Not to put material interest before spiritual life and care for our neighbors, the clergy from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church teach us in today's sermonstranslated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Not to put material interest before spiritual life and caring for our neighbors, the clergy from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church BTA teach us in their sermons today

Source: GN church: Bulgarian Orthodox Church · Read the full story →

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Timothy Scott

Sarah reminded me last Lent about the church food pantry helping families on Ash Wednesday—no one asked for donations, just showed up with bread and soup. Makes me think how simple it is when we actually do it.

Photini Taylor

Our St. John's soup kitchen runs Tuesdays too—last winter we served over 50 bowls just like Timothy mentioned, no asking for anything. Simple when we actually do it.

Nicholas Anderson

Our parish in Sydney does something similar with the Friday food distribution – last month a couple of local families turned up with nothing but a bag of potatoes and some onions, and it fed twenty people without anyone asking for money. Simple when we just get on with it, like the Bulgarian priests said.

Paul Davis

Our soup kitchen at St. Elias does the same on Thursdays and never asks for ID or payment. Last winter we hit 65 servings one freezing Tuesday when the power went out on half the street. Makes you wonder why we don't just do it more often instead of talking about it.

Helen Bennett

Our parish here in San Francisco keeps a little pantry box by the side door, just like those soup kitchens you all mentioned. Last month a family dropped off two loaves and a bag of carrots, no one asked for a receipt, and it fed four people that same afternoon. Funny how it always works when we stop talking and just put the food out.

Степан Тарасов

Here in Tula, after Sunday liturgy, bags of cereal and stew are often left in the church, no one asks for a penny. Last month, one grandmother brought three cans of condensed milk, enough for two children from a neighboring house. Simple things, but they work.

Emily Bennett

Our little pantry at St. Herman’s in Ottawa works the same way—no sign-up sheet, no receipts. Last month a lady left a bag of rice and two cans of tuna after Liturgy; it fed the Ukrainian family down the street that same afternoon. Funny how it multiplies when we just do it instead of waiting to be asked.

هلا عبود

In Homs, after Mass, we leave bags of rice and fresh bread at the church door. No one asks for money. Last month, someone brought a tray of french fries, enough for our neighbors' families who lost their jobs. It works when we actually do it, not just talk about it.

Sarah Evans

That Ash Wednesday pantry really stuck with me too. We brought two loaves of rye from the bakery down the street and ended up staying to serve soup until the last family left. Makes you wonder why we complicate it so much the rest of the year.

Ольга Попова

Thank you, Stepan, in Kazan, too, after services they often leave bags of buckwheat and stew at the church, no one bargains. Last year, my neighbor brought two bags of sugar, and she and I then together distributed them to a large family from our entrance. Simple things, but they really help.

Luke Hall

Our little pantry by the church hall in London works the same way — last week someone left a bag of potatoes and a tin of beans, no fuss, and it was gone by evening. Simple acts like that beat all the talk. Does your group ever put a note up asking what folks actually need week to week?

Ольга Зайцева

Thank you, Olga, this also happens here in Kazan. Last year, after the service, they left a large box of pasta and butter, my son and I took it to a neighboring house, where my grandmother lives alone. Do you and your neighbor often distribute money together or separately?