Christian Message From Moscow: "St. John of Kronstadt" 2006-12-02

St. John of Kronstadt was a person if unbreakable will, courage and energy. On his chest there is a cross with the crucified Saviour of the World, Jesus Christ, somebody St.John lived for, prayed to and stood in front of so many times to see Him with the eyes of his mind and heart. In one hand he holds a holy cup filled with the body and blood of our Lord. He seems to be inviting all Russia to take the Eucharist, for the one who takes it unites himself with God and takes from the hands of the Saviour eternal life.

Read the full text "St. John of Kronstadt" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Spiritual Flowerbed #5 Reverend Amvrosy of the Optina Monastery 2006-11-30 (Christian Message From Moscow)

Voice of Russia World Service presents another edition of its program the "Spiritual Flowerbed" an addition to its regular feature, The Christian Message From Moscow.

By Tatyana Shvetsova

Approximately 300 kilometres to the south of Moscow, in the Kaluga region, beside the virgin pine woods and the river Zhyzdra, there stands the ancient Russian Orthodox monastery - Optina Pustyn. It went down in the history of Russian Orthodox Church as one of the centres of spiritual renaissance that emerged in Russia in late 18th early 19th century. That spiritual renaissance was intertwined with the lives of the elders of Optina Pustyn who gave spiritual advice to Orthodox believers coming to them from all over Russia.

Read the full text "Spiritual Flowerbed. Reverend Amvrosy of the Optina Monastery" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Spiritual Flowerbed #4 Dimitry, Metropolitan of Rostov "Reflections of Sorrow and Grief 2006-11-23 (Christian Message From Moscow)

Voice of Russia World Service presents another edition of its program the "Spiritual Flowerbed" an addition to its regular feature, The Christian Message From Moscow.
Continuation of excerpts from "Spiritual Alphabet" by Orthodox Saint - Dimitry, Metropolitan of Rostov.

By Tatyana Shvetsova

REFLECTIONS ON SORROW AND GRIEF

"Do not you grieve of things transitory, for there is not one thing that you need to grieve inconsolably for. One need not grieve not only for transitory things, but over the greatest of sins before God. For even if your sin is greater than any other sin, still you need not despair and sink into inconsolable grief, for there is no sin that conquers the all-victorious mercy of our Lord. Our sins cannot compare with the vastness of the Lord's generosity. God will save us with His merciful gift of forgiveness.

Read the full text "Spiritual Flowerbed. ST. DIMITRY OF ROSTOV" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow: Part III (3) "Dictate of Madness" (book) 2006-11-11

Part III (3) of Dictate of Madness, Prepared by Tatyana Shvetsova.

"We have grown accustomed to the word combination 'information war'. In this war the enemy doesn't have a specific face. His weapon, instead of arousing terror and indignation, sparks a desire to enjoy it again and again. While we do not make the slightest attempt to protect ourselves or, most importantly, our children, who are in the greatest peril from this information weapon.

Read the full text "Dictate of Madness" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow: Part II "Dictate of Madness" (book) 2006-11-04

Part II of Dictate of Madness, Prepared by Tatyana Shvetsova.

"We have grown accustomed to the word combination 'information war'. In this war the enemy doesn't have a specific face. His weapon, instead of arousing terror and indignation, sparks a desire to enjoy it again and again. While we do not make the slightest attempt to protect ourselves or, most importantly, our children, who are in the greatest peril from this information weapon.

Read the full text "Dictate of Madness" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "Dictate of Madness" (book) 2006-10-28

Dictate of Madness, Prepared by Tatyana Shvetsova.

"We have grown accustomed to the word combination 'information war'. In this war the enemy doesn't have a specific face. His weapon, instead of arousing terror and indignation, sparks a desire to enjoy it again and again. While we do not make the slightest attempt to protect ourselves or, most importantly, our children, who are in the greatest peril from this information weapon.

Read the full text "Dictate of Madness" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Part II of Music from Pesnislav Choir - Gleb Pichonkin 2006-10-21

Part II of music from Russian composer Gleb Pichonkin "Pesnisslav" choir. Sad to say, I cannot find the correct spelling and have simply tried to guess from the way it sounds. VOR has not provided me with the information, so I have nothing else to go by.

Contemporary choir (1990s) sings old Russian Orthodox church music. Very good program.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Music from Pesnislav Choir - Gleb Pichonkin 2006-10-14

Music from Russian composer Gleb Pichonkin "Pesnisslav" choir. Sad to say, I cannot find the correct spelling and have simply tried to guess from the way it sounds. VOR has not provided me with the information, so I have nothing else to go by.

Contemporary choir (1990s) sings old Russian Orthodox church music. Very good program.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Great Miltary Leader, Georgy K. Zhukov 2006-10-07

Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov

The story of the great Russian military leader of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) Georgi K. Zhukov. Excerpts from the book his daughter wrote.

An interesting site with an overview of Marshall Zhukov's life and career can be found here, which contains other links. Most of this information does not appear to talk about his faith, but it does give other historical information.


You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Nikolai Turin discusses Orthodox composer, Alexander Kastalsky 2006-09-23

Today we will be aquainted by material from the Moscow based musician and journalist, Orthodox Christian Nikolai Turin, who will be telling us about the outstanding Orthodox composer, Alexander Kastalsky (1856-1926).

http://tcmfm.blogspot.com

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "True Stories, Father Sergius" Lidiya Zaparina Part 3, 2006-09-16

Part II of "True Stories", with this section about "Father Sergius." the description of events that happened to the author, Lidiya Zaparina and her acquaintance.

Read the full text "True Stories" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "True Stories" Lidiya Zaparina Part 2, 2006-09-09

Part II of "True Stories", the description of events that happened to the author, Lidiya Zaparina and her acquaintance.

Read the full text "True Stories" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "True Stories" Lidiya Zaparina Part 1, 2006-09-02

Part I of "True Stories" is the title of a book excerpts from which we offer you. This book is a description of events that happened to the author, Lidiya Zaparina and her acquaintance. There isn't a word of fiction here. We would like to hope that through this book you will learn to better understand the soul of an Orthodox person.
The author Lidiya Sergeevna Zaparina was a gentlewoman by birth. She was born in 1903, graduated from the gymnasium, yet couldn't continue her studies due to her noble ancestry. After the revolution of 1917 this people of noble origins were persecuted by the bolsheviks. And thus, Zaparina was obliged to find herself a job at a kindergarten. Later, when the repressions were slackened somewhat, Lidiya Zaparina was able to find employment as bibliographic expert at the State Book Chamber. She worked there right up until her pension came up.

Read the full text "True Stories" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Part II of "Between Life and Death" book by Mikhail Ovchinnikov 2006-07-

Part II (2) of excerpts from a book by Orthodox clergyman Mikhail Ovchinnikov. After a serious car accident, he experienced multiple clinical deaths. During each one of these he had very important encounters in the other world, which he scrupulously described in his book. By will of God, despite forecasts of the medics, Father Mikhail survived and now continues to serve at one of the Monasteries of the Crimea. Without doubt, everything narrated by Father Mikhail will be of interest and use to all Christians.

Read the full text ""Between Life & Death" story by Orthodox clergyman Mikhail Ovchinnikov" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "Between Life and Death" book by Mikhail Ovchinnikov 2006-07-08

Excerpts from a book by Orthodox clergyman Mikhail Ovchinnikov. After a serious car accident, he experienced multiple clinical deaths. During each one of these he had very important encounters in the other world, which he scrupulously described in his book. By will of God, despite forecasts of the medics, Father Mikhail survived and now continues to serve at one of the Monasteries of the Crimea. Without doubt, everything narrated by Father Mikhail will be of interest and use to all Christians.

Read the full text ""Between Life & Death" story by Orthodox clergyman Mikhail Ovchinnikov" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "Artiomushka" story by Nikolai Kokuhin 2006-07-01

A radio version of the documentary story by Orthodox writer Nikolai Kokuhin. This is a documentary story and is a perfect occasion to dwell on the purpose and benefit of sufferings that the Lord sends the Christians for their Salvation.

Read the full text ""Artiomushka" story by Nikolai Kokuhin" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "A Moscow Father" 2006-06-24

Orthodox believers call Saint Alexi Mechyov their "Moscow elder", in that way emphasizing his spirituality. He was not only revered, but was dearly loved by those who came into contact with him.

The pastoral service of St.Alexi Mechyov fell on the beginning of the 20th century, on the years of revolution in Russia. The life of people, especially of the believers, had changed radically in those times. The Orthodox Christians were being persecuted. Many of them, finding themselves without roof over their heads, without bread and under constant fear, were seeking some protection for themselves.

Through the grace of God they found it in the St.Nicholas Church in Moroseika Street, where St.Alexi Mechyov served as a priest. His spiritual children said that he had a "generous" heart, which made him very sensitive to the sufferings of others. About himself he used to say that by nature he had a very compassionate heart.

Read the full text "A Moscow Father" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Saint Trinity Musical Program 2006-06-17

A musical program dedicated to the Orthodox church holiday "Saint Trinity"

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Pavel Chesnokov, Russian composer 2006-06-10

Pavel Chesnokov, a prominent Orthodox composer and the onetime leader of many church choirs, was born in 1877 to the family of hereditary Russian precentors who lived near Moscow. Graduating from the Moscow school of church music in 1895, he then apprenticed with the prominent composer Sergei Taneyev who was then director of the Moscow Conservatory.

Pavel Chesnokov's compositions are a performer's dream, they take out the very best there is in the singer.

Read more about Pavel Chesnokov here.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Part II of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker 2006-05-27

Part II of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, By Tatyana Shvetsova, continued from last week.

St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker is one of the Saints particularly revered by the Russian Orthodox Church. Clergyman Boris Levshenko, teacher at one of Moscow's Orthodox Higher Educational establishments, said the following in an interview for our correspondent.

Read the full text "St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker 2006-05-20

St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, By Tatyana Shvetsova

St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker is one of the Saints particularly revered by the Russian Orthodox Church. Clergyman Boris Levshenko, teacher at one of Moscow's Orthodox Higher Educational establishments, said the following in an interview for our correspondent.

"There are 20 churches in Moscow, consecrated in honour of St.Nicholas. And this, not counting the 50 side altars dedicated to him in other churches. Prior to the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, there was not a single city in Russia that did not have a church of St.Nicholas," says Father Boris. "So, why is it we thus honor a Saint, who lived in the 4th century, moreover, not here in Russia, but in Asia Minor, and was a Greek by nationality? Because through prayers, addressed to him, people always received help. He extended help to everyone, on land and sea. His life story abounds in descriptive tales of help, extended to various folk, in his lifetime, and already after his demise." Well, let us then turn to the life narrative of Saint Nicholas, born around the year 280, passed away approximately around the period of the years 345 - 351.

Read the full text "St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Nikolai Burliaev: "Green is my favorite color" based on story by Natalia Sukhinina 2006-05-13

"Green is my favorite color" based on a story by Natalia Sukhinina. All Christians know about God's commandments - love your neighbour as thyself. Every sincere Christian strives to adhere to this commandment. But how difficult it is, in words and deeds, to observe it! The story we are going to tell you is about that. We did not make it up. It is a real story and a very instructive one. We believe it will be instructive for every Christian to read it.

Read the full text "Green is my favorite color" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Nikolai Burliaev: "A Road The Length Of A Lifetime" 2006-05-06

Popular Russian cinema director and actor Nikolai Burliaev is well-familiar to cinema-lovers due to his roles in films directed by the celebrated Andrei Tarkovsky. Orthodox Christians of Russia and other Slav countries, however, recognize him as a tireless ascetic struggling to revive spiritual and Christian values in our cinematography. Today Nikolai Burliaev tells us about his road to Orthodox Faith.

Read the full text "A Road The Length Of A Lifetime" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Part II from the book "The Blessed Fire" 2006-04-29

Part II of excepts from the book "The Blessed Fire".

Miracle... People often take for miracle things that they do not comprehend. "Miraculous cure", telekinesis, telepathy, spiritism, poltergeist, UFO and much, much more besides. But these are not miracles.

The only miracle is worked by God Himself creating everlasting life in a mortal body. And when the Israelites asked to be shown a sign from heaven, the Saviour answered to all and for all times: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeking after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah," (Matthew, 16.4) that is the Resurrection.

Read the full text "By the Rivers of Babylon" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "Miracle" 2006-04-22

Voice of Russia World Service presents the Christian Message from Moscow and a program entitled "Miracle"

http://tcmfm.blogspot.com

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) "Miracle" 2006-04-22

Voice of Russia World Service presents the Christian Message from Moscow and a program entitled "Miracle"

http://tcmfm.blogspot.com

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Orthodox Holy Week Program 2006-04-15

Voice of Russia World Service presents the Christian Message from Moscow and the Eussian Orthodox Holy Week special, including spoken dialogue and music.

http://tcmfm.blogspot.com

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Part II of Vyacheslav Tulupov's book, "Energy Blow" 2006-04-08

Part II of excerpts from a book of stories by contemporary Russian clergyman Vyacheslav Tulupov entitled "People of God's Pasture" published in Moscow in 2003. This section entitled "Energy Blow."

Read the text on "People of God's Pasture " at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Vyacheslav Tulupov's book, People of God's Pasture 2006-04-01

Excerpts from a book of stories by contemporary Russian clergyman Vyacheslav Tulupov entitled "People of God's Pasture" published in Moscow in 2003. Clergymen have a wealth of experience in communicating with people, so each one of them has a lot to narrate. Perhaps, this explains why over recent time there have been quite a lot of publications, similar to the one we present.

Read the text on "People of God's Pasture " at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) About The Church Candle 2006-03-25

The history of placing candles and lighting icon lanterns in church came to Russia from Greece, but did not originate in Greece, but rather in Moses time.

Read the text on "About The Church Candle" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Lent Music & History 2006-03-18

Russian Orthodox Lent history and music and information on why Lent is the most holy of Orthodox seasons.

Voice of Russia World Service

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Early Soviet Religious Oppression 2006-03-11

"By the Rivers of Babylon"

Clergyman Nikolai Agafanov tells a story based on true events "by the rivers of Babylon."

This was in the 1920s, during the first years of Soviet rule at a meeting of a Bolshevik meeting discussing the recent directive of the government on the withdrawal of religious freedoms.

Read the full text "By the Rivers of Babylon" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Irina Skorik music 2006-03-04

The music of contemporary Karelian / Russian singer, poet, and composer Irina Skorik, from St. Petersburg.

Check out the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts for this week's sermon spoken from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) St. Seraphim of Sarov 2006-02-25

Today an extract from a conversation of St. Seraphim of Sarov with Nikolai Motovilov at a monestary in the winter of 1831. In this piece St. Seraphim tells of the grace of the Holy Spirit and demonstrates to Nikolai the fullness of this Spirit of God.


Check out the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts for this week's sermon spoken from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Christian Message From Moscow (Russia:) Declare His wonders among all people 2006-02-18

Verse 3 of Psalm 96 say "Declare His wonders among all people." This forms the basis for our program. Today you shall hear wonders of the divine forces at work as witnessed by our contemporaries.

Check out the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts for this week's sermon spoken from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Grandmother's Prayers, Part II" Christian Message From Moscow, Voice of Russia

Part II (2) of Ludmilla Sokolova's narrative. These excerpts are from a book entitled "Grandmother's Prayers", published in Moscow in 2005 by the publishing house "Otchiy Dom".

Read the full text on "Grandmother's Prayers" at the Voice of Russia website.

Check out the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts for this week's sermon spoken from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Grandmother's Prayers" Christian Message From Moscow, Voice of Russia

A narrative of Ludmilla Sokolova, granddaughter of Russian Orthodox woman-elder Misaila, about how her grandma's prayers and her own helped her survive the terrible years of World War Two. These are excerpts from a book entitled "Grandmother's Prayers", published in Moscow in 2005 by the publishing house "Otchiy Dom".

Read the full text on "Grandmother's Prayers" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"The Woman-Elder Misaila From Kursk' Christian Message From Moscow, Voice of Russia

Today The Christian Message From Moscow tells us a narrative about an Orthodox woman-elder named Misaila from the ancient Russian town of Kursk, in Central Russia. With her prayers she helped thousands of people in difficult moments of their lives, particularly during the Great Patriotic war that our people waged against the fascist occupation in 1941 to 1945.

This narrative is taken from a book of recollections of her granddaughter Ludmilla Sokolova, published in Moscow in 2005.

Read the text on "The Woman-Elder Misaila From Kursk" at the Voice of Russia website.

You are also welcome at the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Orthodox Debates on Euthanasia 2006-01-21

This week The Christian Message From Moscow looks into the history of euthanasia and then examines the Orthodox views on this highly publicized debate.


Read the text on "Orthodox Debates on Euthanasia" at the Voice of Russia website.


You are also welcome visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Russian Orthodox ensemble Kovcheg (Ark) 2006-01-14

Boris Novokov familiarizes us with the Russian Orthodox vocal ensemble, Kovcheg, ("Ark" in English.)

Also visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Holy Night" Christmas Music Programme 2006-01-07

"Holy Night" music programme of Orthodox Christmas hymns


Also visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Orthodoxy 2005-12-31

Examination of what the Russian Orthodox faith meant to 19th century writer, Fyodor Dostoyevsky


Also visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Christ at the Peasants" Andrei Rublev, Christmas Story 2005-12-24

"Christ at the Peasants" a Christmas story by prominent Russian writer, Nikolai Leskov, 1831 - 1895.


Also visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Andrei Rublev Ensemble" Vocal Quintet 2005-12-17

The Reverend Andrei Rublev Ensemble is named after the 15th century Russian monk and they perform both sacred and secular music, but church is where they feel most at home. The quintet was formed in 1996.

A week of music plus some background on these Russian Orthodox musicians.


Also visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Embryo Slaughter" Orthodox views on fetal therapy 2005-12-10

Russian Orthodox viewpoints on so-called 'fetal therapy' which is based on the use of body organs and tissues of unborn infants.

In our overly progressive day and age, various rejuvenation methods with the use of abortive tissues are becoming increasingly popularized. The entire technology of so-called 'fetal therapy' is based on the use of body organs and tissues of unborn infants.

Read more ""Embryo Slaughter"" at the Voice of Russia website...

...or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Visions of Elder Anthony" Alexander Krasnov 2005-12-03

Excerpts from Orthodox clergyman Alexander Krasnov's book, "Spiritual Conversations and Edifications of Elder Anthony" which discusses apocalyptic sentiments of our world today.

Read more ""Visions of Elder Anthony"" at the Voice of Russia website...

...or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"About Premonitions" Father Georgy Savva, 2005-11-26

How should one treat premonitions? Archimandrite Georgy Savva, Father Superior of the Timashevsky Monastery of the Holy Ghost, in Krasnodar provides important very important and timely answers in this program.

Read more ""About Premonitions"" at the Voice of Russia website...

...or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"Genes And The Seven Mortal Sins" Konstantin Zorin, Book 2005-11-12

What is true love?.. What is the difference between sexual attraction and carnal lust?.. What stirs sensuality?.. These are some of the questions taken up in this program. We are going to receive some qualified opinions from Orthodox doctor, medical psychologist, and bachelor of religious science Konstantin Zorin regarding certain spiritual and genetic aspects of intimate relations. We have taken excerpts from his new book, "Genes and the seven mortal sins," published this year in Moscow.

This week, due to the graciousness of WRN (The World Radio Network www.wrn.org) we have a high quality recording. Sad to say, this is just a "one-time" situation. In fact, future recordings of this show will be more difficult, due to changes by the radio source. More information as this situation develops.

Read more ""Genes And The Seven Mortal Sins"" at the Voice of Russia website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"The Fiery Abba" Alexander Poliakov, Literature 2005-11-05

Excerpts from contemporary Orthodox author and journalist Alexander Poliakov's book, "The Fiery Abba." The book recounts the feats of life accomplished by a Russian count of mixed British and Swedish descent, Edouard Seevers, who later became a Russian Orthodox monk. Edouard Seevers had experienced his full share of hardships but he never once bowed to the odds always driven by his unfailing faith in the Lord.

Poliakov spent his childhood years in a small village in Kazakhstan, where his father worked as a construction engineer, and his mother was a doctor. The family later moved to Gatchina outside Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. It was then and there that Alexander fell in love with literature and started writing his first poems. After school he spent a few years doing metal work and hauling loads before implementing his lifelong dream and entering the Journalism Department of Leningrad University.

Graduating five years later, Alexander Poliakov spent some time traveling across the Soviet Union maturing and honing his reporting skills. His first posting as a professional journalist was the port city of Magadan on the Sea of Okhotsk where he wrote his first stories. In the late 1970ies Alexander moved to Moscow signing up with the authoritative Izvestiya newspaper.

It was much later that Alexander embraced the Orthodox creed and was baptized - a major turnaround that coincided with his work on this, his first major novel.


Read more "The Fiery Abba" at the Voice of Russia website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

Orthodox author/journalist Alexander Poliakov, 2005-10-22 VOR

Today we'll look at the life and creative effort of contemporary Orthodox author and journalist Alexander Poliakov. Alexander spent his childhood years in a small village in Kazakhstan, where his father worked as a construction engineer. The family later moved to Gatchina outside Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. It was then and there that Alexander fell in love with literature and started writing his first poems. After school he graduated from the Journalism Department of Leningrad University and spent some time traveling across the Soviet Union maturing and honing his reporting skills.

It was much later that Alexander embraced the Orthodox creed – a major turnaround that coincided with his work on his first major novel, “The Fiery Abba”. The book recounts the feats of life accomplished by a Russian count of mixed British and Swedish descent, Edouard Seevers, who later became a Russian Orthodox monk. Next week (Saturday, November 5) we’ll read excerpts from Alexander Polyakov’s novel, “The Fiery Abba”, in the following CHRISTIAN MESSAGE FROM MOSCOW program. Wishing you good listening.

Please also visit the sponsor of this podcast Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"The Travelling Staff" Part II, Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin, Literature 2005-10-15

Part II of "The Travelling Staff," a literature work by a wonderful Russian Orthodox writer and journalist Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin. Born in 1901 to a village shoemaker, they emigrated to Estonia after the 1917 socialist revolution.

Read more "The Travelling Staff" at the Voice of Russia website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

"The Travelling Staff" Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin, Literature 2005-10-08

Literature work by a wonderful Russian Orthodox writer and journalist Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin. Born in 1901 to a village shoemaker, they emigrated to Estonia after the 1917 socialist revolution.

The family was poor and Vasily could not get a decent education, but he devoted much time to self-education and became a good journalist and author, naturally not without God's help.

Vasily was a fervent Orthodox Christian. Since childhood he liked to go to church. Later, parallel with his basic literary activities, Vasily served in a church as psalm-reader.

Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin is the author of the book "The Travelling Staff", excerpts from which we are happy present in translation. It has nothing to do with fiction, everything is based on facts, on real stories told him by Orthodox Russians. The narrative is related in the name of an Orthodox priest, whose name the author does not disclose.

Read more "The Travelling Staff" at the Voice of Russia website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA Lutheran perspective.

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A Priest's Mystery Part-II 2005-10-01 VoR World Service

"A Priest's Mystery," part 2 continues the true story about Father John, a small town Russian parish priest and religious instructor.

Read the whole story of "A Priest's Mystery" at The Christian Message From Moscow website while listening to the podcast or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

A Priest's Mystery Part-I 2005-09-24 VoR World Service

"A Priest's Mystery" is a true story about Father John, a parish priest and religious instructor in a Russian town.

He combined the humbleness of a servant of God and the dignity of a Christian pastor. He was meek and mild in everyday affairs, while zealous in everything that concerned his priestly ministry. He loved his church dearly, spared no pains to adorn it, and always entered it with joy and reverence.

The lamp of God's grace was burning over Father John for a long time, but suddenly it went out. And Father John sank into the darkness of misery and suffering... This is what happened.

Read the whole story of "A Priest's Mystery" at The Christian Message From Moscow website while listening to the podcast or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

If Angels Come Down From Heaven 2005-09-17 Voice of Russia

"I came from a monastery to lift the Russian people's sagging spirits and help them with a word of prayer which is a time-tested spiritual remedy and I know that, some day, Russia will be born again," says the song and its author, Ilya, a onetime monk at the Royal Martyrs' Monastery at Ganina Yama in the Urals.

The spiritual songs Ilya sings are a combination of prayers, calls for repentance and prophesies about this country's future. These songs are tougher and more aggressive, so to say, as compared with other songs of this genre. What they lack in melodiousness and poetic perfection they more than make up for with their powerful concentration of spiritual energy.

Read more about "If Angels Come Down From Heaven" at The Christian Message From Moscow website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

The Power of the Cross, Part-II, 2005-09-10 VoR

Part-II of the true stories from a recently published autobiographical book by Hierdeacon Nikon (Murtazov), entitled "The Power of the Cross". Currently the author lives in St. Petersburg, at the St. John of Kronstadt Monastery.

Read more about "THE POWER OF THE CROSS" at the VOR website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

The Power of the Cross, Part-I, 2005-09-03 Voice of Russia

Today we shall acquaint you with excerpts from a recently published autobiographical book by Hierdeacon Nikon (Murtazov), entitled "The Power of the Cross". Currently the author lives in St. Petersburg, at the St. John of Kronstadt Monastery.

Read more about "THE POWER OF THE CROSS" at the VOR website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

Monologue of a Nun, Paraskeva 2005-08-27 Voice of Russia

We offer today the monologue of a nun, Paraskeva, from the Holy Assumption Convent in the town of Vladimir, some 190 kilometers to the North-East of Moscow.

Read more "MONOLOGUE OF A NUN" at the Voice of Russia website or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.

History of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God 2005-08-13 Voice of Russia

Continuation of conversations about Russian icons: "History of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God"

One of the most revered and glorified Russian icons. You will learn what a tremendous role it played throughout the entire history of the Russian state.

Read more at "THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE WAR YEARS" and "THE TIMES OF TROUBLE" or visit the Mansfield & United Lutheran podcasts to hear this week's sermon from an ELCA perspective.