We often hear this terrible word - anathema - without thinking about its meaning. Some consider anathema to be excommunication from the Church, while others consider it a curse similar to spiritual death. Why does the Church preaching love and mercy pronounce this cruel word? This book contains historical and theological works on the essence of anathema and on the rite of anathematization, now being revived in liturgical life, performed on the first Sunday of Great Lent - the Sunday of Orthodoxy. It provides an opinion on the anathema of the saints of the Orthodox Church (St. John Chrysostom, St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), St. John of Kronstadt), modern theologians (Deacon Andrei Kuraev), as well as the definitions of the Holy Synod and acts of the Councils of Bishops on excommunication famous historical figures from ancient times to the present day. We hope that the book will help you understand this healing action of the Holy Church, designed to protect the church people from spiritual diseases - heresies and schisms.