Plagiarism is the primary fear of academics, politicians with doctorates, authors of all kinds, and students (doctoral dissertations, master’s theses, bachelor’s theses). In addition to the specter of plagiarism accusations, a new fear has emerged—based on an indisputable reality—the use of generative AI—that is, a generator of clean, beautiful text, ready for publication. No grammatical …
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You’re in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul. You came here to see the Blue Mosque, the remains of the Hippodrome with the more than 3,000-year-old obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose, and that magnificent palimpsest church, Hagia Sophia. As if all this intertwining of centuries and civilizations—Christianity and Islam, the ancient and the medieval, exotic and familiar—were not …
Continue reading Saint Constantin Brâncoveanu, the Last Byzantine Lord
The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary: After the Ascension of the Lord, the Mother of God remained in the care of the Apostle John the Theologian, and during his journeys She lived at the home of his parents, near the Mount of Olives. She was a source of consolation and …
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By the end of the 16th century, Ottoman suzerainty had become extremely oppressive, particularly due to increased tribute, frequent changes in rulers, the purchase of the throne for large sums of money, and other injustices and obligations. The princes of the three lands were often overwhelmed by this Ottoman oppression, particularly those of Wallachia, who …
Continue reading Mihai Viteazul: 425 Years Since His Eternal Rest
Transfiguration of the Lord is the great feast of August, an opportunity to strengthen the faith. Miracle “Transfiguration” the Savior is the iconographic usually this: Jesus to a high mountain, dressed in bright clothes with Moses and Elijah one side, and on the basis of image three disciples, Peter, James and John, who fell to …
Continue reading Meanings of the miracle on the Mount Tabor
For every Despotic and Mother of God feast we have great joy no matter where we celebrate. But in the Holy Land everything is more real. There you feel like you are flying in the clouds. Sometimes you don’t realize what is happening to yourself, whether you are in heaven or on earth. And this …
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Dormition Fast begins each year on August 1st and lasts two weeks (1-15 August). It is also known as Holy Great Lent or Saintmary’s Fast. It prepares Christians for two major celebrations in August: Transfiguration (6 August) and Assumption (15 August). The origin of this fast was fixed in the fifth century, when developed cult …
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In the Orthodox Christian tradition, there are two Paraclis dedicated to the Mother of God: the first Paraclis, composed by the monk Teostirict in the ninth century (some say Teofan), and a second Paraclis. Throughout the year, only the first Paraclis dedicated to the Mother of God is chanted; however, during the Fast of the …
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Throughout the history of the Church, the mother’s role in giving birth to and nurturing faith in a child’s soul has always been significant. A mother sows the seeds of living, active faith in the soul of her child. Through her warm and tender love, she opens up the unseen universe of spirituality within the …
Continue reading The Role of the Mother and the Confessor in the Life of Saint Panteleimon the Great Martyr