Please keep praying for Fr. Ambrose (Alexey) Young and his family 🙏🏻

https://www.givesendgo.com/GADND

We had planned for a year, by the way, to have Vladika Averky on the cover—but the final push came just now! Let them think what they will—this is a real Orthodox archpastor and theologian without any fakery or politics whatever, and he has suffered greatly himself from “politics” in the Church. We find the cover very comforting—we’ve done our duty by this righteous man!

-Fr. Seraphim Rose, letter dated Oct. 2/15, 1975

https://www.youtube.com/live/m1whCqRkjGQ?si=LT4yYBXjLRvE2Jvn

YouTube

The Platina Days w/ Sdn. Martinian

Subdeacon Martinian is the young boy (shown in the picture in the thumbnail) who was baptized by Blessed (St.) Seraphim Rose. Martinian is a member of my home parish who received his spiritual formation at the St. Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina California.…

"By suffering we are purified for heaven. This goodbye matters little, we shall meet in another world."

-Empress Alexandra's last words to her friend Lili Dehn as they were separated by revolutionaries.

Source: The Real Tsaritsa by Lili Dehn (book)

Update on Fr. Ambrose (Alexey) Young

https://www.givesendgo.com/GADND

“The Lord sometimes allows people who are devoted to Him to fall into such dreadful vices; and this is in order to prevent them from falling into a still greater sin–pride. Your temptation will pass and you will spend the remaining days of your life in humility. Only do not forget your sin.”

-St. Seraphim of Sarov

During the Holy Week before Pascha, the fathers followed the Optina practice of the “Bridal Chamber” service at Matins. The royal doors would slowly swing open, revealing the glow of multi-colored icon lamps burning before the altar table, as the brethren would sing the plaintive melody of the ancient hymn: “I see Thy bridal chamber adorned, O my Saviour, and I have no wedding garment that I may enter there. Make the robe of my soul to shine, O Christ, Giver of Life, and save me.” Having experienced this moving yet rare tradition while visiting Optina as a child, Bishop Nektary taught it to the fathers as another tie binding them to that holy monastery.

-Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works, Ch. 69 “An Orthodox Corner of America”