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➕Learning to embrace the Royal Path within the Orthodox Church ➕ Whole person healing at www.theancientwell.com

02/11/2026

Unpopular opinion: running yourself into the ground is not the same as asceticism.
Some in the Church are wary of psychology. I understand why. But fasting, vigils, and prayer are freely chosen, done with a spiritual father’s guidance, and aimed at love. Burnout is none of those things. It’s depletion that leaves nothing left to give.

You were made in the image of God, an icon. We don’t leave icons dusty and cracked. And Christ told us that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. Some days the weary one is you. Often it’s your wife, your mother, or your daughter, holding everything together and calling it “fine.”

Brothers, here’s a question to take into prayer this week: if Christ found the woman you love in the state she’s in right now, how would He care for her? How can you help?

Do you think psychology and the spiritual life can work together? Tell me in the comments.

More at theancientwell.com

31/10/2026

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30/10/2026

Somewhere along the way, a lot of us were taught that a real man just keeps going. They don’t complain. They don’t fall apart. They pray harder and push through.

So they work through the exhaustion, stay quiet through the anxiety, and call it strength.

But look at the saints. Elijah stood against hundreds of false prophets, then ran into the desert and told God he was done. God didn’t call him weak. He sent bread and water and let him sleep, and then He did it again.

Every monk on Mount Athos has a spiritual father. Nobody walks this road alone, not even the men who gave up everything to follow Christ.

Christ Himself withdrew to quiet places to pray. The Church gives us fasts and feasts, labor and rest. Rest is part of the plan, not a break from it.

Here’s the hard truth. When you run on fumes, your wife feels it, your kids feel it, and so does your parish. Holding it all in doesn’t protect them. It just means they get whatever is left of you.

Asking for help is not weakness. Rest is not soft. Both are part of looking after the life God gave you.

Which of these lies did you grow up with? Name it in the comments.

If you’re carrying something heavy, call or text 988 any time.

21/10/2026

Elijah was done. Ran into the desert, sat under a tree, and told God he wanted to die.

And God’s first move? Not a sermon. Not “have more faith.” He sent an angel with bread and water and let him sleep. Then did it again.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is eat something and lie down. Your body isn’t the enemy of your faith. It’s part of how God made you.

Who in your life needs to hear this today? Send it to them.

15/10/2026

When Fr. Stephen read this to me, it the words pierced a part of me that has wanted to give up so many times and tears flowed freely.

I’m beyond grateful for all the encouraging moments the Lord brings, but especially for this one 🤍

15/10/2026

Fr. Stephen read this poem he wrote to me and it pierced a part of me that has felt like giving up so many times in my life.

I’m beyond grateful for each and every moment of encouragement the Lord brings me, but especially for this one 🤍

11/10/2026

Researchers have a name for the painful things that can happen to kids growing up: ACEs, short for Adverse Childhood Experiences. Things like chaos at home, loss, or not feeling safe. They can shape a person’s health and relationships for a lifetime, and they often get passed down without anyone meaning to.

For generations, the women in my family carried a lot of them. My granddaughter is the first who likely won’t.

Jesus said every branch that bears fruit, He prunes so it can bear more (John 15:2). I’ve felt that pruning. Facing old wounds, letting go of what wasn’t mine to carry, doing the slow work of healing with God’s help. It hurt. And this is what grew from it.
If you’re in a pruning season right now and wondering if it matters: it does. God is growing something in you that the next generation will taste. 🍇

09/10/2026

“Just forgive them.”

If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard this when you tried to protect yourself from someone who kept hurting you. And somewhere along the way, a lot of us learned that setting a boundary meant we weren’t being very Christian.

But here’s the thing: forgiveness and trust are not the same.

Forgiveness means letting go of the debt someone owes you. You can do that on your own, between you and God.

Trust is different. It gets rebuilt slowly, and only when the other person actually changes.

Jesus walked away from people who wanted to hurt Him. David ran from Saul. Paul climbed into a basket and escaped over a wall. None of that was a lack of faith. It was wisdom.

You can forgive someone and still say no. You can love someone and still keep your distance. That’s not bitterness. That’s stewardship of the life God gave you.

If this hits close to home, save it for the day you need the reminder. And send it to the friend who keeps apologizing for having limits. 🤍

If you’ve spent years keeping the peace at your own expense, the free quiz at the link in my bio is a gentle place to start understanding why.

Crossposted from The Ancient Well

07/10/2026

Valentin and Anastasia, a married couple from Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church (Salt Lake City, Utah), have been stranded in Eastern Europe for more than three years. Valentin is a U.S. citizen; Anastasia is a citizen of Belarus. After years of isolation and deteriorating health overseas, they now have a narrow, time-sensitive window to return home.
Following the federal court ruling that struck down the 2026 U.S. Immigration Freeze, the U.S. Embassy has called Anastasia back to Warsaw, Poland, for a mandatory Green Card re-interview on October 19 (and a medical exam on October 12). With the government appealing to reinstate the freeze and Anastasia’s Polish visa expiring in November, they must begin a 30-hour cross-border overland journey at the end of this week and spend most of October in Poland.
They urgently need help covering the international transit, medical examination, lodging in Warsaw close to these appointments, and remaining legal costs to finish their Embassy case so they can finally come home.

To support them and read their full story, tap the link in bio at anastasia or Valentin Sergief
(Direct link: gofundme.com/valentin-anastasia)
Medical Context: Valentin has a rare hormonal condition (hypogonadism), which affects his physical appearance and has caused significant bone and muscle loss. He is biologically male. Anastasia suffers from a nervous system condition (dysautonomia) that causes chronic nausea and frequent migraines. They rely on each other for daily care and cannot separate.
Comments are closed. Please keep them in your prayers, and tap the paper airplane below to share this post to your Stories and send it to friends or parish groups. If you have questions or words of encouragement, please reach out to them directly at their profiles.

04/10/2026

Loving this sweet little censor from Avonlea & Troy ☦️🔥

Also love that our prayer corner is filled with the beautiful work of Orthodox makers like Tamara Rigishvili and St Herman Studios ❤️

Blessed Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross to those on the old calendar with us!

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