This is the story of the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to a Muslim in Bethlehem on the first day of Holy Week 2012. The Orthodox monastic community of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem related this story to Mr. Lycourgos Markoudes who writes here as he heard it. 

The story begins on Holy Monday afternoon when the Church of the Nativity was practically empty of pilgrims. The monks were in the area of the church where they attend to the needs of the church. This is a short distance from the steps that lead to the Cave of the Birth of Christ. At one point, they saw a man approach them and he appeared to be very emotional. He took two candles and with great emotion he approached the icon of the Panagia of Bethlehem. He lit the candles before the icon and with tears flowing from his eyes he turned towards the monks who were looking at him with concern. He told them that he was a Muslim from the area around Bethlehem and that during the previous day he saw the Holy Mother in his sleep. She invited him to visit the place where she had given birth to her Son and he was to enter the area through a low doorway. He was told to proceed to the right and then go to the area where he would find her and then light two candles before her icon.

This man had not visited this church since he was a very young child and he did not remember anything about it. When he arrived there on that afternoon, he left his car running with its emergency lights flashing in front of the main entrance of the church, in an area that has restricted parking. His wife had remained in the car. When he arrived, he proceeded to enter walking briskly toward the low doorway of the church. He realized as he was proceeding ahead that everything was exactly the way that our Holy Virgin had described it to him. He then went right and down some stairs of Justinian’s church and he entered the right area of it. This is the area that is under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church and it leads to the Cave where Jesus was born. The icon of the Holy Mother was exactly in the place where she had indicated it would be. And the icon was exactly the same one he had seen in his dream.

It was the icon of the Panagia of Bethlehem. This wonderworking icon is the resident icon of the Church of Bethlehem and it is located on a prominent icon stand on the right side of the steps that lead to the Cave of the Birth of Christ. The facial features of this icon overflow with an infinite expression of love and calmness while the faint smile on her face brings joy to the hearts of pilgrims. The icon is surrounded with precious fabrics and jewels. There are no solid details about the origin of the icon but tradition says that it comes from Russia and it is connected with the Russian Empress Catherine. This Empress visited the Holy Land after a miracle that was performed by the Mother of God. As a result of this, she gave her imperial clothing so that the Mistress of the World could be dressed in them. She also gave her jewelry so that they could be placed on the icon. She also directed that future empresses should not wear rubies so that henceforth this distinctive honor would only belong to the Queen of Heaven. This is the icon that this Muslim came to reverence when he arrived at the Church of the Birth of Christ late afternoon of Holy Monday. He naturally did not know how to speak Greek and the conversation with the monks was in Arabic.

This was unbelievable news that this Muslim brought to the monks. The monks offered him a small icon of the Panagia which he accepted with thanksgiving. He left the church quickly, just the way he arrived, but he then returned again in a few moments. He had forgotten that the Virgin Mary had also told him that while entering the church, he should see her friends on the columns of the church. The monks then took him to see the columns of the church which have icons of saints painted on them; some of these icons today are just shadows, some are blackened and others are completely faded. These are life size figures of the Saints of our Church. These are the friends of our Panagia.

After seeing the columns the Muslim again left quickly and has never again returned to the church. But the All-Holy One, the Mother of God and our Mother, through this miraculous occurrence came to show her support for us so that we will have patience, hope and consolation and also to assure us that: “Her Son will come again and He will gather up all those who are close to Him.” Let us, therefore, not dare to distance ourselves from Him, so that we can taste His salvation. Amen. 

What Do Saint Paisios and Other Saints Say About Aliens and UFOs

The question of extraterrestrial life and UFOs is a subject of intense fascination in the modern world. The Orthodox Church, through its contemporary Saints and Fathers, has addressed this topic with absolute clarity.

Saint Paisios the Athonite

When asked whether aliens exist, Saint Paisios was unequivocal:

“You should know that all of these are demonic things that take on various forms. There is no life on any other planet.”

According to the Saint, these phenomena are deceptive machinations of the evil one, taking advantage of human curiosity and spiritual distance from God.

Saint Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia

Saint Porphyrios shared the exact same spiritual perspective, emphasizing:

“All of these are imaginary, demonic things. There is no life on another planet. God created man on Earth, and it is here that the mysterious plan of Divine Economy is centered.”

Saint Gabriel, Fool-for-Christ (Georgia)

Saint Gabriel warned specifically about the role this deception will play in the end times:

“In the times of the Antichrist, people will expect salvation from Space. This will be the Devil's greatest trick. Humanity will seek help from aliens, unaware that they are actually demons.”

Fr. Seraphim Rose

The American Orthodox monk and author Fr. Seraphim Rose, in his famous book “Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future”, thoroughly analyzed the UFO phenomenon. He explained that:

• Experiences of alien encounters display the exact same characteristics as demonic delusions and spiritual deceptions described in the Patristic tradition of the Holy Fathers.
• The ultimate goal of these phenomena is to detach humanity from faith in Jesus Christ and to foster a new, false "cosmic religion."

Key Conclusions

From the Orthodox Christian perspective:

1. Uniqueness of Earth: Mankind was created as the crown of Creation on Earth, where God Himself incarnated in Jesus Christ.
2. Spiritual Deception: Unexplained aerial phenomena or "alien encounters" are spiritual illusions and demonic manifestations adapted to our technological age

Όταν η ψυχή βρίσκεται στα όρια της αιωνιότητας When the Soul Stands at the Threshold of Eternity

When the Soul Stands at the Threshold of Eternity

🇬🇷 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

Υπάρχουν στιγμές κατά τις οποίες ο άνθρωπος βρίσκεται πολύ κοντά στο τέλος της επίγειας ζωής του και η αντίληψή του φαίνεται να αλλάζει με τρόπο βαθύ και μυστηριώδη.

Στην Ορθόδοξη πνευματική παράδοση, αλλά και σε πολλές προσωπικές αφηγήσεις ανθρώπων που βρέθηκαν κοντά στον θάνατο, αναφέρεται ότι ο άνθρωπος μπορεί να βιώσει μια ιδιαίτερη κατάσταση συνείδησης. Σαν να βρίσκεται ανάμεσα σε δύο πραγματικότητες: στον κόσμο που γνωρίζουμε και σε μια άλλη, αόρατη πραγματικότητα.

Μέσα από τέτοιες μαρτυρίες περιγράφονται οράματα αγγέλων, φωτός και αγαπημένων προσώπων που έχουν ήδη φύγει από αυτή τη ζωή. Άλλοι άνθρωποι αναφέρουν σκοτεινές παρουσίες, φόβο ή την αίσθηση μιας πνευματικής πάλης.

Δεν είναι εύκολο για τον άνθρωπο να γνωρίζει με βεβαιότητα τι ακριβώς συμβαίνει σε αυτές τις κρίσιμες στιγμές. Για τον πιστό, όμως, η στιγμή του θανάτου δεν θεωρείται απλώς το τέλος, αλλά ένα πέρασμα από την πρόσκαιρη ζωή προς την αιωνιότητα.

Ίσως γι’ αυτό ο άνθρωπος που βρίσκεται στα όρια της ζωής να φαίνεται πως αντιλαμβάνεται πράγματα που οι γύρω του δεν μπορούν να δουν. Και ίσως αυτό που βλέπει η κοπέλα αυτή τη στιγμή να είναι, για εκείνη, μια πραγματικότητα που βρίσκεται πέρα από τα όρια της δικής μας αντίληψης.

Ας μην ξεχνάμε, όμως, ότι μπροστά στο μυστήριο του θανάτου χρειάζεται πάντοτε προσευχή, ταπείνωση και σεβασμός. Δεν γνωρίζουμε όλα τα μυστήρια του Θεού· γνωρίζουμε μόνο ότι η ζωή του ανθρώπου δεν εξαντλείται σε όσα βλέπουν τα μάτια μας.

«Κύριε, στα χέρια Σου παραδίδω την ψυχή μου.»

🇬🇧 ENGLISH

There are moments when a person comes very close to the end of earthly life and their perception seems to change in a profound and mysterious way.

In Orthodox spiritual tradition, as well as in many personal accounts of people who have come close to death, there are descriptions of a particular state of consciousness. It can seem as though the person is standing between two realities: the world we know and another, invisible reality.

Such accounts sometimes describe visions of angels, light, and beloved people who have already departed this life. Others describe dark presences, fear, or the feeling of a spiritual struggle taking place around them.

It is not easy for us to know with certainty what exactly happens during these critical moments. For a believer, however, death is not simply regarded as an ending, but as a passage from temporary earthly life toward eternity.

Perhaps this is why a person standing at the threshold of life may appear to perceive things that those around them cannot see. And perhaps what this young girl is seeing at this moment is, for her, a reality beyond the limits of our own perception.

Yet, before the mystery of death, we should always respond with prayer, humility, and reverence. We do not know all the mysteries of God; we know only that human existence cannot be reduced to what our physical eyes are able to see.

“Lord, into Your hands I entrust my soul.”

The Hour of the Triumph of Orthodoxy Is Near

Let us remember that there are not only natural laws, but also spiritual laws, which govern the spiritual life of man.

Therefore, the wrath of God cannot be confronted through compromises and alliances with sin—for such compromises only bring greater wrath—but through sincere repentance, a return to God, and the keeping of His holy commandments.

Elder Sophrony of Essex, speaking in 1993 about the union of the Churches, is reported to have said, in accordance with the tradition also associated with Saint Paisios:

“The union of the Churches is difficult, if not impossible, for those who speak of the union of the Churches without knowing the mentality of the heterodox or the level of Orthodoxy.”

Saint Paisios, possessing a profound understanding of these matters, advised the faithful to remain restrained and vigilant. For, according to this tradition, a time will come when the Lord will reveal Saint Mark of Ephesus, and then our brothers who have been scandalized and troubled will be gathered together, so that they may confess the Orthodox faith, strengthen the Holy Tradition, and bring great joy to our Mother, the Holy Orthodox Church.

Within this tradition, there is also a reference to a truly Orthodox Council, which some associate with the expectation of an Eighth Ecumenical Council.

A related prophecy is also attributed to Saint Nilus the Myrrh-streaming:

“Then the Eighth Council will take place, and they will choose the good from the evil, that is, Orthodoxy, just as the farmer separates the chaff from the wheat. And afterwards there will be peace among the people for a little while, but again they will turn towards evil…”

True peace in the world cannot be established without Christ, the only true Peacemaker, nor without the living and unadulterated teaching of the Orthodox Church.

Throughout the centuries, despite the great trials it has endured, Orthodoxy has never ceased to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. According to the prophetic traditions attributed to various saints, after great trials and wars there may come a period of particular spiritual renewal and a widespread return to the Orthodox faith.

Saint Cosmas of Aetolia, according to traditions attributed to him, speaks of a great and general war, after which significant changes will take place.

Such a period has been described as an “awakening” or “renewal of Orthodoxy”—a brief but particularly radiant period during which many people may return to the faith, seek the truth of Christ, and turn towards the Church.

Yet spiritual vigilance must never cease. For, as Orthodox tradition teaches, man is always in danger of being drawn once again towards passions, sin, and evil.

Therefore, the greatest hope of the Christian does not lie in human predictions or worldly events, but in Christ Himself.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Orthodoxy does not fear trials. It continues through the centuries with faith, patience, and hope, having Christ as its guide and Holy Tradition as its sacred inheritance.

The hour of spiritual renewal may be drawing near.
Our duty, however, remains the same: repentance, prayer, faith, and love for Christ.

The Little Rosa

A narration attributed to Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou

“I had an incident involving a very good young woman who came to me and confessed what had happened to her. I told her to give her daughter a particular name.

Why?

Because this woman had had an abortion when she was a university student in France.

Later, she came to Cyprus and found a job. She met another man in Cyprus and became pregnant, even though she was not married. The man told her, ‘I am not going to marry you. I never promised you marriage.’

She said that she was at home, sitting and crying. She was reading something when she suddenly saw a little girl, about twelve or thirteen years old. The girl was wearing beautiful pink clothes.

‘The color is significant,’ he said. ‘I mention it for a reason.’

The little girl was walking back and forth in front of her.

The woman asked her:

‘How did you get into the house? Who are you?’

The girl replied:

‘Mom, don’t you remember me?’

‘Mom?’ the woman said.

‘Yes. You are my mother.’

‘But why?’ the woman asked. ‘Do I have a daughter?’

‘Yes, you have a daughter. Have you forgotten that you were in France, studying there, and that you killed me, Mom?’

The woman replied:

‘But, my child, you are not dead. You are alive.’

The girl answered:

‘I am in Heaven. This is how I am now.’

‘Do you hear me?’

And then the little girl said:

‘And I don’t want you to do the same thing to my brother.’

As she said this, she pointed toward the woman’s belly.

Γιατί απορρίπτω τη μαρτυρία της Angelica Zambrano

🇬🇷 Ελληνικά

☦️ Γιατί απορρίπτω τη μαρτυρία της Angelica Zambrano

Έπειτα από προσεκτική μελέτη της Αγίας Γραφής, της Ορθόδοξης Παράδοσης και των εμπειριών των Αγίων, κατέληξα στο συμπέρασμα ότι η μαρτυρία της Angelica Zambrano δεν προέρχεται από τον Θεό.

Η ίδια ισχυρίζεται ότι είδε τον Κύριο Ιησού Χριστό να φορά χρυσά σανδάλια και χρυσή ζώνη. Κατά τη γνώμη μου, αυτή η περιγραφή δεν συμφωνεί με την Αγία Γραφή ούτε με τις μαρτυρίες των Ορθοδόξων Αγίων που αξιώθηκαν να δουν τον Χριστό.

Επιπλέον, πολλά στοιχεία της αφήγησής της παρουσιάζουν εικόνες που θεωρώ ξένες προς την ορθόδοξη πνευματική εμπειρία. Η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία πάντοτε διδάσκει ότι ακόμη και οι υπερφυσικές εμπειρίες πρέπει να εξετάζονται με μεγάλη διάκριση.

Η Αγία Γραφή προειδοποιεί ξεκάθαρα:

«Καὶ οὐ θαῦμα· αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ σατανᾶς μετασχηματίζεται εἰς ἄγγελον φωτός.» (Β΄ Κορινθίους 11:14)

και επίσης:

«Μὴ παντὶ πνεύματι πιστεύετε, ἀλλὰ δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστίν.» (Α΄ Ιωάννου 4:1)

Γι’ αυτό πιστεύω ότι δεν πρέπει να αποδεχόμαστε άκριτα κάθε όραμα ή αποκάλυψη. Κατά τη δική μου εκτίμηση, η εμπειρία της Angelica Zambrano αποτελεί πνευματική πλάνη και όχι αυθεντική αποκάλυψη του Θεού.

Η πίστη μας δεν στηρίζεται σε εντυπωσιακές αφηγήσεις για τον Παράδεισο και την Κόλαση, αλλά στον Χριστό, στο Άγιο Ευαγγέλιο, στην Ιερά Παράδοση και στη ζωή των Αγίων της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας.

☦️ «Δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα.»

🇬🇧 English

☦️ Why I Reject Angelica Zambrano’s Testimony

After carefully studying Holy Scripture, the Orthodox Tradition, and the testimonies of the Orthodox Saints, I have concluded that Angelica Zambrano’s testimony does not come from God.

She claims to have seen the Lord Jesus Christ wearing golden sandals and a golden belt. In my opinion, this description does not agree with Holy Scripture or with the testimony of the Orthodox Saints who were granted visions of Christ.

Furthermore, several elements of her account contain descriptions that I believe are foreign to authentic Orthodox spiritual experience. The Orthodox Church has always taught that even supernatural experiences must be examined with great spiritual discernment.

Holy Scripture clearly warns:

“For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

and also:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1)

For this reason, I do not believe every vision or revelation should be accepted without careful examination. In my opinion, Angelica Zambrano’s experience reflects spiritual deception rather than an authentic revelation from God.

Our faith is founded not on extraordinary stories about Heaven and Hell, but on Christ, the Holy Gospel, the Holy Tradition, and the lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church.

☦️ “Test the spirits whether they are from God.”

The devil tries to deceive and take people away from the correct path

Christ warns us about the end times and about the signs that will appear. No true servant of God would ever speak in such a way about the Mother of God. She is the one who continually prays for humanity so that souls will not be lost. This is what troubles the Antichrist and the evil spirit today, knowing that their final time is approaching.

The devil does everything possible to deceive mankind through many manifestations, even targeting the Virgin Mary and the Saints of God.

I read this entire testimony a few weeks ago. It is possible that Angelica experienced something, but I also believe that what Angelica saw was not Jesus Christ.

Angelica needs to pray for spiritual discernment because Jesus would not appear wearing golden sandals, as she described, nor would He have writing across Him on a golden belt saying: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” His presence alone would be enough for anyone to know that He is the King.

Also, Jesus would not go around pointing a finger at people in hell and saying: “You know what you did.” When the end comes, it will not be God who accuses people; it will be the devil. Therefore, I believe that Angelica may have been deceived by the devil himself, who tries to lead people onto the wrong path.

The devil has been known to appear as Jesus in the past, presenting himself more like an earthly king with gold and crowns rather than as the Savior who lived on earth with humility and love. Christ did not change after His Ascension. He died for our sins, and He would grieve for lost souls in hell. He would not stand before them saying: “It is too late. You know what you did.”

She definitely did not die; she simply speaks about a vision and a supernatural experience.

I watched the testimony and noticed that it refers to Pentecostals. We must be careful not to assume that every experience outside the Orthodox Church is a miracle. The Orthodox Church has experienced many miracles throughout history, but in our time we need spiritual enlightenment and discernment.

The enemy is much more careful today. He uses different methods and says different things, often hiding small details that are easily overlooked.

No Orthodox Saint ever had a similar experience. When Orthodox Saints received visions, they did not respond with pride or excitement, but with humility, repentance, and spiritual sorrow mixed with joy — a state known in Orthodox spirituality as “joyful sorrow” (χαρμολύπη).

This spiritual condition is almost unknown outside Orthodox tradition.

The experience described by Angelica does not present the Spirit of Christ as understood by Orthodoxy. It appears more similar to other interpretations of God that are not consistent with Orthodox theology.

Nowhere in this vision is the Holy Trinity glorified. This is something that requires great attention and discernment.

The devil can also use religious experiences to prepare people for deception. Many false prophets prepare Christians to accept a false Christ. The enemy takes advantage of people’s desire to see Jesus and uses this desire to mislead them.

True repentance, confession, and spiritual struggle are essential parts of Christian life. These are not traps, but gifts from God.

In these visions, the figure presented as Jesus may attack or accuse certain groups, speak against others, or direct people according to a particular belief system. But the true Christ would never lead people away from the truth of the Orthodox faith.

Christ warned us about “signs and wonders” before the days of the Antichrist. These false prophets and false manifestations prepare people to accept a false Christ.

Therefore, every spiritual experience must be tested with prayer, humility, and true discernment.