NOW ON KINDLE: There Is No Sex in the Church!
NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE
There Is No Sex in the Church! On the Problematics of Sexuality and Gender in Orthodoxy.
Please follow the link to read it on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5RU3T6
Readers’ Comments:
–This book is a catalyst for a much-needed conversation in the Orthodox Church. I find it very insightful and fascinating.
–Father Sergei Sveshnikov does not offer definitive answers in this book –rather, he offer subjects for exploration. These are talks from the heart –scholarly, humorous, and with the distinct savor of Holy Orthodoxy. A good companion to the recent books by Father Lawrence Farley (“Feminism and Tradition” and “One Flesh”).
–Fr. Sergei takes a very fair approach in his analysis of sexuality within the Orthodox Church- a subject that is rarely discussed directly. As an Orthodox Christian with a Master’s in Religious Studies, I highly recommend his work.
Follow this link to see other books and articles by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov: https://www.amazon.com/author/sveshnikov
New Low Price on “Break the Holy Bread, Master!” [Kindle Edition]
New Low Price on the Kindle Edition of “Break the Holy Bread, Master!”
Get it now for just $2.99!
Follow the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z8N5DC
Follow this link to see other books and articles by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov: https://www.amazon.com/author/sveshnikov
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September Is Marriage Month / Сентябрь-месяц святого супружества
SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISH
СЕНТЯБРЬ—МЕСЯЦ СВЯТОГО СУПРУЖЕСТВА
В сентябре отмечается память сразу нескольких пар святых супругов: святых мучеников Адриана и Наталии (8 сент.), святых Петра и Февронии Муромских (15-го сент.), пророка Захарии и праведной жены его Елизаветы (18 сент.), и святых и праведных богоотец Иоакима и Анны (22-го сент.).
В связи с таким изобилием благодатных примеров святого супружеста, объявляем сентябрь месяцем святого супружества в нашем приходе!
За каждой воскресной Литургией (кроме 1-го сентября) после чтения Евангелия будут возноситься особые молитвы о супругах, а также особые службы и молитвословия в дни памяти святых супругов. Все особые службы, содержащие молитвы о супругах и супружестве, отмечены в расписании знаком * (см.расписание).
Да благословит Бог брачный союз православных супругов, и да управит его во святой образ Христа Своего и Его Невесты-Церкви!
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SEPTEMBER IS A MARRIAGE MONTH
In September, we commemorate the memory of several pairs of holy spouses: holy martyrs Hadrian and Natalia (Sep. 8), saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom (Sep. 15), holy prophet Zacharias and his righteous wife Elizabeth (Sep. 18), and the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna (Sep. 22).
In recognition of such an abundance of grace-filled examples of holy marriage, we declare September to be a Marriage Month in our parish!
At each Sunday Liturgy (except September 1), following the reading of the Gospel, there will be special petitions for spouses proclaimed during a litany. Also, special services and prayers will be held on the days of the commemoration of the saints. All special services are marked in the schedule with the sign * (see schedule).
May God bless marriage unions of Orthodox Christians, and may He lead them to the holy image of His Christ and Bride the Church!
NOTE: THE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES IN ENGLISH WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!
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An Interview About Sexual Identity on OCN
“Sexual identity is all over the media right now, but where is the Orthodox voice on gender and sexual identity when we turn on the news or read the papers? Here to talk about one news story that’s getting national attention is Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov of Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Orthodox Church in Mulino, Oregon.”
The interview begins at minute 11 of the track.
Listen to the Interview! (click here)
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See also:
The Problematics of Orthodox Sexuality
and
An Interview About Gay Marriage on OCN
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Help Our Church!
Our church is the first church in the world dedicated to the memory of the holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia, and it is the only Russian-speaking Orthodox parish in Oregon.
Our church exists solely on donations.
Support our church! Make a small donation today!
To donate through PayPal, click here
Or mail a check to Russian Church, PO Box 913, Mulino, OR 97042
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There Is No Sex in the Church!: On the Problematics of Sexuality and Gender In Orthodoxy
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!
A new book by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
There Is No Sex in the Church!:
On the Problematics of Sexuality and Gender In Orthodoxy
This work is a collection of essays written over the years on topics related to human sexuality and gender issues within Russian Orthodox Christianity: marital sex, homosexuality, ritual impurity, and others. In an introduction to one of the sections, the author writes:
“…Having written a couple of opinion papers touching on the difficulties of discussing matters of human sexuality in the context of the Russian Orthodox Church, and having pointed out the existence of a wide spectrum of opinions on what Christians should do in bed—ranging from the strictest and almost total prohibition of any form of sexual behavior with possible exceptions for the most penitentiary of position and then only a few times in a lifetime specifically for the purpose of procreation, to an attitude of total permissiveness brushing off any questions with assertions that the marriage bed is undefiled and whatever married people do in their bedroom is all blessed—I have, quite naturally, been asked to clarify my own position on what should and should not be allowed… I should like to discuss three topics: 1) the idea that a husband and wife should attempt to live “like brother and sister,” that is to say, abstaining from sex altogether or limiting it only to specific times and forms necessary for procreation; 2) the idea that a husband and wife can do whatever they want as much as they want in the privacy of their bedroom and none of it is the Church’s business; and 3) a possible middle ground which does not reject the joy of the married state moderated by a certain measure of ascetic discipline of the body and the soul…”
WARNING
This book deals with adult subject matter and is intended for adult readers. If you are offended by the discussion of human sexuality, this book is not for you. Some sections of this book contain very graphic language and reader discretion is strongly advised.
Contents: (more…)
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An Interview About Gay Marriage on OCN
“Join Fr. Chris as he speaks with Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov on the topic of gay marriage. Why does the Orthodox Church hold the view it does? How do we communicate that view with Christian love? You won’t want to miss this open and honest conversation!”
Listen to the Interview (click here!)
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See also:
The Problematics of Orthodox Sexuality
and
And Interview About Sexual Identity on OCN
Thinking Out Loud About Gay Marriage
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Help Our Church!
Our church is the first church in the world dedicated to the memory of the holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia, and it is the only Russian-speaking Orthodox parish in Oregon.
Our church exists solely on donations.
Support our church! Make a small donation today!
To donate through PayPal, click here
Or mail a check to Russian Church, PO Box 913, Mulino, OR 97042
Click this link for the donation page
Comments Off on An Interview About Gay Marriage on OCN
Help our church!
Our church is the first church in the world dedicated to the memory of the holy new martyrs and confessors of Russia, and it is the only Russian-speaking Orthodox parish in Oregon.
Our church exists solely on donations.
Support our church! Make a small donation today!
To donate through PayPal, click here
Or mail a check to Russian Church, PO Box 913, Mulino, OR 97042
Click this link for the donation page
Commemorations during the Paschal Liturgy on May 5, 2013 (pdf)
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Liturgy: parallel Slavonic / English Text (PDF)
Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
parallel Church Slavonic / English Text in PDF
This text is free and has no copyright–so feel free to use and share
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If you liked this post, please help our new Mission in Portage, WI!
Even a small donation will make a huge difference! May God bless your generosity!
Please send a donation to: St.John.the.Wonderworker.portage@gmail.com
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Symposium “Prayer in the Church Fathers”
Large crowds attend the Institute’s San Francisco Symposium
(http://www.sforthodoxinstitute.org/222-sf-symp-initialreport)
The Institute’s second regional symposium in San Francisco took place over the weekend of 16th-17th February at the Old Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, led by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, joined by Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg) and Fr. Serge Sveshnikov (click here for a program of the symposium’s events and talks). Some 200 participants took part in two full days of talks, panel discussions and Divine Services, focusing on the common theme of Prayer in the Church Fathers and in the life of Orthodox Christians today.
Following the pattern established by the Institute’s first San Francisco Symposium last year (entitled Living Icon: Symbolism in the Divine Liturgy), this year’s event brought together a collection of speakers to address a common theme from various viewpoints — historical, theological, practical and personal. With paper titles ranging from ‘Prayer and Creation,’ ‘The Fathers on the Beginnings of Prayer,’ ‘The Jesus Prayer in Daily Life,’ ‘Prayer: A Conversation with God?’ to ‘Prayer in Liturgical Worship and With the Holy Icons’ and others, participants were able to hear reflections on the life of prayer in Orthodoxy that aimed not only to expand their understanding of history and theology, but ultimately (and above all) to increase their love for prayer and preparation for growth in its practice.
This was exemplified by the central feature of the two-day symposium: the celebration of the Divine Services in common, at which symposium participants were joined by faithful from the parish community for the services, presided over by Metropolitan Kallistos and concelebrated by many participant clergy from the symposium. It was a joy for many to see the Old Cathedral packed to the rafters with faithful, eager to pray in common and receive the divine life of the heavenly Mysteries.
True to the mission of the Institute, the Symposium drew an authentically pan-Orthodox audience, with participants representing every Orthodox jurisdiction present in North America, together with several non-Orthodox participants. The combination of so many Orthodox cultures allowed for fruitful opportunities to explore differing traditions, discuss differences in practice and approach, etc. — but all within the deeply unifying experience of a common drive towards growth in the Orthodox life of prayer.
Following the conclusion of the two-day symposium proper, a special dinner event with Metropolitan Kallistos took place at the nearby New Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, at which the Metropolitan spoke on the engaging and unusual topic, The Place of Humour in Orthodoxy, reflecting on the nature of humour and laughter, and their relationship to the seriousness of Orthodox life.
Throughout, participants were able to experience expert talks, interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions, short outings and pilgrimages, common meals, personal time with the speakers, and much more; and with letters already received at the Institute office via e-mail with comments such as ‘This event changed my life,’ and ‘never did I know that an educational conference could so profoundly affect my desire to pray with more depth and grow closer to God,’ we are hopeful that the Institute’s aim of fostering life in the Church through its educational activities will find itself well met by this weekend’s activities. Our sincere thanks to all our speakers, participants, and the generous and wonderful, self-sacrificing hosts at the Old Cathedral of the Holy Virgin.
http://www.sforthodoxinstitute.org/
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Support our church! Make a small donation today!
To donate through PayPal, click here
Or mail a check to Russian Church, PO Box 913, Mulino, OR 97042
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Meaningful Action
As reports of another mass shooting were reaching people on the West Coast, I think that I was not the only one experiencing shock and disbelief. Oregonians are still trying to make sense of the tragedy that happened at the Clackamas shopping mall–only a quarter of a mile from my children’s school. And now another shooting–this time at an elementary school. Somehow, when senseless violence is directed at a random group of people, it seems easier (but not easy!) to handle this emotionally than when it is focused, concentrated, and specifically targeting children. I must admit: I find myself utterly unable to make any sense of this latest act of unspeakable evil.
When people are faced with such overwhelming and difficult emotions, it is natural for them to try to do something. Bloggers will blog, facebookers will update their stati with stuff like “Re-post if you….,” school principals will review their schools’ safety principles, and politicians will politick. I wanted to write something, but things like “our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” while certainly reflecting how I feel, do not seem relevant or somehow enough. Instead, I really want to explore a phrase in President Obama’s speech which caught my attention. The President called for “meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this.” (more…)
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Break the Holy Bread, Master [Kindle Edition]
Break the Holy Bread, Master: A Theology of Communion Bread is now available in the Kindle edition
BREAK THE HOLY BREAD, MASTER
A Theology of Communion Bread
a book by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
This work examines the history, theology, and praxis of the use of sacramental bread in traditional Christianity. From the Last Supper to the Great Schism, and from Christology to ecclesiology and Christian anthropology—the symbolism of bread has dominated Christian history and belief. What kind of bread did Christ offer to His disciples at the Last Supper? Why do Roman Catholics and the Orthodox disagree on how to bake bread? What is the significance of the symbolism of bread for Christian theology and praxis? This book addresses these and many other questions. Scholars and bakers, clergy and lay folk alike—all are invited to take a closer look at that which speaks of our unity—one loaf to represent one Body.
Published with the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, Russian Orthodox Church.
“I am very pleased to offer my recommendation in support of Fr. Sergei’s work “Break the Holy Bread, Master.” Within its pages, the reader will find a wealth of information that explains and outlines the historical and ecclesiastical development of the use of leavened bread in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The thesis will benefit anyone who wants to learn more about the liturgical practice of both the Eastern and Western Rite.”
† Theodosy, Bishop of Seattle, 26 February 2009
An interview for the Orthodox Christian Network: click here to listen
Jane G. Meyer’s review of the book for Ancient Faith Radio: click here to listen
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE KINDLE EDITION
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There Is No Sex in the Church!
This paper explores the attitudes within the Russian Orthodox Church toward marital sex by putting the issue into historical,theological, and pastoral contexts. It strives to begin a dialogue between the laity, married clergy, and monastic hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church about one of the important aspects of every Christian marriage–marital sex.
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!
A new book by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
There Is No Sex in the Church!: On the Problematics of Sexuality and Gender In Orthodoxy
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Other Books by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
+
Support our church! Make a small donation today!
To donate through PayPal, click here
Or mail a check to Russian Church, PO Box 913, Mulino, OR 97042
Comments Off on There Is No Sex in the Church!
What is Your Name, Brother?
The customary Lenten pastoral conference and retreat of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in San Francisco from March 8 to 10 of this year. New to our Diocese is Professor Deacon Matthew Steenberg who moved to San Francisco from England and has been assigned to St. Tikhon of Zadonsk church. Father Matthew gave the first lecture of the conference on the topic of whether God causes earthquakes, such as the ones that devastated Haiti and Chile. (more…)
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Trip to the Holy Land
Photos from the trip to the Holy Land 22-28 January 2010 (more…)
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The Parallel Slavonic-English Text of the Liturgy is Now Available in Coil Binding
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Jane G. Meyer Reviews “Break the Holy Bread, Master” for Ancient Faith Radio
Jane G. Meyer reviews “Break the Holy Bread, Master” for Ancient Faith Radio (more…)
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