Krst se jasno ocrtava na nebu u izlasku sunca. Izgleda tako mirno i jednostavno da čovek zastane i samo gleda.

The stars look so sharp against that dark dome. Makes you feel small in a good way, like everything else can wait.

On Saturday night, I gather children for Sunday school. Maliot asks me if Jesus had a mother like me who prepares a bag of apples and bread for him. I told him that yes, and that she was worried about him as much as I was about you. Now I hope that he will remember at least a part of what he will hear tomorrow.

Georgian archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an early Christian church in Dmanisi, adding a new layer to our understanding of how the faith first took root in the Caucasus. The find includes fragments of walls and floor mosaics that point to worship in the fourth or fifth century. Meanwhile the Romanian Orthodox Church gathered diocesan councilors in Bacău to discuss practical ways of expanding philanthropic projects at the local level. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, a new study trip following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul is giving participants a chance to connect ancient sites with everyday parish life. The Polish Orthodox Church marked thirty-five years since a key seminary class finished by bringing former students together for quiet reflection and shared memories. These quiet discoveries and steady efforts keep revealing how the Church moves through time.

Greek academics have formally recognized the Orthodox University of Congo, marking a step forward for theological education in Central Africa. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven covered all funeral costs for the four people who died in the Samuilovo tragedy. In Georgia, clerics spoke out against government decisions on church funding and surveillance. The Romanian Patriarchate is preparing an international symposium to mark twenty years since the Law of Cults took effect. Elsewhere, the Orthodox Church in America saw Bishop Andrei take part in a house blessing with the Orthodox Volunteer Corps in Boston. The Serbian Orthodox Church observed the feast of Saint Vrače on November 14, a day that calls believers to practical acts of help for others. These varied developments show steady life across different local churches. How is your own parish marking the autumn feasts or supporting local needs this season?

Polish Orthodox Church alumni from the Christian Theological Academy gathered in Warsaw last week, exactly 35 years after finishing seminary. The reunion brought together former classmates now serving in parishes across Poland, sharing memories of their studies and catching up on family life and current ministry. In Lviv the Orthodox Church of Ukraine saw Metropolitan Epiphany lead Divine Liturgy at St. John Chrysostom, drawing a full church on a weekday. Meanwhile the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven quietly covered every funeral expense for the four people killed in the Samuilovo traffic accident, sparing the grieving families that burden. From Chicago the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Archons hosted a lecture on the First Ecumenical Council at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, while the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the feast of Saint Vrače with calls to practical help for neighbors in need. Small reunions and steady acts of care keep showing up in different corners of the Church.

The stars can be seen so well that the dome seems to support the whole sky. It is a calm picture.

Yesterday for dinner I made lean buckwheat cutlets with mushrooms, it turned out very well. My daughter ate two pieces and asked me to bring more for school tomorrow. This morning, before the service to Philip the Apostle, I quickly made tea and remembered how my mother baked the same ones in childhood for the old calendar of Cosmas and Damian. A simple recipe that I recommend everyone try.

Georgian archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an early Christian church in Dmanisi, shedding new light on the faith’s first centuries in the region. The find adds depth to local church history and has drawn quiet satisfaction from the Georgian Orthodox Church, even as its clerics continue pressing the government on funding and surveillance issues. In Bulgaria the Holy Metropolis of Sliven quietly covered all funeral costs for four people who died tragically in the village of Samuilovo. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the feast of Saint John Chrysostom by highlighting the Bible as Christianity’s central book, while the Serbian Orthodox Church kept the memory of Saint Vrače alive as a call to practical help for others. These ordinary acts of care and discovery keep the daily life of the Church moving forward. May the parishes of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia be granted steady strength and peace.

Romanian Orthodox specialists gathered in Bucharest to examine best practices in church painting, restoration techniques, and traditional architecture. The discussions drew on centuries of local experience while comparing notes with neighboring traditions. In Georgia, archaeologists uncovered ruins of an early Christian church in Dmanisi, offering fresh clues about ancient building methods. The Church of Greece marked the feast of Saint Menas in Heraklion with services that highlighted the careful preservation of its historic cathedral. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church published a pastoral letter in “Slov” and screened a documentary on the restoration of frescoes in several monasteries. The Polish Orthodox Church held a quiet reunion of clergy and laypeople who finished seminary training together thirty-five years ago, many of whom later worked on church decoration projects. These varied efforts show how each local Church keeps its material heritage alive in practical ways. A steady hand and patient eye still matter most in this work.

The Serbian Orthodox Church marked the feast of Saint Vrače on November 14, a day that calls the faithful to care for the sick, the poor, and anyone in need. In the same spirit, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven quietly covered the full funeral costs for four people who died tragically in the village of Samuilovo. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church dioceses kept up their regular works of mercy, visiting hospitals and distributing aid without fanfare. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia reminded its communities of the holy unmercenary physicians Cosmas and Damian on their commemoration, linking their example of free healing to everyday acts of charity. These quiet reminders across jurisdictions show how the call to help those in need remains a steady thread in parish life. How is your own parish living out this call right now?

The Spirit of Orthodoxy Choir is hosting a beautiful Afternoon of Lessons and Carols this December. Join them for “What Shall We Offer Thee, O Christ?” on Sunday the 13th at 4:00 PM at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Randolph. Bring your family and friends for an hour of Scripture, song, and quiet reflection as we prepare our hearts for the Nativity.

The red wooden church in the trees looks so peaceful. You captured her well in the photo.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven has covered the full funeral expenses for four villagers from Samuilovo who died in a tragic accident. In a quiet but concrete act of local care, the diocese stepped in without hesitation so grieving families would not face added financial strain. Elsewhere, the Georgian Orthodox Church reported the discovery of ruins from a previously unknown early Christian church in Dmanisi, offering fresh insight into the faith’s deep roots in the region. The Polish Orthodox Church gathered former seminarians for a reunion thirty-five years after they completed their studies, renewing old bonds of friendship and shared service. The Romanian Orthodox Church marked the sixtieth birthday of Bishop Timotei Prahovean with quiet gratitude for his steady pastoral work. These ordinary yet steady gestures of support, memory, and celebration continue across very different corners of the Orthodox world. May God grant strength and peace to the communities in Sliven, Dmanisi, Poland, and Romania.

Last night I made some sarmales with sauerkraut for the Sunday meal after Holy Liturgy. I put less rice to make them more consistent, like my mother used to make them. I hope it will be enough for everyone, because some neighbors from the block are also coming.

Yesterday after the service, Aunt Valya came up to me; she is already over eighty. She said quietly: “Marina, when you light a candle, don’t think that you need to hurry, just stay nearby and be silent for a minute.” I remember. This morning, before my grandson’s work, I specially got up early and stood by the icon of Philip the Apostle, not in a hurry. It really became calmer.

The feast of Saint Vrače in the Serbian Orthodox Church drew attention this week to practical charity, urging believers to care for the vulnerable in everyday ways. In Greece the Air Force Meals program at the Love Bank of Thebes continued distributing hot food to families in need. Bulgaria’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven covered the full funeral costs for four people who died tragically in the village of Samuilovo, sparing their relatives further burden. Meanwhile the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia issued an appeal for a permanent church building after years of temporary worship spaces. These concrete acts of support show how Orthodox communities quietly turn faith into help for neighbors who face hardship. This matters because it keeps charity rooted in local parishes instead of distant talk.

Thirty-five years after completing their studies at the Orthodox Seminary in Warsaw, a group of Polish Orthodox Church alumni gathered for a reunion filled with shared memories and renewed fellowship. The event highlighted the lasting bonds formed during their formation years. In related news from different corners, the Romanian Patriarchate is hosting an international symposium marking two decades since the Law of Cults took effect, drawing scholars and clergy to discuss its impact. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven covered all funeral costs for four people who died tragically in the village of Samuilovo, offering practical support to grieving families. The Orthodox Church in America announced an online retreat for clergy wives set for November 19, providing space for spiritual refreshment. These stories show quiet faithfulness lived out across jurisdictions. May these communities and their faithful be held in prayer.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven has covered the full funeral costs for four villagers from Samuilovo who died in a recent tragedy. In the same week the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Archdiocese of Craiova ran cultural and recreational programs at its Saint Doctors Cosma and Damian Social Day Center, while the Polish Orthodox Church hosted a reunion for former seminarians marking thirty-five years since graduation. The Georgian Orthodox Church saw its clerics speak out on issues of government funding and surveillance of religious life. These varied local actions, from practical aid to education and advocacy, show how each diocese quietly meets the concrete needs of its people. Such steady care keeps parish life grounded.

I am now reading a book by Saint Gregory Palamas on the prayer of the heart. One sentence stopped me this morning - that even in an ordinary day one can return to God simply by repeating the Jesus prayer in my mind. I'm getting ready for the evening service and I'm going to bake some little cookies for the boys to have after school.

This morning I lit a candle for my old friend Anna, who died two years ago. We sang together in the choir and often drank coffee afterwards and talked about all sorts of things. Friendship really lasts, even when someone is no longer there.

This church looks peaceful across the river, with the evening light falling gently on it. I liked the stillness of the image.

The last few days at the hospital have been tough with the fast — I'm on my feet all shift and end up grabbing whatever's quick in the cafeteria. Anyone have a simple lunch you actually manage to pack that keeps you going without breaking the rules? I tried boiled eggs and some bread yesterday but my boys finished them before I left the house this morning.

Georgian archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an early Christian church in Dmanisi, adding a new chapter to the story of Christianity reaching the Caucasus in its first centuries. The find sits near the famous early hominid site and shows clear signs of a basilica layout with traces of an altar and baptismal font. At the same time, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolis of Sliven quietly covered the full funeral costs for four people killed in the village of Samuilovo, sparing the grieving families any extra burden. In Greece, the Diocese of Maroneia and Komotini marked the feast of Saint John Chrysostom with services that drew local believers into familiar hymns and teachings. The Orthodox Church in America announced that Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles will receive a 2026 AIA Honor Award for its architecture. Different corners of the Church, same quiet witness. What recent discovery or simple act of care has your own parish seen lately?

Romanian specialists gathered recently to exchange practical insights on church painting techniques, restoration methods, and traditional architecture, drawing on centuries of local experience in preserving sacred spaces. In parallel, the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the feast of the Holy Great Martyr Mina at the Dumbrăvița Banat II Parish near Timișoara with a patronal celebration that included fresh iconographic details. The Georgian Orthodox Church announced the discovery of ruins from an early Christian church in Dmanisi, offering new clues for architects studying ancient building layouts. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Holy Metropolia of Sliven quietly covered the full funeral costs for four people killed in the village of Samuilovo, showing care that often begins with simple maintenance of community grounds. From the Polish Orthodox Church came word of a reunion marking 35 years since a key seminary project was finished, reminding many how restoration work continues across generations. These communities remain in prayer.

The Greek academic recognition body has officially acknowledged the Orthodox University of Congo, opening doors for its graduates and strengthening theological education across Africa. In Bulgaria the Holy Metropolis of Sliven covered all funeral costs for four people who died tragically in the village of Samuilovo. The Church of Greece hosted the swearing-in ceremony for new probationary police officers in Komotini, while the Polish Orthodox Church brought together former seminarians for a reunion thirty-five years after they completed their studies. These developments show steady, practical steps that support learning, care for the grieving, public service, and lasting friendships among clergy. Such ordinary faithfulness keeps Orthodox life grounded and effective in daily reality.