St. John of Kronstadt Retreat

This conference, as small and local as it was, was amazing in terms of everything that I learned. The topic was absolutely applicable to our daily lives. The first talk was about the life of St. John, given by Fr. Roman and the second talk was given by Fr. Daniel. I would like to write out the second talk here, because it is more applicable to our everyday lives.

How to be fit for the life of Heaven

How can Fr. John help us?

• His life situation is similar to our modern world
• He chose to stay and live his life in Kronstadt
• thought of becoming a missionary but decided to stay (had a calling to become a priest)

Basic behaviors

1. read Scriptures (Old and New Testaments)

• plan for salvation
• place to start

2. Read the lives of Saints

• read the lives of those who know the works of salvation

3. Know the services of the Church

• great Spiritual benefit
• our faith is not a complicated thing

4. We must believe simply - child like

• "love without reasoning... for faith/hope is simple"
  
• omnipresent and all
• deeply and simply
• manifestation of God everywhere
• be the Light of the World
• know the essential steps

5. Pray and contemplate God

• "constant companion"
  
• peace daily
• "breath of soul" impossible without Holy Spirit
  
• "created world is a witness to the Creator" - way to make our prayers [art of daily lives
• "constant, grateful frame of mind"
  
• moment of gratitude
• not numerous, but attentive supplication offered from the whole heart
  

6. Examine your thoughts

• "constant vigilance"
• know thyself
• spiritual landscape: grudges, fears. pain, triggers to anger
• thought=desire (one acted, one didn't) Beginning continue into words and actions
• in every word there is action
• God's thought becomes action because it's pure
• word is a beginning of life
• HUMULITY
• at the end of the day, look into what I thought today (also affects others and our actions)
• potential thoughts in someone else helps us explain them (their actions)
  

GET tired of praying?

Because you don't picture the living God in front of you...

Prayers

• "Our Father..." prayer
• God's children, His presence understand & live Christ in himself
• book of St. John "My life in Christ"
  
• God's treasure of Grace

If done inner journey, then it will cause us to act out in Christ<==== " Be like Christ"

• a way of real teaching of faith
• understand a closeness of God. spurs us into action
• 1 path - from the beginning look for salvation in that past

End


The part that stuck out to me is that we should read the lives of Saints everyday because they are real life examples of people leading ordinary lives, struggling, but living life fully in Christ. It is inspiring, and the day that I learned about St. John made me think more about my own actions and how it is possible to live out in the World and still being able to follow our Heavenly Father. These were also the words of Bishop Peter. who visited St. Vladimir's past weekend. So much to learn!!!!! :-)

Darina


Picture we took together before people started to leave.

Pics from the Pilgrimage

too much to update

I just got back from Pilgrimage in West Virginia. Just drove straight 6.5 hours, so I'm exhausted.

will update very very soon

God Bless!

"Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it]." Psalm 37:34

Today's reading and Kedrov's Otche Nash

Going back to me previous post, I really do cry every time I hear Kedrov's version of Otche Nash (Our Father in Russian). The melody is simple, yet intricate. The harmonies are beautifully put together. I hope someone else is in awe of this music as much as I am.

Today's reading in church made me think a lot about a virtuous woman. 1st Timothy 2:8-15.

"Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing..." - what a powerful true statement. Everyday I meet those women I want to let them know how special they are, and how much I admire their decision to be modest, and grow to become women of our Lord Jesus Christ. To become his daughters. I remember reading 1st Peter concerning the similar idea. It is sooo hard to become/stay a woman like that. While the society is telling you otherwise, and the opposite sex seems to focus on the person standing next to you, I believe it is worth every bit of struggle. In the end, what are all these struggles compared to Christ's persecution and sufferings? Being fool for Christ (I honestly don't know where from does this expression come) but it is so fitting for somebody who lives for His name and honor in this corrupt world. Meeting/knowing people like this is such a honor.

To live in Christ's dominion and power and love is rewarding in itself. No earthly things can fulfill you as your Heavenly Father does.

Darina

I think Kedrov's version of Otche Nash is the most beautiful and profound

Video!

Salute to Matushkas!

So, today someone has reminded me of how hard of a job it is to be Matushka (affectionate title in Russian used to refer to priest's wife). Not only do these women run their houses, which is often times filled with children, but they manage things at church. I would imagine that life of a priest can get very hectic very fast. Matushkas are like the oil of this whole operation, making sure things work behind the scene. Often not publicly recognized, their role can stand on its own, but usually is seen in the scheme of things.
The reason why I'm so thankful that these women are here is because of emotional/spiritual support that they provide to the young women of the parish. Sometimes certain things can be very awkward to discuss with the priest, and women's point of view provides a wonderful explanation. The Orthodox Church has many monasteries, where young men are taught the theology, but not many places teach women how to be women of God. This spiritual guidance is carried through Matushkas. Young women, especially in today's society, need to learn the lessons of modesty, patience, and virtue. What other perfect place is there to see such love and beauty than in Matushka's eyes. Even though, sometimes our lives can become a labirynth of mundaine tasks and family to-do lists, I believe that each time we are greeted by Matushkas, God smiles at young women to let them know that things like love and affection still exist in this world!

In Christ,

Darina

I'm back

So, today is 04 of August, and the summer 2008 has flown by faster than ever.

I'm back from Italy, where I have spent the the month of July, and soon back to school. I'm very much excited for my senior year, actually. I'm getting the question, already though. So, to answer the question everybody will be asking me this year, I will be applying to Nursing School for Sept. 2009. The application is already online, and I have been making first efforts in essay writing. The only thing I can say is that I'm very excited for it, and cannot wait to hear whether they will accept me or not. :-) I have faith in God's path for me.

In other news, I love to sing, more specifically worship with my voice. I was in church this past Sunday, and the whole time I was singing I was getting this sensation that this is what I am supposed to do, when I pray. Even though my voice is not the most beautiful or powerful, but I can try to hold a pitch. It is a lot easier to concentrate on the Liturgy, when singing in the choir. It's almost impossible to see the crowds below (the ledge in the Cathedral in Des Plaines is quiet long) and all you can see from the choir loft is the altar. I say it is the best spot in the church. But even at St. Vladimir's (Ann Arbor, MI) singing in the choir produces the same effect. I am grateful that the choir directors tolerate me and let me worship with my voice!


Psalm 18:49 "Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name."

Blessings,
Darina

He answers our prayers in subtle ways

So, I haven't been here for a long time. School happened. Between that and trying to figure out what God wants for my future career, I've been very negligent of my prayer time, unfortunately.
But what I heard in the past couple of days is the message of trust. I have been bought with a price, and since my heavenly Father loves me so much, why shouldn't I trust Him when making this important decision? Seems absurd not to.
"The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate." Psalm 34:22

None of them... very powerful, isn't it???

Holy, Holy, Holy

I am deeply in need of God right now. A lot of things seem to be falling apart.
The bigger question in my life right is what I want to do career wise. One of my wise friends told me to take it one step at a time. When I have so much to do, I look at individual parts of my day and it seems to me that everything is becoming easier. Right now, I'm begging on my knees for the Lord to show what to do with my life. I need nothing else!
I am in need of his loving mercy. Lord, Jesus Christ, Have mercy on me the Sinner!

haven't updated in a while

Sorry, I haven't updated in a while. With so much happening at church and school, I have barely time to spend in prayer.

I hope everyone had a Blessed New Year's and Christmas! Svyatki are ending today!

Darina