June 2012
4 tags
The Cross of Jesus Christ
The holy Fathers relate that when the thief of the Gospel, too, came to the gates of the Kingdom, the Archangel with the flaming sword wanted to chase him away, but he showed him the Cross. Immediately the fire-bearing Archangel himself withdrew and permitted the thief to enter. Understand here not the wooden cross. But which? The Cross in which the chief Apostle Paul boasts and concerning which...
4 tags
An angel fell from Heaven...
An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.
-St. John Climacus
4 tags
This is true perfection
This is true perfection: not to avoid a wicked life because we fear punishment, like slaves; not to do good because we expect repayment, as if cashing in on the virtuous life by enforcing some business deal. On the contrary, disregarding all those good things which we do hope for and which God has promised us, we regard falling from God’s friendship as the only thing dreadful, and we consider...
4 tags
This is a sign of sincere love
To abstain from stealing and murdering is a trifling sort of acquirement, but to believe it is possible for God to do things impossible requires a soul of no mean stature and earnestly affected toward Him. This is a sign of sincere love.
-Saint John Chrysostom, Homily VIII on Romans 4
5 tags
Your heart must be simple
Your heart must be simple, and not divided and dishonest, sincere and not devious and self-seeking. All people desire to find a good and simple soul; they feel comfortable with such a person and they approach him without fear and without suspicion. And such a person lives with inner peace ad has good relations with everyone and with all creation.
- Elder Porphyrios
4 tags
Anonymous asked: Im currently going through a lot of troubles and trying to fight something for very long that i can't seem to. Do you think it would be a good idea to fast tomorrow? I feel like i need a cleansing ., thank you
4 tags
By the grace of God...
By the grace of God I am a Christian man, by my actions a great sinner, and by calling a homeless wanderer of the humblest birth who roams from place to place. My worldly goods are a knapsack and some dried bread in it, and a Bible in my breast pocket. And that is all.
- The opening words of “The Way of a Pilgrim”
4 tags
Concentrate...
If we would concentrate on divine truth as seen in Christ, all need for a stream of words disappears, until finally the mind enters the realm of profound silence.
-Archimandrite Sophrony
4 tags
On the Apostle's Fast
I am embracing the Apostle’s Fast remembering the faith they spread throughout the world despite the horrific persecution and death that they suffered. While God does give blessings, we should keep in mind that there can be no crown of glory without a cross of great suffering. We should also note that the Gospel of our Lord is to be spread beyond our own communities and comfort zones. The...
4 tags
Forcing oneself to pray
Every virtue, from practice, becomes a habit, but one must force oneself in prayer to one’s very death. It is opposed by our ‘old man,’ and the enemy especially rises up against one who prays. Prayer is the insinuation of death to the devil; it defeats him. Even the saints, such as Saint Seraphim, had to force themselves in prayer, not to mention us sinners. - Saint...
4 tags
Anonymous asked: I had a dream about making a pilgrimage to Mt. Athos. Though I'm not Orthodox, I am a Christian. do you think it means I should try to go?
4 tags
To love God with all your heart
To love God with all your heart means -to love with all your soul, with meekness, humility, purity and chastity, wisdom, truth, mercy, obedience, for the sake of God, and never to act contrarily to these virtues; that is, not to become proud, irritated, angry against anyone; not to commit adultery even in the heart; not to violate chastity, either by look, thought, or gesture; to avoid every...
4 tags
4 tags
Repentance is the renewal of baptism
Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the...
4 tags
Anonymous asked: Russians + Greeks = Orthodox brothers. Conratulations to Greece from Russia :)
4 tags
Greece is in the Euro 2012 quarter finals!
Greece is in the quarter finals!!!
We are all so happy here in Greece! Russia was absolutely great too, so congratulations to both teams, no matter the result :)
Ζήτω η Ελλάδα!!
4 tags
Everything is possible to Thee!
Often during the day I have been a great sinner, and at night, after prayer, I have gone to rest, justified and whiter than snow by the grace of the Holy Spirit, with the deepest peace and joy in my heart! How easy it will be for the Lord to save us too in the evening of our life, at the decline of our days! O save, save, save me, most gracious Lord; receive me in Thy heavenly Kingdom!...
4 tags
Do not pride yourself
If during your prayer you shed fountains of tears, do not pride yourself that you are above many others. This is not your accomplishment; it is assistance for your prayer from the Lord, so that you will be able to thus confess your sins willingly and appease Him.
- St. Nilus the Ascetic
4 tags
4 tags
Ask with tears
Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience. For thus he who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
- St. John Climacus – “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” (Step 28)
