books

For those of you who are not yet Orthodox, but would like to explore: Christ the Eternal Tao,  by Monk Damascene - a wonderful book for those who love an Eastern influence and would like to understand the differences between Taoism, Judaism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. A Spiritual Life by St. Theophan -  can give …