June 2012
4 tags
The smallest speck of dust
The bodily eye cannot tolerate even the smallest speck of dust on its surface, so too the conscience, when soiled by something, cannot attain prayer.
- Elder Moses of Optina
4 tags
Acquire spiritual freedom
Destroy within you the devil’s rule over you; destroy all his influence over you; acquire spiritual freedom. The foundation for your struggle is the grace of holy baptism; your weapon is the prayer of Jesus.
- Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov
4 tags
Man's personal efforts
Nevertheless, besides the action of God’s Grace for salvation, the personal efforts of man himself are also necessary. Man’s personal efforts alone are insufficient for his salvation -but they are necessary, for without them, God’s Grace will not begin to work out the matter of his salvation.
- Metropolitan Philaret
4 tags
4 tags
Humiliate yourself...
Even if an angel should indeed appear to you, do not receive him but humiliate yourself, saying, “I am not worthy to see an angel, for I am a sinner”.
- Apophthegmata Patrum
4 tags
x0danielle asked: 1,2 & 3 :)
4 tags
Humility is the only thing we need
Humility is the only thing we need; one can still fall having virtues other than humility—but with humility one does not fall.
- Elder Herman of Mount Athos
4 tags
lillabet asked: 1, 3, 11, 21, 23 :]
4 tags
Ask God...
You cannot destroy the passions on your own, but ask God, and He will destroy them, if this is profitable for you.
- St. Anatoly of Optina
4 tags
Orthodox "Send me a number":
1 Baptism name.
2 Orthodox jurisdiction.
3 Beloved Saint.
4 Favourite church.
5 Favourite Orthodox country.
6 Last Orthodox book / study read.
7 Stance on Catholicism.
8 Stance on Protestantism.
9a Stance on Islam. 9b Stance on other religions.
10 Favourite Orthodox feast.
11 Favourite Orthodox chant (text, not music).
12 Favourite Orthodox Monastery.
13 Where would you like to be an Orthodox missionary?
14 Best Orthodox moment ever.
15 How many times do you commune a year?
16 Were you ever restricted from taking the Holy Communion? (don't explain why)
17 Favourite Elder.
18 Favourite non-Orthodox country, but with an Orthodox diaspora.
19 Ever considered ordination / entering monachism?
20 Can you sing alone a complete church service? If yes, what service?
21 Favourite Psalm.
22 Favourite Scripture book.
23 Favourite Scripture passage (part).
24 Favourite patristic excerpt.
25 Favourite Father of the Church.
26 Favourite Byzantine Emperor.
27 Favourite Orthodox Theologian.
28 Favourite Orthodox writer.
29 Do you like dark or bright Orthodox churches? Why?
30 Do you like old or new Orthodox churches? Why?
31 Your stance on philetism.
32 Your stance on Ecumenism.
33 Quick answer: where did Apostle Thomas preach?
34 Quick answer: where was held the 4th Ecumenical Council?
35 Quick answer: which was the first European Christian place (town / city)?
36 Quick answer: where did Saint John Chrysostom pass to the Lord?
37 Quick answer: what is "Evhologion"?
38 Quick answer: what does "Paraklitos" mean?
39 Quick answer: what does "Bogoroditsa" mean?
40 Quick answer: where is Putna?
41 Quick answer: where was Saint Nektarios born?
42 Quick answer: when were the icons finally restored?
43 Quick answer: what does "O On" mean?
44 Quick answer: who invented the term "omoousios", and what does it mean?
45 Quick answer: which were the 7 Ecumenical Councils (Synods), and when were they held?
46 Quick answer: name the most important Byzantine centre in Italy.
47 Quick answer: the two founders of the Agia Sophia.
48 Quick answer: the Marble Emperor: story / myth / legend, or truth?
49 Quick answer: Christian name of Athenais from Athens.
50 Quick answer: Philosopher woman, in the time of Saint Cyril of Alexandria.
4 tags
I delete the posts that refer to hateful messages
….Because I give the impression that I am holy, however I am the biggest sinner of the world. Please pray for the salvation of my soul, which is filthy and blind from countless passions. Pray that I will gain humility and I will stop to be angry with everything. Pray that my eyes will be filled with tears and I’ll love my brothers and sisters with all my heart.
I really need your...
4 tags
Those who seek humility...
Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one, and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since they are slaves to the demons. You will also profit if you say this to yourself: how do I know what or how many other people’s sins...
4 tags
The man who has struggled...
The man who has struggled bravely with the passions of the body, has fought ably against unclean spirits, and has expelled from his soul the conceptual images they provoke, should pray for a pure heart to be given him and for a spirit of integrity to be renewed within him (cf. Ps. 51:10). In other words, he should pray that by grace he may be completely emptied of evil thoughts and filled with...
4 tags
How can you believe in God? Have you seen Him?
“No, I haven’t seen Him. But I have operated on the brain many times and opening the skull I’ve never seen a mind there. I’ve never seen a conscience either. Does that mean that they don’t exist either?”
- St. Luke the Doctor
4 tags
Anonymous asked: I'm a Catholic, and I have great admiration for the Orthodox churches. Whats your opinion of the idea of reunification with Rome?
4 tags
4 tags
Goodness and love
We need to be careful not to harbour any resentment against those who harm us, but rather to pray for them with love. Whatever any of our fellow men does, we should never think evil of him. We need always to have thoughts of love and always to think good of others. Look at Saint Stephen the first martyr. He prayed, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. We need to do the same.
- Elder...
5 tags
Anonymous asked: You have said "one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church." But aren´t catholic and orthodox two different churches? Please help I´m really confused! Thanks :)
4 tags
On true humility
True humility does not say humble words, nor does it assume humble looks, it does not force oneself either to think humbly of oneself, or to abuse oneself in self-belittlement. Although all such things are the beginning, the manifestations and the various aspects of humility, humility itself is grace, given from above. There are two kinds of humility, as the holy fathers teach: to deem oneself...
4 tags
Love for Christ
Love for Christ overflows into love for one’s neighbor, love for truth, love for holiness, for the world, for purity, for everything divine, for everything deathless and eternal … All these forms of love are natural manifestations of love for Christ. Christ is the God-man, and love for Him always means love for God and for man. When we love Christ God, we also love all that is...
