Orthodox guides
Guides & Explanations
Practical guides to Orthodox life — preparing the krsna slava, the holy sacraments, fasting rules, burial and memorial customs, and the Divine Liturgy. Written clearly for the faithful and the curious.
Holy Sacraments
Confession — The Sacrament of Repentance
What Confession is, how to prepare, the order of Confession before the priest and how often one should go to Confession.
6 min read
Baptism in the Serbian Orthodox Church — A Guide
Everything about Orthodox baptism: preparation, the rite, godparents, the baptismal name and post-baptismal traditions in a Serbian family.
8 min read
Holy Unction (the Sacrament of Anointing) — A Guide
What Holy Unction is in the Orthodox Church, when it is received, how to prepare, and how it differs from 'last rites'.
5 min read
Holy Communion — Preparation and Rules
How to prepare for Holy Communion: fasting, Confession, the morning prayers and what one must not do afterward.
6 min read
Orthodox Wedding — A Guide for the Couple and Guests
Everything you need to know about an Orthodox wedding: preparation, the rite, the crowning crowns, fasting and traditions.
7 min read
Liturgy & Worship
The Commandments of the Church — Five Rules of Orthodox Practice
The commandments of the Church (Orthodox precepts) — rules the Church sets for the faithful: fasting, prayer, confession, communion, and keeping the feasts.
6 min read
Red-Letter Days — Great Orthodox Feasts
What red letters mean in the Orthodox calendar — the great feasts, patron saint days, and non-working days marked in red.
6 min read
The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
The full text and explanation of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom — the most frequently served liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox Church.
20 min read
Patron Feast (Krsna Slava)
Aranđelovdan: Complete Guide to the Feast of the Holy Archangel Michael
Everything you need to know about Aranđelovdan — tradition, the feast table, prayers and tips for hosts and guests.
7 min read
Đurđevdan: The Spring Feast of Saint George
A guide to celebrating Đurđevdan — the spring feast of Saint George: tradition, the non-fasting table, rites, and folk customs.
7 min read
Jovanjdan: Guide to the Feast of Saint John the Baptist
Everything about the feast of Saint John the Baptist — tradition, the difference between the January and July Jovanjdan, the feast table, and tips for hosts.
7 min read
Ilindan: Guide to the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah
Everything about Ilindan — tradition, the fasting feast table during the Dormition Fast, folklore about thunder and lightning, and tips for hosts.
7 min read
Markovdan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist
Everything about the feast of Saint Mark — tradition, the feast table in the spring season, the Markovdan litanies, and tips for hosts.
7 min read
Nikoljdan: Complete Guide to the Feast of Saint Nicholas
Everything you need to know about Nikoljdan — tradition, food, rites, and tips for hosts and guests at the feast table of Saint Nicholas.
8 min read
Petkovdan: The Feast of Saint Petka of Tarnovo
A guide to celebrating Petkovdan — details about the life of Saint Petka, the feast table, the liturgy, and folk customs on November 14.
7 min read
Pantelejmondan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Panteleimon the Healer
Everything about the feast of Saint Panteleimon — a fasting celebration in August, the tradition of healing sanctuaries, the feast table, and tips for hosts.
7 min read
Petrovdan: Guide to the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
Everything about the feast of Peter and Paul — tradition, the feast table, the Apostles' Fast, and tips for hosts of Petrovdan.
7 min read
Mitrovdan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Demetrius of Thessalonica
Everything you need to know about Mitrovdan — history, tradition, the feast table, and preparing the feast of Saint Demetrius, patron of warriors and shepherds.
7 min read
Savindan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Sava of Serbia
A guide to the feast of Saint Sava — patron of the Serbs and of Serbian schools. History, tradition, school celebrations, and preparing the feast table for Savindan.
8 min read
Spasovdan: Guide to the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
Everything about Spasovdan — the feast of the Ascension that some families celebrate as their patron feast, tradition, and the feast table.
7 min read
Stefanjdan: Guide to the Feast of Saint Stephen the First Martyr
Everything about the feast of Saint Stephen — tradition between Christmas and the New Year, the feast table, and tips for hosts of Stefanjdan.
7 min read
Trifundan: The Feast of Saint Tryphon the Martyr
A guide to celebrating Trifundan — the patron of vineyards and winemakers. Learn about the rite of pruning, the feast table, and the traditions connected with February 14.
7 min read
Vasiljevdan and the Serbian New Year: Guide to the Feast of Saint Basil the Great
Everything about Vasiljevdan — the feast of Saint Basil the Great and the Serbian Orthodox New Year on January 14, tradition, and the feast table.
8 min read
General
The Ten Commandments — Full Text and Orthodox Commentary
The Ten Commandments (Decalogue) given by God to Moses on Sinai — full text with Orthodox commentary on each commandment.
8 min read
Moon Phases and the Orthodox Calendar
What the moon phases (new moon, full moon, first and last quarter) are, and what role they play in the Orthodox folk calendar.
5 min read