Fr. Alexander Elchaninov Archives

“Study Oneself”: Learning to Give Thanks by Journaling

December 5, 2018 · Nicole M. Roccas 2

In my continuing journey through Diary of a Russian Priest, I was struck by these words, which Fr. Alexander wrote in counsel to a young person: I advise you to keep a diary. This helps one to study oneself, saves one from making the same mistakes, keeps the past alive. It is worth while noting every great joy, sorrow,…

A Time to Return: Finding God in Cold Season

November 30, 2018 · Nicole M. Roccas 1

So, the head cold that has been looming on the horizon lo these several weeks seems to be blossoming with a vengeance in my sinuses. It’s less the cold that’s bothering me and more the resultant fatigue. I’ve been trying to figure out how to scrap together some semblance of a blog post in this state when I…

Learning to be Oneself: A Spiritual Discipline?

November 28, 2018 · Nicole M. Roccas

As I wrote Monday, I’ve been reading Alexander Elchaninov this Nativity and have found his meditations to be a great source of encouragement. In that post, I reflected on Elchaninov’s words about living life as it actually is, in the present, rather than retreating into our constructed notions of past or future ideals. Today I am sharing a…

“Life as it actually is”: Reading Fr. Alexander Elchaninov during the Nativity Fast

November 26, 2018 · Nicole M. Roccas

What are you reading this Nativity? In the past, I have shared the books I frequently return to this season (here and here). This year, I’m also reading through The Diary of a Russian Priest (SVS Press, 1967), a gathering of reflections by Fr. Alexander Elchaninov. This is a perfect book for devotional reading because it consists of brief, poignant observations,…