Family life : In the Family
Hospitality and Marriage
When I was growing up, hospitality was something that had a ring of social class to it. It suggested entertaining at home, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and leisure wear — a lifestyle of “gracious living” that my parents, shy people of modest means, did not share. Even today, we tend to think of money and charm when we think of hospitality, or the “cordial and generous treatment of guests,” as the dictionary still puts it. (Search “hospitality industry” on the web and you’ll come up with millions of hits for hotels, restaurants, fashion and home decorating.)
Sep 10, 2008, 10:00

Family life : In the Family
The Orthodox Christian Marriage
Nowadays, of course, our society considers children more of a nuisance than a blessing, and many couples wait one, two, three, or even more years before they have a child. Indeed, some decide never to have children. And so, although in the Orthodox Church the first purpose of marriage is not merely to have children, the desire of most young marrieds today to wait before having children is considered sinful.
Aug 11, 2008, 10:00

Family life : In the Family
The Orthodox Christian Marriage
Most Christian husbands have little idea of what this kind of love means. In the world, "love" usually refers to physical love or sentimental, romantic love. This has nothing to do with the Christian concept of love. Just recall Christ's words to His followers: Greater love hath no man than that he lay down his life for his friend. Love, then, from the Christian standpoint, means sacrifice, and self-denial. A husband must take as much care, concern, thoughtfulness, attention, regard and precautions for his wife as Christ takes for the Church.
Jul 28, 2008, 10:00

Family life : In the Family
Past Cannot Be Recalled
They often say that time heals, pain passes with time. Not quite right. My pain isn’t over, it has changed, as if it sank deep inside. With the lapse of time you begin to take the death of your only child as a tragedy, you understand that a part of you has also died. This part that broke away from you hurts like an amputated arm or leg, though you know that your child’s soul is alive, that it cannot die. But still we miss our son so much. We have no other child to console us, to give our love to.
Jul 18, 2008, 10:00

Family life : In the Family
Young Children in the Orthodox Church
Of course, we Orthodox Christian parents want to bring our children to Christ. We bring them to be baptized, they are present with us at the Divine Services, they receive communion regularly. Isn't that enough? No, we are still holding them back if we are waiting for them to absorb Orthodoxy by osmosis. Their bodies may be in the church, but their minds and spirits are far away.
Apr 20, 2007, 00:58

Family life : In the Family
Royal Martyr Tsarina Alexandra. Selective Writings
In looking for examples of truly radiant ones we find a loving mother, a devoted wife, a struggling Orthodox Christian, and one who truly loved Russia - the Holy Royal Martyr Tsarina Alexandra (Romanov), Russia's last Empress.
May 31, 2005, 23:10