You Are the Light of the World

Today we remember the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia – the countless multitude that suffered and died as a result of the Communist persecution in the 20th century. The Church however, is indestructible. As the persecution of Christians in Apostolic times only spread Christianity and strengthened it, so the blood spilled by the Russian martyrs saw Orthodoxy spread to new countries with emigration.

This presents an interesting situation whereby our Church in Brunswick East is split 50/50 between Russian and English speakers. Father Nicholas Karipoff discusses the importance of nationalism for human collective identity in the wake of faceless globalism; however, he calls for the Church to be a spiritual place that transcends nationalist boundaries.

The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. 
​Tertullian (160-220 AD)