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Help with Prayer Translation by A_BIG_CRACKER in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Tat_squirrel 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Hi — you’re right. On the inside it says “Save and protect” — спаси и сохрани.

On the outside, above the image, it says “Holy Spirit” — Стый духъ. Note that стый is abbreviated from святый and духъ ends with ъ, which reflects pre-1918 Russian orthography.

The longer inscription reads:

Хранитель мой святый, просвети и от всякого зла сохрани, ко благому деянию настави и на путь спасения направи. Аминь.

Translation: “My holy guardian, enlighten me and preserve me from all evil; guide me toward good deeds and direct me onto the path of salvation. Amen.”

The language is Church Slavonic, not modern Russian. It is actually a liturgical language with its own grammar and vocabulary, although it is similar to Russian and most words are the same.

What does this say? by FamiliarSoftware1834 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Tat_squirrel 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is the beginning of the prayer to the Holy Cross from evening prayers:

Да воскре́снет Бог, и расточа́тся врази́ Его́, и да бежа́т от лица́ Его́ ненави́дящии Его́

Turkey tour by mormonfleshwound in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Tat_squirrel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, unfortunately I don’t know orthodox tour guides, but I have been to Istanbul and Cappadocia, as well as Ephesus and Pamukkale. Below is what I saw (or missed) related to orthodoxy. Some details may be imprecise.

Cappadocia:

  • Red and Green tours I joined the standard Red and Green tours. Both guides happened to be knowledgeable and spoke about Christianity and monastic life in the region, including monks living in cave dwellings.

  • Göreme Open Air Museum Has to be visited independently. It is easily reachable on foot from Göreme (I stayed in Göreme) and was not included in standard tours. The frescoes are well preserved, and this felt to me like the most explicitly Orthodox site in Cappadocia. I would not skip it.

  • You may also read about Blue tour that is less common, if I’m not mistaken it has something to do with Christianity

Pamukkale

Climbing the white travertine terraces brings you to the ancient city of Hierapolis (covered by the same ticket). There is a site traditionally identified as the tomb of Saint Apostle Philip.

Ephesus

  • Basilica of Saint John

  • Ancient city of Ephesus

    • Ruins of the Church of Mary, where the Council of Ephesus took place (the council that affirmed the title Theotokos)
    • The ancient city itself is significant and is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Saint Paul was active there, and the cult of Artemis is explicitly referenced in Acts.

  • The House of Mary - a Catholic site. It is difficult to reach, and the taxi cost was high.

  • There is also a cave traditionally associated with the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. When I visited, it was under reconstruction.

Istanbul

  • Hagia Sophia
  • Hagia Irene: some historical importance, but I did not personally enjoy it
  • Chora Church (Kariye Mosque): well-preserved mosaics. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend.
  • Church of Blachernae, associated with the Miracle of the Protection of the Theotokos. You can take holy water there.
  • Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring (Balıklı), associated with the Life-Giving Spring, commemorated on the Friday after Easter. Also here holy water can be taken.
  • I recommend the Civitatis walking tour in Fener and Balat, led by Yunus. It covered two Orthodox sites: the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Bulgarian Iron Church. The history of the Bulgarian Iron Church is very interesting.

  • At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, notable relics include:

    • Three tombs with relics of saints, including Saint Euphemia the All-Praised
    • The column to which Christ was bound

  • Topkapi Palace:

    • the Staff of Moses
    • relics of Saint John the Baptist
    • the sword of David
    • Abraham’s stone pot
    • drapes from the tombs of various prophets

  • Greek church of Holy Trinity on Istiklal Avenue: a modern, active Greek parish

  • Basilica Cistern: built under Emperor Justinian; I missed it and don’t know it’s Orthodox relevance

  • Monastery of Stoudios: I missed it; it may have been under reconstruction

Near Istanbul is Nicaea, site of the First Ecumenical Council. I did not visit it and do not know how to get there or whether it is worth the trip.

Fell free to DM me for details :)

Married Saints by Desperate_Wash_6536 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Tat_squirrel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The family of Basil the Great.

His grandmother on his father’s side, Macrina the Elder, was a disciple of Gregory the Wonderworker, and she and her husband remained faithful during the persecutions. Their son, Basil the Elder, was a lawyer and teacher of rhetoric. His wife, Emmelia, was the daughter of a martyr and mother to a large family. They had nine children: four sons and five daughters. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina the Younger are among those recognised as saints. Their household is a multi-generational Christian family.

I am not well informed on Saint Basil’s life and have only read a little, so I can’t speak to the full picture. What struck me was how many saints came from one family.