#Orthodox church

[soulrestinginstpetersburg]

Христос се роди!

Christ is born, merry Christmas to my Orthodox brothers and sisters in Christ.

[sayruq]

[bast38]

[eleutheria4ever]

believe it or not, i’m divinely protected and there will be consequences for wronging me

[allthingseurope]

Agia Triada Monastery, Crete, Greece (by Nik)

[religious-extremist]

The devil loves noise; Christ looks for silence.

☦︎ St. Ambrose

[thod0rakis]

ethel cain in white dress looking incredible

[lostmymarblesstuff]

[orthopunkfox]

Being queer and a Christian is often very difficult. I experience alienation from both sides. Often these two parts of myself feel impossible to reconcile. But, I want to share something beautiful that my priest does that nearly makes me weep every time. The Orthodox Church is not known for its inclusivity or progressiveness. It is ancient and its gears turn slowly. During Holy Communion, those who are not confirmed members of the Church may come forward for a blessing. The blessing is done by gender.

"The servant of God [Name] is blessed..." for men,

"The handmaid of God [Name] is blessed..." for women.

The first time I went up for a blessing, I was hesitant. My gender is no secret and I do not try to hide my queerness. Which blessing would I receive? With sadness, I concluded the priest would do what was simplest and default to my assigned gender.

I stood before him and bowed my head, arms crossed over my (noticeably growing) chest. He raised the golden chalice over my head and lovingly said:

"The beloved of God Quinn is blessed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen "

He has done this ever since and with this simple action, preaches one of the main, if oft forgotten pillars of Orthodoxy: It does not matter who you are, what pronouns you use, what colour your hair is, what clothes you wear, what mistakes you've made, what trials you have overcome, where you came from or where you are. You are beloved of God just as you are. You are created in the Image of God and are a sacred vessel of beauty, and there is a place for you here.

This is true inclusivity. Not the white liberal veneer placed on so many churches where the cishet, boomer congregation pats themselves on the back for the rainbow flag outside while actively misgendering the trans person sitting in the pew. My priest has not given any big speeches talking about how everyone is loved here. He doesn't have to. His genuine kindness and that of my fellow parishioners are the only sermon marginalised people need to hear. In these moments, the two parts of myself become one and I truly believe that the God I love delights in me.

[wgm-beautiful-world]

Orthodox Church of Holy Spirit in Chłopiatyn, POLAND

[afflictionangel]

[soulrestinginstpetersburg]

[teenageascetic]

“Everything will be very simple and easy if you decide to do it unto God, for God’s sake, and to the glory of God. Everything in life and in the soul will immediately come together.”

-Father Ioann Krestiankin.

[bast38]

“The one who requests less than he deserves from God will surely obtain more than he deserves. This is clearly shown by the tax collector who requested forgiveness but obtained justification, and the thief who merely requested to be remembered in His Kingdom but he inherited Paradise.”

—St John Climacus

[lovely88ann]

[noseysilverfox]

August 2013

On the territory of the Holy Dormition Joseph-Volotsky Stavropol Monastery, the village of Teryaevo, Volokolamsk district, Moscow region, Russia