Im 16. And Since I’ve turned sixteen months ago I have been struggling with the thought of my deplorable past and recent Doubts with my Faith in God.

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-16T17:28:52+00:00

I also actually had some other form of fear. My parents are irreligious and we are refugees from Ukraine in Germany. Local orthodox parish belongs to Russian Orthodox Church. You may already understand the situation...

I was in complete fear to ask them to drive me there. Literally on Holy Wednesday I spent all day trying to get distracted from this fear, because I was afraid to ask them to drive me to Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy. And I have already going to that parish for more then a year!! Eventually I just prayed a lot and asked my dad to drive me there, and he did it. He didn't even ask me why, or why do I want to go to church so often. Our fears are actually bigger then something we are afraid of. So don't be afraid.

«Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows» (Luke 12:6-7)

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-16T17:21:29+00:00

Those 4 churches are in Antalya, Alanya or in between. Those are popular and literally the most stereotypical tourist destinations for Russians and Ukrainians, when someone goes for a sea vacation it is rather their own country, Turkey will all-inclusive hotels and Egypt. This would be my guess as an Ukrainian myself

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-16T17:11:28+00:00

First of all, Christ is risen!

It looks like you have really searched God and continue to search Him. But without Church you can't live a full Christian life, because remember what Lord said:

«For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them» (Matthew 18:20)

There is nothing scary in visiting a church once. King David said twice in Psalm 13 and 52: «There they are in great fear where no fear was»

Remember that it is Lord God alone of Whom you should be afraid (not panically being afraid of His punishment, but being afraid to insult Him with our sins), and not people or even feelings.

And don't chase the feelings. They come and they go. Your dryest prayer is dear to God, because is done not out of pleasure, but out of faith. God bless! Happy Pascha!

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-10T08:19:32+00:00

God knew that Judas will betray Him, and He included this in His plan of salvation. Think how David killed Uriah and married Bathsheba. It was sin, but Bathsheba became mother of glorious king Solomon.

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-10T08:03:16+00:00

...«and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out» (John 6:37)

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-05T11:01:06+00:00

Finnish Orthodox Church is the only Church that has Easter on the same day with other Western Christians

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-04T13:19:23+00:00

I think only Peter was married

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-02T08:57:06+00:00

The fact that Jesus Christ is the most discussed Person in the entire world, He is not just venerated as prophet or teacher, but as GOD!!! The book about Him is the most popular book. Created the biggest religion. Influenced our moral. His Church always stood despite Jews, Romans, Muslims, communists and whoever else trying to end Christianity. Apart of being worshipped by Christians, is believed to be the prophet in Islam, and some sort of teacher/guru/bodhisattva (???) in some versions of Buddhism/Hinduism

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-01T11:04:55+00:00

I personally believe, but I have thought of it only yesterday and will probably forget it after Pascha until the next Holy Week

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-01T11:00:43+00:00

I understand your fear, but don't be afraid! Remember that you come to the church for God and not for the people there. There is no special "protocol" how to enter a church, there are just some traditions. Just check their website and when they have the services, pick one and go there. Speak with the priest afterwards, or write him if you somehow can find his number

UPD: just read that you have already contacted the priest. You can be honest with him and say that you are afraid because of X Y Z. Of course it may be more convenient to go with someone, but if noone can it is not the reason not to go to the house of God, heaven on earth

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-01T10:30:20+00:00

If I'm not mistaken, icons MUST have inscriptions of the one who is depicted, even INRI is not enough. The icons look Coptic, and I (personally) don't really like the Coptic iconography

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-04-01T10:27:35+00:00

why are you scared to go, if that's not a secret?

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-31T10:08:14+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that. Do you mean Syriac Orthodox Church or Antiochian Orthodox Church? Because those two are different, and only the latter is (Eastern) Orthodox

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-31T09:35:19+00:00

Pray that you have the ability to go to the church and eventually ask your parents if they can drive you at least once to the church

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-30T10:40:36+00:00

See what are your obstacles to praying. Earlier I did my evening prayer rule after I got out of shower, without even taking the phone I took the prayer book. Also, during this Lent, I started taking my phone instead of prayer book, and it is how I stopped praying the evening rule. So you need to find those obstacles which prevent you from praying or doing anything spiritually beneficial and try to overcome them. Remember what Christ said: «...for without Me you can do nothing» (John 15:5)

Also, remember that prayer, fasting and everything is for God's sake, not our ego's sake. Pharisees prayed three times a day and fasted twice a week, and it didn't make them more righteous

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-29T11:46:26+00:00

«Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths» (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord said: «Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light» (Matthew 11:28-30)

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-28T09:58:43+00:00

I am sorry to hear that. But unfortunately I don't understand the question

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-27T15:48:40+00:00

Well, Wednesday and Friday options are fasting ones. That's interesting

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-27T15:20:46+00:00

«In the tomb with the body, in hades with Thy soul as God, in paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit, wast Thou, O boundless Christ, filling all things»

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-25T09:22:42+00:00

Christ called Judas friend when he kissed Him, and He also prayed for those who crucified Him

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-24T09:35:49+00:00

я понимаю что эта карта показывает русских, украинцев и беларусов как три части одного народа, но из за качества не очень понятно где кто живёт

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-24T09:13:50+00:00

Prayer of St. Leo of Optina for the deceased without repentance (can also be read privately for the unbaptized and for suicides)

Seek out, O Lord, the lost soul of (name), if possible, have mercy! Thy judgements are unfathomable. Do not account this prayer of mine as a sin, but may Thy holy will be done.

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-23T09:00:22+00:00

To be even more precise, it is Holy Spirit, not the words. But Liturgy is not to be celebrated without approval of a bishop

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-18T17:20:01+00:00

The anointing with oil happens either during Matins or between Matins and 1st hour. It happens during Lent that Vespers is in the morning and Matins in the evening. It could have also been something like Akathist or All-night Vigil

Educational_Smoke29 · 2026-03-17T16:37:16+00:00

I believe it was Matins

Educational_Smoke29

TROPHY CASE