St. John The Theologian Orthodox Mission

06/10/2026

Q&A: HOW TO BEGIN FASTING CORRECTLY?

Question: Please tell me, how does one begin to fast correctly if one has never kept the fasts before? And whenever I have tried, I break down on the very first day — every single time. Where do I even start on this path of fasting when it seems completely impossible?

Answer from Archpriest Andrey Lemeshonok: You can do it. First of all, you need to go to church, receive a blessing from the priest, go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, and begin to live according to the church calendar. There are established fasting periods: four fasts throughout the year, as well as Wednesdays, Fridays, and a few additional days.

I don't think there is anything particularly complicated about this. But the difficulty is psychological: 'What do you mean, I'll go hungry? I want to eat this and that!' There is no need to go hungry. These days, stores have everything we need to keep the fast without going hungry. What is needed is a psychological shift — to understand that fasting is not a diet, but a labour undertaken for the Lord's sake, for the blessing of the Holy Church. And this will be to our benefit. It will even have a positive effect on our physical health.

We must learn to control ourselves and consciously deny ourselves certain things. Otherwise, a person simply remains in the element of sin: every desire, every thought pulls them off course, making them want things that are not at all beneficial for them. And this leads to harm for both soul and body.
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🔔 Do you have a question for our priest? You can submit it here: https://obitel-minsk.org/ask-priest-your-question

06/08/2026

HOW TO OBSERVE THE APOSTLES' FAST

The Apostles' Fast begins on June 8 in 2026. This season of preparation leads us to the feast of the holy, glorious, and all-praised leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, on July 12 (June 29 on the church calendar).

These two very different men gave everything for the preaching of Christianity. Their writings make up the majority of the New Testament epistles: the Apostle Peter wrote two, and the Apostle Paul wrote fourteen—more than any other writer.

Their letters contain the very foundations of Christian teaching. They also speak openly about the challenges faced by the early Church and offer guidance for Christian life in every age. Both apostles write with depth and warmth, addressing marriage, raising children, human relationships, and ways to resolve conflict. These concerns are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.

As we approach the feast of the holy apostles, it is a fitting time to read what they wrote—and, more importantly, to try living even a small part of what they taught.

If you have not yet begun attending services regularly, the fast offers a good opportunity to start. It is especially fitting to go to Confession and receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ during this season.

As for food, the rules are simple: we abstain from meat, eggs, and dairy. Vegetables, fruits, grains, seafood, and fish are permitted.

06/08/2026

06/01/2026

We will celebrate Divine Liturgy today st 5pm

🔸 Monday of the Holy Spirit 🕊️ 🔸

Today, the day following Holy Pentecost, is the Monday of the Holy Spirit. On this day, we honour the Life-Creating, Omnipotent and All-Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, who proceeds eternally from the Father beyond the limits of time. Sharing one essence with the Father and the Son, He is worshipped and glorified together with Them. Just as He descended upon Christ in the form of a dove during His baptism in the Jordan River, so too did the Holy Spirit descend upon the Apostles at Pentecost in the form of fiery tongues, fulfilling Christ’s promise that He would pray the Father to send the Comforter to His disciples (John 14:16).

Filled with the Holy Spirit and having received the gift of speaking in tongues, the Apostles began their mission to preach Christ to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). Thus, on the day of Pentecost, the Church received the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, who continues to preserve and guide her “into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter because, in His love for mankind, He strengthens us in our weakness, intercedes before God on our behalf (Romans 8:26), and dwells within all who are united to Christ.

In Orthodox iconography, the Holy Spirit is represented by the image of a dove because He appeared in this manner at the baptism of Christ. Yet, just as the Son is not literally a lamb despite appearing symbolically as one in Scripture, so too the Holy Spirit is not a dove by nature. The dove serves as a visible sign of His manifestation to mankind, while His true divine essence remains invisible, uncircumscribed and beyond human comprehension. Prayer to the Holy Spirit: “Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us; cleanse us of every stain and save our souls, gracious One.”

05/06/2026

Panikhida was served tonight for those who reposed in the Lord. May their memory be eternal!

05/05/2026

Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America - ROCOR of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia located in Des Plaines, IL

05/04/2026

MUNICH — According to UOJ sources, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has voted to canonize Hieromonk Seraphim Rose as a saint. This was first reported by UOJ-Germany.

The decision was reportedly made during Monday's deliberations by the sobor and remains unofficial until a statement is issued by ROCOR. Tentatively, Fr. Seraphim is the first U.S.-born saint of ROCOR and the first American convert to be numbered among the saints.

LINK: https://uoj.news/news/87049-breaking-rocor-canonizes-fr-seraphim-rose

04/17/2026

FROM PASCHA TO PENTECOST 2026

Pascha and Pentecost form one unified cycle of celebration, linked by the Ascension. Following His Resurrection, Christ remained on earth for forty days. He then ascended to Heaven, promising to send the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—to His disciples. This promise was fulfilled on the fiftieth day after Pascha, which we celebrate as Pentecost.

The first seven weeks after Pascha are a unique and holy season, with each week carrying its own theme (see our infographic). This draws us deeper into the Gospel’s sacred events and their significance for every Christian soul.

📝 During this Paschal time, we warmly invite you to entrust your prayer requests to the sisters of our monastery through the link: https://obitel-minsk.org/prayer-request-facebook

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!

04/17/2026

☦️ St. Amphilochios of Patmos was the spiritual child of St. Nektarios of Aegina